fucceffion, without the intervention of other matter. Such are the Drapier's Letters, and fome other papers published upon the fame occafion, which have not only in the Irish edition, but in every other, been fo mixed, as to mifreprefent fome facts, and obfcure others. Such alfo are the tracts on the Sacramental teft; which are now put together in a regular order, as they fhould always be read, by those who would fee their whole ftrength and propriety.

As to the arrangement of the different pieces, we have claffed them in the order which appeared the most natural, according to the plan pointed out by the Earl of Orrery, and, as near as can be, in chronological order. The first ten volumes contain what were published in the author's lifetime, the 11th. 12th, and 13th volumes are a felection from what is called The Pofthumous Works, containing all that the original editor, Mr. Falconer, has thought worthy of publication.

As to the Notes, this edition will be found to contain double the number that is inferted in any London edition. Moft part of those notes to which no name is annexed, are taken from the Dublin and other editions. The greatest part of the other notes are taken from the Earl of Orrery's remarks on the life and writings of Dr. Swift, Mr. Dean Swift's Effay on the fame fubject, and Warburton's edition of Pope's Works. A few notes of

reference,

reference, and fome hiftorical remarks, are inferted by the editor. To fome of the large extracts from Orrery and Swift, we have given the title of Criticifms; which are to be found in the 1ft, 7th, and 9th volumes. And care has been taken not to omit any remark of importance contained in the writings of these authors upon any piece of Swift's works.

Dr. Hawkesworth's edition of this celebrated author, has been justly esteemed; yet, upon comparison, this one will be found to contain feveral pieces, both in verse and profe, not inferted in his; befides other advantages of Indexes, &c.

As to the Life of Dr. Swift, many accounts have been published of it. These have mutually reflected light upon each other, afcertained controverted facts, and rectified miftakes, which, if they had ftill been tradi tional and oral, would ftill have been believed.

Several little incidents, which fhewed the peculiarities of his converfation and domeftic life, were related by Mrs. Pilkington, in her memoirs; though these could be believed only in proportion as they verified themselves. Lord Orrery's letters contained many of the principal events, intermingled with many characteristic incidents, fupported in general upon better authority; but fometimes founded upon falfe information. Some of these mistakes were detected by a volume of letters figned J. R. in which were alfo fome new materials; and the account fince

published

published by Mr. Swift, with an imperfect fketch by the Dean himself, has furnished yet more. It was not thought neceffary (says he) to relate every trifling particular that has been recorded, but only to felect fuch as will fufficiently diftinguish the peculiarities of his character and manners, and transmit a knowledge of him to pofterity, of the fame kind, if not in the fame degree, as was obtained by thofe among his contemporaries, who were admitted to his converfation and friendship.

In the account of Dr. Swift's Life, feveral anecdotes, and different relations of particu lar incidents, are thrown into notes; and fome critical remarks on his character, taken from Lord Orrery and Mr. Swift, are now added. An abridgement of Mrs. Pilkington's account is annexed. In the tenth volume, immedi, ately after the Dean's Will, are two letters defcribing his furiofity. After which is given Lord Orrery's account of Swift's death, and his Lordship's differtation on lunacy and idiotifm, occafioned by the melancholy fituation of the Dean's understanding, fome years before his death.

In works of great extent, the utility of indexes is obvious to every reader, and the want is generally complained of: Yet few of the London editions have any index. Therefore, to supply so material a defect, three indexes are annexed to the tenth volume. The firit is of the titles of the pieces in profe;.

the

the fecond, of thofe of the poetry; and the third is of the principal matters. Befides these indexes, unto volume 13th is added an index to the three volumes of Pofthumous Works.

Care has been taken to print this edition as correctly as poffible; and it is hoped, that, in point of accuracy, it will not be found inferior to any former one In fhort, no pains or expence have been spared to render this a complete and correct edition of the Works of the celebrated Dean of St. Patrick's.

Edinburgh, Decem. 26. 1.768.

THE