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HINTS
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TASTE

ON PUBLICATIONS.

IS not unamufing to confider the several

'T' apologies that people make when they

commence authors. It is taken for granted that on every publication there is at least a seeming violation of modefty; a prefumption, on the writer's fide, that he is able to instruct or to entertain the world; which implies a fuppofition that he can communicate, what they cannot draw from their own reflexions.

To remove any prejudice this might occafion, has been the general intent of prefaces. Some

we find extremely follicitous to claim acquaintance with their reader; addreffing him by the moft tender and endearing appellations. He is in general ftyled the most loving, candid, and courteous creature that ever breathed; with a view, doubtless, that he will deferve the compliment; and that his favor may be fecured at the expence of his better judgment. Mean and idle expectation! The accidental elopements and adventures of a compofition; the danger of an imperfect and furreptitious publication; the preffing and indifcreet inftances of friends; the pious and wellmeant frauds of acquaintance; with the irresistible commands of perfons in high life; have been excuses often fubftituted in place of the real motives, vanity and hunger.

THE most allowable reasons for appearing thus in public, are either the advantage or amufement of our fellow-creatures; or our own private emolument and reputation.

A MAN poffeffed of intellectual talents would be more blameable in confining them to his own private use, than the mean-fpirited mifer, that did the fame by his money. The latter is indeed obliged to bid adieu to what he communicates; the former enjoys his treasures, even while he renders others the better for them. A compofition that enters the world with a view of improving or amusing it, (I mean only, amusing it in a polite or innocent way) has a claim to our utmost indulgence, even though it fail of the effect intended.

WHEN a writer's private interest appears the motive of his publication, the reader has a larger fcope for accufation, if he be a fufferer. Whoever pays for thoughts, which this kind of writers may be faid to vend, has room enough to complain, if he be disappointed of his bargain.

He

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