THE WORKS OF Samuel Johnson, LL.D. IN THIRTEEN VOLUMES. VOL. XIII. LONDON: PRINTED FOR JOHN STOCKDALE, M.DCC.LXXXVII. PREFACE. A COMPLEAT Collection of the writings of the late Dr. Samuel Johnson was defired by the Public with an ardour almost equal to the high opinion which was entertained of his talents and his morals. The London Bookfellers undertook, in conjunction with the deceafed's executors, to gratify this defire with an alacrity, which proceeded from a conviction how much their own intereft would be promoted by punctual compliance. But, from whatever caufe, the prefent edition of the works of that great writer and illuftrious moralift, does not comprehend his PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, which, every competent judge must allow, exhibit a memorable specimen of the extent and promptitude of his faculties. Thefe Debates, as the intelligent have for fome time known, and as the world is now authentically told by the prefent hiftorian of his life, were originally compiled for the Gentleman's Magazine. And thefe ORATIONS, which have induced learned foreigners to compare British with ancient eloquence, were haftily sketched by JOHNSON, while he was not yet thirty-two, while he was little acquainted with life, while he was ftruggling, not for diftinction, but existence, |