ΤΟ HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE DUKE OF YORK. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS, It is with all due Deference and Efteem that I here prefent you with the fifth Edition of The CRITIC PHILOSOPHER. It was first published under the Patronage of your Royal Highness's Name, and fo well received by the Public, that in a few Days, I was induced to have it reprinted, and in lefs than eight months, not a copy of the fourth Edition could be procured. That your Royal Highnefs may long continue to enjoy the bleffings of Heaven, and the loyal Affections of your Father's Subjects, are the most fincere and unfeigned wishes of Your Royal Highness's Very humble and much obliged Servant, London, A. G. SINCLAIR, M. D. Sept. 19, 1790. PREFACE. TN compiling the following Sheets, I have carefully confulted many of the best ancient and modern Philofophers and Moralifts; and have borrowed a few things from them, which I conceived to be moft fit for my purpose ; but as thefe are mostly detached fentences, and interlined or elucidated, by my own obfervations, · I have used no mark of quotation in the work. Several feemed to blame me, for placing in former editions, Mr. before the word Cain, Abel, &c. therefore, in order to avoid giving offence to any, I have omitted the words Mr. Captain, Profeffor, &c. &c. though I Still affirm, that thefe names in the original, are, according to the beft Manufcripts, which I have feen, marked with a King, a Sire, or fome fuch other point or figure, denoting fuperiority. Perhaps, Perhaps, few works of this kind ever had Such a rapid fale; whether it merits it, I will not take upon me to say; the judicious and unprejudiced part of mankind are the most competent to judge for themselves: this I am fure of, that whatever the world may think, Truth bath been folely my aim: and as to the quibbles of fnarling Would-be Critics, I am totally indifferent, being well convinced that truth will ever ftand the most truly critical investigation. -It is not with a view to offend any body of men, that I have fo fully given my opinion, but merely to lafh folly. I have greatly enlarged this fifth edition, with, I flatter myself, many interefling remarks; and I have alfo expunged the numerous errors of the prefs, which had unavoidably crept into the former impreffions, but I shall make no alterations in any future Edition.-I heartily wish the whole may anfwer thofe good intentions, which I had in ufbering it into the world.-Then am I fully fatisfied. ADVER ADVERTISEMENT. EVERAL illiberal anonymous hand-bills, un SEVE der the title of Queries, Squibs, &c. &c. having been handed about, refpecting this work and myself; it's rapid fale and great fuccess, having alfo excited the envy of malevolent Scribblers to fnarl at it's author; and many others, who imagine their interefts must be affected, by my publishing truths, that seem to militate against them, having likewife endeavored to prejudice the public; I now declare on Honor, that I will not answer or take the leaft notice of fuch, but treat, one and all of them with the utmost contempt.-At the fame time, I also affirm, that I have not the smallest objection to enter the lifts with any perfon, who, in the file and manner of a gentleman and scholar, may chufe to confute what I have advanced, and who will affix his real name to what he may write, A. G. SINCLAIR. THE |