Having, _a priori_, intended to dedicate _The Amours of my Uncle Toby_ to Mr. *** ----I see more reasons, _a posteriori_, for doing it to Lord *******.
I should lament from my soul, if this exposed me to the jealousy of their Reverences; because _a posteriori_, in Court-latin, signifies the kissing hands for preferment--or anything else--in order to get it.
My opinion of Lord ******* is neither better nor worse, than it was of Mr. ***. Honours, like impressions upon coin, may give an ideal and local value to a bit of base metal; but Gold and Silver will pass all the world over without any other recommendation than their own weight.
The same good-will that made me think of offering up half an hour's amusement to Mr. *** when out of place--operates more forcibly at present, as half an hour's amusement will be more serviceable and refreshing after labour and sorrow, than after a philosophical repast.
Nothing is so perfectly _amusement_ as a total change of ideas; no ideas are so totally different as those of Ministers, and innocent Lovers: for which reason, when I come to talk of Statesmen and Patriots, and set such marks upon them as will prevent confusion and mistakes concerning them for the future --I propose to dedicate that Volume to some gentle Shepherd,
Whose thoughts proud Science never taught to stray, Far as the Statesman's walk or Patriot-way; Yet _simple Nature_ to his hopes had given Out of a cloud-capp'd head a humbler heaven; Some _untam'd_ World in depths of wood embraced-- Some happier Island in the watry-waste-- And where admitted to that equal sky, His _faithful Dog_ should bear him company.
In a word, by thus introducing an entire new set of objects to his Imagination, I shall unavoidably give a _Diversion_ to his passionate and love-sick Contemplations. In the meantime,
I am

Having previously intended to dedicate The Amours of my Uncle Toby to Mr. *** - I see more reasons, a posteriori, for dedicating it to Lord *******.
I should lament if this exposed me to the jealousy of their Reverences, because a posteriori, in Court-Latin, means the kissing of hands - or anything else - in order to get preferment.
My opinion of Lord ******* is neither better nor worse than my opinion of Mr. ***. Honours, like impressions upon coin, may give a local value to base metal; but Gold and Silver will pass all over the world, without any other recommendation than their own weight.
The same good-will that made me think of offering up half an hour's amusement to Mr. *** operates more forcibly at present, as half an hour's amusement will be more refreshing after labour and sorrow, than after a philosophical repast.
Nothing is so amusing as a total change of ideas; no ideas are so totally different as those of Ministers, and innocent Lovers. Therefore, when I come to talk of Statesmen, it will be in such a way as to prevent mistakes about them. - I propose to dedicate that Volume to some gentle Shepherd; (as Pope almost says-)
Whose thoughts proud Science never taught to stray,
Far as the Statesman's walk or Patriot-way;
Yet simple Nature to his hopes had given
Out of a cloud-capp'd head a humbler heaven;
Some untamed World in depths of wood embraced-
Some happier Island in the watery-waste-
And where admitted to that equal sky,
His faithful Dog should bear him company.
In a word, by thus introducing an entire new set of objects to his Imagination, I shall give a Diversion to his love-sick Contemplations. In the meantime,
I am
