In refreshing contrast to such orgies of flattery we have the Rev. James Granger's dedication of his "Biographical History of England" to Horace Walpole
it is to be an fonest man and a goo If I have an_ ambition for sapling Neve the honour to be, esteemed Sir. arish priest, and in the next place to your most obliged, most grateful, and most obedient humble servant.
A very simple and manly dedication was Napier's in his "History of the Peninsular War"
To Field-Marshal the Duke of Welington. This History I dedicate to your Grace because I~haye served long enough under your command to feel why the soldiers of the Tenth Legion were attached to Cesar.—W. F. P. Napier.
A very curious dedication was penned by William Hayley, the friend of Cowper, who thus inscribe his "Philosophical, Historical and Moral Essay on Old Maid: (1785) to Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, the famous "blue-stocking"
Dear Madam,—Permit me to pay riy devotions to you, as the ancients did to their threefold Diana; and to revorence you in three distinct characters; as a Poet, as a Philosopher, and as an" Oid Maid. Although the latter name {may, in valgar estimation, be held inferior to the two preceding, allow me say, it is the dignity with which you support the last of these titles, that has chiefly made me wish you to appear 23 the Protectress of the little volume> which I have now the honour to lay fore you. Your virtues and your talents induce me to-consider you as the President of the chaste community, whose interest T have endeavoured to promo%e in the following performance.
What Mrs. Carter did about it does not appear to be recorded, but I I hope she smacked his face.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.