She died on the first of January, 1782, and was privately interred in the parish church of Walcott, near Bath. What though no sculptur'd tomb contains thy duft, Thus far the Reader is addressed in the fentiments, and almost in the words, of Mr. Thomas. It is not within the purpofe of this Preface to enter farther into the private hiftory of Lady Trevor's circumftances. Her perfonal property devolved to the Rev. David Scurlock, of Blencorfe, nearly related to her mother, who took poffeffion, among other articles, of a large collection of letters; which must, doubtlefs, contain fome that would highly gratify the public curiofity. Lady Trevor had alfo many capital portraits; particularly those of her father and mother, both by Kneller; a portrait of Lord Trevor, and one of Mifs Trevor; the late Duke and Dutchefs of Marlborough, the present Duke and Dutchefs, and Lord Charles Spencer; the Earl and Countess of Pem broke broke; Lady Diana Beauclerk, with feveral fine drawings in crayons by that lady; and her own picture, with that of Mrs. Thomas, by Pine, on the fame canvafs. All these were fold by auction at Bath in May, 1782, with her houfhold furniture, medals, and a valuable library of books collected by herself and her father. All the Letters which are contained in the first volume (three hundred and eightyfour in number) are now for the first time printed. They were preferved with great care by Lady Trevor; and were by her given, as has been faid already, to Mr. Thomas. From him they were purchased by the Editor; who has fince had the honour of prefenting the originals to the Curators of the British Museum. In fearching for the notes and illuftrations, it was difcovered that there were feveral detached Letters of Steele, in various publications, which, if collected, would materially illuftrate his character. Of these a diftinct feries is here formed, which it was at firft intended to add to the present volume as an Appendix; but, having grown too bulky for that purpose, it has has been thought more advisable to publish them as a diftin&t volume. Perhaps it may not be difagreeable to the reader to trace in them this great man's aftonishing powers in varying thefe progreffive complimentary addreffes to his friends and patrons. At any rate, they contain in themfelves fufficient intrinfic merit to fuperfede all apology for their re-publication. April 23, 1787. CON |