ABSTRACT
It is a matter to be lamented, that, in times like the present, a work of letters can rarely be reviewed upon the ground of its own proper merits. Report, equally industrious to spread truth and falsehood, flies with some tale of an author’s political or religious opinions, and with it assails the vaunted impartiality of a reviewer.—The combat between integrity 65and prejudice is soon at an end—the latter possesses the full power of magic, and soon shifts into the resemblance of the former, and mighty indeed is the mischief that follows. We do not boast of candour that is not to be conquered—but, with opinions decidedly adverse to those attributed to the present author, we shall try if it be not possible to review a work of fancy in the spirit of justice, and the language of gentlemen.
