Some regulations are neceffary, whatever track be 12chofen. The scaffold ought to be raised at least four feet, with rails high enough to fupport the ftanders, and yet fo low as not to hinder the view.

It

oration, in which was a wish that her majefty might prove extremely prolific.

The proceffion then advanced to the conduit in Cornhill; where the graces fat enthroned, with a fountain before them, inceffantly discharging wine; and underneath, a poet, who defcribed the qualities peculiar to each of these amiable deities, and presented the queen with their several gifts.

The cavalcade thence proceeded to a great conduit that stood oppofite to Mercers-hall in Cheapfide, and, upon that occafion, was painted with a variety of emblems, and during the folemnity and remaining part of the day, ran with different forts of wine, for the entertainment of the populace.

At the end of Wood-street, the standard there was finely embel lished with royal portraitures and a number of flags, on which were painted coats of arms and trophies, and above was a concert of vocal and inftrumental mufic.

At the upper end of Cheapfide was the aldermens ftation, where. the recorder addreffed the queen in a very elegant oration, and, in the name of the citizens, prefented her with a thousand marks in a purfe of gold tiffue, which her majefty very gracefully received.

At a fmall diftance, by Cheapfide conduit, was a pageant, in which were feated Minerva, Juno, and Venus; before whom flood the god Mercury; who, in their names, prefented the queen a golden apple.

At St. Paul's gate was a fine pageant, in which fat three ladies richly dreffed, with each a chaplet on her head, and a tablet in her hand, containing Latin infcriptions.

At the east end of St. Paul's cathedral, the queen was entertained by fome of the scholars belonging to St. Paul's fchool, with verfes in praise of the king and her majefty, with which she seemed highly delighted.

It would add much to the gratification of the people, if the horse-guards, by which all our proceffions have been of late encumbered, and rendered dangerous to the multitude, were to be left behind at the coronation; and if, contrary to the defires of the people, the proceffion must pass in the old track, that the number of foot foldiers be diminished; fince it cannot but offend every Englishman to fee troops of foldiers placed between him and his fovereign, as if they were the most honourable of the people, or the king required guards to fecure his person from his fubjects. As their station makes them think themselves important, their infolence is always fuch as may be expected from fervile authority; and the impatience of the people, under such immediate oppreffion, always produces quarrels, tumults, and mischief.

Thence proceeding to Ludgate, which was finely decorated, her majefty was entertained with feveral fongs adapted to the occafion, fung in concert by men and boys upon the leads over the gate.

At the end of Shoe-lane, in Fleet-ftreet, a handfome tower with four turrets was erected upon the conduit, in each of which flood one of the cardinal virtues, with their several symbols; who, addreffing themselves to the queen, promised they would never leave her, but be always her conftant attendants. Within the tower was an excellent concert of mufic, and the conduit all the while ran with various forts of wine.

At Temple-bar fhe was again entertained with fongs, fung in concert by a choir of men and boys; and having from thence proceeded to Westminster, the returned the lord mayor thanks for his good offices, and those of the citizens, that day. The day after, the lord mayor, aldermen, and fheriffs, affifted at the coronation, Stow's Annals. which was performed with great splendor.

Note, The fame hiftorian informs us, that queen Elizabeth paffed in the like manner, through the city, to her coronation.

PRE

TO THE

ARTIST's CATALOGUE, for 1762.

THE public may juftly require to be informed of

the nature and extent of every defign, for which the favour of the public is openly folicited. The artists, who were themselves the firft projectors of an exhibition in this nation, and who have now contributed to the following catalogue, think it therefore neceffary to explain their purpose, and justify their conduct. An exhibition of the works of art, being a fpectacle new in this kingdom, has raised various opinions and conjectures among those who are unacquainted with the practice in foreign nations. Those who set out their performances to general view, have been too often confidered as the rivals of each other, as men actuated, if not by avarice, at least by vanity, and contending for fuperiority of fame, though not for a pecuniary prize. It cannot be denied or doubted, that all who offer themselves to criticifi are defirous of praise; this defire is not only innocent, but virtuous, while it is undebased by artifice, and unpolluted by envy; and of envy or artifice these men can never be accused, who, already enjoying all the honours and profits of their profeffion, are content to stand candidates for public notice, with genius yet unexperienced, and diligence yet unrewarded; who, without any hope of increafing their own reputation or intereft, expofe their names and their works only that they may furnish an opportunity of appearance to the young, the diffident, and the neglected. The purpofe of this exhibition is not to enrich the artists, but to advance the art; the

eminent are not flattered with preference, nor the obfcure infulted with contempt; whoever hopes to deserve public favour, is here invited to display his merit.

Of the price put upon this exhibition some account may be demanded. Whoever fets his work to be fhewn, naturally desires a multitude of spectators; but his defire defeats its own end, when spectators affemble in such numbers as to obftruct one another. Though we are far from wishing to diminish the pleasures, or depreciate the fentiments of any clafs of the community, we know, however, what every one knows, that all cannot be judges or purchasers of works of art; yet we have already found by experience, that all are defirous to fee an exhibition. When the terms of admiffion were low, our room was thronged with fuch multitudes as made accefs dangerous, and frightened away those whofe approbation was most desired.

Yet, because it is feldom believed that money is got but for the love of money, we fhall tell the ufe which we intend to make of our expected profits.

Many artists of great abilities are unable to fell their works for their due price; to remove this inconvenience, an annual fale will be appointed, to which every man may fend his works, and send them if he will without his name. These works will be reviewed by the committee that conduct the exhibition. A price will be fecretly set on every piece, and registered by the fecretary. If the piece expofed is fold for more, the whole price shall be the artist's; but if the purchaser's value is at lefs than the committee, the artist shall be paid the deficiency from the profits of the exhibition.

то THE

APPENDIX

SHAKSPEARE.

IN

Published in 1765.

N the prosecution of this work, I received many remarks from learned friends, which came fometimes too late for infertion; and some of my own remarks, either more mature reflection, or better information, has difpofed me to retract. An appendix, therefore, became neceffary, that I might omit nothing which could contribute to the explanation of my authour. I do not always concur with my friends in their opinion; but their abilities are fuch as make me lefs confident when I find myself differing from them; and the public might justly complain, if I fuppreffed their fentiments either by pride or timidity. From the Revifal of Shakspeare, lately publifhed, I have felected fome juft remarks, and from Dr. Grey fome valuable illustrations. I am far, at last, from supposing my work perfect; but do not think any thing which I am likely to add to it, of value enough juftify longer delay*.

* The preface to Shakspeare, in the laft publication of Dr. Johnfon's works, having been mutilated by the omiffion of the following paragraph, in juftice to the memory of Dr. Johnson it is here reftored from the edition of Shakspeare of the year 1773, where it originally appeared. "Of what has been performed in this "revifal, an account is given in the following pages by Mr. "Steevens, who might have spoken both of his own diligence and "fagacity, in terms of greater felf-approbation, without deviating "from modesty or truth."