The present age demands something more of the professor of an art orscience, who would add another hook thereon, to the common stock, than themere name of a patron, of however high sounding title, or elevated rank, tousher it to public notice: hence, the custom of adulatory addresses to suchpersorutges, alike discreditable to patron and author, though so commonheretofore, is notv nearly grown out of date; for the sanction of such courtlypatronage ivill no longer advance an author one sittgle step in professionalreputation, beyond the boundary of just pretension, and well earned desert.
That sanction alone, which a writer, on his own art or science shouldseek, is the approbation of one amongst the few, who in the same professionhave established for themselves, such a reputation as the world will acknow-ledge as authority in all which they condemn, or approve. That high, andindisputable rejmlation, it is universally admitted you have acquired, by themany structures, public and private, which you have raised, and which will