A continuation of the account of the nature causes, symptoms and cure of the distempers that are incident to seafaring people illustrated with some remarkable instances of the sicknesses of the fleet during the last summer, historically related : to which is prefix'd an essay concerning the quantity of blood that is to be evacuated in fevers : being the third part of the work / by William Cockburn ...

TO THE Right Honourable John Lord Berkeley, Baron Straton, Admiral and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Fleet, &c.

My Lord,

OCasions of Addres∣sing those of your Lordship's Worth and Qua∣lity, have as often been a∣bus'd by the undiscreet Pa∣negyrics, and fulsom flat∣teries of cringing Parasites, as they have been eagerly catch'd at. My obligations to your Lordship make me

glad of an opportunity but I confess, I think a De∣dication an improper light for that sacred thing Nobi∣lity, and the great actions of Noble Persons: Grave History, and a good Hand do that picture a great deal more to the life; for then there's no design, it never sullies, and the colours hold through all ages; yet if I had as strong inclinations to Flatter, as my subject is tempting, and hands me fairly into an opportunity, your Lordship's known and declar'd aversion to all such practices and flaunting cu∣stoms, a true stamp of en∣grain'd

Nobility, that ne∣ver wanted these false, (and may I say) satyrical lights of silly flatrerers, who never yet made a better Hero, than Aesop's bird with bor∣row'd plumes: I say, that if my desire was as great, as my subject's inviting, yet this true Greatness of your Lordship's would justly check all such unreasona∣ble and impudent de∣signs, that would so tickle these poor Creatures that are infinitely pleased with borrowed Feathers, when their Gnatho's after a long study, can find nothing so good to equip them with,

as a piece of old Marble, or a Monument only valu∣able for the want of a Nose or L••g broke off by time. But tho your Lordship hates as inveterately, as you do not want any such ridi∣culous praises, and I, of all things, hate a Sycophant the most; yet I may ac∣knowledge, that my Ob∣ligations to your Lordship are very great, and that 'tis only Gratitude that pushes me forward to give you the trouble of This; but especially, since your Favour and extraordinary Encouragements, have mightily contributed to∣wards

the productions in these sheets, that now ven∣ture into the world under your Lordship's protection; and I will hope that you'll not only protect this stran∣ger, but accept of my slen∣der Thanks; till I have a better opportunity to ac∣quit my self, as ought,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's Most Humble and Faithful Servant, W. Cockburn.