Letters of Mounsieur de Balzac. Translated out of French into English. Now collected into one volume, with a methodicall table of all the letters. 1. 2. 3. and 4th parts. By Sr Richard Baker Knight, and others.

TO MY LORD THE CHANCELLOR.

MY LORD,

THat Scorn and contempt that you were pleased lately to throw upon a Libel, fram'd against Mons. de Balzac, and your denial then to license it for the Presse, are a suffi∣cient testimonie how much you do value the person of that man. You did conceive, that being, as you are, the supreme Dispenser of Justice, you had (in a sort) violated that Justice, in permitting such hard censures to passe upon that man, whom you with so much reason approved, and whom o∣thers cannot with any reason reprehend. So that if there be any yet to be found, that cannot fully perswade themselves to approve of this man by your example, their obstinacy is sufficiently confuted by your Authority. And if this cannot represse their sinister intents, yet not∣withstanding, it prevents the effects of them, and hinders that he be not persecuted in print. This high favour which flowes from that e∣steem, which you did alwaies bear to his writings, did invite me to collect with all diligence, these rare productions of his spirit, for the contentation of yours. And as it was not without his consent, that one of his friends hath deposited this treasure in my hands: so I do verily believe, that this office of presenting them to you, is also very com∣formable

to his inclinations. Your worth is so evidently known, that none should imagine I could choose a Sanctuary more noble or more propitieus; and the general current of mens affections to doe you ser∣vice, is so strong and high, that I could not shun this Duty. As for me, I confesse I am exceedingly pleased with this occasion that pre∣sents it self to me, for to make it appear to your Honour, how ap∣prehensive I am of the late favours which your Bounty hath conferred upon me. Certainly, my Lord, my obligations unto you must bee infinitely great, since when I have presented you with all that the E∣loquence of this age hath most precious, yet notwithstanding I must remain your debtor, while I draw breath. You shall meet here with Doctrines, which the austerest Philosophy would not disdain to own and professe; Among these severe speculations, you shall see some flashes of wit break forth, which will serve to entertain you with much de∣light; I speak of the French Epistles, for as for his Latine, I referre them to the judgement of those that doe better understand the beau∣ty and delicacy of that language. I am content to believe that Cicero never entertain'd his friends with better grace and contentment; nay, that the very close and compacted style, and the strong and vigo∣rous expressions which B••utus found wanting in the writings of that great Orator, are here to be found; But I fear I should detain you too long, from the pleasure of these novel lectures, if in commending ••a••e Epistles, I should arrest you any longer, in reading this poor one of mine. Indeed (my Lord) for to speak nothing that were un∣worthy of you; it were requisite that Mons. de Balzac would lend me some of the graces of his style: or, as he will be ravisht with joy, that I have made choice of you to be the Patron of his writings, he would come himself to make the Dedication; It sufficeth me, if my designe and undertaking for to perform something that might be ac∣ceptable to your Greatnesse, do not give you any distaste, and that you believe, that I am sincerely

My Lord,

Your most humble and most obliged servant, JOHN CAMUSAT.