rural scenes, it appears to me not ill-tim'd to avow, that I have hopes of
meeting in some degree the approbation of my Country. I was not prepar'd
for the decided, and I may surely say extraordinary attention which the
Public has shewn towards the Farmer's Boy: the consequence has been such
as my true friends will rejoice to hear; it has produc'd me many essential
blessings. And I feel peculiarly gratified in finding that a poor man in
England may assert the dignity of Virtue, and speak of the imperishable
beauties of Nature, and be heard, and heard, perhaps, with greater
attention for his being poor.

Whoever thinks of me or my concerns, must necessarily indulge the pleasing
idea of gratitude, and join a thought of my first great friend Mr. LOFFT.
And on this head, I believe every reader, who has himself any feeling,
will judge rightly of mine: if otherwise, I would much rather he would lay
down this volume, and grasp hold of such fleeting pleasures as the world's
business may afford him. I speak not of that gentleman as a public
character, or as a scholar. Of the former I know but little, and of the
latter nothing. But I know from experience, and I glory in this fair
opportunity of saying it, that his private life is a lesson of morality;
his manners gentle, his heart sincere: and I regard it as one of the most
fortunate circumstances of my life, that my introduction to public notice
fell to so zealous and unwearied a friend.[Footnote: I dare not take to
myself a praise like this; and yet I was, perhaps, hardly at liberty to
disclaim what should be mine and the endeavour of every one to deserve.
This I can say, that I have reason to rejoice that Mr. _George Bloomfield_
introduced the Farmer's Boy to me. C. L.]

I have received many honourable testimonies of esteem from strangers;
letters without a name, but fill'd with the most cordial advice, and
almost a parental anxiety, for my safety under so great a share of public