A General History of Ireland: From the Earliest Accounts to the Death of King William III1773

When I survey the divine simplicity and blooming attractions, that are displayed amongst the variegated tribes of the vegetable creation, I cease to wonder, that Queens forego, for a while, the compliments of a nation, or withdraw from the glitter of a court, to be attended with the more splendidequipage of a bed of flowers; where nothing seems wanting but the power of speech, to make them become the most pleasing Monitors. How far the Author of the following Fables, written for the amusement of an exalted Personage, may have succeeded, in descriptive fancy, as a poet: it is hoped, that, the moral and refined admonitions which may be found to breathe, from the fragrant bosom of a silver-robed Lily, or a blooming Jonquil, will throw a veil over any poetical inaccuracies; for who can paint like Nature? As to the novelty of the plan, I cannot but hold myself, in a great measure, indebted to an ingenious Lady, well known in the literary world. And can only say, that I have found both health and recreation in the completion of it; by sharing some of the sweetest hours of contemplation, among the lovely subjects of the following pages.