THE Political Writings OF Sir Richard Steele. Mala Opinio, Bene parta, delectat. Sen. LONDON: Printed for 7. T. and Sold by Owen Lloyd near the ENGLISH LIBRARY To the Right Honourable the EARL of CLARE. My LORD,. HE following Papers were written to confront daring and wicked Men, in the Profecution of Purposes deftructivetotheirCoun try. The honeft Inten tion of them was what first recommended me to your Lordship's Friendfhip, and I hope you will forgive me that I cannot conceal a Circumftance fo advantageous to the Fame of them, as that of your Lordfhip's Approbation. The painful Struggle under fo great a Difficulty, as explaining with a Miniftry in openContradiction to their Proceed ings, is what can be fupported by nothing lefs than the Teftimony of a good Confcience, and an Heart pure from a vi cious Ambition. And thefe are fuch Supports as will keep a Man from languishing in Difcontent, fhould He, amidst the Profperities of the Cause he has endeavoured to ferve, live to find Zeal for the Publick, of all Humane Virtues, the most exposed to the cool comfort |