February 7th,1755 My Lord, I have been lately informed,by the proprietor of the World,that two papers,in which my Dictionary is recommended to the public, were written by your Lordship. To be so distinguished,is an honour which,being very little accustomed to favours from the great,I know not well how to receive,or in what terms to acknowledge. When,upon some slight encouragement, I first veisited your Lordship, I was overpowered,like the rest of mankind, by the enchantment of your address,and could not forbear to wish that I might boast myself Le veainqueur du vainqueur de le terre, that I might obtain that regard for which I saw the world contendingl but I found my attendance so little encouraged, that neither pride nor modesty would sufferme to continue it. When I had once addressed your Loradship in public, I had exhausted all the art of pleasing which a retired and uncourtly scholar can possess. I had done all that I could, and no man is well pleased to have his all neglected, be it ever so little.

1 致切斯特菲尔德拍爵的一封信
2 雪莱致济慈
3 济慈致雪莱
4 罗伯特·勃朗宁致伊丽莎白·巴莱特
5 伊莉莎白·巴莱特致罗伯特·勃朗宁
6 查尔斯·狄更斯给妻子的一封信
7 艾米莉·勃朗特之死
8 论结婚与独身
9 一个温和的建议
10 知识本身即目的

本书是《英语名家经典短篇作品》系列丛书之一。本书作品均选自英国作家，阅读对象为具有一定英语基础的广大读者。本书旨在培养对英国文学的欣赏能力和阅读兴趣，而不是一部包罗万象的英国文学文集。