Page:The works of Anna Laetitia Barbauld volume 1.djvu/82

 by several little fancy pieces scattered among her familiar letters. Even her conversation was often enlivened with these graceful sports of wit and imagination.

Of the three Pamphlets now republished among her Prose Works, the editor has only to observe, that though composed on particular occasions, these pieces were not formed to pass away with those occasions: they treat of subjects permanently interesting to the champion of religious liberty, to the conscientious patriot, and to the Christian worshiper,—and they so treat of them, that while English eloquence is made a study, while English literature is not for gotten, their praise shall live, their memory shall flourish.

It only remains to speak of her familiar letters. These were certainly never intend ed by herself to meet the public eye. She kept no copies of them; and it is solely by