Full Title: Anticipation: Containing the Substance of His M—–Y’s Most Gracious Speech to both H—-S of P–L—–T, on the Opening of the approaching Session, together with a full and authentic account of the Debate which will take Place in the H—E of C—–S, on the Motion for Address, and the Amendment. With Notes. London: Printed for T. Becket, the corner of the Adelphi, in the Strand, 1778.
Advertisment.
Several reasons concurred to urge the Editor to this publication. The critical situation of public affairs seemed to require an extraordinary diffusion of political knowledge; yet, in the common course, but few of the million, who are so deeply interested in the result of parliamentary debates, can be admitted to an audience of them. Sometimes, the Members shut their galleries against the intrusion of any of their Constituents; and it is always a standing order, from the opening of the session, to prohibit the publication of their debates. Under these circumstances, an authentic account of the first day’s debate, put forth at this day, will clearly avoid any breach of that order, and, without exposing the Constituents to crowding in the gallery, to furnish them with their Represenatives Speeches, taken down with the strictest fidelity, cannot but afford them some amusement, and indeed real use. Besides, the first day’s debate is generally a kind of outline of the debates of the whole session; so that a critical observer, by contempating the buds and seedlings of this early eloquence, may calculate what degree of radical strength they possess, how far they will expand and bloom, and whether they are hardy enough to stand the winter.
The Editor cannot but seize this opportunity to thank those Gentlemen who have furnished him with the most authentic materials for some of the speeches, which, they will imediately see, he has copied verbatim from their manuscripts–and he sincerely hopes, their having appeared in print before they are spoken, will not deter the several Gentlemen from delivering them with their usual appearance of extempore eloquence.
November 23, 1778.
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The Gentlemen trading to the East-Indies, West Indies, and other parts, who intend taking or sending thither any pamphlets this season, are hereby informed, that this work is authentic, faithful, and striclty impartial; and as the nice and discerning eye of the Brisish islands and settlements near us, must feel an interest in these matter, good allowance will be given for taking quantities–Also the best Dutch was, and stationary wares.
Eighteenth-Century Reading Room 