DRAWN BY RICHARD WESTALL R.A. ENGRAVED BY J. H. ROBINSON; PUBLISHED BY JOHN SHARPE. PICCADILLY. OCT. 1. 1817. DRAWN BY RICHARD WESTALL R.A. ENGRAVED BY J. H. ROBINSON; PUBLISHED BY JOHN SHARPE, PICCADILLY. OCT. 1. 1817. THE TASK. BOOK I. ANN THE SOFA. Historical deduction of seats from the stool to the Sofa.-A schoolboy's "ramble.- A walk in the country. The scene described.--Rural sounds as well as sigbts delightful.--Another walk.-Mistake concerning the charms of solitude corrected --Colonnades commended.- Alcove, and the view from it. The wilderness --The grove-The thresher --The necessity and the benefits of exercise.-The works of nature superior to, and in some instances inimitable by art.-The wearisomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure.--Change of scene sometimes expedient.- A common described, and the character of crazy Kate introduced.-Gipsies.--The blessings of civilized life. That state most favourable to virtue.-The South Sea islanders compassionated, but chiefly Omai.-His present state of mind supposed.-Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities.-Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praise, but censured -Fête champêtre. The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of dissipation and effeminacy upon vur public measures. I sing the Sofa. I who lately sang |