_As witness my hand this 22d of May, 1785_, THOMAS WARTON.
_County of Oxford to wit, 22nd of May, 1785._ This is to certify, to all whom it may concern, That the aforesaid Thomas and Joseph Warton came before me, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said county, and did solemnly make oath to the truth of the above case. His Sworn before me, JOHN + WEYLAND. Mark.
[1] It cannot fail to attract the Reader's particular attention to this very curious piece, to inform him, that Signor Delpini's decision, in favour of Mr. Warton, was chiefly grounded on the new and extraordinary style of writing herein attested.
On the demise of the late excellent Bard, William Whitehead, Esq. Poet Laureat to his Majesty, it was decidedly the opinion of his Majesty's great superintendant Minister, that the said office should be forthwith declared elective, and in future continue so; in order as well to provide the ablest successor on the present melancholy occasion, as also to secure a due preference to superior talents, upon all future vacancies: it was in consequence of this determination, that the following Public Notice issued from the Lord Chamberlain's Office, and became the immediate cause of the celebrated contest that is recorded in these pages.
ADVERTISEMENT. _Lord Chamberlain's Office, April 26._
In order to administer strict and impartial justice to the numerous candidates for the vacant POET LAUREATSHIP, many of whom are of illustrious birth, and high character,
Notice is hereby given, That the same form will be attended to in receiving the names of the said Candidates, which is invariably observed in registering the Court Dancers. The list to be finally closed on Friday evening next.
Each Candidate is expected to deliver in a PROBATIONARY BIRTH-DAY ODE, with his name, and also personally to appear on a future day, to recite the same before such literary judges as the Lord Chamberlain, in his wisdom, may appoint.
[The following Account, though modestly stiled a _Hasty Sketch_, according to the known delicacy of the Editorial Style, is in fact _A Report_, evidently penned by the hand of a Master.]
HASTY SKETCH _of Wednesday's Business at the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE.