Preface

Preface This volume of Studies in Eighteenth-Century Culture is the second un­ der the new editorial structure, the first with two editors actively involved in the selection and editing of papers, and the first with our new publish­ er, Colleagues Press. These revisions and new departures mark the efforts undertaken by the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies over the past year or so to refurbish and revitalize SECC and to create a degree of continuity from volume to volume. In keeping with the standards set by former editor O. M. Brack, we seek to make our volumes representa­ tive of the very best papers given at both national and regional meetings of the Society and particularly of those reflecting the interdisciplinary in­ terests and careful scholarship of its members. Moreover, we hope that our volumes will assist in giving wider visibility to the activities of this relatively new but vigorous Society. Two events of the past year are reflected in volume 17 of Studies in Eighteenth-Century Culture: the geographical location of the 1986 annu­ al meeting of the national Society in Williamsburg, Virginia, and the return of Halley’s Comet. The happy occasion of locating the ASECS meeting in Virginia’s colonial capital is reflected in two essays, those by Curtis and Kidd. Too, the Society marked the Year of the Comet with the three Clifford Lectures devoted to Edmond Halley and his time. For the rest, the papers were selected from a large and varied collection which were also originally presented at Williamsburg, as well as at meetings of the Society’s no less lively regional gatherings. In addition to thanking our new Editorial Board and the many consul­ tants who helped us in our selection of papers, we would also like to thank Professor Richard Peterson, the Executive Secretary of ASECS, for his valuable assistance and support. — The Editors xi ...