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THE BOOKSELLER.
THE BOOKSELLER TO THE READER
It is now six years since these papers came first to my hand, which
seems to have been about a twelvemonth after they were written, for
the Author tells us in his preface to the first treatise that he had
calculated it for the year 1697; and in several passages of that
discourse, as well as the second, it appears they were written about
that time.
As to the Author, I can give no manner of satisfaction. However, I
am credibly informed that this publication is without his knowledge,
for he concludes the copy is lost, having lent it to a person since
dead, and being never in possession of it after; so that, whether
the work received his last hand, or whether he intended to fill up
the defective places, is like to remain a secret.
If I should go about to tell the reader by what accident I became
master of these papers, it would, in this unbelieving age, pass for
little more than the cant or jargon of the trade. I therefore
gladly spare both him and myself so unnecessary a trouble. There
yet remains a difficult question--why I published them no sooner? I
forbore upon two accounts. First, because I thought I had better
work upon my hands; and secondly, because I was not without some
hope of hearing from the Author and receiving his directions. But I
have been lately alarmed with intelligence of a surreptitious copy
which a certain great wit had new polished and refined, or, as our
present writers express themselves, "fitted to the humour of the
age," as they have already done with great felicity to Don Quixote,
Boccalini, La Bruyere, and other authors. However, I thought it
fairer dealing to offer the whole work in its naturals. If any
gentleman will please to furnish me with a key, in order to explain
the more difficult parts, I shall very gratefully acknowledge the
favour, and print it by itself.
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY
TO
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE POSTERITY
SIR,
I here present your Highness with the fruits of a very few leisure
hours, stolen from the short intervals of a world of business, and
of an employment quite alien from such amusements as this; the poor
production of that refuse of time which has lain heavy upon my hands
during a long prorogation of Parliament, a great dearth of foreign
news, and a tedious fit of rainy weather. For which, and other
reasons, it cannot choose extremely to deserve such a patronage as
that of your Highness, whose numberless virtues in so few years,
make the world look upon you as the future example to all princes.
For although your Highness is hardly got clear of infancy, yet has
the universal learned world already resolved upon appealing to your
future dictates with the lowest and most resigned submission, fate
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