and other hard names which I cannot now recollect. However, I have reason to believe they impofed upon my ignorance, because when I came to read over their collections, there was not a fyllable there, but what I and every body elfe knew as well as themfelves. Therefore I grievously fufpect a cheat; and that these authors of mine ftole and tranfcribed every word from the universal report of mankind. So that I look upon myself as fifty fhillings out of pocket, to no manner of purpose.

IF, by altering the title, I could make the fame materials ferve for another dedication, (as my betters have done) it would help to make up my lofs: but I have made feveral perfons dip here and there in thofe papers, and before they read three lines, they have all affured me plainly, that they cannot poffibly be applied to any per fon befides your Lordship.

I expected, indeed, to have heard of your Lordship's bravery, at the head of an army; of your undaunted courage, in mounting a breach, or fcaling a wall; or, to have had your pedigree traced in a lineal descent from the house of Auftria; or, of your wonderful talent at drefs and dancing; or, of your profound knowledge in Algebra, Metaphyfics, and the Oriental tongues. But to ply the world with an old beaten ftory of your wit, and eloquence, and learning, and wisdom, and juftice, and politeness, and candour, and evenness of temper in all scenes of life; of that great difcernment in difcovering, and readiness in favouring deferving men; with forty other common topics: I confefs, I have neither confcience, nor countenance to do it. Because there is no virtue, either of a public or private life, which fome circumstances of your own have not often produced upon the stage of the world; and thofe few, which, for want of occafions to exert them, might otherwife have paffed unfeen or unobferved by your friends, your enemies have at length brought to light.

"TIS

In 1701 Lord Sommers was impeached by the Commons, who, either finding their proofs defective, or for other reasons, delayed coming to a trial; and the Lords thereupon proceeded to the trial without them, and acquitted him.

"Tis true, I fhould be very loth the bright example of your Lordship's virtues fhould be loft to after-ages, both for their fake and your own; but chiefly, because they will be so very neceffary to adorn the hiftory of a late *reign: and that is another reason why I would forbear to make a recital of them here; because I have been told by wife men, that as dedications have run for fome years past, a good hiftorian will not be apt to have recourfe thither, in fearch of characters.

THERE is one point wherein I think we dedicators would do well to change our measures; I mean, instead of running on fo far upon the praife of our patrons liberality, to spend a word or two in admiring their patience. I can put no greater compliment on your Lordship's, than by giving you fo ample an occafion to exercise it at prefent. Tho' perhaps I fhall not be apt to reckon much merit to your Lordship upon that score, who having been formerly used to tedious haranguest, and fometimes to as little purpose, will be the readier to pardon this; efpeci ally, when it is offered by one, who is with all respect and veneration,

My LORD,

Your Lordship's moft obedient,

and most faithful fervant,

The BOOKSELLER.

King William's; whofe memory he defended in the houfe of Lords, against some invidious reflexions of the Earl of Nottingham.

...

+ Sir John Sommers was Attorney-general; then made Lord Keeper of the Seals in 1692, and Lord High Chancellor and Baron of Evesham in April 1697.

BOOKSELLER to the READER.

Tis now * fix years fince these papers came first to my

I hand, which feems to have been about a twelve-month

after they were written. For the author tells us in his preface to the first treatise, that he hath calculated it for the year 1697; and in several paffages 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 fatisfaction; however, I am credibly informed, that this publication is without his knowledge; for he concludes the copy is loft, having lent it to a person fince dead, and being never in poffeffion 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 fecret.

IF I fhould go about to tell the reader, by what accident I became mafter of these papers, it would, in this unbelieving age, pafs for little more than the cant or jargon of the trade. I therefore gladly fpare both him and myself fo unneceffary a trouble. There yet remains a difficult queftion, why I published them no fooner? I forebore upon two accounts: first, because I thought I had better work upon my hands; and fecondly, because I was not without fome hope of hearing from the author, and receiving his directions. But I have been lately alarmed with intelligence of a furreptitious copyt, which a certain great wit had new polished and refined; or, as our present writers exprefs 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 fhall very gratefully acknowledge the favour, and print it by itself.

The Tale of a Tub was first published in 1704. † See the Apology.

THE

EPISTLE DEDICATORY,

то

His Royal Highness

Prince POSTERITY.

I

SIR,

HERE prefent your Highnefs with the fruits of a very few leisure hours, ftolen from the short intervals of a world of business, and of an employment quite alien from fuch amufements as this; the poor production of that refufe 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 chufe extremely to deferve fuch a patronage as that of your Highness, whofe numberlefs virtues in fo few years, make the world look upon you as the future example to all princes. For altho' your Highness is hardly got clear of infancy,

C

yet

The citation out of Ireneus in the title-page, which feems to be all gibberish, is a form of initiation used antiently by the Marcofian heretics. William Wotton.

It is the ufual ftyle of decried writers to appeal to pofterity, who is here represented as a prince in his nonage, and time as his governor; and the author begins in a way very frequent with him, by perfonating other writers, who fometimes offer fuch reafons and excufes for publishing their works, as they ought chiefly to conceal and be afhamed of.