person, from a prodigious number of dark, winding stairs; but found them all in the same story, both of your lordship and themselves. Now, your lordship is to understand, that this proceeding was not of my own invention; for, I have somewhere heard, it is a maxim, that those, to whom every body allows the second place, have an undoubted title to the first.

This infallibly convinced me, that your lordship was the person intended by the author. But, being very unacquainted in the style and form of dedications, I employed those wits aforesaid, to furnish me with hints and materials towards a panegyric upon your lordship's virtues.

In two days they brought me ten sheets of paper, filled up on every side. They swore to me, that they had ransacked whatever could be found in the characters of Socrates, Aristides, Epaminondas, Cato, Tully, Atticus, and other hard names which I cannot now recollect. However, I have reason to believe, they imposed upon my ignorance; because when I came to read over their collections, there was not a syllable there but what I and every body else knew as well as themselves. Therefore, I grievously suspect a cheat; and that these authors of mine stole and transcribed every word from the universal report of mankind. So that I look upon myself as fifty shillings out of pocket, to no manner of purpose.

If by altering the title, I could make the same materials serve for another dedication (as my betters have done), it would help to make up the loss; but I have made several persons dip here and there in those papers; and before they read three lines, they have all assured me plainly, that they cannot possibly be applied to any person besides 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 scaling a wall; or to have had your pedigree traced in a lineal descent from the house of Austria; or of your wonderful talent at dress and dancing; or your profound knowledge in Algebra, Metaphysics, and the Oriental tongues. But to ply the world with an old beaten story of your wit, and eloquence, and learning, and wisdom, and justice, and politeness, and candour, and evenness of temper in all the scenes of life; of that great discernment in discovering, and readiness in favouring deserving men, with forty other common topics; I confess I have neither conscience nor countenance to do it; because there is no virtue, either of a public or private life; which some circumstances of your own have not often produced upon the stage of the world; and those few which, for want of occasions to exert them, might otherwise have passed unseen or unobserved by your friends, your * enemies have at length brought to light.

It is true, I should be very loath, the bright example of your lordship's virtues should be lost to after ages, both for their sake and your own; but chiefly, because they will be so very necessary to adorn the history of the late † reign; and that is another reason why I would forbear to make a recital of them here, because I have been told by wise men, that as dedi

* In 1701 Lord Somers 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.

† K. William, whose memory he defended in the House of Lords against some invidious reflections of the Earl of Nottingham.

cations have run for some years past, a good historian will not be apt to have recourse thither, in search of characters.

There is one point wherein I think we dedicators would do well to change our measures; I mean, instead of running on so far upon the praise 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 so ample an occasion to exercise it at present. Though, perhaps, I shall not be apt to reckon much merit to your lordship upon that score, who having been formerly used to tedious harangues, and sometimes to as little purpose, will be the readier to pardon this; especially, when it is offered by one, who is, with all respect and veneration,

*

My Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient,
and most faithful servant,

The BOOKSELLER.

*Sir John Somers was Attorney-General; then made Lord Keeper of the Seals, in

1692, and Lord High Chancellor and Baron of Evesham, in April, 1697.

THE BOOKSELLER TO THE READER.

C

It is now six years since these papers came first to my hand, which seems 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 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

The Tale of a Tub was first published in 1704.