and candour, and evenness of temper in all 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 loth, the bright example of your lordship's virtues should be lost to afterages, both for their sake and your own; but chiefly

This distinguished lawyer was born at Worcester in 1652. He was first taken notice of at the trial of the Seven Bishops, for whom he was one of the counsel; and it may be here not improperly observed, that all the counsel for the bishops were men of uncommon eminence in their profession. Mr. Somers, in particular, displayed an eloquence on that occasion, worthy of Athens or Rome, when they produced their most finished órators; and an honest zeal for liberty, no less worthy of those republicks, when they produced their most distinguished patriots. Soon after the accession of king William, he was ap pointed solicitor-general, and received the honour of knighthood. He was made attorney-general in April 1692; and lord keeper in March following. In 1697, he was created lord Somers, baron of Evesham, and made lord chancellor of England; from which post he was removed in 1700, and in 1701 was impeached by the commons, but acquitted on his trial by the lords. He then applied himself to study; and was chosen president of the Royal Society. In 1706, he projected the Union; in 1708, was made president of the council, whence he was removed at the change in 1710. Towards the latter end of queen Anne's reign, he grew very infirm; which probably was the reason why he had no other post than a seat at the council-table on the accession of king George I. He died of an apoplectic fit, April 26, 1716, after having for some. time unfortunately survived the powers of his understanding. N. See the Journal to Stella, Jan. 24, 1710-11. N.

because they will be so very necessary to adorn the history 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 wise men, that, as dedications 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 patron's 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.

THE BOOKSELLER TO THE READER.

Ir 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 has calculated it for the year 1697, and in several passages of that discourse, as well as the se

* King William's; whose memory he defended in the House of Lords against some invidious reflections of the earl of Nottingham. H.

↑ The Tale of a Tub was first published in 1704. H.

cond, 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 likely 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 on 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 ċertain 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.

See the Apology, p. 32. N.

THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY,

TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS

PRINCE POSTERITY*.

SIR, December, 1697. I HERE present your highness with the fruits of a very few leisure hours, stolen from the short inter vals of a world of business, and of an employment quite alien from such amusements as this: the por 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 having decreed you sole arbiter of the productions of human wit, in this polite and most accomplished age. Methinks, the number of appellants were enough to shock and startle any judge, of a genius

It is the usual style of decried writers to appeal to Posterity, 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 personating other writers, who sometimes offer such reasons and excuses for publishing their works, as they ought chiefly to conceal and be ashamed of. H.

less* unlimited than yours: but, in order to prevent such glorious trials, the person, it seems, to whose care the education of your highness is committed, has resolved (as I am told) to keep you in almost a universal ignorance of our studies, which it is your inherent birthright to inspect.

It is amazing to me, that this person should have the assurance, in the face of the sun, to go about persuading your highness, that our age is almost wholly illiterate, and has hardly produced one writer upon any subject. I know very well, that when your highness shall † come to riper years, and have gone through the learning of antiquity, you will be too curious, to neglect inquiring into the authors of the very age before you and to think that this insolent, in the account he is preparing for your view, designs to reduce them to a number so insignificant as I am ashamed to mention; it moves my zeal and my spleen for the honour and interest of our vast flourishing body, as well as of myself, for whom, I know by long experience, he has professed, and still continues, a peculiar malice.

It is not unlikely, that when your highness will one day peruse what I am now writing, you may be ready to expostulate with your governor, upon the credit of what I here affirm, and command him to show you some of our productions. To which he will answer, (for I am well informed of his designs) by asking your highness, "where they are? and what is become of them?" and pretend it a de

* There is a solecism in this expression of— less unlimited— what is boundless can admit of no degrees. It should be less extensive.' S.

+ This is ungrammatical: it ought to have been written, Shall have come to riper years, and gone through,' &c. Or, shall come to riper years, and shall have gone through,” &c.' S.