X PREFACE.

" My fears are lighter than my expecta-tions ; I wrote to please myself, and I pub-lish to please others : and this so universally,that I have not wished to rob the critic ofhis censure, or my friend of the laugh. * ** * J have learnt, that

where the writer would please, the manshould be unknown. An Author is the re-verse of all other objects, and magnifies bydistance, but diminishes by approach. Hisprivate attachments must give place to pub-lic favour; for no man can forgive his friendthe ill-natured attempt of being thoughtwiser than himself,' *

This may now be considered a curiosity inliterature, and it exhibits a perfect contrastto the inflated Dedications and pompousPrefaces of the period in which it appeared.

* Preface to " Fables for the Female Sex," fourth edition :London, printed for T. Davies, in Russell Street, Covent Gar-den, and J. Dodsley, Pall Mall, 1671.