THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
MAY I be canoniz'd for a Saint, if I know what Apology
to make for this dull Piece of Household stuff, any more
than he that first invented the Horn-Book; all that can be
said in its Defence, is, the Muses hath taken as much Pains
in framing their brittle Ware, as Bruin does in licking her
Cubs into Shape: And should that carping Cur, Momus, but
breath on it, (vah! miseris,) we are quite undone; since one
Blast from the Critick's Mouth, wou'd raise more Flaws in
this Looking-Glass, than there be Circles in the Sphere; and
when all is said and done, the Reader will judge just as he
pleases. Well, if it be the Fate of these Sheets, to supply
the Use of Waste Paper, the Author has done his Part, and
is determined to write on, as often as his Inclination or
Interest shall prompt him.
Vale.
