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Show T H E DEDICATION. T O HENRY BRET, Efq;. 'T1 HE Commons of England have a Right of petitioning, and x fince by your Place in the Senate you are oblig'd to hear and redrefs the SubjeEl, / prefume upon the Privilege of the People, to give you the following Trouble. A s Prologues introduce Plays on the Stage, fo Dedications ufher them into the great Theatre ofthe'Wjrld; and as we chufe fome ftanch AElor to addrefs the Audience, fo we pitch upon fome Gentleman of undifputed Ingenuity to recommend us to the Reader. Booh, like Metals, require to befampt with fome valuable Effigies before they become popular and current. To efcape the Critich, I refolv'd to take SanEluary with one of the bef, one who differs from the Fraternity in this, That his good Nature is ever predominant; can difcover an Author'sfmallef Fault, and pardon the greateft. Tour generous Approbation, Sir, has done this Play Service, but has injur d the Author; for it has made him infuffer ably vain, and he thinks himfelf Authorized to ftand up for the Merit of his Performance, when fo great a Mafer of Wit has declar'd in its Favour. The Mujes are the moft Coquetijh of their Sex, fond of being admird, and always putting on their beft Airs to the fineft Gentleman : But alas, Sir! Their Addreffes are f ale, and their fine things but Repetition; for there is nothing new in Wit, but what is found in your own Converfation. Cou'd I write by the help of Study, at you talk without it, I wou'd venture to fay fomething in the ufual Strain of Dedication; but at you have too much Wit to fuffer it, and I too little to undertake it, I hope the World will excufe my Deficiency, and you will pardon the Prefumption ofc S I R, Your moft Oblig'd, Pecemb. 23. and moft humble Servant, 1702. b...i T 3 G. FARQ.UHTAHR.E |
