xliv The PREFACE. 



Introduclio7i to one of the Noblefl: as well 

 as UfefuUeft Subjefts in the World, it feem'd 

 abfolutely requifite I fliou'd begin with fome- 

 thing of this nature. 



True it is, that /^^^ Author's Works arc 

 iiioft acceptable, who undertakes it rather 

 out of Choice than Iseceffity. ;j 



Some judge of Authors Names y not Worhf^^ 

 and then • , - J 



Nor praife mor damn the'tfritingSy but the 

 MeUy 



are the Lines of one of our greateft Judges 

 of modern Criticifm, Yet as this was not 

 altogether my Cafe, it being done, the greatr 

 eft part of it, Nobilis Otii^ (as the Poet 

 phrafes it ) during the Leifure I enjoy 'd in 

 a very Indulgent as well as Noble Family 5 

 I hope there is nothing fo culpable in it, as 

 the putting it together, which I muft own 

 was done in fome Hafte. 



But what's moft afflifting, is, that it was 

 .fiot begun fooner. If the great iJo?//^;? Em- 

 jperor (wjiofe continual Care of his People 

 in general, might be thought to be a fufH- 

 -cient Difcharge. of his Duty ) lamented the 

 lofs of one Day, wherein he did not fome 

 particular Ad of Service and Good : How 

 much more ought a great part of Mankind, 

 (who have no fuch Charge, and can do no- 

 thmg that is of Ufe in the Age they live 

 in, but by fuch ways as thefe) and my felf 



in 



