The T KEF ACE, 



Had my Leifure been greater, I had contrafted the whole, 

 and taken more care both in the Method^ and ExpreJJion, But 

 moft of the vacant Hours from the neceflary Attendance on the 

 Bufinefs of my Profeffion , being taken up in ColIe5:ing Ma- 

 terials ', to gratifie the Importunity of my Friends, who con- 

 ftantly urged the Publication, I fent my Papers Sheet by Sheet 

 to the Prefs, as I had time to tranfcribe them ; fo that I had 

 not a view of them together, till they were printed. If I have 

 difcovcred the Truth, 'tv/as what I aimed at , which always 

 appears beft, when leafl: difguifed ; and it has been my chief 

 Care in this Undertaking to pull off thofe Vails and Masks, 

 wherewith the Poets and Poetical Hiftorians have hitherto ob- 

 fcured it. 



Orang' 



