The Preface. 



tat ion of Crimes, infinitely greater than mine, 

 are excused for three Months alfence from Court. 

 Now the Reafion is, that they give lefs quarter to 

 thofe who have the misfortune to difpleafe the two 

 Meffteurs de Ponchartrain, than to finch as aft 

 contrary to the Kings Orders. 



But after all my Misfortunes, I have this to 

 fiolace me, that I injoy in England a fort of Li- 

 berty, that is not met with elfiewhere : For one 

 may juflly fay, that of all the Countries inhabited 

 by civilisd People, this alone affords the greatejl 

 perfection of Liberty. Nay, I do not except the 

 liberty of the Mind, for I am convinced, that the 

 Englifti maintain it with a great deal of tender- 

 nefs : So true it is, that all degrees of Slavery 

 are abhor rd by this People, who Jhew tloeir Wifi 

 dom in the precautions they take to prevent their 

 finking into a fatal Servitude. 



THE 



