¢་ C lively ftrokes and pointed turns in a witty fatire are not always charmed with the Satirift; for "the Writer is frequently admired, when the "Man is detefted." Thefe falutary admonitions I fhall follow with the utmoft punctuality, for a loaded die cannot be more prized by a fharping gamefter, nor a swiftfooted steed by a timorous highwayman, than these admonitions are by ME. Authors of all capacities, whether Verfe-men or Profe men, are, in my humble opinion, a public fpirited fet of people, and ought not to be ir reverently treated, Nay I think the Government fhould diftinguish them in an uncommon manner; for whether they commit harmonious numbers or wretched rhymes, tuneful periods or heavy paragraphs, fenfe or nonfenfe, to the prefs, they contribute to the confumption of that valuable commodity Paper, and are, therefore, encouragers of one of the most, flourishing manufactures in the three kingdons: a manufacture, which, for its extenfive utility, cannot be too highly com mended, too vigorously fupported, nor too pow. erfully patronized. I have myself a great deal of this public-fpiritedness in me, and fhall therefore fcribbleaway tatis,viribus, with all my might, farthe good of my Country: ard earnestly wish that some of my prating acquaintance in a certain affembly, had the intereft of the nation as much at hear as I have; for if they had, they would not spend fo much of their time în babbling merely for their own private advantage. glaring • When this first paper makes it appearance in the coffee houfes, which may not improperly be called Courts of Criticism; all the word-catchers who live on fyllables, will, I fuppofe be nibbling at it, grumbling over ft, and endeavouring to Thew the depth of their underftanding, and the elegance of their tafte, by thaking their heads at the Tritenefs of the Sentiments and turning up their Hofes at the Meanness of the Diction: in Ihort, by detecting fome blemish, fome fhocking abfurdity in every paragraph. Thefe cavillers deferve the fevereft epithets, because they ufe all their efforts to extinguifh the leaft fpark of merit th a performance; and faften on all the imperfections in it, with a cious joy. Critics of this ftamp put me in mind of Captain Bobadil In the play, for they examine a poem or an effay, Jult as he examines Mater Stephen's Toledo, only to find a flaw in it. No indigent fortune-hunter can take more pains to win the affections of a 36B 3 5 well well-portion'd maiden, or a well jointured widow, than thefe malevoli take to undermine an author's reputation. But I will not ruffle my temper about them, for fear, I fhould render myself unable to follow my plain dealing friend's wholefome advice. To conclude this introductory difcourfe to a larger work, I stoop to the Clemency of the pub lic, and hope I fhall be heard patient-ly. I will not prefume to affure my readers (for vanity is my averfion) that I fhall always shine, but I promife them I will always try with unwearied diligence, to make myself agreeable. I am not extremely anxious about popular applause, yet I fhould be horribly difconcerted to fee my lucubrations condemned to line trunks, band-boxes, and patty pans. The greatest geniuffes have their drowly, as well as their fprightly intervals; their hours of dejection, as well as their hours of gaiety; and if NICHOLAS BABBLE fhould fometimes take a Nap, (for old folks are apt to be fleepy) let the good natur'd reader remember, that Ifaac Bickerstaff and Neftor Ironfide, my ever-honoured predeceffors, nodded before me. Thou, Novelty art my Goddess. ADVERTISEMENT. For the entertainment and emolument of both fexes, N. B. Among these memoirs are interspersed a great variety of uninteresting adventures, unimportant incidents, romantic enterprizes, and trite reflections There is also fcattered up and down these volumes a large Quantity of perfonal Abufe; fo that 'tis very much hoped, and fully expected by the Author and the Bookfellers, that they will have a rapid fale on that account ONLY. 2. Three curious Differtations. The first on Elocution; the fecond on Tangibility; and the third on Motion. By Mrs. Ds. Το which will be prefixed, an extraordinary dedication to Lady Ve, and a curious panegyric on Experimental Philofophy. 3. An effay on the force of Sound. By Signior Eunuchio Vocebella; who refided here fome years ago in a public character; tranflated (not meerly done into English) from the Italian. NUMB. H. Saturday, March 20, 1756. If Folly grows romantic, I must paint it. M2 POPE. Y neighbour Mr. Aimwell, has a very agreeable daughter about eighteen. She is tall, fprightly, well-made, fenfible, and good humoured, but too fond of dreffing fashionably, keeping fashionable hours, and pursuing fashioneble diverfions in fhort, of being thought a very fine lady in every refpect. Her father doats on her because he is the picture of an amiable wife whom he buried fome years ago, and though not quite blind to her foibles, is loth to tell her what he thinks of them, for fear he Thould, by fo doing, leffen her affection for him, and rendor her obliging behaviour to him rather the effect of duty than of inclination. As there has fubfifted at intimacy between us, ever fince our boyish days, he |