PREFACE.
This is purposely to acknowledge the Obligations I owe to several Gentlemen, who have shewn their Esteem of the Merry Thought, in the large Collections they have communicated before the Holidays: For who knows, but many of their Pieces might have been lost, by the Effects of Wine, Punch, and strong Beer, in the Christmas Time; or by a Game at Ramps, or Blind-Man’s-Buff; or unlucky Boys; or the sticking the Windows with Holley and Ivy: All these Hazards did we run of having many curious Pieces destroy’d, and bury’d in Oblivion. And then again, the Cleaning the Windows against the Holidays might have endanger’d the Loss of many of these brittle Leaves of Wit and Learning. But now, we may sing Old Rose, since a large Cargoe is already arriv’d safe at the Press. In order for a third Part, I have myself taken Care to visit most of the Glasiers in Town where I just came Time enough to save some few Scraps of Wit; and have bribed a great Number of Football-Players, not to use that Diversion near some particular Places about this Great City, where many curious Epigrams, Sonnets, and Whims, are at present uncopy’d; and if they should escape a few Days longer, will make a fourth Volume, with the kind Assistance of those Correspondents who have sent me promissory Notes for the Delivery of certain Parcels of such Wit, on or about the Twenty-fifth of this Instant January. I remain, Gentlemen, after hoping you are in good Health, as I am at this present Writing, and wishing you all many happy Years,