[Page 5], l. 1. 1695.—This date, and the previous “more than forty years past,” are of course adjusted to the date of the book’s appearance. See Introduction for its probable chronology.
[Page 5], l. 18. For “because” I am half inclined to read “became”—a very likely misprint.
[Page 6], ll. 4-10. “Twelve ... Sixteen.”—This would bring us to 1723, which may or may not mark the date of a version of the “Conversation.” The first “Twelve” would almost exactly coincide with the “Essay on Conversation” referred to above.
[Page 12], l. 18. “Isaac the Dancing-Master.”—Called by Steele in “Tatler,” No. 34, “my namesake Isaac.” He is best known by Soame Jenyns’ couplet:—
“And Isaac’s rigadoon shall live as long
As Raphael’s painting or as Virgil’s song.”
He was, as became his profession, a Frenchman. Southey refers to him in “The Doctor.”
[Page 16], l. 6. “Comedies and other fantastick Writings.”—Where they will be found, as the ingenious Mr. Wagstaff says, “strewed here and there.”