Feuillet
accomplish’d in the following Treatise, which tho’ for some time enjoy’d by the
French
Nation, as a native Growth,
now first appears
in its true and just Extent in its Transplantation into the
English
Climate and Language.
The Service to the Lovers and Professors of this Art, having been the chief Motive of my Undertaking so difficult a Province, that we who enjoy the Happiness of so Great a Master as Mr. Isaac, should not want the Advantage of spreading that Excellence in this Art, which renders him so admir’d by all who have any Taste of it; so having receiv’d such great and generous Encouragement in this Study from you, Sir; the Product of that Encouragement and Study does, as it were, out of a natural Right and just Gratitude, seek Shelter under your Patronage, and challenge the Advantage of appearing in the World under the Protection of your Name, whole known Judgment and Mastery in this Art, will secure me from the Censure of Malice and Ignorance.
However, I shall have little to fear, if I am so happy as to merit that generous Assistance, which you have been pleased to give me in the compiling of this Book; and I am apt to flatter my self, that I have done the Original that Justice, that the Author will have no Reason to complain: But whatever Defects I may have been guilty of in it, I promise my self Forgiveness from so much Goodness and Candor, as all People (with Justice) allow to Mr. Isaac. You are so truly distinguish’d from most Men, by a peculiar Sincerity and Zeal for the Service of your Friend, or him whom you have once thought fit to espouse, that as I have done nothing but comply’d with my own Inclination, in offering this publick Acknowledgment of your Favour, so I have infinite Cause of being perfectly satisfy’d with my Patron.