VOL. IV.
LONDON:
Printed for S. Richardson: And Sold by John Osborn, in Pater-noster Row; Andrew Millar, over-against Catharine-street in the Strand; J. and Ja. Rivington, in St. Paul's Church-yard; And by J. Leake, at Bath
M.DCC.XLVIII.
THE EDITOR to the READER.
If it may be thought reasonable to criticise the Public Taste, in what are generally supposed to be Works of mere Amusement; or modest to direct its Judgment, in what is offered for its Entertainment; I would beg leave to introduce the following Sheets with a few cursory Remarks, that may lead the common Reader into some tolerable conception of the nature of this Work, and the design of its Author.
The close connexion which every Individual has with all that relates to Man in general, strongly inclines us to turn our observation upon human affairs, preferably to other attentions, and impatiently to wait the progress and issue of them. But, as the course of human actions is too slow to gratify our inquisitive curiosity, observant men very easily contrived to satisfy its rapidity, by the invention of History. Which, by recording the principal circumstances of past facts, and laying them close together, in a continued narration, kept the mind from languishing, and gave constant exercise to its reflections.