requiring time to grow into the notice of the world, it happened very luckily, that, a little before I had refolved upon this design, a gentleman * had written predictions, and two or three other pieces in my name, which rendered it famous through all parts of Europe; and, by an inimitable spirit and humour, raifed it to as high a pitch of reputation as it could poffibly

arrive at.

By this good fortune the name of Ifaac Bickerstaff gained an audience of all who had any tafte of wit; and the addition of the ordinary occurrences of common Journals of News brought in a multitude of other readers. I could not, I confefs, long keep up the opinion of the town, that these Lucubrations were written by the fame hand with the first works which were published under my name; but, before I lost the partition of that author's fame, I had already found the advantage of his authority, to which I owe the fudden acceptance which my labours met with in the world.

The general purpose of this Paper is to ex

pose

Dr. Swift. See Swift's "Works," vol. III. p. 198. See alfo Steele's Original Preface to the TATLER.

+ "During the prevalence of parties and prejudices, he that "would be believed by every body, hould be known to no"body, left, instead of listening to the good advice of the cen❝ for, the cenfured should endeavour, by retorting on bis frail❝ties, to extenuate or justify their own."

Although the TATLER joined an odd furname to no very

"common

pofe the false arts of life, to pull off the difguifes of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general fimplicity in our dress, our difcourfe, and our behaviour. No man has a better judgement for the discovery, or a nobler fpirit for the contempt of all imposture, than yourself; which qualities render you the most proper patron for the Author of these Effays. In the general, the defign, however executed, has met with fo great fuccefs, that there is hardly a name now eminent among us for power, wit, beauty, valour, or wisdom, which is not subscribed for the encouragement of these vo lumes. This is, indeed, an honour, for which it is impoffible to exprefs a fuitable gratitude; and there is nothing could be an addition to the pleasure I take in it, but the reflection, that it gives me the most confpicuous occafion I can. ever have, of subscribing myself, Sir, your most obliged, moft obedient, and most humble fervant, ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.

"common Christian one, there was a man found in this large 66 town, who owned both the names. SWIFT'S "Letters,"

vol. XV. p. 408.

*See the lifts at the beginning of the new edition.

SIR,

LETTER CCCXCI*.

TO EDWARD WORTLEY MONTAGUE, Efq. t. [1710]. HEN I fend you this volume, I am rather to make you a request than a

WHE

*Prefixed to the second volume of "The Tatler."

+ Second fan of the Hon. Lady Wortley Montague, and grandson of Edward Montague, the first Earl of Sandwich. He was chofen a member of parliament for Huntingdon in the 4th year of Queen Anne; and in all other parliaments but two to the end of her reign. On the acceffion of George I. he was conftituted one of the Lords Commiffioners of the Treasury: and being fent Ambaffador-extraordinary to the Grand Signior, he fet out for Vienna, Jan. 27, 1716, and proposed to be at Peterwaradin in eight days; and, having finished his negotiations, he, with his Lady, arrived at Leghorn, Aug. 22, 1718, in the Preston man of war, from Conftantinople, and failed the next day for Toulon; and, travelling through France, arrived in England, and waited on his Majefty at Hampton-court, Oct. 4 following, and was graciously received. In the first parliament called by King George I. he was chofen for the city of Westminster, and afterwards ferved for Huntingdon, and was a member for the city of Peterborough when he died, it is faid, very fuddenly, Jan. 22, 1761, aged 80 years, without being able to alter his will, as he intended, in favour of his fon, an extraordinary and ingenious man, author of the "Reflections "on the Rife and Fall of ancient Republics," &c. of whom see feveral new and interefting particulars in the Notes on TATLEN, vol. I. p. xli. Mr. Montague married the Lady Mary Pierrepont, eldest daughter to his Grace Evelyn Duke of Kingston, an uncommonly fine woman, of very fuperior understanding, authorefs of a little volume of excellent poems, and three volumes of curious letters; and by her (who died Auguft 21, 1762), he had issue the abovementioned only fon EdwardWortley Montague, who was reprefentative in three parliaments for Boffiney in Cornwall; and a daughter Mary, married to John Stuart, Earl of Bute, Aug. 24, 1736.

Dedication,

I am

Dedication. I muft defire, that if you think fit to throw away any moments on it, you would not do it after reading thofe excellent pieces with which you are usually converfant. The images which you will meet with here, will be yery faint, after the perufal of the Greeks and Romans, who are your ordinary companions. I must confefs, I am obliged to you for the taste of many of their excellencies, which I had not obferved until you pointed them to me. very proud that there are fome things in these Papers which I know you pardon; and it is no fmall pleasure to have one's labours fuffered by the judgement of a man, who fo well understands the true charms of eloquence and poefy. But I direct this addrefs to you; not that I think I can entertain you with my writings, but to thank you for the new delight I have, from your converfation, in those of other men.

May you enjoy a long continuance of the true relish of the happiness Heaven has bestowed upon you! I know not how to fay a more affectionate thing to you, than to wish that you may be always what you are; and that you may ever think, as I know you now do, that you have a much larger fortune'than you want. I am, Sir, your moft obedient, and most humble fervant, ISAAC BICKERSTAFF,

LETTER

LETTER CCCXCII*.

ISAACO BICKERSTAFF, Armigero, Magna Britanniæ Cenfori, S.

MOR

9 Cal. Jun. 1710.

ORIÆ encomium Thomæ Moro, cui nil erat magis alienum quàm Mori nomen, Erafinus infcripfit: nec ergo quis miretur has Obfcurorum Virorum Epiftolas Viro Clariffimo, hos Morologos Moriâ ipsâ ftultiores Tibi mitti, ISAACE GRAVISSIME; qui unus, inter tot nugivendos potiùs quàm fcriptores ubique nunc temporis ad naufeam obvios, nofti non ineptire : qui fcis ex fumo (ut ait Flaccus) dare lucem; in gracili materiâ fterilíque argumento copiosè juxtà atque fapienter differere, inter ludicra ferius, inter jocos philofophus ; qui ridiculum acri, dulci utile mifcendo, junctis ingenii fimul et argumentorum viribus, Britannos potes tam feliciter à vitiis deterrere, ad virtutem hortari.

Patere, Cato Britannice, ex obfoletis feculi fuperioris ruderibus altáque quam fuperftitio intulerat ignorantiâ, iftud Arcadicum hominum fpeciofo Theologorum Magiftrorúmve nomine infolenter gloriantium pecus accerfi; et æternâ licèt nocte dignos, à tenebris tamen ad lucem, à

On the fubject of this letter to Steele, which was prefixed to Epiftolarum Obfcurorum Virorum, ad Dm. Ortuinum "Gratium, Volumina II." See the Notes on the TATLER, vol. V. p. 211.

mortuis