requiring time to grow into the notice of the world, it happened very luckily, that, a little before I had refolved upon this defign, 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, raised it to as high a pitch of reputation as it could poffibly

arrive at.

By this good fortune the name of Ifaac Bickerftaff gained an audience of all who had any taste 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 loft 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

pofe

* 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, fhould be known to no"body, left, inftead of liftening to the good advice of the cen"for, the cenfured fhould endeavour, by retorting on bis frailties, to extenuate or justify their own."

"Although the TATLER joined an odd furname to no very

66 common

1

pose the falfe arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general fimplicity in our dress, our discourse, and our behaviour. No man has a better judgement for the difcovery, or a nobler spirit for the contempt of all imposture, than yourself; which qualities render you the most proper patron for the Author of thefe 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 fubfcribed for the encouragement of these vo. lumes. This is, indeed, an honour, for which it is impoffible to express a suitable 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 fubfcribing myself, Sir, your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble fervant, ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.

❝ common Chriftian one, there was a man found in this large "town, who owned both the names. SWIFT'S "Letters," vol. XV. p. 408.

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

LETTER CCCXCI.

To EDWARD WORTLEY MONTAGUE, Efq. +

SIR,

WHE

1

[1710].

7HEN I fend you this volume, I am rather to make you a requeft than a

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

Second fon of the Hon. Lady Wortley Montague, and grandson of Edward Montague, the firft Earl of Sandwich. He was chosen 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 'Weftminster, and afterwards served 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 66 on the Rife and Fall of ancient Republics," &c. of whom fee feveral new and interesting particulars in the Notes on TATLE, 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 parlia ments for Boffiney in Cornwall; and a daughter Mary, married to John Stuart, Earl of Bute, Aug. 24, 1736.

Dedication.

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 very faint, after the perufal of the Greeks and Romans, who are your ordinary companions. I must confess, I am obliged to you for the taste of many of their excellencies, which I had not obferved until you pointed them to me. I am 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 address 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 conversation, 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 say 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 most obedient, and most humple fervant, ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.

LETTER

LETTER CCCXCII*.

ISAACO BICKERSTAFF, Armigero, Magnæ Britanniæ Cenfori, S.

9 Cal. Jun. 1710.

ORIÆ encomium Thomæ Moro, cui nil erat magis alienum quàm Mori nomen, Erafmus 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 nauseam 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

to

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

mortuis