ET GENUS IT VIRTUS, NISI CUM RE, VILIOR ALGA EST LONDON: M DCC LXXX, MOR. THE PRE FAC E. F all kinds of fatire, there is none fo entertaining and univerfally improving, as that which is introduced, as it were, occafionally, in the courfe of an interefting ftory, which brings every incident home to life; and by reprefenting familiar fcenes in an uncommon and amufing point of view, invefts them with all the graces of novelty, while nature is appealed to in every particular. The Reader gratifies his curiofity, in purfuing the adventures of a perfon in whofe favour he is prepoffeffed; he efpoufes his caufe, he fympathizes with him in diftrefs, his indignation is heated against the authors of his calamity; the humane paffions are inflamed; the contraft between dejected virtue, and infulting vice, appears with greater aggravation, and every impreffion having a double force on the imagination, the memory retains the circumftance, and the heart improves by the example. The attention is not tired with a bare catalogue of characters, but agreeably diverted with all the variety of invention; and the viciffitudes of life appear in their peculiar circumftances, opening an ample field for wit and humour. Romance, no doubt, owes it's origin to ignorance, vanity, and fuperftition. In the dark ages of the world, when a man had rendered himself famous for wifdom or valour, his family and adherents availed themfelves of his fuperior qualities, magnified his virtues, and represented his character and perfon as facred and fupernatural. The vulgar eafily fwallowed the bait, implored his protection, and yielded the tribute of homage and praife even to adoration; his exploits were handed down to pofterity with a thoufand exaggerations; they were repeated as incitements to virtue; divine honours were paid, and altars erected to his memory, for the encouragement of those who attempted to imitate his example; and hence arofe the heathen mythology, which is no other than a collection of extravagant romances. As learning advanced, and genius received cultivation, thefe ftories were embellished with the graces of poetry; that they might the better recommend themfelves to the attention, they were fung in public, at feftivals, for the inftruction and delight of the audience; and rehearsed before battle, as |