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THE

TATL E R:

OR,

LUCUBRATIONS

O F

ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Efq

VOLUME THE FIRST.

LONDON:

Printed for C. BATHURST, J. BUCKLAND, W. STRAHAN, J. and
F. RIVINGTON, C. SAY, J. HINTON, B. WHITE, L. HAWES,
W. CLARKE and R. COLLINS, R. HORSFIELD, T. CASLON,
S. CROWDER, T. LONGMAN, B. LAW, T. DAVIES, E. and
C. DILLY, H. BALDWIN, J. FULLER, jun. F. NEWBERY,
J. WILKIE, T. CADELL, W. GOLDSMITH, E. JOHNSTON,
W. NICOLL, J. JOHNSON, W. FLEXNEY, G. ROBINSON
G. KEITH, G. BURNETT, and R. BALDWIN. 1776.

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то

Mr. MAYNWARIN G.

SIR,

THERM

HE ftate of conversation and business in this town having been long perplexed with Pretenders in both kinds; in order to open mens eyes against such abuses, it appeared no unprofitable undertaking to publish a Paper, which fhould obferve upon the manners of the pleafurable, as well as the bufy part of mankind. To make this generally read, it feemed the most proper method to form it by way of a Letter of Intelligence, confifting of fuch parts as might gratify the curiofity of perfons of all conditions, and of each Sex. But a work of this nature 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 had 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 Bickerstaff 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 firft works which

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which were published under my name; but before I loft the participation of that Author's fame, I had already found the advantage of his authority, to which I owe the fudden acceptance which my labours Imet with in the world.

The general purpose of this Paper is, to expose the falfe arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general fimplicity in our drefs, our difcourfe, and our behaviour. No man has a better judgment for the difcovery, or a nobler fpirit for the contempt of all impofture, 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 wifdom, which is not fubfcribed for the encouragement of thefe volumes 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 pleafure I take in it, but the reflection, that it gives me the most confpicuous occafion I can ever have, of subscribing myself,

SIR,

Your moft obliged,

moft obedient, and

moft humble fervant,

ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.

THE

T LE R.

TA A TL

N° 1.

Tuesday, April 12, 1709.

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Quicquid agunt homines-noftri farrago libelli.

Juv. Sat. 1. v. 84, 85.

Whatever good is done, whatever ill-
By human kind, fhall this collection fill.

T

HOUGH the other Papers, which are published for the use of the good people of England, have certainly very wholesome effects, "and are laudable in their particular kinds, they do not "feem to come up to the main defign of fuch narra"tions, which, I humbly prefume, fhould be principally "intended for the ufe of politic perfons, who are fo

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public fpirited as to neglect their own affairs to look "into tranfactions of ftate. Now thefe Gentlemen, for "the most part, being perfons of ftrong zeal, and weak

intellects, it is both a charitable and necessary work "to offer fomething, whereby fuch worthy and well"affected members of the commonwealth may be in

ftructed, after their reading, what to think; which "fhall be the end and purpose of this my Paper, where" in I fhall, from time to time, report and confider all "matters, of what kind foever, that fhall occur to me, and publish fuch my advices and reflections every "Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in the week, for the "convenience

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