Printed for 7. Roberts, near the Oxford-Arms in 51*112 THE PREFACE то THE THIRD VOLUME OF BALLAD S. Have at length finifh'd a Work I had long fince pro mised, the publication of which has been retarded A 3 by by divers Accidents. My two former Prefaces I wrote in a ludicrous manner; but wou'd willingly take leave of my Readers in a more ferious Stile; I am not very fond of the Title of a Buffoon, nor do I think common Civility inconfiftent with an Author or Editor, let his Concern for the fuccefs of his Works be never fo great or small. The Design of this Work I have more than once mentioned in the courfe |