_ in Compliance with the _Austerity_ of the Times; and in
order to avoid the Imputation of encouraging _Idleness_ and mirthful
_Riot_ by too amiable and happy an Example.

The Criticism, which I have made, upon _Horace_'s Narrative of his
_Adventure_ with an _Impertinent Fellow_, I offer with Respect; And
beg leave to observe that the chief Part which I object to, is the
_Propriety_ of his introducing himself in so _ridiculous a Plight_;
--Dum sudor ad imos
Manaret Talos;
And
Demitto Auriculas, ut iniquae mentis Acellus
Cum gravius dorso subiit onus.
And other Representations of the same sort, seem to place _Horace_
in a very mean and ludicrous Light; which it is probable he never
apprehended in the full Course of exposing his Companion;--Besides,
the Conduct of his Adversary is in several Places, excessively, and,
as it may be construed, _designedly_, insolent and contemptuous; and
as no Merit or Importance belongs to this Person, there appears no
Reason why _Horace_ should endure such Treatment; or, if the other was
too _powerful_ for him, it is not an _Adventure_ of _Honour_; or what
_Horace_ should chuse to expose to the World in this manner, with all
the Particulars of his own despicable Distress.

However, the _Mirth_ which results from this Narrative, as it
now stands, is perhaps rather the stronger at first, by the full
_Ridicule_ which lies against _Horace_, and his Adversary;--But, upon
Reflection, there arises a Disgust, at the Impropriety of _Horace's_
exposing his own _Meanness_, as well as at the nauseous _Impudence_
of his Companion.

As to _uncommon_ Words, if any such appear in this _Introduction_,
or in the following _Essay_, I hope they want neither _Propriety_,
_Clearness_, nor _Strength_;--And if the _Length_of this Piece to an
_Essay_ so _short_ shall happen at first to _disturb_ any _Critic_,
I beg leave to inform him, that all, which can be fairly collected
from it, is only, that it may have cost _me_ the more Trouble;--But
upon mentioning the _Length_ of this Piece, what behoves me the most,
is, to return my Thanks to two _Gentlemen_, who suffered me to read to
them the whole, as it was gradually written; And by whose _judicious_
and _friendly Instructions_ in the Course of it, my own _Imagination_
was often prevented from running into _Riots_.

However, I am far from imagining, that I have always been reduced
within just Bounds; And now feel a sufficient Share of _Concern_ and
_