Mystery altogether hid, till the
Expounder has riddlemayreed the Propounder's Problem,
and render'd it obvious to the meanest Capacity.

The only Plea I can use in Mr. _C----'s_ behalf, is,
that the Author of the Dissertation has been a little
too free with his Character, which probably occasioned
that Sullenness in our _British Oedipus_; who in Order
to be revenged, has determined not to embelish the
Work with his Interpretation, but rather let it rot
and perish in Oblivion.

This, and nothing else, could be the Reason of so
profound a Silence in so great a Mysterymonger,
to remedy which Loss to the Publick, I an unworthy
Scribler, and faint Copier of that great Artist,
presume with aching Heart, and trembling Hand, to draw
the Veil which shades the political Pamphlet in
Question; and show it to my loving Countrymen in
_Puris Naturalibus_.

If I succeed in this, I hope Mr. _L----t_, who all the
World knows is a rare Chap to his Authors, will
speedily employ me to unriddle, or at least make a
Plot to the _Rival Modes_, which it seems the Author
has omitted: it is true, he ought to have given it the
Bookseller with the Copy, but has not so done, which
makes me wonder he is not sued for Breach of Covenant;
but what is that to me, if I get a Job by the Bargain?
Let Booksellers beware how they buy Plays without
Plots for the future.

I narrowly miss'd solving the Problem called _Wagner_
and _Abericock_; Mr. _B----_ had spoke to Mr. _W----_
to speak to Mr. _C----_, who had just consented to
employ me, after having made me abate half my demand:
But Houses running thin, _Colley_ had undertaken the
Job himself to save Charges; intending at the same
Time, to annex a severe Criticism on _Pluto_ and
_Proserpine_.

This, gentle Reader, will, I hope, induce you to look
on me as a Writer of some Regard, and at the same
Time, to make a little Allowance for whatever Errors
my great Hurry may occasion, being obliged to write
Night and Day, Sundays and working Days, without the
least Assistance. All our Journeymen Writers being now
turned Masters, I am left to shift for my self; but am
bringing up my Wife to the Business, and doubt not but
a long War, and our mutual Industry, may rub off old
Scores, and make us begin a new Reckoning with all
Mankind; Pamphleteering having been so dead for many
Years last past, that (God forgive me!) I have been
oftentimes tempted to write Treason for mere
Sustenance.

But Thanks to be