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The Bookseller to The Reader
It is now six years since these papers came first to my hand, which
seems to have been about a twelvemonth after they were written, for
the Author tells us in his preface to the first treatise that he had
calculated it for the year 1697; and in several passages of that
discourse, as well as the second, it appears they were written about
that time.
As to the Author, I can give no manner of satisfaction. However, I
am credibly informed that this publication is without his knowledge,
for he concludes the copy is lost, having lent it to a person since
dead, and being never in possession of it after; so that, whether
the work received his last hand, or whether he intended to fill up
the defective places, is like to remain a secret.
If I should go about to tell the reader by what accident I became
master of these papers, it would, in this unbelieving age, pass for
little more than the cant or jargon of the trade. I therefore
gladly spare both him and myself so unnecessary a trouble. There
yet remains a difficult question--why I published them no sooner? I
forbore upon two accounts. First, because I thought I had better
work upon my hands; and secondly, because I was not without some
hope of hearing from the Author and receiving his directions. But I
have been lately alarmed with intelligence of a surreptitious copy
which a certain great wit had new polished and refined, or, as our
present writers express themselves, "fitted to the humour of the
age," as they have already done with great felicity to Don Quixote,
Boccalini, La Bruyere, and other authors. However, I thought it
fairer dealing to offer the whole work in its naturals. If any
gentleman will please to furnish me with a key, in order to explain
the more difficult parts, I shall very gratefully acknowledge the
favour, and print it by itself.
Content of The Bookseller to The Reader [Jonathan Swift's ebook: A Tale of a Tub]
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