Lest any inquisitive Reader should puzzle his Brains to find out why this _Foundling_ is thus clandestinely dropt at his Door, let it suffice him, that the _Midwife_ of a Printer was unwilling to help bring it into the World, but upon that Condition, or a much harder, that of my openly _Fathering_ it. I could make many other reasonable Apologies, if requisite: For, besides my having follow’d the modest Example of several other pious _Authors_, such as that of Εικων Βασιλικη, of the _Whole Duty of Man_, &c. who have studied rather their Country’s Publick Good, than their own Private Fame; I think, I have also play’d the Politick Part: for should my _Off-spring_ be defective, why let it fall upon the Parish. On the other hand, if accidentally it prove hopeful, ’tis certain I need be at no further Trouble. There will then be _Parents_ enough ready to own the _Babe_, and take it upon themselves. Adoption amongst the _Machiavellian_ Laws of the _Muses_ is strictly kept up, and every day put in Practice: How few of our now bright _Noblemen_ would otherwise have _Wit_? How many of our present thriving _Poets_ would else want a _Dinner_? ’Tis a vulgar Error to imagine Men live upon their own Wits, when generally it is upon others Follies; a Fund that carries by much the best Interest, and is by far upon the most certain Security of any: The _Exchequer_ has been shut up, the _Bank_ has stopt Payment, _South-Sea_ has been demolish’d, but _White’s_ was never known to fail; and indeed how should it, when almost every Wind blows to _Dover_, or _Holyhead_, some fresh _Proprietor_ amply qualified with sufficient _Stock_.