[11] Richardson said that he dropped Warburton's preface because _Clarissa_ had been well received and no longer needed such an introduction. A fourth explanation of the natter and much other relevant information were presented by Ronald S. Crane, "Richardson, Warburton and French Fiction," _MLR_, XVII (1922), 17-23. [12] _The Works of Alexander Pope_ (1751), IV, 166-169. The footnote is on line 146 of the Epistle to Augustus ("And ev'ry flow'ry Courtier writ Romance"). IBRAHIM, OR THE ILLUSTRIOUS BASSA. * * * * * The whole Work, In Four Parts. Written in French by _Monsieur de Scudéry_, And Now Englished by Henry Cogan, Gent. * * * * * London, Printed by _J.R._ and are to be sold by _Peter Parker_, at his Shop at the _Leg_ and _Star_ over against the Royal Exchange, and _Thomas Guy_, at the Corner-shop of _Little-Lumbard street_ and _Cornhil_, 1674. _IBRAHIM, or The Illustrious Bassa_ THE PREFACE I do not know what kind of praise the Ancients thought they gave to that Painter, who not able to end his Work, finished it accidentally by throwing his pencil against his Picture; but I know very well, that it should not have obliged me, and that I should have taken it rather for a Satyre, than an Elogium. The operations of the Spirit are too important to be left to the conduct of chance, and I had rather be accused for failing out of knowledge, than for doing well without minding it. There is nothing which temerity doth not undertake, and which Fortune doth not bring to pass; but when a man relies on those two Guides, if he doth not erre, he may erre; and of this sort, even when the events are successefull, no glory is merited thereby. Every Art hath its certain rules, which by infallible means lead to the ends proposed; and provided that an Architect takes his measures right, he is assured of the beauty of his Building. Believe not for all this, Reader, that I will conclude from thence my work is compleat, because I have followed the rules which may render it so: I know that it is of this labour, as of the Mathematical Sciences, where the operation may fail, but the Art doth never fail; nor do I make this discourse but to shew you, that if I have left some faults in my Book, they are the effects of my weakness, and not of my negligence. Suffer me then to discover unto you all the resorts of this frame, and let you see, if not all that I have done, at leastwise all that I have endeavoured to doe.