“Who tracks this Author’s or Translator’s pen, Shall finde, that either hath read Bookes and Men: To say but one were single. Then it chimes, When the old words doe strike in the new times, As in this _Spanish Proteus_; who, though writ But in one tongue, was form’d with the world’s wit; And hath the noblest marks of a good Booke; That an ill man dares not securely looke Upon it, but will loath it, or let passe, As a deformed face doth a true Glasse. Such Bookes deserve Translators, of like Coate, As was the _Genius_ wherewith they were wrote; And this hath met that one, that may be stil’d More than the foster father of that Child: For tho’ Spaine gave him his first aire and vogue, He would be call’d henceforth the _English Rogue_. But that he’s too well suited in a Cloth Finer than was his Spanish, if my Oath Will be received in Court; if not, would I Had cloath’d him so. Here’s all I can supply To your desert, who’ve done it, Friend. And this Faire emulation and no envie is; When you behold me wish myself the man That would have done that which you only can.” BEN JONSON. Some years since, indeed, a Mr. O’Conner published another Translation, avowedly “for the entertainment of a few friends who did not understand French,” and for the incorrectness and mediocrity of which, he made many apologies. This was re-published about four years since; but it is little known: out of print I apprehend: confined to the few, and inaccessible to the many. These circumstances considered, and a reflection of pity that such an eminent production of genius should be lost to the British Public, in an age so devoted to the Arts in general, and Literature in particular, induced me to engage in the Translation which I now present to my readers; faithfully rendered from the French of Le Sage, whose pre-eminent talents are too well known to render my expatiating on them necessary. How far I have succeeded in catching the spirit of my prototype (who certainly identifies himself most felicitously with his original) others must determine; I can alone plead the most minute attention, and persevering diligence. If, therefore, to arrive as nearly at perfection as possible, I have consulted the most authentic sources of information, and used the utmost assiduity in collating the accessaries to the subject I engaged in, though approbation may be qualified, it will not, I trust, be withheld: and though praise for perfection be denied, acceptation will be accorded by liberality for exertion, and by candour for fidelity.