ページの画像
PDF
ePub

I.

PREFACE

Prefixed to the five first imperfect Editions of the DUNCIAD, in three books, printed at DUBLIN and LONDON, in octavo and duodecimo, 1727.

The PUBLISHER * to the READER. IT will be found a true obfervation, tho' somewhat surprizing, that when any scandal is vented against a man of the highest distinction and character, either in the ftate or literature, the public in general afford it a most quiet reception; and the larger part accept favourably as if it were fome kindness done to themselves: whereas if a known fcoundrel or blockhead but chance to be touched upon, a whole legion

it as

*The Publisher] Who he was is uncertain: but Edward Ward tells us, in his preface to Durgen, “ that "most judges are of opinion this preface is not of "English extraction, but Hibernian." &c. He means it was written by Dr. Swift, who, whether publisher or not, may be faid in a fort to be the author of the poem. For when he, together with Mr. Pope (for reasons specified in the preface to their Miscellanies) determined to own the most trifling pieces in which

is up in arms, and it becomes the common caufe of all fcribblers, bookfellers, and printers whatsoever.

Not to fearch too deeply into the reafon hereof, I

they had any hand, and to destroy all that remained in their power; the first sketch of this poem was fnatched from the fire by Dr. Swift, who perfuaded his friend to proceed in it, and to him it was therefore infcribed. But the occafion of printing it was as follows:

There was published in those Miscellanies, a Treatife of the Bathos, or Art of Sinking in Poetry, in which was a chapter, where the fpecies of bad writers are ranged in claffes, and initial letters of names prefixed, for the most part at random. But fuch was the Number of Poets eminent in that art, that fome one or other took every letter to himself. All fell into fo violent a fury, that for half a year, or more, the common News-papers (in most of which they had fome property, as being hired writers) were filled with the most abufive falfhoods and fcurrilities they could poffibly devife; a liberty no ways to be wondered at in thofe people, and in thofe papers, that, for many years, during the uncontrolled Licence of the press, had afperfed almost all the great characters of the age; and this with impunity, their own perfons and names being utterly fecret and obfcure. This gave Mr. Pope the thought, that he had now fome opportunity of doing good, by detecting and dragging into light thefe common enemies of mankind; fince to in

will only obferve as a fact, that every week for these two months past, the town has been perfecuted with *pamphlets, advertisements, letters, and weekly effays, not only again't the wit and writings, but against the character and perfon of Mr. Pope. And that of all thofe men who have received pleasure from his works, which by modeft computation may be about af hundred thousand in these kingdoms of England

validate this univerfal flander, it fufficied to fhew what contemptible men were the authors of it. He was not without hopes, that by manifefting the dulness of those who had only malice to recommend them, either the bookfellers would not find their account in employing them, or the men themfelves, when difcovered, want courage to proceed on fo unlawful an occupation. This is was that gave birth to the Dunciad; and he thought it an happiness that by the late flood of flander on himself, he had acquired fuch a peculiar right over their names as was neceffary to his defign,

pamphlets, advertisements, &c.] See the Lift of those anonymous papers, with their dates and authors annexed, in the third article of this Appendix.

↑ about a hundred thousand] It is surprising with what ftupidity this preface, which is almost a continued irony, was taken by thofe authors. All fuch paffages as thefe were understood by Curl, Cook, Cibber, and others, to be ferious. Hear the Laureate (Letter to Mr. Pope, p. 9.) "Tho' I grant the Dunciad a better

And Ireland; (not to mention Jersey, Guernsey, the Orcades, thofe in the new world, and foreigners who have tranflated him into their languages) of all this number not a man hath stood up to say one word in his defence.

The only exception is the * author of the following poem, who doubtless had either a better insight into the grounds of this clamour, or a better opinion of Mr. Pope's integrity, join'd with a greater personal love for him, than any other of his numerous friends and admirers.

Farther, that he was in his peculiar intimacy, appears from the knowledge he manifefts of the most private authors of all the anonymous pieces against him, and from his having in his poem attacked † no man living, who had not before printed, or published fome scandal against this Gentleman.

66 poem of its kind than ever was writ; yet when I "read it with those vain-glorious encumbrances of "Notes and remarks upon it, &c.—It is amazing, "that you, who have writ with such masterly fpirit

upon the ruling paffion, fhould be fo blind a slave "to your own, as not to see how far a low Avarice of "Praife," &c.-(taking it for granted that the notes of Scriblerus and others, were the author's own.)

* The author of the following poem, &c.] A very plain Irony, fpeaking of Mr. Pope himself.

+ The Publisher in these words went a little too

« 前へ次へ »