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The Preface.
ix
themselves. But after they had fixed the Standard, they were sure every Writer would be brought to their Bar; and as the first admirable Copies of Nature gave them a Foundation for their Rules, they knew every good Genius would write and judge by Nature, whether any Rules had been set or no. And perhaps, (for I love to doubt in Matters so hazardous Conjecture) if the Rules had not been given, we had been troubled with many fewer Writers; for then those who had not Nature for their Rule, could have had no Rule at all. But now how many Scriblers are there who observe the Rule, and neglect the Meaning, and what Number of
A 6
Pedants
