The PREFACE.
Thyer, are the original manuscripts of Mr. Samuel Butler author of Hudibras, and were bequeathed to me by the late Charles Longueville, Esq;
Walgherton, Cheshire,
Nov. 20, 1754.
Although from evidence of such a nature there cannot remain the least doubt about the genuineness of this work, and it be very certain that every thing in it is the performance of Butler; yet it must be owned at the same time, that there is not the same degree of perfection and exactness in all the compositions here printed. Some are finished with the utmost accuracy, and were fairly transcribed for the press, as far as can be judged from outward appearance. Others, though finished, and wrote with the same spirit and peculiar vein of humour which distinguishes him fromall
