THE PUBLISHER TO READER:

No one nowadays writing in a style similar to that in which these Songs are composed could hope for literary recognition. But representing an age now past and a taste that once was considered "the highest" the work is worthy of preservation. Perhaps our literature, too, will sometime become a lure for the curious&emdash; valued only by collectors of those strange things on which Time has placed its seal.

THE PUBLISHER.

THOU hast here a Bundle of Rodds: not like those of the Roman Consuls, for there are here no signs of Government, save the Government of Natural Affection. They come not from one Author, but are the ripe Grain of divers well winnowed minds, and alack! some of the sinning Singers who sang them first are now in Paradise, or in Helle, I cannot say which.

That most Authors require the purifying fires of Purgatory to fitt them for seats among the Blest, no one that knows them can Deny. They are wise in all Things save the Things that pertain to themselves: in this respect being not quite so bad as Play Actors, who are without exception damned Rogues. Most Authors cringe and flatter and Fish for compliments. If they fail to get Applause, they say the World is a Scurvy Place and those who dwell therein a Dirty Lot: if they succeed, they give thanks to Nobody, saying they got only what their Meritt entitles them to.

But I rather like the World: the Flesh is pleasing, and the Devil does not trouble me. All the Bookes I offer are bought by the Publick and paid for, which speaks well for the Publick's Discernment.

As I have been bold to say an honest word about Authors, I feel that I should be Derelict to Duty did I not acknowledge that Poets are quite the best of the Scribbling Craft. Several of the Worthies represented here I know personally and some to my Sorrow, but for the most Part they

are not half so bad as they might be. When Thebes was Sacked, Pindar was spared; and Alexander wept, not only to think he had no more worlds to conquer, but because his Age did not afford a Singer so clever as Homer: but we have no sucll excuse for Lachrymosity.

The Use of such Songs as are here Sett forth have done great good to Posterity. All such Persons as are grown thin, through Fasting, much Study or Religion, can now improve their Habitt by practicing these Salutary Songs. I have known Children who never would have learned to Read had they not taken a Delight in poring over old Ballads; and many Historians are indebted to Ballads for most of their Facts, and so my earnest Prayer is that this work may be a Benefit to mankind at Large and a Blessing to those that shall come after.

Now a word to you, you dyspeptic stickers of the Stylus, you scrapers up of fine phrases who mangle all good intent, and see baseness where there is only Innocence and good nature, I warn you lay

down this Booke and stick to your favor te author, Old Dryasdust. I have here used any word that Witte could Disinfect, and told of the things you think but dare not say. And if we laugh, we laugh as Lovers laugh&emdash;as children laugh&emdash;and to laugh signifies that you must be innocent and pure in Heart, lacking which qualities you look glum as a Priest who has worked for a Bishopric and failed to Fetch it.

And now in advance I thank you all my Hearties, you who read from curiosity and you who contributed, for contributors are always appreciative readers. And if you are minden to laugh as you read, why laugh&emdash;since laughing is a privilege granted by God to Man alone. Man has sufficient cause for tears without adding to the Ultramarine of Life by Bookes. Weariness cometh to many without bidding; but Joyousness is well nigh being banished,like the Dryads from the Groves, and so I bid you smile and smile again.

THE EDITOR.