APPENDIX.

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.

IT

The PUBLISHER a to the READER.

T will be found a true obfervation, though fomewhat furprizing, that when any scandal is vented against a man of the highest distinction and character, either in the state or literature, the Public in general afford it a moft quiet reception: and the larger part açcept it as favourably as if it were some kindness done

to

a 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 Eng❝lish 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 author of the poem. For when he, together with Mr. Pope (for reafons fpecified in the preface to their Mifcellanies) determined to own

the

to themselves: whereas if a known fcoundrel or blockhead but chanced to be touched upon, a whole legion is up in arms, and it becomes the common cause of all fcriblers, bookfellers, and printers whatsoever.

Not

the most trifling pieces in which 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 Treatise of the Bathos, or Art of Sinking in Poetry, in which was a chapter, where the fpecies of bad writers were 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 Newspapers (in most of which they had fome property, as being hired writers) were filled with the moft abufive falfehoods and fcurrilities they could poffibly devife; a liberty no ways to be wondered at in those people, and in those papers, that, for many years, during the uncontrolled License 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 invalidate this univerfal flander, it fufficed to fhew what contemptible men were the authors of it. He was not without hopes, that by manifefting the dulnefs of those who had only malice to recommend them; either the bookfellers would not find their ac

count

Not to fearch too deeply into the reason hereof, I will only observe as a fact, that every week for these two months past, the town has been perfecuted with b pamphlets, advertisements, letters, and weekly essays, not only against the wit and writings, but against the Character and perfon of Mr. Pope. And that of all those men who have received pleasure from his works, which by modeft computation may be about a chundred thousand in these kingdoms of England and Ire

land

count in employing them, or the men themselves, when difcovered, want courage to proceed in fo unlawful an Occupation. This it 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.

b Pamphlets, advertisements, &c.] See the Lift of those anonymous papers, with their dates and authors annexed, inferted before the Poem.

c about a hundred thoufand] It is furprizing with what stupidity this preface, which is almost a continued irony, was taken by thofe authors. All fuch paffages as these were understood by Curll, Cook, Cibber, and others, to be ferious. Hear the Laureate (Letter to Mr. Pope, p. 9.] “Though I grant the Dunciad a better 66 poem of its kind than ever was writ; yet, when I "read it with thofe vain-glorious encumbrances of "Notes and Remarks upon it, &c.-it is amazing, that "you, who have writ with fuch masterly fpirit upon "the ruling paffion, fhould be fo blind a flave to your own, as not to fee how far a low avarice of Praise," &c. (taking it for granted that the notes of Scriblerus and others, were the author's own.)

VOL. III.

T

land (not to mention Jerfey, Guernsey, the Orcades, those 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 infight into the grounds of this clamour, or a better opinion of Mr. Pope's integrity, joined with a greater perfonal 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 this poem attacked e no man living, who had not before printed, or published some fcandal against this gentleman.

How I came poffeft of it, is no concern to the reader : but it would have been a wrong to him had I detained the publication; fince thofe names which are its chief ornaments die off daily fo falt, as muft render it too foon unintelligible. If it provoke the author to give us a more perfect edition, I have my end.

Who

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

The publisher in thefe words went a little too far; but it is certain, whatever names the reader finds that are unknown to him, are of fuch; and the exception is only of two or three, whofe dulnefs, impudent scurrility, or felf-conceit, all mankind agreed to have juftly entitled them to a place in the Dunciad.