The Works of Alexander Pope, Esq

We hope it is needlefs to fay, he is not accountable for feveral paffages in the furreptitious editions of thofe Letters, which are fuch as no man of common fenfe would have published himself. The errors of the prefs were almoft innumerable, and could not but be extremely multiplied in fo many repeated edi tions, by the avarice and negligence of piratical printers, to not one of one of whom he ever gave the least or other encouragement than that of not profecuting them. I so died erghed eli jo nourild

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For the Ghafms in the correfpondence, we had not the means to fupply them, the Author having detroyed, too many Letters to preferve any Series. Nor would he go about to amend them, except by the omiffion of fome paffages, improper, or at leaft impertinent, to be divulged to the publick: or of fuch entire Letters, as were eith either not his, or not approved of by him. dr mod avaldus d He has been very fparing of thofe of his Friends, and thought it a respect shown to their memory, to fupprefs in particular fuch as were moft in his favour. As it is not to Vanity but to Friendship that he intends this Monument, he would fave his enemies the mortification of fhowing any further how well their Betters have thought of him and at the fame time fecure from their cenfure his living Friends, who (he promises them) fhall never be put to the blufh, this way at leaft, for their partiality to him.. But however this Collection may be received, we cannot but lament the Caufe, and the Neceffity of

fuch

fuch a publication, and heartily with no honeft man. may be reduced to the fame. To ftate the cafe fairly in the prefent fituation. A Bookfeller advertifes his intention to publish your Letters: he openly promises encouragement, or even pecuniary rewards, to thofe who will help him to any and ingages to infert whatever they fhall fend. Any fcandal is fure of a reception, and any enemy who fends it fcreened from a difcovery. Any domeftic or fervant, who can fnatch a letter from your your pocket or cabinet, is encouraged to that vile praç. tice. If the quantity falls fhort of a volume, any, thing else shall be joined with it (more especially fcandal) which the collector can think for his intereft, all recommended under your Name: you have not only Theft to fear, but Forgery. Any Bookfeller, tho' confcious in what manner they were obtained, not caring what may be the confequence to your Fame or Quiet, will fell and difperfe them in town and country. The better your Reputation is the more your name will cause them to be demanded, and confequently the more you will be injured. The injury is of such a nature, as the Law (which does not punish for Intentions) cannot prevent; and when done, may punish, but not redress. You are therefore reduced, either to enter into a perfonal treaty with fuch a man (which tho' the readieft, is the meaneft of all methods) or to take fuch other meafures to fupprefs them, as are contrary to your ; em, as

once expofed to

and

Inclination, or to publish them, as are contrary to your Modefty. Otherwife your Fame and your Property fuffer alike, you are at plundered. As an Author, you are deprived of that Power, which above all others constitutes a good one, the power of rejecting, and the right of judg ing for yourfelf, what pieces it may be moft useful, entertaining, or reputable to publish, at the time and in the manner you think best. As a Man, you

are deprived of the right even over your own Sentiments, of the privilege of every human creature to divulge or conceal them; of the advantage of your Second thoughts; and of all the benefit of your Prudence, your Candour, or your Modefty. As a Member of Society, you are yet more injured; your private conduct, your domeftic concerns, your family fecrets, your paffions, your tenderneffes, your weakneffes, are expofed to the Mifconftruction or Refentment of fome, to the Cenfure or Impertinence of the whole world. The printing private letters in fuch a manner, is the worst fort of betraying Converfation, as it has evidently the moft extenfive, anl the most lafting, ill confequences. It is the highest offence against Society, as it renders the most dear and intimate intercourfe of friend with friend, and the most necessary commerce of man with man, unfafe and to be dreaded. To open Letters is esteemed the greatest breach of honour; even to look into them already opened or accidentally dropt, is held VOL. VIII.

an ungenerous, if not an immoral act.

procuring

What then
merely by

can be thought of the merely for Lucre

Fraud, and the printing them We
cannot but conclude every honeft man will wish, that
if the Laws have as yet provided no adequate re-
medy, one at least may be found, to prevent fo great