PREFACE.

in contempt. Some Wits too, likeOracles, deal in ambiguities ; but notwith equal fuccels; for tho’ ambiguitiesare the firji excellence of an Impostor,they are the last of a Wit.

Some Satyrical Wits, and Humorists,like their Father Luc'tan , laugh atevery thing indiscriminately; whichbetrays such a poverty of wit, as can-not afford to part with any thing;and inch a want of virtue, as topostpone it to a jest. Such writersencourage Vice and Folly, which theypretend to combat, by setting them onan equal foot with better things:And while they labour to bring everything into contempt, how can theyexpect/ their own parts should escape ?Some French writers, particularly, areguilty of this, in matters of the lastconsequence, and some of our own.

i