that a _Preface_ was no less essential to a Book, than an _Exordium_ to
a Sermon. As few read the one, as listen to the other; however, if
either be wanting, the Performance is defective, and, is not so much as
thought worthy to be read in order to be censured. Nevertheless, what
can be said with Regard to a useless Discourse? Why, really, I think, it
is best to say nothing at all. This little Work places Truth in so just
a Light, that no Characters are wanting to point it out. But perhaps,
the real Truth may be amplified in it, and there may be Applications
made of it as false as injurious. This is what ought strongly to be
guarded against; and to this Purpose I sincerely declare, that I have
intermix'd nothing of my own in the Amours of _Zeokinizul:_ But, like a
faithful Translator, I have constantly kept close to _Krinelbol's_
Manuscript. I have related the Facts just as he himself says they were
told him by the _Kofiran_ Nobility. This sincere Protestation, is all
that I can do, In order to remove any Suspicion of Interpolations. The
_Arabian_ Manuscript is still in my Possession, and if desired, shall be
printed. But I own, with Concern, that it is quite beyond my Power, to
procure such a Number of Types as will be requisite to give this
Satisfaction; therefore, let those who are willing and equal to such an
Expence, set the Printer to work. I promise to deliver him the
Manuscript on Demand. I cannot help thinking, but that the Malice of the
World is at its highest Pitch. Formerly People were overjoy'd at the
Certainty of the Antipodes; and to hear that the Inhabitants of those
Climates came nearest to us in Industry, and the Love of Arts and
Sciences; and that the Sun approached to, and receded from them, as it
does with Regard to us. In fine, that their Temperature, their Seasons,
their Manners, and Inclinations, were the same as our own. Yet, in this
my Endeavour to verify such a Resemblance, by Proofs extracted from
their own History, demonstrating by notorious and certain Facts that
they think and act just like ourselves, I shall be branded for an