'Tis a Misfortune that attends many of our _English_ Gentlemen to set out
for Travel without any Foundation; and wanting a Tast of Letters, and the
Knowledge of their own Country, the Observations they make Abroad, to
reflect no further, are generally useless and impertinent.

But You so plentifully were furnish'd with all this Kingdom afforded, that
Foreign Languages became Natural to You, and the unparallell'd Perfections
You accumulated Abroad, particularly Your most Judicious and Critical
Collection of Antiquities, made You so eminently Conspicuous, and justly
Admir'd at the Great Court of _Hannover_, and since Your Return, have so
cordially recommended You to the good Graces of the most Discerning
Nobleman in the Kingdom.

Amongst other Degrees of Knowledge, I have heard You express some value
for Poetry; which, cou'd one imitate Your right Tast of those less
profitable Sciences, who permit it but at some Seasons, as a familiar
Companion to relieve more serious Thoughts, and prevent an Anxiety, which,
the constant Application, You have always been inclin'd to give harder
Studies, might probably draw on You, is an Amusement worthy the greatest
Head-piece. But 'tis so deluding a Genius, Dramatick Poetry especially,
that many are insensibly drawn into to it, 'till it becomes a Business. To
avoid that Misfortune, I'm now almost fix'd to throw it intirely by, and
wou'd fain aim at something which may prove more serviceable to the
Publick, and beneficial to my self.

Cou'd I have the Vanity to hope your Approbation of this _Comedy_, 'twou'd
be so current a Stamp to it, that none, who have the Honour to know You,
wou'd pretend to dispute it's Merit; but tho' I'm satisfy'd in Your good
Nature, I must be aw'd with Your Judgment; and am sensible there are