and such I am esteemed, has some Weight with the _Many_; since, it is
observ'd, that, in Works of Learning, not Half of Mankind judge for
themselves, and of Those who do, we may presume to say, that at least Half
judge amiss.

It is a trite Observation, but not unserviceable in Life, that _a Man had
as good be out of the World, as out of the Fashion_. This lays me under an
Obligation and Necessity of looking out for every Thing _new_, that starts
into the Publick. The Papers, which are mighty Helps to Intelligence of
this Kind, have been big with advertising the History of the _Life_ and
_Adventures_ of Mr. _Duncan Campbell_: And finding, by the Information of
these Diurnal Oracles, that his Majesty _has received it very graciously_,
I was induced to subscribe for this _remarkable_ Treatise. I must confess,
I think it a Work of immense Erudition, full of curious Disquisitions into
speculative Philosophy, comprehending a large Fund of Philological
Learning, and furnished with some Remarks, that have escaped the Pens of
former Authors, who have writ in any Faculty whatsoever.

Man's Life is so short, it has been the settled Opinion of the Wise, that
this Prosecution of any single Subject would be sufficient to take up all
his Time. For this Reason, and especially in the Summer Season, when I make
shift to retire from this Metropolis of Noise and Business, I contract my
Speculations and Studies under one Head. To this End my great Care is, to
collect a small Parcel of useful Books, that may all contribute to one and
the same Purpose. As my Pleasure lies chiefly in searching after Truth, and
Authors, whose Aim is to inform the Mind, or reform the Morals, I have
determined carefully to peruse once more these _Memoirs_, relating to the
celebrated Mr. _Campbell_. They are penn'd with a particular Air of
Sincerity, and such a strict Regard to Truth and Matter of Fact, that they
seem a Copy, in this Point, from _Lucian's true History_. I have therefore,