bringing our English tongue to a due perfection, and our gentlemen
to a capacity of writing like themselves; to banish pride and
pedantry, and silence the impudence and impertinence of young
authors, whose ambition is to be known, though it be by their folly.

I ask leave here for a thought or two about that inundation custom
has made upon our language and discourse by familiar swearing; and I
place it here, because custom has so far prevailed in this foolish
vice that a man's discourse is hardly agreeable without it; and some
have taken upon them to say it is pity it should not be lawful, it
is such a grace in a man's speech, and adds so much vigour to his
language.

I desire to be understood right, and that by swearing I mean all
those cursory oaths, curses, execrations, imprecations,
asseverations, and by whatsoever other names they are distinguished,
which are used in vehemence of discourse, in the mouths almost of
all men more or less, of what sort soever.

I am not about to argue anything of their being sinful and unlawful,
as forbid by divine rules; let the parson alone to tell you that,
who has, no question, said as much to as little purpose in this case
as in any other. But I am of the opinion that there is nothing so
impertinent, so insignificant, so senseless, and foolish as our
vulgar way of discourse when mixed with oaths and curses, and I
would only recommend a little consideration to our gentlemen, who
have sense and wit enough, and would be ashamed to speak nonsense in
other things, but value themselves upon their parts, I would but ask
them to put into writing the commonplaces of their discourse, and
read them over again, and examine the English, the cadence, the