who have represented these scenes in a ludicrous light; and Mr D----
hath been heard to say, with some concern, that he wondered a tragical
and Christian nation would permit a representation on its theatre so
visibly designed to ridicule and extirpate everything that is great
and solemn among us.

This learned critick and his followers were led into so great an error
by that surreptitious and piratical copy which stole last year into
the world; with what injustice and prejudice to our author will be
acknowledged, I hope, by every one who shall happily peruse this
genuine and original copy. Nor can I help remarking, to the great
praise of our author, that, however imperfect the former was, even
that faint resemblance of the true Tom Thumb contained sufficient
beauties to give it a run of upwards of forty nights to the politest
audiences. But, notwithstanding that applause which it received from
all the best judges, it was as severely censured by some few bad ones,
and, I believe rather maliciously than ignorantly, reported to have
been intended a burlesque on the loftiest parts of tragedy, and
designed to banish what we generally call fine things from the stage.

Now, if I can set my country right in an affair of this importance, I
shall lightly esteem any labour which it may cost. And this I the
rather undertake, first, as it is indeed in some measure incumbent on
me to vindicate myself from that surreptitious copy before mentioned,
published by some ill-meaning people under my name; secondly, as
knowing myself more capable of doing justice to our author than any
other man, as I have given myself more pains to arrive at a thorough
understanding of this little piece, having for ten years together read
nothing else; in which time, I think, I may modestly presume, with the
help of my English dictionary, to comprehend all the meanings of every