PREFACE.. As SIT IS of more Importance that a Book be worth reading, than to know by whom it is writ, there would have been no Neceffity of acquainting the Public, that fome of the first of the following LETTERS paffed in Correfpondence, if the lamented Death of the worthy Man who wrote them, had not prevented his profecuting a Plan, which the Reader without fuch Notice might be justly furpriz'd to find abruptly relinquished. The ADDITIONS to the feventh and eighth, and all the reft, were written by the Author of the ENQUIRY into the Life and Writings of HOMER. They take, it is true, a quite different Road; yet all tend to one and the fame End of promoting Learning and Virtue, and doing Fuftice to the first Instructors of MEN. Part PART of a LETTER ΤΟ SIR EVERARD FAWKENER. ** BUT Tis it poffible the Hurry of a Court, and the Duty of of two fuch Places, fhould leave you a Moment's Leifure to bestow upon Literature---? If they do, may this come to your Hands at the lucky Hour, when, difengaged and eafy, you can afford to liften to the old Story I am just going to tell you. That FABLE was the firft Form in which Religion, Law, and Philofophy (united originally) appeared in the World; that the ancient Fables, as we now read and un |