OXFO THE PREFACE. T HE present Work appears with Confidence in the Kingdom that gave Birth to it: and will be well fatisfied with its Fortune, if it meets with as favourable a Reception as has been indulg'd to all the other Compofitions of its Author. The high Efteem which Mr. de Voltaire has always discover'd for the Englife, is a Proof how ambitious he is of their Approbation. 'Tis now grown familiar to him, but then he is not tir'd with it; and indeed A 2 one one wou'd be apt to think that this Circumstance is pleafing to the Nation, from the ftrong Defire they have to peruse whatever is publifh'd under his Name. WITHOUT pretending therefore to any great Penetration, we may venture to affure him that his Letters will meet with all the Success that cou'd be wifh'd. Mr. de Voltaire is the Author of them, they were written in London, and relate particularly to the English Nation; three Circumftances which muft neceffarily recommend them. The great Freedom with which Mr. de Voltaire delivers himself in his various Obfervations, cannot give him any Apprehenfions of their being lefs favourably receiv'd upon that Account, by a judicious People who abhor Flattery. The Englifh are pleas'd to have their Faults pointed out to them, because this fhews fhews at the fame Time, that the Writer is able to diftinguifh their Merit. WE must however confefs, that thefe Letters were not defign'd for the Public. They are the Result of the Author's Complacency and Friendship for Mr. Thiriot, who had defir'd him, during his Stay in England, to favour him with fuch Remarks as he might make on the Manners and Cuftoms of the British Nation. "Tis well known that in a Correfpondence of this kind, the most just and regular Writer does not propofe to obferve any Method. Mr. de Voltaire in all Probability follow'd no other Rule in the Choice of his Subjects than his particular Tafte, or perhaps the Queries of his Friend. Be this as it will, 'twas thought that the moft natural Order in which they cou'd be plac'd, would A 3 would be that of their refpective Dates. Several Particulars which are mention'd in them make it neceffary for us to observe, that they were written between the latter End of 1728, and about 1731. The only Thing that can be regretted on this Occafion is, that fo agreeable a Correspondence should have continued no longer. THE Reader will no doubt ob ferve, that the Circumftances in eve ry Letter which had not an immediate relation to the Title of it, have been omitted. This was done on purpose; for Letters written with the Confidence and Simplicity of perfonal Friendship, generally include certain Things which are not proper for the Prefs. The Public indeed thereby often lose a great many agreeable Particulars; but why should they complain, if the want of them is compensated by a thousand も |