PREFACE.

For those persons who consider these introductory pieces to be essential to the structure of a work, the author has seen fit, on behalf of his honest printer, to provide these lines under the title of A PREFACE; and to declare:

" That (according to his best judgment and authority) these presents original: "these presents"; a legal term referring to the document currently being read ought to pass, and be received, interpreted, and taken as a full and satisfactory substitute for all preliminary writing, dedications, or any direct or indirect requests for favor from the public, or from any private patron or party whatsoever.

" Nothing to the contrary appearing to him from the perspective of truth or reason." Witness his hand, this fifth day of December, 1710.

These initials and Roman numerals likely represent the author's coded signature and the date or a specific Latin formula common in 18th-century texts.