ABSTRACT
It may, I believe, be affirmed that the Generality of Mankind, (I mean such as are at all acquainted with History) know much more of former Times than their own. Most of us may be considered like the Spectators of one of Mr. Rich’s Entertainments; we see Things only in the Light in which that truly ingenious and learned Entertainmatic Author is pleased to exhibit them, without perceiving the several Strings, Wires, Clock-work, &c. which conduct the Machine; and thus we are diverted with the Sights of Serpents, Dragons and Armies, whereas indeed those Objects are no other than Pieces of stuff’d Cloth, painted Wood, and Hobby-Horses, as such of his particular Friends as are admitted behind the Scenes, without any Danger of interrupting his Movements, very well know.2
