ABSTRACT
Whereas it hath been represented unto us, as well by the Letters of several of our Correspondents, as by the humble Petition of many of the most reputable Booksellers, and doth otherwise sufficiently appear, that a great Number of loose, idle, and disorderly Persons, calling themselves Authors, have lately assembled at a certain Ale-house of ill Fame in Grub-street, commonly known by the Name of the Pen and Pitcher, and have there conspired together to mix up great Quantities of Ribaldry and Nonsense; and have afterwards endeavour’d to their utmost to spread the said Mixtures abroad among the People, often under false Names and Colours; and by means of a certain wicked, base, deceitful and diabolical Art, vulgarly call’d Puffing, to the great Annoyance of his Majesty’s good Subjects, often to the great Prejudice of the Reputation of Men of the best and most solemn Characters, and always to the Loss of both the Money and Time of the Reader; to the Prejudice of all honest Booksellers, to the utmost Abuse, Disgrace, and Discouragement of Literature, and, lastly, to the great Scandal of this Nation.
