ABSTRACT
Had not the original Design of these Imitations of History been to instil the Noblest Sentiments after the most Agreeable Manner, which is always the surest; and were not the Grand Moral of them, the Rewarding of Honour and Virtue, and the Punishing of Dishonour and Vice: A Person of no less unspotted a Reputation, than universal Learning, as Monsieur Huet the Bishop of Avranches in France, wou’d never have been at the Pains to write the History of such Works, much less wou’d he recommend the perusing of them, under any Restriction whatever. Referring the Reader therefore to his justly admir’d Treatise, we shall only say, that the main Conditions he requires, namely Instruction and Entertainment, are the reigning Perfections of this Collection; wherein the utmost Care has been taken, that no Novel shou’d have a Place, which cou’d possibly offend the Gravity of the Aged, or the Modesty of the Young; and that did not inspire Disinterestedness, Generosity, Fidelity, Constancy, with the like Virtues; which, if steddily pursu’d, wou’d procure to both Sexes that Happiness, for which they all so ardently Wish, but of which they generally miss by sordid Avarice, or giddy Ambition.
