The Works of Henry Fielding, vol. 11

  DEDICATION TO THE PUBLIC.

  Your candour is desired on the perusal of the following sheets, as theyare the product of a genius that has long been your delight andentertainment. It must be acknowledged that a lamp almost burnt out doesnot give so steady and uniform a light as when it blazes in its fullvigour; but yet it is well known that by its wavering, as if strugglingagainst its own dissolution, it sometimes darts a ray as bright as ever.In like manner, a strong and lively genius will, in its last struggles,sometimes mount aloft, and throw forth the most striking marks of itsoriginal lustre.

  Wherever these are to be found, do you, the genuine patrons ofextraordinary capacities, be as liberal in your applauses of him who isnow no more as you were of him whilst he was yet amongst you. And, onthe other hand, if in this little work there should appear any traces ofa weakened and decayed life, let your own imaginations place before youreyes a true picture in that of a hand trembling in almost its latesthour, of a body emaciated with pains, yet struggling for yourentertainment; and let this affecting picture open each tender heart,and call forth a melting tear, to blot out whatever failings may befound in a work begun in pain, and finished almost at the same periodwith life.

  It was thought proper by the friends of the deceased that this littlepiece should come into your hands as it came from the hands of theauthor, it being judged that you would be better pleased to have anopportunity of observing the faintest traces of a genius you have longadmired, than have it patched by a different hand, by which means themarks of its true author might have been effaced.

  That the success of the last written, though first published, volume ofthe author's posthumous pieces may be attended with some convenience tothose innocents he hath left behind, will no doubt be a motive toencourage its circulation through the kingdom, which will engage everyfuture genius to exert itself for your pleasure.

  The principles and spirit which breathe in every line of the smallfragment begun in answer to Lord Bolingbroke will unquestionably be asufficient apology for its publication, although vital strength waswanting to finish a work so happily begun and so well designed.

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