some careless Drawer breaks the Drinking-Glasses inscribed
to the Beauties of our Age; a furious Mob at an Election breaks the
Windows of a contrary Party; and a cleanly Landlord must have, forsooth,
his Rooms new painted and white-wash'd every now and then, without
regarding in the least the Wit and Learning he is obliterating, or the
worthy Authors, any more than when he shall have their Company: But I
may venture to say, That good Things are not always respected as they
ought to be: The People of the World will sometimes overlook a Jewel, to
avoid a T--d, though the Proverb says, _Sh - tt - n Luck is good Luck_.
Nay, I have even found some of the _Spectator_'s Works in a Bog-house,
Companion with Pocky-Bills and Fortune-telling Advertisements; but now,
as Dr. _R----ff_ said, _You shall live_; and I dare venture to affirm,
no Body shall pretend to use any of your bright Compositions for
Bum-Fodder, but those who pay for them. I am not in this like many other
Publishers, who make the Works of other People their own, without
acknowledging the Piracy they are guilty of, or so much as paying the
least Complement to the Authors of their Wisdom: No, Gentlemen and
Ladies, I am not the Daw in the Fable, that would vaunt and strut in
your Plumes. And besides, I know very well you might have me upon the
Hank according to Law, and treat me as a Highwayman or Robber; for you
might safely swear upon your Honours, that I had stole the whole Book
from your recreative Minutes. But I am more generous; I am what you may
call Frank and Free; I acknowledge them to be _YOURS_, and now publish
them to perpetuate the Memory of your Honours Wit and Learning: But as
every one must have something of Self in him, I am violently flattered,
that my Character will shine like the Diamonds you wrote with, under
your exalted Protection, to the End of Time. I am not like your common
Dedicators, who fling out their Flourishes for the sake of a Purse of
Guineas on their Dedicatees; No, Gentlemen and Ladies, all I desire is,
that you will receive this kindly, though I have not put Cuts to it, and
communicate what sublime Thoughts you may chance to meet with to the
Publisher, _J. Roberts_, in _Warwick-Lane_, Post paid, for_

Your Most Humble,

Most Obedient,

Most Obsequious,

Most Devoted,

And Most Faithful Servant,

HURLO THRUMBO.

THE

MERRY-THOUGHT.

PART I.

_Madam Catherine Cadiere's Case ope