tter Stars and better Days, the Pen
revives, and Authors flourish; more Money can be made
now of a Play, nay, though it be a scurvy One, than
_Dryden_ got by all his Works. Therefore now or never
is the Time to strike while the Iron is hot, to write
my self out of Debt, and into Place, and then grow
idle and laugh at the World, as my Betters have done
before me.

* * * * *
* * * *

[Decoration]

INTRODUCTION.

When a Book has met with Success, it never wants a
Father; there being those good natured Souls in the
World, who, rather than let Mankind think such
Productions sprang of themselves, will own the
Vagabond Brat, and thereby become Fathers of other
Mens Offsprings.

This was the Fate of Dumpling, whose real Father did
not take more Care to conceal himself, than some did
to be thought its Author; but if any one will
recollect the Time of its Publication, they will find
it within a Week after the Arrival of D----n _S----t_,
from _Ireland_; the Occasion, as I am very well
informed, was this, the D----n, one of the first
Things he did, went to pay a Visit to Mr. _T----_, his
old Bookseller; but, to his Surprize, found both the
Brothers dead, and a Relation in the Shop, to whom he
was an utter Stranger. Mr. _M----_ for such is this
Person's Name, gathering from the D--n's Enquiries who
he was, paid him his _Devoirs_ in the most respectful
Manner, solicited his Friendship, and invited him to a
Dinner, which the D----n was pleased to accept. By the
Way, you must know, he is a great Lover of Dumpling,
as well as the Bookseller, who had ordered one for
himself, little dreaming of such a Guest that Day. The
Dinner, as 'twas not provided on purpose, was but a
Family one, well enough however for a Bookseller; that
is to say, a couple of Fowls, Bacon and Sprouts
boiled, and a Forequarter of Lamb roasted. After the
usual Complements for the unexpected Honour, and the
old Apology of wishing it was better for his sake:
The Maid, silly Girl! came and asked her Master if he
pleased to have his Dumpling; he would have chid her,
but the D----n mollified him, insisting at the same
Time, upon the Introduction of Dumpling, which
accordingly was done. Dumpling gave Cause of
Conversation, but not till it was eat; for the Reader
must understand, that both the Gentlemen play a good
Knife and Fork, and are too mannerly to talk with
their Mouths full. The Dumpling