Agreeable Then To My Present Inclination, I

On The Wings Of Fancy, Gentle Readers, Bear Yourselves Into The Mid-air, Where By Imagination You May Form A Large Stupendous Castle.

I Had Some Short Struggle In My Mind Whether I Should Resign My Lover Or My Liberty, But This Lasted Not Long. I Found Myself As Free As Air And Could Not Bear The Thought Of Putting Myself In Any Man's Power For Life Only From A Present Capricious Inclination.

Yet If Strict Criticism Should Till Frown On Our Method, Let Candor And Good Humor Forgive What Is Done To The Best Of Our Judgment, For The Sake Of Perspicuity In The Story And The Delight And Entertainment Of Our Candid Reader.

I Am None Of Those Nonsensical Fools That Can Whine And Make Romantic Love--i Leave That To Younger Brothers. Let My Estate Speakfor Me.

[h]ow Do I Pity Those Who (assuming The Name Of Friends) Surround Themselves With Maxims Importing The Wisdom Of Doubt And Suspicion, 'til They Impose On Themselves That Very Hard Task Of Laboring Through Life Without Ever Knowing A Human Creature To Whom They Can Make The Proper Use Of Language And Freely Speak The Dictates Of Their Hearts!