PREFACE

Dickory Cronke

by Daniel Defoe

PREFACE, DICKORY CRONKE by Daniel Defoe
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The formality of a preface to this little book might have been very
well omitted, if it were not to gratify the curiosity of some
inquisitive people, who, I foresee, will be apt to make objections
against the reality of the narrative.

Indeed the public has too often been imposed upon by fictitious
stories, and some of a very late date, so that I think myself
obliged by the usual respect which is paid to candid and impartial
readers, to acquaint them, by way of introduction, with what they
are to expect, and what they may depend upon, and yet with this
caution too, that it is an indication of ill nature or ill manners,
if not both, to pry into a secret that is industriously concealed.

However, that there may be nothing wanting on my part, I do hereby
assure the reader, that the papers from whence the following sheets
were extracted, are now in town, in the custody of a person of
unquestionable reputation, who, I will be bold to say, will not
only be ready, but proud, to produce them upon a good occasion, and
that I think is as much satisfaction as the nature of this case
requires.

As to the performance, it can signify little now to make an apology
upon that account, any farther than this, that if the reader
pleases he may take notice that what he has now before him was
collected from a large bundle of papers, most of which were writ in
shorthand, and very ill-digested. However, this may be relied
upon, that though the language is something altered, and now and
then a word thrown in to help the expression, yet strict care has
been taken to speak the author's mind, and keep as close as
possible to the meaning of the original. For the design, I think
there is nothing need be said in vindication of that. Here is a
dumb philosopher introduced to a wicked and degenerate generation,
as a proper emblem of virtue and morality; and if the world could
be persuaded to look upon him with candour and impartiality, and
then to copy after him, the editor has gained his end, and would
think himself sufficiently recompensed for his present trouble.