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Observator. I thought it fit to prepare the way by offering some considerations at the Authors Stile, which by reason of many lofty words, no English reader can climb over.

Answer. Stile, unknown, lofty, and climb over! Here's a wood∣den conceit made by as woodden an Observator, who, had not his head (all but the face) been made of blocks, or had he consulted ancient Authors, he might have known that the word stile used by writers, was not made of wood, as this ob∣servator supposeth, but of mettal; the very same with his own face, one end whereof was serviceable as a pen, the other as a knife to race or scrape out what was amisse. As to those lofty words, I declare to all the world, this, not uningenu∣ous acknowledgment, that having conversed with Authors of the Noblest and cheif Remarque in several languages, not onely their nations, but their very words, especially being of the most elegant import, became at length so familiar with me, as when I apply'd my self to that present work, I found it very difficult to renounce my former acquaintance with them; but as they freely offred themselves, so I entertain'd them upon these considerations. First, I was confident that amongst learned men they needed no other passe then their own extraction. And for those who were meer English readers I saw no reason they should wonder at them, considering that for their satisfaction, I had sent along with every forreigner his interpreter to serve instead of a Dictionary.

Then I had observed that our language had of late already admitted very neer all of them into so frequent use in ordi∣nary discourse, as almost amounted to a Naturalization of them amongst us.

Lastly, I was perswaded, so long as my Narrative was even∣ly carri'd, and tolerably true, a canded Reader would have pardoned that blemish of my Stile, especially such an one as takes notice that two Historians Livy and Salust lie un∣der the same censure; the first for his Patavinity, as Asinius cal∣led it, the other for his obsolete words extracted from Cato de Originibus, as Augustus said; yet notwithstanding are by some thought to carry away the Garland from all their fel∣lows.

The premises considered, I shall demand of the Observator in the words of his own Horace, de arte Poetica.