 submit to the candid Reader, with only two Requests: First,
That he will not expect to find Perfection in this Work; and Secondly, That he
will excuse some Parts of it, if they fall short of that little Merit which I
hope may appear in others.
    I will detain you, Sir, no longer. Indeed I have run into a Preface, while I
professed to write a Dedication. But how can it be otherwise? I dare not praise
you; and the only Means I know of to avoid it, when you are in my Thoughts, are
either to be entirely silent, or to turn my Thoughts to some other Subject.
    Pardon, therefore, what I have said in this Epistle, not only without your
Consent, but absolutely against it; and give me at least Leave, in this public
Manner, to declare, that I am, with the highest Respect and Gratitude,
            Sir,
             Your most Obliged,
             Obedient Humble Servant,
 
                                                                  Henry Fielding
 

                                     Book I

 Containing as much of the Birth of the Foundling as is necessary or proper to
           acquaint the Reader with in the Beginning of this History.

                                   Chapter I

                 The Introduction to the Work, or Bill of Fare
                                 to the Feast.
 
An Author ought to consider himself, not as a Gentleman who gives a private or
eleemosynary Treat, but rather as one who keeps a public Ordinary, at which all
Persons are welcome for their Money. In the former Case, it is well known, that
the Entertainer provides what Fare he pleases; and tho' this should be very
indifferent, and utterly disagreeable to the Taste of his Company, they must not
find any Fault; nay, on the contrary, Good-Breeding forces them outwardly to
approve and to commend whatever is set before them. Now the contrary of this
happens to the Master of an Ordinary. Men who pay for what they eat, will insist
on gratifying their Palates, however nice and whimsical these may prove; and if
every Thing is not agreeable to their Taste, will challenge a Right to censure,
to abuse, and to d-n their Dinner without Controul.
    To prevent therefore giving Offence to their Customers by any such
Disappointment, it hath been usual, with the honest and well-meaning Host, to
provide a Bill of Fare, which all Persons may peruse at their first Entrance
into the House; and, having thence acquainted themselves with the Entertainment
which they may expect, may either stay and regale with what is provided for
them, or may depart to some other Ordinary better accommodated to their Taste.
    As we do not disdain to borrow Wit
