TO THE READER.

Read what you list, and understand what you can. Characters are not

every man's construction, though they be writ in our mother tongue; and

what I have written, being of no other nature, if they fit not your

humour they may please a better. I make no comparison, because I know

you not, but if you will vouchsafe to look into them, it may be you may

find something in them; their natures are diverse, as you may see, if

your eyes be open, and if you can make use of them to good purpose, your

wits may prove the better. In brief, fearing the fool will be put upon

me for being too busy with matters too far above my understanding, I

will leave my imperfection to pardon or correction, and my labour to

their liking that will not think ill of a well-meaning, and so

rest,--Your well-willing friend,

Character Writings of the Seventeenth Century · 第 241 / 429 题