Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

BE 889

127

THE TATLER.

SELECTED ESSAYS.

[blocks in formation]

LONDON:

BRADBURY, AGNEW & CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.

PREFACE.

It seems strange in these days of "Extracts" and "Selections" that the Volumes of the "Tatler" should never have engaged the attention of an Editor to lay its gems under contribution. Though not enjoying the popularity of its more famous successor, the "Spectator," there are yet in its pages Essays which, for humour, wit, charms of style and knowledge of human nature, are as deserving of study and perusal as any in the English language. Nor as contributions to the history of the period are they less worthy of attention. Politics, fashion, literature, the tastes and prejudices of the day are all there to be met with, and shed a light upon the reign of Queen Anne not reflected elsewhere. Yet the "Tatler" is preeminently one of those works on the shelves of our literature which are often spoken of, occasionally quoted, and never read. This neglect no doubt arises from the mass of obsolete and uninteresting matter in which the readable Essays are so embedded as to be practically smothered. The work therefore lends itself especially to the scheme of selection. In the following pages the

« ZurückWeiter »