I cannot forbear entertaining my self very often with the Idea of such an imaginary Historian describing the Reign of ANNE the First, and introducing it with a Preface to his Reader, that he is now entring upon the most shining Part of the English Story.  The great Rivals in Fame will then be distinguished according to their respective Merits, and shine in their proper Points of Light.  Such [an [3]] one (says the Historian) tho’ variously represented by the Writers of his own Age, appears to have been a Man of more than ordinary Abilities, great Application and uncommon Integrity:  Nor was such an one (tho’ of an opposite Party and Interest) inferior to him in any of these Respects.  The several Antagonists who now endeavour to depreciate one another, and are celebrated or traduced by different Parties, will then have the same Body of Admirers, and appear Illustrious in the Opinion of the whole British Nation.  The deserving Man, who can now recommend himself to the Esteem of but half his Countrymen, will then receive the Approbations and Applauses of a whole Age.

Among the several Persons that flourish in this Glorious Reign, there is no question but such a future Historian as the Person of whom I am speaking, will make mention of the Men of Genius and Learning, who have now any Figure in the British Nation.  For my own part, I often flatter my self with the honourable Mention which will then be made of me; and have drawn up a Paragraph in my own Imagination, that I fancy will not be altogether unlike what will be found in some Page or other of this imaginary Historian.

It was under this Reign, says he, that the SPECTATOR publish’d those little Diurnal Essays which are still extant.  We know very little of the Name or Person of this Author, except only that he was a Man of a very short Face, extreamly addicted to Silence, and so great a Lover of Knowledge, that he made a Voyage to Grand Cairo for no other Reason, but to take the Measure of a Pyramid.  His chief Friend was one Sir ROGER DE COVERLEY, a whimsical Country Knight, and a Templar whose Name he has not transmitted to us.  He lived as a Lodger at the House of a Widow-Woman, and was a great Humourist in all Parts of his Life.  This is all we can affirm with any Certainty of his Person and Character.  As for his Speculations, notwithstanding the several obsolete Words and obscure Phrases of the Age in which he lived, we still understand enough of them to see the Diversions and Characters of the English Nation in his Time:  Not but that we are to make Allowance for the Mirth and Humour of the Author, who has doubtless strained many Representations of Things beyond the Truth.  For if we interpret his Words in the literal Meaning, we must suppose that Women of the first Quality used to pass away whole Mornings at a Puppet-Show:  That they attested their Principles by their Patches:  That an Audience would sit out [an [4]] Evening to