particular would never have needed a juſtification; and as this kind of writing is what I ever deteſted, and never practiced, I am perſuaded ſo groundleſs a calumny can never be believed, but by thoſe who do not know me. But when general aſperſions of this ſort have been caſt upon me, I think myſelf called upon to declare my principles, and I do with the ſtricteſt truth affirm, that I am as loyal a ſubject, and as firmly attached to the preſent happy eſtabliſhment, as any of thoſe who have the greateſt places or penſions. I have been informed too, that in the following play I have been charged with writing immoralities; that it is filled with ſlander and calumny againſt particular great perſons, and that Majeſty itſelf is endeavoured to be brought into ridicule and contempt.
‘As I know that every one of theſe charges was in every point abſolutely falſe, and without the leaſt grounds, at firſt I was not at all affected by them; but when I found they were ſtill inſiſted upon, and that particular paſſages which were not in the play were quoted, and propagated to ſupport what had been ſuggeſted, I could no longer bear to lye under thoſe falſe accuſations; ſo by printing it, I have ſubmitted, and given up all preſent views of profit, which might accrue from the ſtage, which will undoubtedly be ſome ſatisfaction to the worthy gentlemen, who have treated me with ſo much candour and humanity, and repreſented me in ſuch favourable colours. But as I am conſcious to myſelf, that my only intention was to laſh in general the reigning and faſhionable vices, and to recommend, and ſet virtue in as amiable a light as I could; to juſtify and vindicate my own character, I thought myſelf obliged to print the opera without delay, in the manner I have done.’
