"The preface of the Bookseller, before the Battle of the Books, shows the cause and design of the whole work: which was performed by a couple of young Clergymen in the year 1697; who, having been domestic chaplains to sir William Temple, thought themselves obliged to take up his quarrel; in relation to the controversy then in dispute between him and Mr. Wotton, concerning Ancient and Modern Learning.
"The one of them began a defence of sir William, under the title of a Tale of a Tub; under which he intended to couch the general history of Christianity: showing the rise of all the remarkable errours of the Roman church, in the same order they entered; and how the Reformation endeavoured to root them out again: with the different temper of Luther from Calvin (and those more violent spirits), in the way of his reforming. His aim is to ridicule the stubborn errours of the Romish church, and the humours of the fanatic party; and to show that their superstition has something very fantastical in it, which is common to both of them; notwithstanding the abhorrence they seem to have for one another.
"The author intended to have it very regular; and withal so particular, that he thought not to
&c. Price 6d. Where may be had, A Meditation upon a Broomstick, and somewhat beside, utile dulci; by one of the authors of the Tale of a Tub, Price 6d." "I had long a design upon the ears of that Curll, when I was in credit; but the rogue would never allow me a fair stroke at them, although my pen-knife was drawn and sharp." Swift, Lett. to Pope, Aug. 30, 1760. "What gave this edge to the Dean's penknife was, A Key to the Tale of a Tub, by Ralph Noden, Esq." Curll, Annot. in loc.
