Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

account of the dullness of the times, could only speak to men with success, or even with safety, by means of pregnant wit and laughter, may himself in a measure be said to be the cause of this strange misapprehension. He declares that "to those who were acquainted with the humour of Don Quixote, all that he did was matter of infinite jest;" and adds in the same breath, "but to those who were ignorant of it, it seemed the greatest folly in the world." Those, however, who are in the secret know this to be in part also a jest; and it seems to me that the time has come when his great work should be read not only for the beauty of its excellence, the charm of its style, for its sweet humour and tender compassion, but in order to perceive more clearly and enjoy more thoroughly "the gross and scope" of that jest, as well as for the honour of its author, and the glory of the work which he wrought. For he was one of the most renowned refiners of taste and manners of whom Christendom can boast, and, though dead, yet speaks in all the languages of the polite nations of the world. Therefore I dedicate this translation to you, in the hope that those of our countrymen who have not read this work may be induced to do so, in the belief that no one would dedicate to you a book that was not worthy of their approbation, their esteem, and love.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your faithful and obliged servant,

A. J. DUFFIEld.

« ÎnapoiContinuă »