Henry Fielding,
Covent-Garden Journal — 1
“ THE World, it is certain, never more abounded with Authors than at present; nor is there any Species more numerous than of those Writers who deal forth their Lucubrations in small Parcels to the Public, consisting partly of historical, and partly, to use their own Word, of literary Matter. So great, indeed, is their Multitude, that Homer's Simile of the Bees gives us scarce too vast an Idea of them. ”
Henry Fielding,
Covent-Garden Journal — 1
“ These Gentlemen, I say it with great Concern, are sometimes guilty of adopting Motives unworthy of the Followers of the Muses; and, instead of consulting the true Interest of the Republic of Letters in general, are too apt poorly and meanly to consider their own; and, like mere Mechanics, to be envious and jealous of a Rival in their Trade. To silence, therefore, effectually, all such Jealousies, and Fears, I do here declare, that it is not my Intention to encroach on the Business now carried on by my Contemporaries, nor to deal in any of those Wares which they at present vend to the Public. ”
Henry Fielding,
Covent-Garden Journal — 1
“ In an Age when all Men are so ready to serve their Country for nothing, I hope I shall not be thought an Exception. For my own Part, I cannot be supposed, by an intelligent Person, to have any other View, than to correct and reform the Public; and should have taken some Pains to have prevailed with my Bookseller to distribute these Papers gratis, had he not assured me, that such an Example would be of great Detriment of Trade. ”
