Tho’ I am very certain of the honour and strict probity of my editor, and believe he employs none, especially in any thing relating to the press, but such whose integrity may be depended upon, yet, I know not how it is, but the title of this work has, by some means or other, taken air, and I perceive has sounded an alarm in the ears of those who blush to be told of what they do not blush to act; for before the first volume was near half completed several letters from different hands were left for me at the Printing-Office; some of which I think it highly proper to insert, as I have no other way of communicating my sentiments to the authors of them, and shall leave it to the public to judge impartially between us.

LETTER I.

To the Invisible Spy.

Mr. Invisible,

I am a fair enemy, and scorn to cut any man's throat without first telling him I intend to do so: – I therefore send this before the publication of your book, to give you warning not to put any thing into it that may affront the honourable society of Bucks, of which I am not only a member but at present the President. – What if we appear a little terrible to silly people, and sometimes, for sport's sake, overturn a chaise, or jostle an old man or insignificant woman into the kennel, beat the watch, break the windows of houses, or rob the watchmen of their lanthorns; we look upon ourselves as absolute sovereigns of all public places, and will not suffer a reprimand from any paultry scribbler of you all; for whatever we may happen to do, either on the Road, in the Mall, or the Street; – take notice also, that the least provocation offer'd to any one of us incurs the resentment of the whole body, and we have unanimously sworn to make a dreadful example of you if found culpable this way; – hope not to escape, – we shall trace you to your lurking-hole, – pluck off your case of Invisibility, and hack you into atoms;