文档介绍：DICKORY CRONKE
DICKORY CRONKE
By Daniel Defoe
1
DICKORY CRONKE
PREFACE
The formality of a preface to this little book might have been very well
omitted, if it were not to gratify the curiosity of some inquisitive people,
who, I foresee, will be apt to make objections against the reality of the
narrative.
Indeed the public has too often been imposed upon by fictitious stories,
and some of a very late date, so that I think myself obliged by the usual
respect which is paid to candid and impartial readers, to acquaint them, by
way of introduction, with what they are to expect, and what they may
depend upon, and yet with this caution too, that it is an indication of ill
nature or ill manners, if not both, to pry into a secret that is industriously
concealed.
However, that there may be nothing wanting on my part, I do hereby
assure the reader, that the papers from whence the following sheets were
extracted, are now in town, in the custody of a person of unquestionable
reputation, who, I will be bold to say, will not only be ready, but proud, to
produce them upon a good occasion, and that I think is as much
satisfaction as the nature of this case requires.
As to the performance, it can signify little now to make an apology
upon that account, any farther than this, that if the reader pleases he may
take notice that what he has now before him was collected from a large
bundle of papers, most of which were writ in shorthand, and very ill-
digested. However, this may be relied upon, that though the language is
something altered, and now and then a word thrown in to help the
expression, yet strict care has been taken to speak the author's mind, and
keep as close as possible to the meaning of the original. For the design, I
think there is nothing need be said in vindication of that. Here is a dumb
philosopher introduced to a wicked and degenerate generation, as a proper
emblem of virtue and morality; and if the world could be persuaded to