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nydus/The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, GentlemanPublic
Page 258 of 809
Table of Contents

The Author’s Preface

This has been made the Magna Charta of stupidity ever since⁠⸺⁠but your reverences plainly see, it has been obtained in such a manner, that the title to it is not worth a groat:⁠⸺⁠which by the by is one of the many and vile impositions which gravity and grave folks have to answer for hereafter.

As for great wigs, upon which I may be thought to have spoken my mind too freely⁠⸻I beg leave to qualify whatever has been unguardedly said to their dispraise or prejudice, by one general declaration⁠⸺⁠That I have no abhorrence whatever, nor do I detest and abjure either great wigs or long beards, any farther than when I see they are bespoke and let grow on purpose to carry on this selfsame imposture⁠—for any purpose⁠⸺⁠peace be with them!⁠—☞ mark only⁠⸺⁠I write not for them.

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