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nydus/The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, GentlemanPublic

A man describes his birth and upbringing through the adventures of his family.

Page 258 of 810
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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