THE PREFACE. T be HE prefent Work appears with Confidence in the Kingdom that gave Birth to it: and will well fatisfied with its Fortune, if it meets with as favourable a Reception as has been indulg'd to all the other Compofitions of its Author. The high Efteem which Mr. de Voltaire has always discover'd for the English, is a Proof how ambitious he is of their Approbation. 'Tis now grown familiar to him, but then he is not tir'd with it; and indeed one wou'd be A 2 apt to think think that this Circumftance is pleafing to the Nation, from the ftrong Defire they have to peruse whatever is publish'd under his Name. WITHOUT pretending therefore to any great penetration, we may venture to affure him that his Letters will meet with all the Succefs that could be wifh'd. Mr. de Voltaire is the Author of them, they were written in London, and relate particularly to the English Nation; three Circumftances which must neceffarily recommend them. The great Freedom with which Mr. de Voltaire delivers himself in his various Obfervations, cannot give him any Apprehensions of their being lefs favourably re ceiv'd upon that account, by a judicious People who abhor: Flattery. The English are pleas'd to have their Faults pointed out to them, because this fhews at the fame time, that the Writer is able to distinguish their Merit. WE muft however confefs, that these Letters were not defign'd for the Public. They are the Refult of the Author's Complacency and Friendship for Mr. Thiriot, who had defir'd him, during his Stay in England, to favour him with fuch Remarks as he might make on the Manners and Cuftoms of the British Nation. 'Tis well known that in a Correspondence of this kind, the most just and regular |