PREFACE: An attempt has been made to adapt this edition of the "Humorists" to the use of either college or preparatory school. To that end the notes are rather full in number but brief in the space given to each note. The essays are exceptionally rich in allusions, very happy and suggestive allusions, and the purpose of the notes is to increase rather than satisfy the student's curiosity regarding them. Essays Include, Swift. Congreve and Addison, Steele, Prior, Gay and Pope, Hogarth. Smollett and Fielding, Sterne and Goldsmith.....Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.