Nor do I fear that my sensible reader, though most luxurious in his taste, will start, cavil, or be offended, because I have named but one article. The provision, then, which we have here made is no other than Human Nature. To prevent, therefore, giving offence to their customers by any such disappointment, it hath been usual with the honest and well-meaning host to provide a bill of fare which all persons may peruse at their first entrance into the house and having thence acquainted themselves with the entertainment which they may expect, may either stay and regale with what is provided for them, or may depart to some other ordinary better accommodated to their taste.Īs we do not disdain to borrow wit or wisdom from any man who is capable of lending us either, we have condescended to take a hint from these honest victuallers, and shall prefix not only a general bill of fare to our whole entertainment, but shall likewise give the reader particular bills to every course which is to be served up in this and the ensuing volumes. Men who pay for what they eat will insist on gratifying their palates, however nice and whimsical these may prove. Now the contrary of this happens to the master of an ordinary. In the former case, it is well known that the entertainer provides what fare he pleases and though this should be very indifferent, and utterly disagreeable to the taste of his company, they must not find any fault nay, on the contrary, good breeding forces them outwardly to approve and to commend whatever is set before them. Passage adapted from Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (1749).Īn author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money.
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