The preface. Truth and fiction have, of late, been so promiscuously blended together, in performances of this nature; that, in the present case, it seems absolutely necessary to distinguish the one from the other. If Robinson Crusoe, Moll Flanders, and Colonel Jack, have had their admirers among the lower rank of readers; it is certain, that the morality in masquerade, which may be discovrÕd in the travels of Lemuel Gulliver, has been an equal entertainment to the superior class of mankind. Now it may, without the least arrogance, be affirmed, that thoÕ this surprising narrative be not so replete with vulgar stories as the former, or so interspersed with a satirical vein, as the last of the above-mentioned treatises; yet it is certainly of more use to the public, than either of them, because every incident, herein related, is real matter of fact. But because my share in this work, is no other than that of a bare editor; I think it my duty to account for the possession of this manuscript. It was put into my hands, about a year ago, by Mr. Dorrington, an eminent merchant, with full liberty to publish it when, and in what manner, I thought most proper. I hope therefore it will not be deemed impertinent to give some account of my friend, as a reputation to the work itself. ÒMr. Edward Dorrington is descended from a very ancient and honourable family in Staffordshire. His grandfather, Mr. Joseph Dorrington, removed out of that country, to Frome in Somsetshire; his employ was that of a very considerable grasier: the issue he left at his decease was one son, Richard (the father of my friend), and two daughters. Mr. Richard Dorington, for some time, was a student of GrayÕs-Inn; but, liking a country-life best, he having thoroughly qualified himself, retired to Frome, the above-mentioned residence of his father; where he married Mrs. Margaret Groves, of Townton, a gentlewoman of about a thousand pounds fortune. Soon after his marriage, he went and settled at Bath, where the integrity of his fair practice soon rendered him eminent in his profession. He acquired a very competent estate, and died in the year 1708, having no other issue than his only son, the present Mr. Edward Dorrington, whom he had put to be bred a merchant, under the care of Mr. Stephen Graham of Bristol. His diligence, and courteous behavior, during his servitude, so highly recommended him to his masterÕs esteem, that when his time was expired, he admitted him into a moiety of his commerce, married him to his daughter, and gave her a handsome portion suitable to his merit. The happiness of my acquaintance with him began in his apprenticeship and has, with the greatest satisfaction to me, continued ever since.Ó As to the genuineness of this treatise, I am farther to assure the reader, that as Mr. Dorrington is allowed, by all who know him, to be a gentleman of unquestionable veracity, and above attempting an imposition upon the public; so the first book herein was wholly written by himself, and the second and third books were faithfully transcribed from Mr. QuarllÕs parchment-roll, which was a continuation of what my friend had begun. When Mr. Dorrington undertook this voyage, he set sail, as is well known, from Bristol to the South-Sea; and traded all along that coast to Mexico, now called New-Spain. And he is now making a second voyage to the same places. To proceed to the work itself: the first book contains a relation of Mr. DorringtonÕs discovery of Mr. Quarll, his several conferences with him, a description of the island, and the manner of our hermitÕs living there; with many other curious particulars. The second and third books are the contents of the HermitÕs parchment roll above-mentioned, and contain the most surprising, as well as various turns of fortune ever yet recounted in any work of this kind. And, althoÕ the continued series of misfortunes which attended him seemed  to render his life an example of the most unhappy state of human nature; yet we do not find so great an enormity in his actions, that vengeance should pursue him so closely by unparalleled crosses. If  polygamy could call down such divine resentments, we must be silent; nor farther urge his fate. However, for this fact he was brought to justice by the laws of his country; and he accounts for the inducements of his committing that sin, at his tryal. This reflection should therefore be wipÕd off, since he is now become the humblest of penitents. The observations throughout these sheets will be found to be modest, serious, and instructive, and all centre in the unerring moral, that, WhateÕer we do, or wherefoeÕer weÕre drivÕn--Still, we must own, such is the will of heavÕn. To conclude: in the publication of these papers, I have discharged two promises; the one made by Mr. Dorrington to the Hermit, and the other made by myself to Mr. Dorrington: and that they may meet with a reception, as candid as they are useful, is the hearty wish of the readerÕs humble servant, P. L.