THE PREFACE.
THE Usefulness of a Work of
this Nature in general is too
obvious to need any Apology; but some Account of
this in particular may be expected: It consists not only of all such Speeches in the
House of Commons, as have already appear'd in Print in scatter'd Volumes; but
also of a great Number of Others, now
first communicated to the Publick by
several curious Gentlemen, to whom the
Editor takes this Opportunity of returning his Acknowledgments.
Those who know the Orders of the
House, and the Nature and Manner of
their Proceedings, know likewise that it
is impossible for a Work of this Nature
to be absolutely Compleat: This therefore
will be a sufficient Apology for the Shortness of the Accounts herein given of some
Sessions. All the Compiler had to do, was
to range his Materials in a proper and regular Method, without adding or suppressing
one Particular in Favour of any Party:
This, he hopes, he has done in such a Manner as at least to escape the Censure of the
Publick; nay, he even flatters himself,
that he has some Title to their Thanks.
London, Dec. 31, 1740.