The Mysterious Mother/Preface

The Author of the following Tragedy is so far from thinking it worthy of being offered to the Public, that he has done every thing in his power to prevent the publication—in vain. It is solely to avoid its being rendered still worse by a surreptitious edition, that he is reduced to give it from his own copy. He is sensible that the subject is disgusting, and by no means compensated by the execution. It was written several years ago; and to prevent the trouble of reading it, or having it transcribed, a few copies were printed and given away. One or two have been circulated, and different editions have been advertised, which occasion the present publication. All the favour the Author soli​cits or expects, is, to be believed how unwillingly he has submitted to its appearance: he cannot be more blamed than he blames himself for having undertaken so disagreeable a story, and for having hazarded the publicity by letting it go out of his own hands. He respects the judgment of the Public too much to offer to them voluntarily what he does not think deserves their approbation.

April 29, 1781.