PREFACE

TO HOPKINS'S PHILADELPHIA EDITION.

HAVING resolved upon presenting

to the American publick a new edition of this justly celebrated work, the editors made it an object to ascertain, if possible, what was really the Vicar of Wakefield, as written by Dr. Goldsmith. They found the task more difficult than would be supposed by persons who have never attended to the liberties which have been taken with this performance. Upon comparing numerous editions of early and recent dates, they were surprised to find, that every American edition which they examined, and most of the late English editions, have been essentially varied from the original text,