A Tale of a Tub Section 5

In which a learned modern author embarks on a witty and intricate dissection of the human condition, professing to combine instruction and amusement for the public good, whilst playfully critiquing the errors and omissions of past sages with a lively mixture of satirical erudition. He unveils a curious, alchemical recipe for distilling all knowledge into a potent essence and reflects, with gentle humour, on the vexations of literary prefaces and the fickle customs of contemporary readers.