First Sentence

"NO-I think I faid I would write two volumes every year, provided the vile cough which then tormented me, and which to this hour I dread worfe than the devil, would but give me leave;-and in another place-(but where, I can't recollect now) fpeaking of my book as a machine, and laying my pen and ruler down crofs-wife upon the table, in order to gain the greater credit to it-I fwore it fhould be kept a-going at that rate thefe forty years, if it pleafed but the Fountain of life to blefs me fo long with health and good fpirits."