The Secret History of Pythagoras

THE Translation of this venerable Piece of Antiquity is undertook upon a double Score; being designed as well to entertain the Curiosity of the Learned, as to supply the Defects of the Ignorant. If the original Language would have been more acceptable to the one, it would have been less intelligible to the other. I cannot, without uttering a Falsity, venture to affirm that so singular and valuable a Piece will be made Public, at least as yet: And in the mean Time I shall flatter myself, that this little Essay may contribute in some sort or other to the diversion, if not Instruction, of People in every Condition of Life. If this is well received, the other Parts will make their Appearance at proper Distances of Time. I publish no more at present, because I would not be thought to impose too much upon any one's Patience; as for losing my own Labour, I am under no bad Apprehensions about that; for the Reader cannot reject with a greater Disdain, than I have translated with Pleasure, the Contents of this Book.