THE

OLIO;

OR,

MUSEUM OF ENTERTAINMENT.

"A just image of human nature, representing its humours, and the changes
of fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind."-DRYDEN.

JOSEPH SHACKELL, 15, WINE OFFICE COURT, FLEET STREET.
SOLD BY LONGMAN AND CO.; WHITTAKER AND CO.; SHERWOOD AND CO.; SIMPKIN
AND MARSHALL; B. STEILL; W. STRANGE; CARVILL, NEW YORK: LANCE, PARIS;
AND ALL BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

MDCCCXXXIII.

5543A

4-6

PREFACE.

WHEN our little bark was first launched on the literary ocean, our friends and companions caressed us with zealous anxieties, till our sheets spread valiantly into a goodly volume.

Freighted with amusement, instruction, and genial dispositions, notwithstanding very numerous competitors ventured to hoist their type-sails with us and pass the customary current in the tide of Public Opinion,'-we, have met with no disasters from collision; but are steering our successful course, and arrived to the Port of our 'Eleventh Voyage' improved in feature; and, we hope, invigorated in constitution.

Were we to refer to the unanimous voice of the heralds of the Press, cordially recommending our commodities:if our plaudits were heard from the sources which the Drama has experienced in selecting many of our original papers for adaptation:- were we permitted to print the various letters received in behalf of our value; and, to mention how often our volumes have been reprinted-our Preface would extend to a gossiping Essay, and assume an adulatory proof of egotistical distinction.