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 ¬covery, it is not at all an uncommon imposture to pretend even to be a natural fool, in hopes of superior preferment. ¬" But it is high time to return to the subject, though I seek no apology for the digression. A novel derives its fame from the genius of its author, and its merit principally consists in a fanciful departure from truth; but the best writ- ten Histo?y can only be interesting when it is believed to be true." ¬ CHAP-