Need An Introduction

preface

is an intolerable nuisance which stops you from getting to the main event, like a protracted wedding breakfast.

is the most important part of a book. Even reviewers read a preface.

The preface is the most important part of the book. Even reviewers read a preface.

is nothing but a talk with the reader; thus, a book of essays, which does nothing else but talk with the reader, needs no preface.

The essays want no preface: they are all _preface. A preface is nothing but a talk with the reader; and they do nothing else.

is like a speech before the curtain; they make even the most self-forgetful performers self-conscious.

Prefaces are like speeches before the curtain; they make even the most self-forgetful performers self-conscious.

is written to the public, in other words, to an enemy, which one cannot address without feelings of hostility.

A preface is written to the public - a thing I cannot help looking upon as an enemy, and which I cannot address without feelings of hostility.