“For as innocence and virtue were ever the boundaries of his Muse, so in this little poem he had no other view.” Carey's claim that moral innocence and virtue guided his literary work · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Principles Virtue Writing
“The real occasion was this: a shoemaker's 'prentice making holiday with his sweetheart.” Carey's account of the humble real-life circumstances behind the song · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Creation Love Observation
“The author begs leave to undeceive and assure them it has not the least allusion to her.” Carey's firm correction of the mistaken identification of Sally Salisbury as his subject · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Correction Truth
“Who was pleased more than once to mention it with Approbation.” Recalling that Addison repeatedly spoke approvingly of the song · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Literature Praise Recognition
“Amply recompenced him by the Applause of the divine Addison.” Carey's expression of gratitude for Joseph Addison's approval · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Literature Praise Recognition
“Which nevertheless made its way into the polite World.” His understated account of a work succeeding despite early ridicule · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Perseverance Recognition Success
“Being then young and obscure, he was very much ridicul'd by some of his Acquaintance for this Performance.” Recalling the mockery he endured before the song became successful · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Criticism Perseverance Youth
“From whence he drew this little Sketch of Nature.” Carey's concise description of transforming everyday observation into art · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Creation Nature Observation
“Through all which Scenes the Author dodged them, charm'd with the Simplicity of their Courtship.” A charming glimpse of Carey observing an ordinary couple in London · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Love Observation Simplicity
“He being a stranger to her very name at the time this Song was composed.” Carey's emphatic denial that the notorious Sally Salisbury inspired his song · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Correction Truth
“The real occasion was this: a shoemaker's 'prentice making holiday with his sweetheart, treated her with a sight of Bedlam, the puppet-shows, the flying-chairs, and all the elegancies of Moorfields.” Carey's account of the real-life scene he observed and transformed into art · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Creation Love Observation
“A vulgar error having long prevailed among many persons, who imagine Sally Salisbury the subject of this ballad, the author begs to undeceive and assure them that it has not the least allusion to her.” Carey's explicit correction of the popular belief about the identity of Sally · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Correction Literature Truth
“Charmed with the simplicity of their courtship, he drew from what he had witnessed this little sketch of nature.” Describing how an ordinary London courtship became the inspiration for his song · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Nature Observation Simplicity
“For as innocence and virtue were ever the boundaries of his Muse, so in this little poem he had no other view than to set forth the beauty of a chaste and disinterested passion, even in the lowest class of human life.” Carey's own explanation of the moral and human purpose behind his famous ballad · Preface to Sally in Our Alley, 1729 Humanity Love Virtue
