[pitpatagain]

The preface is much more circuitous and difficult than the opening of Chapter 1. The opening of Chapter 1 is very vivid and descriptive, but pretty straightforward, even the archaic stuff in it you really should be able to guess at from context.

Is it the easiest thing to read? No.

Should university English majors be able to read it? Good grief, yes, this is such a wildly low bar.