Letters from Alexander Pope, Esq; and the Right Hon. the Lord Bolingbroke, to the Reverend Dr. Swift, D.S.P.D. To which is added Almahide, a poem by the Lord Bolingbroke

Preface

F what is here offer'd the Reader should happen in any degree to please him, the thanks are not due to the Author, but partly to his Friends, and partly to his Ene mies : It was wholly owing to the Affection of the former, that so many Letters of which he never kept copies were prefer v'd, and to the Malice of the latter that they were produc'd in this manner.

PREFACE.

He had been very disagreeably us'd, in the publication of some Letters written in his youth, which fell into the hands of a Woman who printed them without his, or his correspondent's consent, in 1727. This treatment, and the apprehension of more of the same kind, put him upon recalling as many as he could from those who he imagined had kept any. He was sorry to find the number so great, but imme diately lessen'd it by burning three parts in four of them : The rest he spar'd, not in any preference of their Stile or writing, but merely as they preserv'd the memory of some Friendships which will ever be dear to him, or set in a true light some Mat ters of fact, from which the Scriblers of the times had taken occasion to asperse either his Friends or himself. He therefore lay'd by the originals, together with those of his Correspondents, and caus'd a Copy to be taken to deposite in the Library of a noble Friend; that in case either of the revival of slanders, or the publication of surreptitious letters, during his life or after, a proper use might be made of them.

The next year, the Posthumous works of Mr. Wy cherley were printed, in a way disreputable enough to his memory : It was thought a justice due to him, to lhew the world his better judgment ; and P'REFAC F, that it was his last resolution to have suppressed those Poems. As some of the letters which had pass'd between him and our Author clear'd that point, they were publifh'd in 1729, with a few marginal notes added by a friend. If in these letters, and in those which were printed without his consent, there appear too much of a juvenile ambition of Wit, or affectation of Gayety, he may reasonably hope it will be consider'd to whom, and at what age, he was guilty of it, as well as how soon it was over. The rest, every judge of writing will fee, were by no means Efforts of the Genius but Emanations of the Heart : and this alone may induce any candid reader to believe their publication an act of necessity, rather than of vanity.

It is notorious, how many volumes have been publifh'd under the title of his Correspondence, with promises still of more, and open and repeated offers of encouragement to all persons who should fend any letters of his for the press. It is as notorious what methods were taken to procure them, even from the Publisher's own accounts in his prefaces, viz. by transacting with people in necessities, > or of abandon'd 2 characters, or such as dealt without names in the 3 dark. Upon a quarrel with one ot 1 See the Preface to Vol. i. of a Book called Mr. Pope's Literary Correspondence, 2 Postscript to the Preface to Vol. 4. 3 Narrative and Anecdotes before Vol. 2.

PREFACE.

. these last, he betray'd himself so far as to appeal to the publick in Narratives and Advertisements : like that Irish Highway-man a few years before, who preferred a Bill against his Companion, for not sharing equally in the mony, rings and watches, they had traded for in Partnership upon Hounflow-heath. Several have been printed in his name which he ne ver Avrit, and address 'd to persons to whom they never were written ; 4 counterfeited as from Bishop Atterbury to him, which neither that Bishop nor he ever saw5 ; and advertiz'd even after that period when it was made Felony to correspond with him. I know not how it has been this Author's fate, whom both his Situation and his Temper have all his life excluded from rivalling any man, in any pretension, (except that of pleasing by Poetry) to have been as much aspers'd and written at, as anv First Minister of his time : Pamphlets and News papers have been fuli of him, nor was it there only that a private man, who never troubled either the world or common conversation with his opinions of Religion or Government has been represented as a dangerous member of Society, a bigotted Pa pist, and an enemy to the Establishment.

The un- 4. In Vol. 3. Letrersfrom Mr. Pope to Mrs. Blount, &c. 5. Vol. ?. of the Qrhe 8° pag. 20. and at the end of the Editiqn of his Letters in 1 z° by the Booksellers of London and Westminster ; and of the last Edition in 120 printed by T Cooper 1725. ' * '

PREFACE.

warrantable publication of his Letters hath at least done him this service, to show he has constantly enjoy'd the friendship of worthy men ; and that if a Catalogue were to be taken of his friends and his enemies, he needs not to blush at either. Many of them having been written on the most trying oc currences, and all in the openness of friendship, are a proof what were his real Sentiments, as they flow'd warm from the heart, and fresh from the occasion ; without the least thought that ever the world mould be witness to them. Had he fate down with a design to draw his own Picture, he could not have done it so truly ; for whoever sits for it (whether to himself or another) will inevitably find the features more compos'd, than his appear in these letters. But if an Author's hand, like a Painter's, be more distinguishable in a flight sketch than in a finilh'd picture, this very carelessness will make them the better known from such Counterfeits, as have been, and may be imputed to him, either thro' a mercenary, or a malicious design.

We hope it is needless to fay, he is not account able for several passages in the surreptitious edi tions of those letters, which are such as no man of common fense would have publifh'd himself. The errors of the press were almost innumerable, and b

PREFACE.

. could not but be extreamly multiply'd in so many repeated editions ; by the Avarice and Negligence of pyratical Printers, to not one of whom he ever gave the least Title, or any other encouragement than that of not prosecuting them. For the Chasms in the correspondence, we had not the means to supply them, the Author having destroy'd too many letters to preserve any Series. Nor would he go about to amend them, except by the omission of some passages, improper, or at least impertinent, to be divulged to the publick : or of such entire letters, as were either not his, or not appro v'd of by him. He has been very sparing of those of his Friends, and thought it a respect ihewn to their memory, to suppress in particular such as were most in his favour. As it is not to Vanity but to Friendship that he intends this Monument, he would save his Enemies the mortification of showing any farther how well their Betters have thought of him ; and at the fame time secure from their censure his living Friends, who (he promises them) shall never be put to the blussi, this way at least, for their par tiality to him. But however this Collection may be receiv'd, we cannot but lament the Cause and the Necessity of

PREFACE.

such a publication, and heartily wish no honest man may be reduc'd to the same. To state the case fairly in the present situation. A Bookseller adver tises his intention to publish your Letters : He openly promises encouragement, or even pecuniary re wards, to those who will help him to any ; and in gages to insert whatever they shall send : Any scandal is sure of a reception, and any enemy who sends it skreen'd from a discovery. Any domestick or servant, who can snatch a letter from your pocket or cabinet, is encouraged to that vile practise. If the quantity falls short of a volume, any thing else shall be join'd with it (more especially scandal) which the collector can think for his interest, ali recommended under your Name : You have not only Theft to fear, but Forgery. Any Bookseller, tho' conscious in what manner they were obtain'd, not caring what may be the consequences to your Fame or Quiet, will fell and disperse them in town and country.

The better your Reputation is, the more your Name will cause them to be de manded, and consequently the more you will be injur'd. The injury is of such a nature, as the Law (which does not punish for Intentions) cannot pre vent ; and when done, may punish, but not redress. You are therefore reduc'd, either to enter into a b

PREFACE.

personal treaty with such a man, (which tho' the rea diest, is the meanest of all methods) or to take such other measures to suppress them, as are contrary to your Inclination, or to publish them, as are con trary to your Modesty. Otherwise your Fame and your Property suffer alike ; you are at once expos'd and plunder'd. As an Author, you are depriv'd of that Power which above all others constitutes a good one, the power of rejecting, and the right of judging for your self, what pieces it may be most useful, entertaining, or reputable to publish, at the time and in the manner you think best. As a Man, you are depriv'd of the right even over your own Sentiments, of the privilege of every humane creature to divulge or conceal them; of the advantage of your second thoughts ; and of all the benefit of your Prudence, your Candour, or your Modesty.

As a Member of Society, you are yet more injur'd ; your private conduct, your domestick concerns your family secrets, your passions, your tendernes ses, your weaknesses, are expos'd to the Misconstru ction or Resentment of some, to the Censure or Im pertinence of the whole world. The printing pri vate letters in such a manner, is the worst sort of betraying Conversation, as it has evidently the most extensive, and the most lasting ill consequences. It

PREFACE.

. is the highest offence against Society, as it renders the most dear and intimate intercourse of friend with friend, and the most necessary commerce of man writh man, unsafe, and to be dreaded. To open Letters is esteem'd the greatest breach of honour ; even to look into them already open'd or acciden tally dropt, is held an ungenerous, if not an immo ral act. What then can be thought of the procu ring them merely by Fraud, and the printing them merely for Lucre ? We cannot but conclude every honest man will wisti, that if the Laws have as yet provided no adequate remedy, one at least may be found, to prevent so great and growing an evil. THE CONTENTS LETTERS to and froni Mr. WYCHERLEY, From the Year 1704 to 1710*

On the same. Against Party-spiritx

Letter XLII

From J. C. Esq; Os Mr. BettertonV Remains : The Rape Lock. of the LETTER XL1II. Concerning an unfortunate Lady. L E T T E R XLIV. To the fame Lady,

LETTER XLV.

To a Lady abroad.

LETTER XLVI.

To the fame.

LETTER XLVII.

To the fame, LETTER XLVI1I. To the Hon. J. C. on returning his Letters. Letters to and from Mr. Steele.

LETTER XLIX.

From Mr. Steele. Of Sir Charles Sedley 's death. The Authors Eclog on the Messiah. C CONTENTS L E'TT E R L. . Concerning a Publick, Private, or Mix' d life.

LETTER LII.

Of Sickness and dying young. LETT ER LIII. On the Emperor Adrians verses on his death-bed.

LETTER LIV.

Of the fame. Lett er s to and from Mr. Addison, &c letter LV. On DennisV Remarks on Cato.

LETTER LVI.

From Mr, Addison. Concerning Mr. Pope'j Translation os Homer.

LETTER LVII.

From Mr. Addison. On the same,

LETTER LVIII.

Against Party Spirit.

LETTER LIX.

Of the freedom of a Frie?id. The Incongruity of Man, and the Vanity of tbe World. CONTENTS. . L £ X T E. R LX. Of the Verfion of Homer. ■ Of Party Animosity,

LETTER LXI.

Mr. Jervas to Mr. Pope, of the same, and concerning Mr. Addison.

LETTER LXII.

The Answer,

LETTER LXIII.

To Mr. Addison, in pursuance of the former.

LETTER LXIV.

To the Earl of Halifax. Thanks for an intention to serve him

LETTER LXV.

To the Hon. • concerning Mr. Addison, Philips' s Calumny, and Mr. Gay 'j* Pastorals.

LETTER LXVI.

The Vanity of Fame by Poetry. The Author's serious Thoughts of it.

LETTER LXVII.

Against Party. 1 'he hard Fate of the Learned.

LETTER LXVIII.

On the equal and easy Terms of Friendship.

LETTER LXIX.

To the Hon. James Craggs. Of a Translation of the first book os Homer, and the Party set up against our Author. CONTENTS. Letters to and from Sir William Trumbull, &c. From 1705 to 1714-

LETTER LXX.

From Sir William Trumbull. On occasion os Milton's Juvenilia, encouraging the Author to publish his.

LETTER LXXI.

From Sir William Trumbull. Of his first Translations of Homer.

LETTER LXXII.

From Sir William Trumbull. On the Rape of the Lock.

LETTER LXXIII.

Against Compliment, and Vanity ; the Praise os Sincerity and Friendship.

LETTER LXXIV.

Against the Violence of Parties, and the Praise of General Benevolence.

LETTER LXXV.

From Sir William Trumbull. Of an Epigram in Martial, on a happy Old age.

LETTER LXXVI.

To Mrs. B The Earl of Oxford'* Behaviour : Apprehension of Commotions : Army in Hyde- Park, &c. LETTER LXXVI1. To thesa?ne. Praise of a Country life : Concern for theseparation of Friends : The Comforts of Integrity and Independency. CONTENTS

LETTER LXXVIII.

Description os a Journey to Oxford, and the manner os life there.

LETTER LXXIX.

On a young Lady's Illness.

LETTER LXXX

, Witty Letters undervalued, and sincere ones commended.

LETTER LXXXI

, To the Hon. Mrs. On the fame fubjeB.

LETTER LXXXII.

To Mrs. Arabella Fermor, On her Marriage.

LETTER LXXXIII.

To Mr. Congreve. Of Sincerity. Of the Scurrilities of abusive Criticks. What ought to be the Temper of an Author.

LETTER LXXXIV.

From Dr. Arbuthnot, after the death of the : of the Papers of Scriblerus, and of Dr. Swift. Letters to Edward Blount, Esq; Erom 17 14 to 1725. letter lxxxv. Of the Map of the Geography of Homer, done by the Author. The ftate of the limes, the fiege of Barcelona, the Queen's death* CONTENTS. the Condition of the English Roman Catholicks : Wishes for the Pease of the Nation.

LETTER LXXXVI

, From Mr. Blount. The Answer to the former. His lemper in Religion and Politicks.

LETTER LXXXVII.

From Mr. Blount. His disposition to ; RefieBions on the Affair of Preston: An Invitation into the Country.

LETTER LXXXVIII.

' An Account of the death of Mr. Wycherley.

LETTER LXXXIX.

Contemplations on the pleasures of separate Spirits ; on the narrow Conceptions of men, the Vanity of human Knowledge, the Variety of Opinions in Religion, and the great Duty of Charity.

LETTER XC

Consolations under Persecution: the duty os mutual assistance ', Universal Charity. Ihe Author leaving Windsor-Forest. L E T-T-E R XCI. Aster the Affair os Preston. The Author's Removal, Change of Life, and Resignation to it.

LETTER XCII.

' To Mr. Blount. After his Retirement into Flanders. On the History of Jeffery of Monmouth, &c.

LETTER XCIII.

On the Death of the Author's Father. C O N T E N T S,

LETTER XCIV.

On Mr. Blount1 's Recovery from an Illness : Advice td fell his Estate,

LETTER XCV.

Of his mamier of Life in the Country, and of the Author s near the Town.

LETTER XCVI.

A description of a Grotto.

LETTER XCVII.

On the approach of Winter, Hospitality, and a chearsul family. Letters to and from the Honb!e Robert Digby.

LETTER XCVIII.

Aster a Fit of Sickness. Of the Tragedy of Gorboduck. The Author's progress in translating HomerV Iliad.

LETTER XCIX.

Excuse for writing carelessly : The Humour of the Town,

LETTER C.

From Mr. Digby : Answer to the former.

LETTER CI.

On the finifimig his Translation os the Iliad. His situation at Twickenham, Planting, &c. The death of a Friend. d From Mr. Digby. Answer to the former.

LETTER CIII.

! From Mr. Digby. On the South-sea-year,

LETTER CIV.

Answer to the former.

LETTER CV

, CVI. From Mr. Digby. On the same sub j eB.

LETTER CVII.

Chara&eref Dr. Arbuthnot and his Brother. Death of a Friend. LETTER CVI1I. CharaBer of the Dlghy-Family.

LETTER CIX.

Lord Bathurst'* Wood ; the Camp in Hyde- Park ; the Bishop of Rochester'* Conversation.

LETTER CX.

A Winter-Invitation to a Fireside, L ETTER CXI. From Mr. Digby. A Letter of Friendship : The disadvantages of an ill Constitution. Consolation in Friends of Integrity. Their wanner of Life in the Country prefer d to that in the Town.

LETTER CXII.

On the fame subjeB, CONTENTS L ET TER CXIII. On the season of Christmas : Customs of Hospitality : Charity and Good works, where they are yet subsisting f

LETTER XIV.

To the Honourable Edward Digby, on the death of his Brother, Letters to Several Persons.

LETTER CXV.

lo Mr. Fenton. Concerning Mr. Secretary Craggs. Advice to him to write. The Author's manner °f Pasfing bis time.

LETTER CXVI.

From the Reverend Dean Berkley. A description of the Island Inarime. Ihe CharaBer os the Italians.

LETTER CXVII.

The Author building and planting. The death of several Friends, and particularly of Dr. Garth.

LETTER CXVIII.

To a Friend on the Circuit.

LETTER CXIX.

lo Dr. Arbuthnot, on his return from France ; and on the Calmn nies about the translation of the Odyssey. d 'To the Earl of Burlington. An Account of a Journey to Oxford, with Bernard Lintot, a Bookseller.

LETTER CXXI

, lo the- Duke of. Buckingham. In answer to a Letter in which he inclos'd the Description of Buckingham House written by him to the D. os Shrewsbury.

LETTER CXXI.

From the Duke of Buckingham to Mr. Pope. On the dispute in France concerning Homer.

LETTER CXXII.

Answer to the former,

LETTER CXXII.

To the Right Honourable Robert Earl of Oxford

LETTER CXXIII.

The Earl of Oxford'* Answer, Letters to and from Dr. Atterbury Bp.of Rochejie? . From 17 16 to 1723.

LETTER CXXIV.

From the Bishop os Rochester. Concerning Mr. Pope'* general Preface to his works. From the Bishop of Rochester. On occasion of the Death of Mr. Pope'* Father..

LETTER CXXVI.

The Answer.

LETTER CXXVII.

On the Fate of the South Sea.

LETTER CXXVIII.

From the Bishop of Rochester. Of Mr. Dryden'* Monument : The Arabian Tales : The South sea Scheme.

LETTER CXXIX.

From the fame. On a Manuscript of Huetius,. a?td the Epitaph on Mr. Harcourt.

LETTER CXXX.

From the Lord Chancellor Harcourt, on the Epitaph of his Son.

LETTER CXXXI.

From the Bishop of Rochester. On his ill health : Waller'* Verses o?i Sickness. Mr. Prior'* Funeral.

LETTER CXXXII.

From the fame. His love of the Country. A Passage in Tully. Os Shakefpear, and the publication of Mr. Addison' '* works.

LETTER CXXXIII.

From the fame. On a CharaBer drawn by the Author,

LETTER CXXXIV.

To the Bifijop in the Country : Wishes, for his ${uiet.

LETTER CXXXV.

From the Bifijop of Rochester. His desire of §%uiet, and Love of Books. An Invitation to Twickenham : the Vanity and Emptiness of the world.

LETTER CXXXVII.

From the Bishop of Rochester. An Answer to the former. His dislike of Great men : Preparation for his Burial-place in Westminster Abbey.

LETTER CXXXVIII.

From the fame, on the fame fubjeB. The state of his mind, and the world's mistake of his Char aB er.

LETTER CXXXIX.

From the fame. More concerning me?i of Quality. Of Milton'* Manuscript, and Samson Agonistes.

LETTER CXL.

The Duke of Marlborough'* Funeral. The Author's Resolution to keep clear of Flattery.

LETTER CXLI

, From the Bstop of Rochester. Answer to the former. Application of some Verses of Horace to the Duke of Marlborough'* Funeral.

LETTER CXLII.

From the Bifijop in the Tower.

LETTER CXLIII.

The A?fwer.

LETTER CXLIV.

The Authors last Letter to the Bifiop of Rochester. CONTENTS Letters to and from Mr. Gay. From 1712 to 1732.

LETTER CXLV.

The Author s opinion of Mr. Gay'* merit and modesty.

LETTER CXLVI.

His desire to do him service, and advice as to the study of Poetry^

LETTER CXLVII.

About Painting \ Mr. Gay's Poem of the Fan.

LETTER CXLVIII.

To Mr. Gay on his return from Hanover after the Queens death. Advice about Politicks.

LETTER CXLIX.

After the death of the Authors Father, and the sale of his Estate. Mr. Gay'* Poem to Mr. Lowndes, and his ExpeBations at Court.

LETTER CL.

From Mr. Gay to Mr. F. On the remarkable death of two Lovers by Lightning, with their Epitaph.

LETTER CLI.

To Mr. Gay at Bath ; the Commitment of the Bishop of Rochester to the Tower.

LETTER CLII.

Of Disappointments from Great jnen: Friends commemorated

LETTER CLIII.

Assurances of Remembrance in absence.

LETTER CLIV

, CLV, CLVI. lo Mr. Gay in a dangerous Sickness. On his Recovery, and Mr. Congreve * death. [_VB. This Letter is mis-placed^ and should be Letter 163, below.]

LETTER CLVIII.

Excuse for not writing. Of Mr. Fen ton'* death.

LETTER CLIX.

A Congratulation to Mr. Gay, on the End os his ExpeBations at Court. The Innocence of a Private Life, mid the Happiness of Independency.

LETTER CLX.

From Mr. Gay, in the Country. Thoughts of buying a Farm and about the Dunciad.

LETTER CLXI

, To Mr. Gay in the Country. Wistes to serve him.

LETTER CLXII.

Complaints of his Absence, and some Envy at his Situation. LETTER CLXII1. The Author more and more inclvid to Retirement.

LETTER CLXIV.

More of the fame. Concern for his Friend's absence, off eB ion to his Person, and wishes for his happiness.

LETTER CLXV.

Desiring him to return to Town and resume the study os Poetry. Ihe state of Wit at that time.

LETTER CLXVI.

On the same subjeBs. The death of Wilks the Player ; Verses on the Hermitage at Richmond, &c. From Mr. Gay. His ill state of health. His opinion of writing Panegyrick.

LETTER CLXVIII.

The Author s bad health, complaints of absence, and some Advice to his Friend.

LETTER CLXIX.

On the death of Mr. Gay, his Mothers illness, and other melancholy Incidents. Letters to Hugh Bethel, Esq; &c. From 1723 to 1735.

LETTER CLXX.

Praise of Humanity and Good-nature. The Benefits of Equality in Friendship.

LETTER CLXXI.

On the death os the Earl os C

LETTER CLXXII.

On his Mothers recovery : the melancholy offices of Friends. A ProfpeB of the Town upon the death of the King.

LETTER CLXXIII.

On the publishing his Letters. Ihe situation of the Author, his Pleasures and his Friendships.

LETTER CLXXIV.

To the Earl of Peterborow. His Love of Gardening ; Reflexion on Titles ; Dearth of News.

LETTER CLXXV.

From the Earl of Peterborow. Stowe-Gardens ; Temper of Women ; His Love of Laziness, and the reason.

LETTER CLXXVI.

Answer to the former. e C O N T E N T! £>

LETTER CLXXVII.

From the Earl os Peterborow. His dislike of coming to Town :. The Charitable Corporation : more concerning women.

LETTER CLXXVIII.

Trom the Earl of Peterborow from his Garden : his Idea of the Golden Age, and unwillingness to come to Town.

LETTER CLXXIX.

From the fame. Desire to see Dr. Swift. Alteration in his Pas fions, and from whence f

LETTER CLXXX

From Dr. Swift to the Earl if Peterborow.

LETTER CLXXXI.

A Consultation about designing a Garden ; Various opinions, and some general RefieBions.

LETTER CLXXXII.

lo the Earl of Burlington. On the Scandal rais'd against the Author's Epistle to him in Verse.

LETTER CLXXXIII.

To Mr. C Exposlulatory on the Lardships done an unhappy: Lady, &c.

LETTER CLXXXIV.

To after Mrs. Pope'* death.

LETTER CLXXXV.

After the fame ; And concerning the Essay on Man.

LETTER CLXXXVI.

Concern for the lost of Friends.

LETTER CLXXXVII.

From Dr. Arbuthnot in his last Sickness. His dying Request to the Author. LETTER CLXXXVIII. Ihe Answer. LETTERS O F Mr. ALEXANDER POPE, And Several os his Friends* LETTERS TO and FROM Mr. WYCHERLEY, &c. From the Year 1704 to 171 1. Letter I. B infield in Windsor Forest, Dec. 26, 1724.* T was certainly a great satisfaction to mo, to fee and converse with a Man, whom in his writings I had long known with pleasure ; but it was a high addition to it, to hear you at our very first meeting do justice to your dead friend Mr. Dryden. I was not so happy as to know him : Virgilium tantum vidi: * The Author's Age then Sixteen. B from 10 had I been born early enough, I must have known and lov'd him : For I have been assured, not only by your self, but by Mr. Con greve and Sir William Trumbul, that his personal Qualities were as amiable as his Poetical, notwithstanding the many libellous misrepresentations of them, against which the former of these Gentlemen has told me he will one day vindicate him.* I suppose those injuries were begun by the violence of Party, but 'tis no doubt they were continued by Envy at his success and fame : And those Scriblers who attacked him in his latter times, were only like gnats in a summer's evening, which are never very troublesome but in the finest and most glorious season ; for his fire like the fun's, ssined clearest towards it setting.

You must not therefore imagine, that when you told me my own performances were above those Critics, I was so vain as to be lieve it ; and yet I may not be so humble as to think my self quite below their notice. For Critics, as they are birds of prey, have ever a natural inclination to carrion: and tho' such poor writers as I are but beggars, no beggar is so poor but he can keep a cur, and no author is so beggarly but he can keep a critic. I am far from thinking the attacks of such people would be either any Honour or Dishonour even to me, much less to Mr.Dryden. I agree with you, that whatever lesser Wits have risen since his death, are but like stars appearing when the fun is set, that twinkle only in his ab sence, and with the rays they have borrowed from him. Our wit (as yo\i call it) is but reflection or imitation, therefore scarce to be called ours.

True Wit, I believe, may be defined a justness of thought, and a facility of expression ; or (in the midwives phrase) a perfect conception, with an easy delivery. However, this is far from a compleat definition ; pray help me to a better, as I doubt not you can. I am, &c. * He since did so, in his Dedication to "the Duke of Newcastle', prefix'd to the Duodecimo Edition of D.-yden's Plays, 1717. Mr. Wycherley. II letter ii. March 2$, 1705. WHEN I write to you, I foresee a long letter, and ought to beg your patience before hand ; for if it proves the longest, it will be of course the worst I have troubled you with. Yet to express my gratitude at large for your obliging letter, is not more my duty than my interest ; as some people will abun dantly thank you for one piece of kindness, to put you in mind of bestowing another.

The more favourable you are to me, the more distinctly I fee my faults. Spots and blemishes, you know, are never so plainly discovered as in the brightest sunshine. Thus I am mortified by those commendations which were designed to encourage me : for Praise to a young wit, is like rain to a tender flower ; if it be mo derately bestowed, it chears and revives ; but if too lavishly, overcharges and depresses him. Most men in years, as they are generally discouragers of youth, are like old trees that being past bearing themselves, will suffer no young plants to flourish beneath them : but as if it were not enough to have out-done all your coævals in wit, you will excel them in good nature too. As for my * green essays, if you find any pleasure in them, it must be such as a man naturally takes in observing the first shoots and bud dings of a tree which he has raised himself: and 'tis impossible they should be esteemed any otherwise, than as we value fruits for being early, which nevertheless are the most insipid, and the worst of the year.

In a word, I must blame you for treating me with so much compliment, which is at best but the fmoak of friendship. I neither write, nor converse with you, to gain your praise, * His Pastorals, written at 16 Years of Age. B from 12 but your Affection. Be so much my friend as to appear my ene my, and tell me my faults, if not as a young Man, at least as an unexperienc'd Writer. I am, 8cc.

LETTER III.

April 30, 1705. I Cannot contend with you : You must give me leave at once to wave all your compliments, and to collect only this in general from them, that your design is to encourage me. But I separate from all the rest that paragraph or two, in which you make me so warm an offer of your Friendship. Were I possessed os that, it would put an end to all those speeches which now make me blush ; and change them to wholsome advices, and free sentiments, which might make me wiser and happier. I know 'tis the general opinion, that friendship is best contracted betwixt persons of equal age ; but I have so much interest to be of another mind, that you must pardon me is I cannot forbear telling you a sew notions of mine, in opposition to that opinion. In the first place 'tis observable, that the love we bear to our friends is generally caused by our finding the same dispositions in them, which we feel in our selves : This is but self-love at the bot tom : whereas the affection betwixt people of different ages cannot well be so, the inclinations of such being commonly various.