Tis no wonder if Luxury profits by the De- formity of this Specter-Opinion. She fup- portsherlntereu by this childifh Bugbear; and like a mother by her Infant, is hugg'd fo much the clofer by her Votary, as the Fear preffes him, and grows importunate. She invites him to livefqfl, according to her bed meafure of Life. And welline may. Who wou'd not wil- lingly make Life pafs away as quickly as was poffible; when the nobler Pleafures of it were already loft or corrupted by a wretched Fear of Death? The intenfe Selhfhnefs and Mean- nefs which accompanys this Fear, mult reduce us to a low ebb of Enjoyment; and in a man- ner bring to nothing that main Sum of fatis- faclory Senfation, by which we vulgarly rate the Happinefs of our private Condition and Fortune.
But fee! A lovely Form advances to our Affiftance, introduc'd by the prime Mufe, the beauteous Calliope! She (hews us what real Beauty Beauty is, and what thofe Numbers are, which make Life perfect, and bellow the chief Enjoy- ment. She fets Virtue before her Eyes, and teaches us how to rate Life, form the Experi- ence of the moft heroick Spirits. She brings her Sifters Clio and Urania to fupport her. From the former fhe borrows whatever is memorable in Hiftory, and antient Time, to confront the Tragick Specter, and mew the fix'd Contempt which the happieft and freeft Nations, as well as fmgle Heroes, and private Men worthy of any Note, have ever exprefs'd for that Impoftrefs. From the latter fhe bor- rows what is fublimeft in Philofophy, to ex- plain the Laws of Nature, the Order of the Univerfe, andreprefent to us the Juftice of ac- companying this amiable Adminiftration. She fhews us, that by this jufl Compliance we are made happieft: and that the meafure of a hap- py Life is not from the fewer or more Suns we behold, the fewer or more Breaths we draw, or Meals we repeat; but from the having once livd well, acted our Part handfomly, and made our Exit chearfully, and as became us.
Thus we retain on Virtues fide the nobleft Party of the Mufes. Whatever is auguft a- mong thofe Sifters, appears readily in our be- half. Nor are the more jocund Ladys want- ing in their Aftiftance, when they acl in the perfection ADVICE to an Author. 317 perfection of their Art, and infpire fome bet- ter Genius's in this kind of Poetry. Such were the nobler Lyricks, and thofe of the latter, and more refirid Comedy of the Antients. TheTHA- lia's the Polyhymnia's, the Terpsy- chore's, the Euterpe's willingly join their Parts; and being alike interefted in the Caufe of Numbers, are with regret employ'd another way, in favour of Diforder. Inflead of being made Syrens to ferve the Purpofes of Vice, they wou'd with more delight accom- pany their elder Sifters, and add their Graces and attractive Charms to what is moft harmo- nious, Mufe-like, and divine in human Life. There is this difference only between thefe and the more heroick Dames; that they can more eafily be perverted, and take the vici- ous Form. For what Perfon of any Genius or mafterly Command in the Poetick Art, cou'd think of bringing the Epick or Tragick Mufe to act. the Pandar, or be fubfervient to Effeminacy and Cowardice? 'Tis not againft Death, Hazards or Toils, that Tragedy and the heroic Fable are pointed. 'Tis not mere Life which is here exalted, or has its Price en- hanc'd. On the contrary, its Calamitys are expos'd: the Diforders of the Paffions fet to view: Fortitude recommended: Honour ad- vanc'd: the Contempt of Death placd as the peculiar Note of every generous and Jiappy Soul; \ / Soul; and the tenacious Love of Life, as the trueft Character of an abjecl Wretch.
* Ufque adeone mori miferum eft? — 'Tis not to be imagin'd how eafdy we deal with the deluding Apparitions and falfe Ideas of Happinefs and Good; when this frightful Specler of Mifery and 111, is after this manner well laid, and by honeft Magick conjurd down; fo as not to give the lead amftance to the other tempt- ing Forms. This is that occult Science, or fort of Counter- Necromancy, which inftead of Ghaft- linefs and Horror, infpires only what is gentle and humane, and difpels the impofing Phan- toms of every kind. He may pafs undoubted- ly, for no mean Conjurer, who can deal with Spirits of this fort. -But hold! Let us try the Experiment in due form, and draw the magick Circle. Let us obferve how the infe- rior Imps appear; when the Head-GoWm is fe- curely laid.
See! The Enchantrefs Indolence prefents her-felf, in all the Pomp of Eafe and lazy Lux- ury. She promifes the fweeteft Life, and in- vites us to her Pillow: injoins us to expofe our-felves, to no adventurous Attempt; and forbids us any Engagement which may bring * Virg. yEncid. Lib. 12.
US ADVICE to an Author. 319 us into Action. 44 Where, then, are the Pleafures which Ambition promifes, and Love affords? How is the gay World enjoy'd? Or are thofe to be efteem'd no Plea/nres, which are loft by Dulnefs and Inaction? But Indolence is the higheft Pleafure. To live, 44 and not to feel! To feel no Trouble.
14 What Good then? Life it-felf. And 14 is this properly to live? Is deeping Life? 44 Is this what I fhou'd fludy to prolong? — " Here the faniajiick Tribe it-felf feems fcan- daliz'd. A Civil War begins. The major part of the capricious Dames range themfelves on Reafons fide, and declare againft the lan- guid Syren. Ambition blufhes at the offer'd fweet. Conceit and Vanity take fuperior Airs. Even Luxury herfelf, in her polite and elegant Humour, reproves the Apoftate-Sifter, and marks her as an Alien to true Pleafure ■ 44 Away, thou droufy Phantom! Haunt me no 44 more. For I have learn'd from better than 44 thy Siflerhood, that Life and Happinefs *4 confifl in Action and Employment."
But here a bufy Form folicits us; active, induftrious, watchful, and defpifmg Pains and Labour. She wears the ferious Countenance of Virtue, but with Features of Anxiety and Difquiet. What is it (he mutters? What looks fhe on, with fuch Admiration and Aftonifh- Vol. I. X ment?
it merit? — Bags? Coffers! Heaps of finning Me- tal! " What! for the Service of Luxury? For t c her thefe Preparations? Art thou then her 4t Friend (grave Fancy!) is it for her thou toilfl? No, but for Provifion againft Want. But, Luxury apart, tell me now, 1,1 haft thou not already a Competence? 'Tis- ct good to be fecure againft the fear of Starv- '■' ing. Is there then no Death befide this?
" No other Paffa^e out of Life? Are other *.' Doors fecur d, if this be barr'd? Say, Ava- tc rige! (thou emptied of Phantoms) is it not ct vile Cowardice thou fervft? What further " have I then to do with thee (thou doubly ^ vile Dependent L) when once I have difmifs d 4t thy Patronefs, and defpis'd her Threats."
Thus I contend with Fancy and * Opi- nion; and fearch the Mint and Founder of Imagination. For here the Appetites and De- fires are fabricated. Hence they derive their Privilege and Currency. If I can flop the Mifchief here, and prevent falfe Coinage; I am fafe. " Idea t wait a-while till I have " examin'd thee, whence thou art, and to " whom thou retain'it. Art thou of Ambitions " Train? Or doft thou promife only Pleafure? tc Say! what am I to facrifke for thy fake?
VOL. LIT. jb. kjS, 199, Sec.
What ADVICE to an Author. 321 \ What Honour? What Truth? What Man- 4 hood? What Bribe is it thou bring'ft < along with thee? Defcribe the flattering Ob- 'ject; but without Flattery; plain, as the 1 thing is; without addition, without fparing 0 or referve. Is it Wealth? is it a Repot tf a 4 Title? or a Female? Come not in a Troop, ■ (ye Fancys!) Bring not your Objects croud. ' ing, to confound the Sight. But let me ex- 1 amine your Worth and IVeight diHin&ly. Think ' not to raife accumulative Happineis. For 1 if feparately, you contribute nothing; in 1 conjunction, you can only amufe."
WFIILST I am thus penning a Soliloquy in form, I cant forbear reflecting on my Work. And when I view the Manner of it with a familiar Eye; I am readier, I find, to make my-felf Diverfion on this occafion, than to fuppofe I am in good earner! about a Work of confequence. " What! Am I to be thus 1 fantaflical? Mud I bufy my-felf with Phan- • toms? light with Apparitions and Chi- 1 meras? For certain: Or the Chimeras c will be before-hand with me, and bufy them- 4 felves fo as to get the better of my Under- ' Handing. What! Talk to my-felf like 1 fome Madman, in different Perfons, and un- X 2 st der 322 ADVICE to an Author.
M der different Characters! Undoubtedly: or lt 'twill be foon feen who is a real Madman, " and changes Character in earned, without " knowing how to help it."
This indeed is but too certain; That as long as we enjoy a Mind, as long as we have Appetites and Senfe, the Fancys of all kinds will be hard at work; and whether we are in com- pany, or alone, they muft range {till, and be aclive. They muft have their Field. The Queftion is, Whether they fhall have it wholly to themfelves; or whether they fhall acknow- ledge fome Contr outer or Manager. If none; 'tis this, I fear, which leads to Madnefs. 'Tis this, and nothing elfe, which can be call'd Madnefs or Lofs of Reafon. For if Fancy be left Judge of any thing, (lie muft Judge of all. Every-thing is right, if any thing be fo, be* caufe I fancy it. " The HOufe turns round. " The Profpecl turns. No, but my Head tlr turns indeed: 1 have aGiddinefs; that's all. " Fancy \vo\i& perfuade me thus and thus: but " I know better." Tis by means therefore of a Contr ouler or Corrector of Fancy, that I am fav'd from being mad. Otherwife, 'tis the Houfe turns, when I am giddy. 'Tis Things which change (for fo I muft fuppofe) when my Pajfwn merely, or Temper changes. " But " I was out of order. I dreamt. Who tells Ll me ADVICE to an Author. 323 *l me this? Who befides the Correc- " trice, by whofe means I am in my Wits, 4i and without whom I am no longer my-felf?"
Every Man indeed who is not abfolutely befides himielf, muit of neceffity hold his Fan- cys under fuch kind of Difcipline and Ma- nagement. The Jkidier. this Difcipline is, the more the Man is rational and in his Wits. The loofer it is, the more fantaftical he mult be, and the nearer to the Madman's State. This is a Bufinefs which can never (land Hill. I mull always be Winner or Lofer at the Game. Either I work upon my Fancys, or They on Me. If I give Quarter, They won't. There •can be no Truce, no Sufpenfion of Arms be- tween us. The one or the other mult be fupe- rior, and have the Command. For if the Fancys are left to themfelv.es, the Govern- ment mull of courfe be theirs. And then, what difference between fuch a State and Madnefs.
The Queftion therefore is the fame here, as in a Family, or Houjfiold, when 'tis afk'd, 44 Who rules'? or Who is MafterT' Learn by the Voices. Obferve who fpeaks aloud, in a commanding Tone: Who talks, who quef- lions; or who is talk'd with, and who quef- tion d. For if the Servants take the former X 3 part; part; they are the Mailers, and the Govern- ment of the Houfe will be found fuch as na- turally may be expecled in thefe Circumftances.
How Hands it therefore, in my own O Eco- nomy, my principal Province and command? How (land my Fancys f How deal they with me? Or do I take upon me rather to deal with Them? Do I talk, queftion, arraign? Or am I talk'd with, arraign'd, and contented to hear, without giving a Reply? If I vote with Fancy, refign my * Opinion to her Command, and judge of Happinefs and Mifery as Jlie judges; how am I my-fel-f?
He who in a Plain imagines Precipices at his Feet, impending Rocks over his Head; fears burning Clouds in a clear Sky; cries Fire! Deluge! Earthquake, or Thunder! when all is quiet: does he not rave? But one whofe Eyes feemingly ftrike fire, by a Blow; one whofe Head is giddy from the Motion of a Ship, after having been newly fet afhore; or one who from a Diflemper in his Ear hears thundring Noifes; can readily redrefs thefe feveral Apprehen- fions, and is by this means fav'd from Madnefs.
A A A Distemper in my Eye may make me fee the flrangeft kind of Figures: And when Ca- taracls and other Impuritys are gathering in that Organ; Flys, Infecls, and other various Forms, ieem playing in the Air before me. But let my Senfes err ever fo widely; I am not on this account befide My-felf: Nor am I out of my own Poffemon, whilft there is a Perfon left with- in; who has Power to dijpute the Appearances, and redrcjs the Imagination.
I am accofled by Ideas and finking Appre- kenfions: But I take nothing on their Report. I hear their Story, and return 'em Anfwer, as they deferve. Fancy and I are not all one. The Dif agreement makes me my own.- When, on the contrary, I have no Debate with her, no Controverfy, but take for Happinejs and Mi- fcry, for Good and ///, whatever (lie prefents as fuch; I mull then join Voices with her, and cry Precipice! Fire I Cerberus! Elyziuml '* Sandy Defarts I flowery Fields I L- Seas of Milk, and Ships of Amber!"
A G r e c 1 a n Prince, who had the fame Mad- nefs as Alexander, and was deeply flruck with the Fancy of conquering Worlds, wras in- X 4 genioully 326 ADVICE to an Author.
genioufly fhewn the Method of expoflulating with his Lady-Governefs; when by a difcreet Friend, and at an eafy Hour, he was afk'd lit-, tie by little concerning hisDefign, and the final Purpofe, and promis'd Good which the flatter- ing Dame propos'd to him. The Story is fuf- ficiently noted. All the Artifice employ'd a- gainft the Prince was a well-manag'd Interro- gatory of what next? Lady-FANCY was not aware of the Defign upon her; but let her-ielf be worm'd out, by degrees. At nrft, fhe faid the Prince's defign was only upon a Tracl of Land, which flood out like a Promontory before him, and feem'd to eclipfe his Glory. A fair rich Illand, which was clofe by, prefented it-felf next, and as it were naturally invited Conqueft. The oppofite Coaft came next in view. Then the Continent on each fide the larger Sea. And then (what was eafieft of all, and woud follow ofcourfe) the Dominion both of Sea and Land. 44 And What next? reply 'd the Friend. What 4 4 fhall we do, when we are become thus happy, 44 and have obtain'd our highefl Wifh? Why 44 then, we'll fit down peaceably, and be good 41 Company over a Bottle. Alas, Sir! What 44 hinders us from doing ^the fame, where we 44 now are? Will our Humour, or our Wine 44 grow better? Shall we be more fecure, or at 44 Heart's Eafe? What you may poffibiy lofe by tc thefe ADVICE to an Author. 327 41 thefe Attempts, is eafy to conceive. But " which way you will be a Gainer, your own " Fancy (you fee) cannot fo much as fuggeft." Fancy in the mean while carry'd her point: For {he was abfolute over the Monarch; and had been too little talk'd to by her-felf, to bear being reprov'd in Company. The Prince grew fullen; turn'd the Difcourfe; abhor'd the Pro- fanation offer'd to his Sovereign-Emprefs; de- liver'd up his Thoughts to her again with deep Devotion, and fell to conquering with all his Might. The Sound of Vitlory rung in his Ears. Laurels and Crowns play'd before his Eyes. — What was this befide Giddinefs and Dream? Appearances uncorrected? " Worlds dancing? " Phantoms playing?
" Seas of Milk, and, Ships of Amber T 'Tis eafy to bring the Hero's Cafe home to our-felves; and fee, in the ordinary Circum- ftances of Life, how Love, Ambition, and the gayer Tribe of Fancy s (as well as the gloomy and dark Specters of another fort) prevail over our Mind. 'Tis eafy to obferve how they work on us, when we refufe to be before-hand with 'em, and be- llow repeated Leffons on the encroaching Sor- cerejfes. On this it is, that our offer'd Advice, and Method of Soliloquy depends. And whether whether this be of any ufe towards making us either wifer, or happier; I am confident, it mud help to make us wittier and politer. It mvift, beyond any other Science, teach us the Turns of Humour and Paf/ion, the Variety of Manners, the Juflnefsof Characters, and Truth of Things; which when we rightly underftand, we may naturally defcribe. And on this de- pends chiefly the Skill and Art of a good Wri- ter. So that if to write well be a juil pretence to Merit; 'tis plain, that Writers*, who are apt to let no fmall Value on their Art, mull con- fefs there is fomething valuable in this felf-exr amining Practice, and Method of inward Collo- quy.
As for the Writer of thefe Papers (as modern Authors are pleas'dmodeitly to nyle themfelves) he is contented, for his part, to take up with this Practice, barely for his own proper Bene- fit; without regard to the hisrh Function or Ca- pacity of Author. It may be allow'd him, in this particular, to imitate the bed. Genius and mod Gentleman-like of Roman Poets. And tho by an Excefs of Dulnefs, it fhou'd be his mis- fortune to learn nothing of this Poets Wit, he is perfuaded he may learn fomething of his Ho- nefty and good Humour.
-Xeque * ADVICE to an Author, 329 Neque enim, cum leclulus, aut Me Porticus excepit, dejum Mi hi " Reciius hoc "eft: 4t Hoc faciens, vivam melius: fie clulcis: Amicis lc Occur ram." Hcec Ego Mecum Comprejjis agito labris. + SECT. III.
WE are now arriv'd to that part of our Performance, where it becomes us to caft our Eye back, on what has already pafs'd. The Obfervers of Method generally make this the place of Recapitulation. Other Artifts have fubflituted the Practice of Apology, or Extenuation. For the anticipating Manner of prefatory Difcourfe, is too well known, to work any furprizing efFecl; in the Author's be- half: Preface being become only another t And again: Qiiocirca Mecum loquor Iitec, taciliifque recorder: Si tibi nulla Jitimfiniret copia fymplue, Narrarcs?ncdicis: quod quanta plura parafli, Tanlo plura cupis, nulline fatcrier audes?
Non es avarus: abi. quid? calerajamfimulijlo Cum wtiofugere? caret tihi peflus inani Ambitiorie? Caret mortisformidine et iraf Id. Epift. 2. lib. q.
word 330 ADVICE to an Author.
word to fignify Excufe. Befides that the Au- thor is generally the moft ftraiten'd in that pre- liminary Part, which on other accounts is too apt to grow voluminous..He therefore takes the advantage of his Corollary or Winding-up; and ends pathetically, by endeavouring in the fofteft manner to reconcile his Reader to thofe Faults which he chufes rather to excufe than to amend.
General Practice has made this a necef- fary Part of Elegance, hardly to be pafs'd over by any Writer. * 'Tis the chief Strata- gem by which he engages in perfonal Confe- rence with his Reader; and can talk immode- rately of Himfelf, with all the feeming Modefly of one who is the furthefl from any felfifh Views, or conceited Thoughts of his own Merit. There appears fuch a peculiar Grace and Ingenuity in the method of confefling Lazinefs, Precipitancy, Carelefnefs, or whatever other Vices have been the occafion of the Au- thor s Deficiency; that it wou'd feem a Pity, had the Work it-felf been brought to fuch Perfection as to have left no room for the pe- nitent Party to enlarge on his own Demerits. For from the multiplicity of thefe, he finds Subject to ingratiate himfelf with his Reader; who doubtlefs is not a little rais'd by this Submiffion of a conjejjing Author; and is ready, on on thefe terms, to give him Abfulation, and re- ceive him into his good Grace and Favour.
In the galante World, indeed, we eafily find how far a Humility of this kind prevails. They who hope to rife by Merit, are likelieft to be difappointed in their Pretenfions. The confefling Lover, who afcribes all to the Boun- ty of the Fair-one, meets his Reward the foon- er, for having ftudy'd lejs how to deferve it. For Merit is generally thought prefumptiious, and fuppos'd to carry with it a certain Aflu- rance and Eafe, with which a Mijlrefs is not fo well contented. The Claim of well-deferv- ing feems to derogate from the pure Grace and Favour of the Benefaclrice; who then ap- pears to her-felf mod fovereign in Power, and likelieft to be obey'd without referve, when fhe bellows her Bounty, where there is leafl Title, or Pretenfion.
Thus a certain Adoration of the Sex which pafTes in our Age without the leaft Charge of Profanenefs, or Idolatry, may, according to vulgar Imagination, ferve to juftify thefe ga- lante Fotarvs, in the imitation of the real Reli- gious and Devout. The method of* Self-abaie- ment may perhaps be thought the properefl to 332 ADVICE to an Author, to make Approaches to the facred Shrines: And the intire Resignation of Merit, in each Cafe, may be efteem'd the only ground of well- deferving. But what we allow to Heaven, or the Fair, fhou'd not, rnethinks, be made a Pre- cedent, in favour of the World. Whatever Deference is due to that Body of Men whom we call Readers; we may be fuppos'd to treat 'em with fufficient Honour, if with thorow Diligence, and Pains, we endeavour to ren- der our Works per/eel; and leave em to judge of the Performance as thev are able.
However difficult or defperate it may ap- pear in any Artift to endeavour to bring Per- fection into his Work; if he has not at leait the Idea ^/Perfection to give him Aim, he will be found very defective and mean in his Performance. Tho his Intention be to pleafe the World, he muft neverthelefs be, in a man- ner, above it; and fix his Eye upon that con- fummate Grace, that Beauty of Nature, and that Perfection of Numbers, which the reft of Mankind, feeling only by the Effect, whilft ignorant of the Caufe, term the Je-ne-fcay-quoy, the unintelligible, or the I know not what; and fuppofe to be a kind of Charm, or Inchant- ment, of which the Artift himfelf can give no account.
BUT ADVICE to an Author. 333 BUT HERE, I find, I am tempted to do what I have my-felf condemn'd. Hardly can I forbear making fome Apology for my frequent Recourfe to the Rules of common Artifts, to the Matters of Exercife, to the Academys of Painters, Statuarys, and to the reft of the Vir- tuofo-T ribe. But in this I am fo fully fatisfy'd I have Reafon on my fide, that, let Cuftom be ever fo flrong againfi me, I had rather repair to thefe inferior Schools, to fearch for Truth, and Nature; than to fome other Places, where higher Arts and Sciences are pro- fefs'd.
I am perfuaded that to be a Virtuofo (fo far as befits a Gentleman) is a higher Hep towards the becoming a Man of Virtue and good Senfe, than the being what in this Age we call * a Scholar. For even rude Nature it-felf, in * It fcems indeed fotnewhat improbable, that according to modem Erudition, and as Science is now distributed, our ingenious and noble Youths fliou'd obtain the full advantage of a juft and liberal Education, by uniting the Scholar-part with that of the real Gentleman and Man of Breeding. Academys for Exercifes, fo ufeful to the Publick, and effen- tial in the formation of a genteel and liberal Ch.uacler, are unfortunate'} ne<iiett<-d. Letters are indeed banifh'd, I know not where, in diftant CloiRers-and unfrraflis'd Cells, as our Poet has it, confin d to the Com- merce and mean FeUovj/hfp of bearded Boys. The fprightly Arts and Sciences 334 ADVICE to an Author.
in its primitive Simplicity, is a better Guide to Judgment, than improv'd Sophiftry, and pedantick Learning. The Faciunt, nee, intelle- gendo, ut nihil intellegant, will be ever apply 'd by Men of Difcernment and free Thought to fuch Logick, fuch Principles, fuch Forms and Rudiments of Knowledge, as are eflablifli'd in certain Schools of Literature and Science. The cafe is fufficiently underflood even by thofe who are unwilling to confefs the Truth of it. Effects betray their Caufes. And the known Turn and Figure of thofe Underftandings, which fprout from Nurferys of this kind, give a plain Idea of what is judg'd on this occa- fion. 'Tis no wonder, if after fo wrong a ground ground Sciences are fever'd from Philofophy,whichconfequently muft grow dronifh, infipid, pedantick, ufelefs, and directly oppofite to the real Knowledge and Practice of the World and Mankind. Our Youth accordingly feem to have their only Chance between two widely different Roads; either that of Pedantry and School- Learning, which lies amidft the Dregs and ,moft corrupt part of antient Literature; or that of the fajliionable illiterate World, which aims merely at the Character of the f.ne Gentleman, and takes up with the Foppery of modern Languages and foreign Wit. The frightful Afpect of the former of thele Roads makes the Journey appear defperate and impracticable. Hence that Averfion fo generally con- ceiv'd againft a learned Character, wrong turn'd, and hideoufly fet out, under fuch Diffkultys, and in fuch feeming Labyrinths, and mylterious Forms. As if a Homer or a Xe.nophon imperfectly learnt, in raw Years, might not afterwards, in a riper Age, be fludy'd, as well in a Capital City and amidft the World, as at a College, or Country-Town! Or as if a Plutarch, a Tci. ly, or a Horace cou'd not accompany a young ADVICE to an Author. 335 ground of Education, there appears to be fuch need of Redrefs, and Amendment, from that excellent School which we call the World. The mere Amufements of Gentlemen are found more improving than the profound Refearches of Pedants. And in the Management of our Youth, we are forc'd to have recourfe to the former; as an Antidote againfl the Genius pe- culiar to the latter. If the Formalijis of this fort were erected into Patentees, with a fole Commiffion of Author/hip; we fhou'd undoubt- edly fee fuch Writing in our days, as wou'd either wholly wean us from all Books in ge- neral, or at leafl from all fuch as were the pro- duel of our own Nation, under fuch a fubor- dinate and conforming Government.
young Man in liis Travels, at a Court, or (if occafion were) even in a Camp! The Cafe is not without Precedent. Leifure is found fufficient for other Reading of numerous modern Tranflations, and worfe Originals, of Italian or French Authors, who are read merely for Amufement. The French indeed may boaft of fome legitimate Authors of a juft Relifh, correct, and without any mixture of the affected or fpurious kinds; the falfe Tender, or the falfe Suhlime; the conceited Jingle, or the ridiculous Point. They arc fuch Genius's as have been form'd upon the natural Model of the Antients, and willingly own their Debt to thofe great Maf- ters. But for the reft, who draw from another Fountain, as the Italian Authors in particular; they may be reckon'd no better than the Cor- rupters of true Learning and Erudition; and can indeed be relifh'd by thofe alone, whole Education has unfortunately deny'd 'em the Fami- liarity of the noble Antients, and the Praflice of a better and more na- tiualTi/le. See above, />. 286, kc and VOL. II. p. 1S4, 185, 186.
Vol. I. Y How-