Princes with as much sang froid as Napoleon Buonaparte himself in the height of his maddest frenzy. He had the game in his own hands; and hurled his vengeance with relentless fury. In 1749, a neat Edition in 12mo was published, with the title of "The Dunciad, complete, in Four Books, according to Mr. Pope's last Improvements. With several Additions now first printed,*, and the Hero it had, purely for want of a better; not entertaining the least expectation that such an one was reserved for this Post, as has since obtained the Laurel: but since that had happened, he could no longer deny this justice either to him or The Dunciad. And yet I will venture to say, there was another motive which had still more weight with our Author: this person was one, who from every Folly (not to say Vice) of which another would be ashamed, has constantly derived a Vanity; and therefore was the man in the world that would least be hurt by it. W. W. 1743." * In this Edition the amiable Dr. John Burton was thus gibbeted in a Note on Book IV. ver. 443 : "These two lines stood originally thus: "And most but find that Centinel of God, A drowsy Watchman in the land of Nod. But to this there were two objections, the pleasantry was too low for the Poet, and a deal too good for the Goddess. For though (as he told us before) Gentle Dulness ever loves a joke (II. 34.), and (as this species of mirth arises from a mal-entenda) we may well suppose it to be much to her taste, yet this above is not genuine, but a mere counterfeit of wit, as we shall see by placing by the side of it one of her own jokes, which we find in the Reverend Mr. Burton's late Satire upon Bath †, in the following words: Virum, quem non ego sanè doctissimum, at certè omnium, quotquot ferè uspiam, Literatissimum appellare ausim. And look, the more respectable the subject, the more grateful to our Goddess is the offering. SCRIBL."-At the request of Bp. Hayter the note was reluctantly withdrawn‡. The Commentator had afterwards an intention of placing also the learned Editor of Lysias and Demosthenes in an elevated situation among the Dunces. "As Cibber," he says, supplied the place of Tibbald, so shall Taylor take place of Webster, though I will tell you my thoughts sincerely, I do not think he has so good an understanding as Webster. But it requires an infinitely better than either of them has, to understand the plainest of truths, that the most learned Dunce, when, or wherever he exists, remains still the same Dunce in which he came into the world." Letter to Mr. Hurd, Jan. 12, 1757. The following note on Book II. 137, appeared in some copies of the Edition of 1751, but was afterwards removed by a cancel. ተ "Iter Bathoniense, a Poem, 1748," folio. See vol. I. P. 766. See the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. V. p. 587. Dissertations on the Poem and the Hero, and Notes Variorum. Published by Mr. Warburton *." To this Edition is prefixed a Frontispiece (designed by N. Blakey, and engraved by C.Grignion), exhibiting the LAURELED CIBBER seated on a Throne; and at the bottom the motto from The Dunciad. "All my Commands are easy, short, and full: My Sons! be proud, be selfish, and be dull." "In verity (saith Scriblerus) a very bungling trick. How much better might our worthy Brethren of Grub-street be taught (as in many things they have already been) by the modern professors of Modern Theology, who, when they make free with their neighbour's property, seize upon his good works rather than his good name; as knowing that those will produce a name of their own; so that, while the Poetaster gives his Works in another man's name, the Theologaster more wisely gives his name to another man's Works. Thus Waterland transferred the reasoning and learning of Bishop Bull into his Defences of the Orthodox Faith: And Jackson, inferior to his adversary both in sense and letters, went beyond him in this, that he took to himself the entire Answers of Dr. Clarke; and by that means gained, what he only aimed at, the reputation of the better disputant—with the good faith, and, I make no doubt, with the same self-complacency of that illustrious seller of brooms, who, when a neighbour of the trade told him he was under some surprize at his affording brooms cheaper than himself; for, to tell you a secret, brother," says he, 'I steal my materials,' replied, 'Go, you fool, I can tell you a greater; I steal mine ready made.' Leaden Gilbert, Book IV. of 1749, 608, was softened in 1751 into "leaden G- ;" and the following note withdrawn: "A reflection upon the Age the Goddess had just then restored, not on the Person to whom the agnomen is given, according to the sublime custom of the Easterns, in calling new-born Princes after some great and recent event." * Who says, in an Advertisement, "This Edition of The Dunciad is published for the same reason that the Editor, some time ago, published the Essay on Man, to prevent surreptitious and pirated Editions, to the injury both of the Proprietor and the Purchaser. As these two Works are, in their several kinds, complete, and independent on any other, they will (for the purpose above-mentioned) be always separately continued in sale.' There is a little Edition of The Dunciad published for the market. I did not think it worth sending to you, because there is a better in reserve, which 1 intended for you. In this there is a noted Dunce or two that came in my way. But I shall have one general reckoning with them (which I hope you will not think unsuitable to my character), and then adieu to the Dunces for ever." Letter to Mr. Hurd, Feb. 10, 1749-50. LETTERS LETTERS to Dr. STUKELEY, from the Marquis of LINDSEY, Lord HARLEY, the Earls of WINCHELSEA, HARTFORD, PEMBROKE, OXFORD, DERBY, and WESTMORELAND, Abp. WAKE, and the Duke of MONTAGU *. "I find by yours that you have now finished the draught of the Church and Steeple at Boston †, which you design to dedicate to me. If you please to send your Engraver to me, he may see my Arms, and receive what directions you think proper. "I am your humble servant, "SIR, LINDSEY +.". Wimpole, Nov. 21, 1721. "I received a Letter from you of November 16, in which you desire I would allow Mr. Wanley to stay in town till the Elec tion for a Secretary to the Royal Society be over §. to Mr. Wanley this post, to let him know that, if give my consent very freely for his staying in town. wish you success in your undertaking; and am, Sir, "Your humble servant, I have wrote he pleases, I I heartily HARLEY." Eastwell, Oct. 20, 1722. "SIR, "Nothing could so much atone for your leaving us so soon, as letting me hear from you. I was extremely pleased to learn, by your very obliging, entertaining, and instructive Letter, that, after a long penance here, by what you saw and observed in your way, the journey must have been very agreeable to you; and that you are, after all your toils, arrived in good health, and are in safe harbour before the rough season of the year comes in, and where I hope very soon to wait on you. I set out from hence next Tuesday; shall dig for urns, &c. next day, and view the Kit-Coty-house; which, by the help of your observations, I shall see to much greater advantage than I could otherwise have done. Your account of it seems very just, and, I am sure, is very curious. I am glad you have prevailed with Mr. Taylor to let a section be made in this grave; perhaps I shall get it done, but I doubt whether it can well be while I am present, for want of time. I am glad you think this work strengthens my conjectures concerning Julabury's grave. You encourage me to study For the greater part of this Correspondence, I am indebted to the Rev. J. F. St. John (see before, p. 1).-The other Letters are transcribed from the Originals in the British Museum. † A good South View of Boston Church was drawn and published by Dr. Stukeley; who dedicated the Plate to "Peregrine Marquis of Lindsey, and Lord Willoughby of Eresby, eldest son of Robert first Duke of Ancaster," with a brief history of it annexed. A smaller View is inserted in his Itinerarium Curiosum, Plate XIX. Peregrine Bertie, afterwards second Duke of Ancaster, and Lord Great Chamberlain. He died in January 1741. § The vacancy was occasioned by the resignation of Dr. Edward Halley. Dr. James Jurin was the successful Candidate. Edward Lord Harley, afterwards second Earl of Oxford; see p. 785. VOL. II. 3 D that that matter a little farther; and your learned and very judicious Letter, with the observations you made in your way from Dover to Eastwell, give me great light. I will certainly, as you desire, bring you some of the stones out of Todingden Brook.-I much fear my time will not allow me to see the Roman Durolenum, unless it falls in my coach-way to Bursted. I should enlarge a great deal upon your Letter if I did not hope to see you so soon, when we can discourse upon these things at large. "I received a Letter last post from my Lord Hartford*, who is a great lover of Antiquities; he sent me a design of a fine Tesselated Pavement found in a church-yard at Gloucester. It seems to be very curious, but perhaps you have seen it. I have promised my Lord your acquaintance, and you will not let me break my word with him. Mr. and Mrs. Smith present their humble services to you; and I am, Sir, your much obliged and most humble servant, WINCHILSEA†.” Dec. 27, 1722. SIR, "I supped last night with my Lord Hartford, who has not yetrecovered strength enough to go this week to Hounslow, but will be very glad to go with you the next. I am commissioned in the mean time, with his humble service to you, to desire your company at dinner with him to-morrow, which day he chuses, because he is to be at home all day, and, being in waiting ‡, he cannot so well fix any other. If you have no engagement that interferes with this, I will call upon you to-morrow morning, that we may go together. You will much oblige my Lord, if you will carry with you a book of your drawings, and the book in which we write our names and mottos; and, if you have e'er a ring left, I believe it will not be unwelcome. 66 Pray favour me with a line or two, and you will oblige, Sir, your affectionate brother and humble servant, WINCHILSEA.' April 17, 1723. "SIR, "If this finds you well enough to endure a coach, I shall send you mine to-morrow morning by eight o'clock, or soon after, to bring you to Lord Hartford's, from whence his coach will carry us with his Lordship to Hounslow. We go so early, that we may be returned by three o'clock in the afternoon, and dine in Doverstreet. My Lord depends upon your going, if it may be without prejudice to you. He presents his humble service to you. Pray let me know by the bearer whether you are well enough to go upon this expedition.-I am, Sir, your very affectionate brother, and most humble servant, WINCHILSEA." Reading, May 9, 1723. "SIR, Though I could not see you before my departure, I will write from hence, to let you know that in my way hither I have Algernon Seymour, son of Charles sixth Duke of Somerset. On the death of his father in 1748 he became the seventh Duke, and died in 1750. Lord Hartford was in the year 1724 elected President of the Society of Antiquaries; and the Earl of Winchilsea a Vice-President. + Daniel Finch, fifth Earl of Winchilsea (so the noble Earl uniformly spelt his name). He died in 1726; see p. 783. As Lord of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales, afterwards Geo. II. gone gone through our Camp on the Heath. I was drove into it in my chaise, and all over it; and am with a great deal of pleasure satisfied (if possible) more than I was before, of its great antiquity, and of its being a Roman Camp. I will not trouble you with farther particulars, more than that I find it is almost a mile beyond a turnpike, which is two miles from Hounslow; viz. the Camp is thirteen miles from London. These are but trivial observations; yet, if I had passed by the Camp without going up to it (as I shall always do when I can) my conscience would have flown in my face the next time you and I had met.—I hope to be in town next Wednesday; soon after which I shall wait on you; and, I believe, Lord Hartford (who will send you this) will be at liberty to go with us to our Antiquarian Society.-I am, Sir, your affectionate brother and humble servant, WINCHILSEA.' May 24, 1723. "SIR, "I am very sorry to tell you, that, after your having given yourself so much trouble in setting our meeting for next Monday, a delay of a few days is yet requested; for Lord Hartford desired me last night to let you know that the King has appointed the Opera to be on that day; and, if he goes to it, my Lord, who is in waiting, will be obliged to attend him, and therefore cannot engage to meet us next Monday; but, if the Wednesday after will be as convenient to you and the rest of our brethren, he will not fail us that evening, or any other except Thursday, when I believe he will attend the King as far as Greenwich. My Lord is much concerned, that, from this accident, you will have the trouble of sending to stop our friends coming on the day appointed, and engaging them for the new day. "Lord Hartford sends you his service, and I am, Sir, your very affectionate brother and humble servant, "DEAR BROTHER, AND VENERABLE DRUID, WINCHILSEA.' From Cunetio, July 12, 1723. "I prevent our Brother Segonax's* writing; but, with his compliments, I must pay his thanks for your Letter, and design of the famous camp on Oldbury Hill, with your description of it: I Have put a copy of your drawing into my Journal. "I have a favour to desire of you, if you have an opportunity of sending me a Letter, and time to write it before we leave this place, which will be on Tuesday next. I would desire of you to draw me the two Circles; one, the great one which surrounds the village of Abury; the other, the outward level of the Temple of Earth at Overton Hill, without any of the other Circles; and these only scratched out without compasses, or any measure, in single lines, with the avenues which go both ways, and these each with a single line (without any mark of the stones). I desire this because I cannot perfectly recollect how they lie to the grand work; particularly, how that runs which goes to Beckhampton. -Excuse this trouble.-I have services from Lady Hartford, and all friends here, to send you. We all wish, if you cannot come * Lord Hartford's Druidical name; Lord Winchilsea assumed that of Cyngetorix; and Dr. Stukeley was styled Chyndonax. 3 D 2 sooner, |