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more diffufe, and the ornaments of

"it were

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more tawdry; but his "laboured concifenefs, the conftant glow of his diction, and pointed brilliancy of his fentences, were no "lefs unnatural. One principal caufe "of this, I fuppofe to have been, that as we despaired of excelling the two great mafters of Oratory, Cicero and Livy, in their own manner, we took up another, which, to many, appear"ed more fhining, and gave our compofitions a more original air. But it "is mortifying to me, to fay much

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on this fubject. Permit me there"fore, to refume the contemplation "of that on which our converfation "turned before."--"

And here I am forry the nature of the subject, which is the famous eruption of Vefuvius, wherein the Elder Pliny loft his life, prevented your proceeding any farther. It might, indeed, be a mortifying theme to the Panegy

rift of Trajan, but furely it could not be fo to the noble author of the Perfian Letters, who had in them fhewn fo fine a tafte, and given fo many illuftrious examples of the natural. and fimple style. I regretted then, my Lord, and I still do regret you had not made it the subject of an entire Dialogue. It is well worthy of your masterly pen; and besides, you might have rendered it needlefs for an unknown, and what is much worse, an inferior hand to undertake it.

And yet I doubt, whether, upon fecond thoughts, your Lordship's manner be fo well fuited to the adverfaries you would have to cope withal. For believe me, as there is not in nature a vainer, a more self-sufficient and conceited, fo there cannot be a more unfeeling animal than a veteran Lexiphanes. His fenfations are naturally fo dull and obtufe, that I queftion much if he would be in the least affected by

the

the nice touches of your Lordship's delicate and refined raillery, fo much like that of Addifon, and of which you have given fo beautiful an illuftration as well as example in the admirable dialogue between Swift and him. Nay, you have already determined this article against yourself; for in the clofe of that dialogue, where you affign their different provinces to thofe two rival wits, you would have " Addifon * employed in comforting those whofe delicate minds are dejected with too painful a fenfe of fome infirmities in their nature; and hold up to them his fair and charitable mirrour, which would bring to their fight their hidden excellencies, and put them in a temper fit for Elyfium." And this indeed feems to be the humane and benevolent purpose of your Lordship's work. Whereas to Doctor Swift you "allot the task of humbling the arrogant Hero, the

Dialogues of the Dead, page 32.

vain Philofopher, and the proud Bigot." But I believe your Lordship will agree with me, that the hard back of the petulant overbearing Pedant requires as much as any of the other characters, the fevere lafhes of that rod, which draws blood at every ftroke. It is for this reason, supported by your great authority, and perhaps from a more cogent one ftill, it's being better adapted to my own temper and disposition, that I have chofen the rough and coarfer manner of Swift, or rather Lucian.

But to return from this digreffion, which cannot be altogether impertinent, as most of it is taken from your Lordship; I must add, that I no fooner found myself deceived, in fuppofing you tainted with Lexiphanicifm, which I need not inform you, literally fignifies that fining affected diction, you fo justly condemn, than I determined, should this piece ever be be made pub

lick, as a fmall atonement for the temporary injuftice I had done you, and that only in my thoughts, to inscribe it to your Lordfhip, and to implore your protection for it. And as your high rank and quality would not have deterred me from criticifing your works, had I found occafion; fo it is not that alone, but your great merit and excellence, your acknowledged fuperiority as a writer, that has in a manner extorted this address from me. But it has, at the fame time, emboldened me, not only to afk, but even to expect your patronage and protection. For after all, my Lord, it is in reality more your bufinefs than mine. I have nothing to lofe, I am only a volunteer in the caufe, and can hope for nothing, but a fmall share of the spoil whereas you, confidered as an author, have a very great estate at ftake; I mean that honeft fame, and well deferved reputation in letters,