numerous followers and admirers, as the best model of writing, and the only ftandard of purity and elegance in the English tongue; and what is worse, are actually thought to be fo by nine readers of ten in the nation. Hence the question plainly comes to this refult: Whether we fhall continue to write and speak the language transmitted down to us by our ancestors, who have hardly derived more honour to their country, from their numberless victories obtained, and gallant exploits performed in every quarter of the globe, than from their inimitable writings in every branch of fcience and literature; or whether we shall adopt, I will not fay a new language, but a barbarous jargon, attempted to be impofed upon us, by a few School-mafters and Pedants, who owe all their credit to their petulance and impudence, who are equally ignorant of books and men, and who think they have done a fine thing when they have tack'd an English termination to a Latin word, and have huddled together a parcel of quaint unmeaning phrases, whofe only effect is to make the stupid reader ftare, and cry 'tis mighty fine! 'Tis true, that in the Dialogue I have reprefented the overthrow of Lexiphanicifm as a very defperate undertaking indeed. And though this might be partly done to heighten its humour, yet I must confefs, that fuch were in a great measure my real fentiments at the time. But fince, and within thefe few months, I have feen many late performances, written in a pure and manly ftyle, and which I have the pleasure to fee, from the number of their editions, have met with deferved fuccefs. From hence, and from fome other circumftances, I incline to believe, that the true tafte and Lexiphanicifm are at prefent pretty nearly on a balance, and that an additional weight, thrown I thrown into the right fcale, would at once decide the bufinefs. And this weight none is fo proper, or has fo much intereft, to throw in as your Lordship. Befides, fhould the advocates for plainnefs and fimplicity be greatly outnumbered by their adverfaries, they are armed with a weapon, which the Lexiphanefes have not to use against them, and against which, they have at the fame time no defence. It is not grave, folid reafoning from the genius of our language, the authority of our best writers, and fo forth; for in that cafe, you would foon be overpowered by a torrent of hard words and terms of art, which the ignorant multitude would immediately conftrue into deeper learning. But it is Ridicule. And this powerful engine I have therefore employed against them. With what fuccefs, your Lordship and the publick muft foon determine. But But should I prove unfuccefsful, you, / my Lord, whofe concern it ought fo much to be, can eafily recommend the talk to another, who may poffefs happier talents, and perform it in a more fatisfactory manner. As for me, I fhall account it fufficient honour, to have started the game, tho' I fhould be thrown out in the chace, and fhould not even be prefent at the death. Having troubled you fo long, I must conclude this Addrefs as abruptly as it began, indulging, at the fame time, a favourite piece of vanity, by declaring, in this publick manner, that I have the good fenfe, tafte and judgment, to be Your Lordship's Sincere Admirer, And moft Obedient b |