SIR,

LETTER LXXV.

FROM THE SAME.

June 22, 1715. THE hurry I have been in by the report from the Committee of Secrecy, to get it published, has prevented the publication of Homer for the present, till the noise be over; and those whom I expected to be very noisy on account of your translation, are buried in politics.

Mr. Thornhill sent to me for his own book, which he paid for to you, as he says, and paid me eight guineas of the subscriptions of

Sarah, Countess of Winchelsea.

Mrs. Seymour.

Berkley Seymour, Esq.

Charles Frotherby, Esq.

Mr. Harcourt and Lord Harcourt have had thirteen books to their house, ten of which were of the finest paper.

I will observe your directions about Mr. Broome. The second volume of Homer shall be sent in a day or two.

The project for printing the first book of Homer, with Mr. Dryden's, and Mr. Tickle's, and Mr. Manwarring's, together, is well thought of. I proposed it to Mr. Tonson, but it will not do. I will consider farther of it.

The Duke of Ormond is to be impeached for high

treason, and Earl of Stafford for high crimes and misdemeanors.

May success attend your studies, is the hearty prayer of

Yours, to command.

LETTER LXXVI.

MR. STEELE TO MR. LINTOTT.

MR. LINTOTT,

August 4, 1712. MR. ADDISON desired me to tell you, that he wholly disapproves the manner of treating Mr. Dennis in a little pamphlet by way of Dr. Norris's account. When he thinks fit to take notice of Mr. Dennis's objections to his writings3, he will do it in a way Mr. Dennis shall leave no just reason to complain of. But when the papers above-mentioned were offered to be communicated to him, he said he could not, either in honour or conscience, be privy to such a treatment, and was sorry to hear of it.

I am,

Your, etc.

" Of the frenzy of Mr. John Den-. A narrative written by Mr. Pope. See his Letter to Mr. Addison of July 30, 1714.

• Remarks upon Cato.

LETTER LXXVII.

MR. FENTON TO MR. LINTOTT.

MR. LINTOTT,

September 14, 1719. PRAY give my most humble service to Mr. Pope, and tell him, I beg the favour of him to let me know when he comes to town, what morning I shall wait on him at his lodging; for I walk out in a morning so often, that I may therewise lose an opportunity of of seeing him.

Lib. xxii. ver. 132. The first part of Dacier's note is taken from Eustathius; but instead of Aurelius Victor and Dion, he quotes Herodotus, without mentioning the book he takes it from.

Ver. 467. I cannot find that Eustathius assigns the same reasons that Mm. does, why Apollo and Neptune do not fight with one another.

Your, etc.

I will endeavour to find out the passage abovementioned in Herodotus.

LETTER LXXVIII.

FROM MR. FENTON.

I HAVE received a specimen of the extracts from Eustathius but this week. The first gentleman who undertook the affair, grew weary, and now Mr. Thirlby, of Jesus, has recommended another to me

with a very great character. I think, indeed, at first sight, that his performance is commendable enough, and have sent word for him to finish the 17th book, and to send it with his demands for his trouble. He engageth to complete a book every month till Christmas and the remaining books in a month more, if you acquire them. The last time I saw Mr. Lintott, he told me that Mr. Broome had offered his service

again to you; if you accept it, it would be proper for him to let you know what books he will undertake, that the Cambridge gentleman may proceed to the

rest.

I am, etc.

I have here inclosed the specimen; if the rest come before the return, I will keep 'em till I receive your orders. I have desired the gentleman to write the rest in folio, with half the page left blank.

LETTER LXXIX.

FROM MR. WYCHERLEY.

February 19, 1706-7.

I HAVE received yours of the 26th, as kind as it is ingenious, for which therefore I most heartily thank you. It would have been much more welcome to me, had it not informed me of your want of health; but you, who have a mind so vigorous, may well be content with its crazy habitation; since (you know)

This was Dr. Jortin.

the old similitude says, the keenness of the mind soonest wears out the body, as the sharpest sword soonest destroys the scabbard: so that (as I say) you must be satisfied with your apprehension of an uneasy life, though I hope not a short one; notwithstanding that generally your sound wits (though weak bodies) are immortal hereafter, by that genius which shortens your present life, to prolong that of the future. But I yet hope, your great, vigorous, and active mind will not be able to destroy your little, tender, and crazy carcass.

Now to say something to what you write concerning the present epidemic distemper of the mind and age, calumny; I know it is no more to be avoided (at one time or another of our lives) than a fever or an ague; and, as often those distempers attend or threaten the best constitutions, from the worst air; so does that malignant air of calumny soonest attack the sound and elevated in mind, as storms of wind the tallest and most fruitful trees; whilst the low and weak, for bowing and moving to and fro, are by their weakness secure from the danger and violence of the tempest. But so much for stinking rumour, which weakest minds are most afraid of; as Irishmen, though the nastiest of mankind, are most offended at a fart.