LETTER VII. Dec. 16. 1715 IT A was one of the Enigma's of Pythagoras, "When the winds rife, worship the Echo." modern writer explains this to fignify, "When po"pular tumults begin, retire to folitudes, or fuch "places where Echo's are commonly found, rocks, "woods, &c." I am rather of opinion it should be interpreted, "When rumours increafe, and when "there is abundance of noife and clamour, believe "the fecond report:" This, I think agrees more exactly with the echo, and is the more natural application of the fymbol. However, it be, either of thefe Precepts is extremely proper to be followed at this feafon; and I cannot but applaud your refolution of continuing in what you call your cave in the foreft, this winter; and preferring the noise of breaking ice to that of breaking ftatefmen, the rage of ftorms to that of parties, the fury and ravage of floods and tempefts, to the precipitancy of fome, and the ruin of others, which, I fear, will be our daily profpects in London. I fincerely wish my felf with you, to contemplate the wonders of God in the firmament, rather than the madness of man on the earth. But I never had fo much caufe as now to complain of my poetical ftar, that fixes me, at this tumultuous time, to attend the gingling of rhymes and the measuring of fyllables: to be almost the only trifler in the nation; and as ri diculous as the poet in Petronius, who while all the reft in the fhip were either labouring or praying for life, was fcratching his head in little room, to write. a fine defcription of the tempeft. You tell me, you like the found of no arms but those of Achilles: for my part I like them as little as any other arms. I lifted myself in the battles of Homer, and I am no fooner in war, but, like most other folks, I wish myself out again. I heartily join with you in wishing Quiet to our native country; Quiet in the ftate, which, like Charity in religion, is too much the perfection and happiness of either, to be broken or violated on any pretence or profpect whatfoever. Fire and fword, and fire and faggot, are equally my averfion. I can pray for oppofite parties, and for oppofite religions, with great fincerity. I think to be a lover of one's country is a glorious elogy, but I do not think it fo great an one as to be a lover of mankind. I fometimes celebrate you under thefe denominations, and join your health with that of the whole world; a truly catholic health, which far excels the poor narrow-fpirited, ridiculous healths now in fafhion, to this church, or that church. Whatever our teachers may fay, they muft give us leave at least to wish generously. Thefe, dear Sir, are my general difpofitions; but whenever I pray or wish for particulars, you are one of the firft in the thoughts and affec tions of Your, &c. I LETTER From Sir WILLIAM VIII. TRUMBULL. Jan. 19. 1715-16. Should be afham'd of my long idleness, in not acknowledging your kind advice about Echo, and your moft ingenious explanation of it relating to popular tumults; which I own to be very useful: and yet give me leave to tell you, that I keep myself to a fhorter receipt of the fame Pythagoras, which is Silence; and this I fhall obferve, if not the whole time of his discipline, yet at least till your return into this country. I am obliged further to this method, by the most severe weather I ever felt; when, though I keep as near by the fire-fide as may be, yet gelidus concrevit frigore fanguis; and often I apprehend the circulation of the blood begins to be stopp'd. I have further great loffes (to a poor farmer) of my poor oxen -Intereunt pecudes, ftant circumfufa pruinis Corpora magna boum, &ć. Pray comfort me, if you can, by telling me that your fecond volume of Homer is not frozen; for it must be exprefs'd very poetically, to fay now, that the preffes fweat.. I cannot forbear to add a piece of artifice I have been guilty of, on occafion of my being obliged to congratulate the birth-day of a friend of mine: when finding I had no materials of my own, 1 very frankly fent him your imitation of Martial's epigram on Antonius my enter a caftock in this Primus. This has been applauded fo much, that I am in danger of commencing Poet, perhaps laureat, (pray defire my good friend Mr Rowe to veat) provided you will further increase bank. In which proceeding I have laid the foundation of my eftate, and as honeftly, as many others have begun theirs. But now being a little fearful, as young beginners often are, I offer to you (for I have conceal'd the true author) whether you will give me orders to declare who is the father of this fine child or not? Whatever you determine, my fingers, pen and ink are fo frozen, that I cannot thank you more at large. You will forgive this and all other faults of, Dear Sir, Your, &c. * Jam numerat placido felix Antonius evo, &c. Finds not one moment he could wish away, LETTERS TO AND FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. From the Year 1711 to 1714. I LETTER I. To the Hon. J. C. Efq. June 15. 1711. Send you Dennis's remarks on the * Essay; which equally abound in just criticisms and fine railleries. The few obfervations in my hand in the margins, are what a morning's leifure permitted me to make purely for your perufal. For I am of opinion that fuch a critic, as you will find him by the latter part of his Book, is but one way to be properly answer'd, and that way I would not take after what he informs me in his preface, that he is at this time perfecuted by fortune. This I knew not before; if I had, his name had been spared in the Effay, for that only reafon. I can't conceive what ground he has for so excef On Criticifm. |