is the only one I could wifh omitted of all you have written but I wou'd not defire it should be fo, unless I had the merit of removing your objection: I beg you but to point out those strokes to me, and you may be affured they fhall be treated with out mercy. Since we are upon proofs of fincerity (which I am pretty confident will turn to the advantage of us both in each others opinion) give me leave to name another paffage in the fame Spectator, which I wish you would alter. It is where you mention an observation upon Homer's Verses of Syfipbus's Stone, as * never having been made before by any of the Criticks: I happen'd to find the fame in Dyonifius of Halicarnaffus's Treatife, περι ΣωθεσεΘ- Ονόματον, who treats very largely upon these Verses. I know you will think fit to foften your expreffion, when you fee the paffage; which you muft needs have read tho' it be fince flipt out of your memory. I am with the utmost esteem, Your, &c. * Thefe Words are fince left out in Mr. Tickel's Edition, but were extant in all during Mr. Addison's Life. Mr. POPE Mr. POPE to the Earl of HALIFAX. My LORD, Dec. 1, 1714. Am oblig'd to you both for the favours you have done me, and for thofe you intend me. I diftruft neither your will nor your memory, when it is to do good: and if ever I become troubleföme or follicitous, it must not be out of expectation, but out of gratitude. Your Lordship may either cause me to live agreeably in the town, or contentedly in the country, which is really all the difference I fet between an eafy fortune and a fmall one. It is indeed a high ftrain of generofity in you, to think of making me eafy all my life, only because I have been fo happy as to divert you fome few hours: But if I may have leave to add, it is because you think me no enemy to my native country, there will appear a better reafon; for I muft of confequence be very much, (as I fincerely am) Mr. POPE to Mr. CONGREVE. Jan. 16, 1714-15: Ethinks when I write to you, I am M making a confeffion, I have got (I can't tell how) fuch a cuftom of throwing my self out upon paper without referve. You were not mistaken in what you judg'd of my temper of mind when I writ laft. My faults will not be hid from you, and perhaps it is no difpraife to me that they will not. The cleanness and purity of one's mind is never better prov'd, than in dif covering its own faults at first view: as when a Stream fhows the dirt at its bottom, it shows alfo the tranfparency of the water. My fpleen was not occafion'd however, by any thing an * abufive, angry Critick could write of me. I take very kindly your heroick manner of congratulation upon this fcandal; for I think nothing more honourable, than to be involved in the fame fate with all the great Dennis, who writ an abufive Pamplet this Year, intitled, Remarks on Mr. Pope's Homer. and |