OF Mr. POPE, AND Several Eminent PERSONS. From the Year 1711, &c. VOL. II. DUBLIN: Printed by. M. Rhames, For R. Gunne, in Capel-ftreet, F. Smith and W. Bruce, M DCC. XXXV. Sir WILLIAM TRUMBULL, Mr. STEELE, Mr. ADDISON, and Mr. POP E, Sc. From 1711 to 1715. * Sir WILLIAM TRUMBULL to HAVE this moment receiv'd the favour of yours of the 8th inftant; and will make you a true excufe, (tho' perhaps no very good one) that I deferr'd the troubling you with a letter, when I fent back your Papers, in hopes of feeing you at Binfield before this time. If I had met with any fault in your performance, I should freely now (as I have done too prefumptuoufly in converfation with you) tell you my opinion; which I have frequently ventur'd to give you, VOL. II. A 2 *Secretary of State to King William the Third. ra rather in compliance with your defires than that I could think it reasonable. For I am not yet fatisfied upon what grounds I can pretend to judge of Poetry, who never have been practis'd in the Art. There may poffibly be fome happy genius's, who may judge of fome of the natural beauties of a Poem, as a man may of the proportions of a building, without having read Vitruvius, or knowing any thing of the rules of architecture: But this, tho' it may fometimes be in the right, must be fubject to many mistakes, and is certainly but a fuperficial knowledge; without entring into the art, the methods, and the particular excellencies of the whole compofure, in all the parts of it. Befides my want of skill I have another reason why I ought to fufpect my felf, by reafon of the great affection I have for you, which might give too much biafs, to be kind to every thing that comes from you; but after all, I muft fay (and I do it with an old-fashion'd fincerity) that I entirely approve of your Tranflation of thofe Pieces of Homer, both as to the verfification and the true fenfe that fhines thro' the whole; nay I am confirm'd in my former application to you, and give me leave to renew it upon |