all readers pretend to over Authors, fate in judgment upon the two new Tranflations of the firft Iliad. Without partiality to my country-men, I affure you they all gave the preference where it was due; being unanimoufly of opinion, that yours was equally juft to the fenfe with Mr. --'s, and without comparison more eafy, more poetical, and more fublime. But I will fay no more. on fuch a thread- bare fubject, as your late performance is at this time.

1 am, &c.

Extract from a Letter from Mr. GAY to Mr. POPE.

July 8, 1715.

I have juft fet down Sir Samuel Garth at the Opera. He bid me tell you, that every body is pleas'd with your Tranflation, but a few at Button's; and that Sir Richard Steele told him, that Mr. Addison said Tickel's tranflation was the best that ever was in any language *. He treated me with extream civility, and out of kindness gave me a

*Sir Richard Steele afterwards, in his Preface to an Edition of the Drummer, a Comedy by Mr. Addifon, fhews it to be bis opinion, that "not Mr. Tickel but Mr. Addison himself "was the Perfon that tranflated this book.

fqueeze

fqueeze by the Sore finger. I am inform'd that at Button's your character is made very free with as to morals, &c. and Mr. A-fays, that your tranflation and Tickel's are both very well done, but that the latter has more of Homer.

Extract from a Letter of Dr. ARBUTHNOT to Mr. POPE.

July 9, 1715.

-I congratulate you upon Mr. Tickel's first Book. It does not indeed want its merit; but I was ftrangely disappointed in my expectation of a Tranflation nicely true to the original; whereas in thofe parts where the greatest exactness seems to be demanded, he has been the leaft careful, I mean the Hiftory of ancient Ceremonies and Rites,&c. in which you have with great judgment been exact. I am, &c.

Mr. POPE to the Honourable JAMES CRAGGS, Efq;

July 15, 1715.

Lay hold of the opportunity given me by my Lord Duke of Shewbury, to

I by

affure

is

affure you of the continuance of that efteem and affection. I have long borne you, and the memory of fo many agreeable converfations as we have paffed together. I with it were a compliment to fay fuch converfations as are not to be found on this fide of the Wate for the fpirit of Diffenfion gone forth among us: nor is it a wonder that Button's is no longer Button's, when Old England is no longer Old England, that region of hofpitality, fociety, and good humour. Party affects us all, even the wits, tho' they gain as little by politicks as they do by their wit. We talk much of fine fenfe, refined fenfe, and exalted sense; but for ufe and happiness give me a little common fenfe. I fay this in regard to fome gentlemen, profeffed wits of our acquain tance, who fancy they can make Poetry of confequence at this time of day, in the midft of this raging fit of Politicks. For they tell me, the bufy part of the nation are not more divided about Whig and Tory, than thefe idle fellows of the Feather about Mr. Tickel's and my Tranflation. 1 (like the Tories) have the town in general, that is the mob, on my fide; but 'tis ufual with the fmaller Party to make up in industry what they want in number, and that's the cafe with the little Senate of Cato. However, if our principles be well confidered, I

muft

must appear a brave Whig, and Mr. Tickel a rank Tory; I tranflated Homer for the publick in general, he to gratify the inordinate defires of One man only. We have,' it feems, a great Turk in Poetry, who can never bear a Brother on the throne; and has his Mutes too, a fett of Nodders, Winkers, and Whisperers, whose business is to ftrangle all other offsprings of wit in their birth. The new Tranflator of Homer is the humbleft flave he has, that is to fay, his first Minifter; let him receive the honours he gives him, but receive them with fear and trembling let him be proud of the approbation of his abfolute Lord; I appeal to the People, as my rightful judges and mafters; and if they are not inclined to condemn me, I fear no arbitrary highflying proceedings from the fmall Courtfaction at Button's. But after all I have faid of this great Man, there is no rupture between us: We are each of us fo civil and obliging, that neither thinks he is obliged. And I for my part treat with him, as we do with the Grand Monarch; who has too many great qualities not to be refpected, tho we know he watches any occafion to opprefs us.

When I talk of Homer, I muft not forget. the early present you made me of Monfieur de la Motte's Book. And I can't con

clude

clude this letter without telling you a melancholy piece of news which affects our very Entrails, is dead, and Soupes are no more! You fee I write in the old familiar way." This is not to the Minifter, but to

11

the Friend."-However, it is fome mark of uncommon regard to the Minifter, that I fteal an expreffion from a Secretary of State.

I am, &c.

Mr. POPE to Sir WILLIAM TRUM BU L L.

Dec. 16, 1715:

T was one of the Enigma's, of Pythagoras, When the Winds rife, worship the Echo. A modern Writer explains this to fignify, When popular Tumults begin, retive

to Solitudes, or fuch places where Echo's are

commonly found; Rocks, Wonds, &c." I am rather of opinion it fhould be interpreted, "When Rumours increafe, and when there

is abundance of Noife and Clamour, believe the fecond Report:" This I think agrees arore exactly with the Echo, and is the more natural application of the Symbol.

How