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is the only one I could wish omitted of all you have written: but I wou'd not defire it fhould be fo, unless I had the merit of removing your objection: I beg you but to point out thofe ftrokes to me, and you may be aflured they fall be treated without

mercy.

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Since we are upon proofs of fincerity < (which I am pretty confident will turn to the advantage of us both in each other's 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 Verfes of Syfiphus's Stone, *never having been made before

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any of the Criticks: I'happen'd to find the fame in Dyonifius of Halicarnaffus's Treatife, - περι Συνθεσεισ Ονόματον, who treats very largely upon thefe Verfes. I know you will think fit to foften your Expreffion, when you fee the pallage; which you must needs have read, tho' It be fince flipt out of your memory. I am with the utmost esteem,

Your, &c.ot

Thefe Words are fince left out in Mr. Tickel's Edition,

but were extant in all during Mr. Addifon's Lije.

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2

HALIFAX.

My LORD, nost Dec. 1 1714. I Am obliged to you, both for the favours

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you have done me, and for those you intend me. I diftruft neither your will nor your memory, when it is to do good: and if ever I become troublefome or follicitous, it must not be out of expectation, but out of gratitude. Your Lordship may either caufe 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 small one.o It is indeed a high ftrain of generofity in you, to think of making me eafy all my life, only becaufe 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)

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Mr. POPE to Mr. CONGREVE.

M

Jan. 16, 1714-15.

got. (1

Ethinks when I write to you, I am making a confeffion, I have can't tell how) fuch a cuftom of throwing myfelf 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 difpraise to me that they will not. The cleannefs and purity of one's mind is never better prov'd, than in difcovering its own faults at firft view: as when a Stream fhows the dirt at its bottom, it hows alfo the transparency of the water. My fpleen was not occafioned, however, by any thing an abufive, angry Critick could write of me. I take very kindly your heroick manner of congra tulation 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 Pamphlet this Year, intitled, Remarks on Mr. Pope's Homer.

and

M.Gucht Sculp.

MWilliam Congreve

"

W

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