Chapter II: Part 2

The Doctor may as well set up a Society to find out the _Grand Elixir_, the _Perpetual Motion_, the _Longitude_, and other such Discoveries, as to fix our Language beyond their own Times. The Test of their Successors will vary with the Age, and their Rules grow obsolete as well as their Words. He would make us believe, that the _French_ Academy have not been able to preserve their Language from Decay, and who are the Men in _Britain_ who pretend to greater Genius for Eloquence than the most Polite of the Politest Nation in _Europe_. Mr. _Waller_ Elegantly complains of the Change which necessarily happens to Stile, and does it however in Language which shews, that the Doctor need not be afraid of People's forgetting his Patron a Hundred Years hence, if he can write as good _English_ upon him now, as Mr. _Waller_ did on this Subject Threescore Years ago.

_But who can hope his Lines should long
Last, in a daily changing Tongue,
While they are new, Envy prevails,
And as that dies, our Language fails._

_When Architects have done their Part,
The Matter may betray their Art,
Time, if we use ill Chosen Stone,
Soon brings a well-built Palace down._

_Poets that Lasting Marble seek,
Must carve in +Latin+ or in +Greek+,
We write in Sand, our Language grows,
And like our Tide, Ours overflows._

Our Author sees _no necessity of this Changing our Language_. What has been the Fate of all Tongues Ancient and Modern, and for the same Reasons will Eternally be so, he wou'd defend ours from, because the Chinese _have Books in their Tongue above 2000 Years Old_; And a History of 30000 Years Period with a Succession of Kings, 20000 Years before _Adam_. It wou'd be a Discovery worthy those Men who have lately been reconciling Contradictions, and building Arguments upon Nonsence, to find out that _certain Standard for our Tongue, to which, if it were refin'd_, he assures us, _it might be fixt for Ever_. This wou'd be doing what was never done before, what neither _Roman_ nor _Greek_, which lasted the longest of any in its Purity, could pretend to. And this would not be the only strange thing that has lately happen'd to us, which never happen'd to a Nation before. It will be in vain to pretend to _ascertain_ Language, unless they had the Secret of setting Rules for Thinking, and could bring Thought to a Standard too. For every Age, as well as every Nation, has its different manner of Thinking, of which the Expression and Words will always have a Relish, and be Barbarous or Polite, according as the Times take their Turn. If from the abundance of good Sense which appears lately in every thing we do, The Doctor can demonstrate, that we never were in a better way towards the Perfection of Thought and Language, let him set about his Academy as soon as he pleases. But if the contrary is apparent, it may not be improper to wait for some more propitious Opportunity. Besides, there will in all times be irregular Genius's, who out of Humour will prefer Affectation to Nature, and mistake Novelty for Beauty. _Boileau_ in his Reflections upon _Longinus_, has several Observations of this kind, which will shew the difference between true and false Judgment, by comparing what he writes with several Passages in the Doctor's Letter; he is speaking of the Famous _Ronsard_ and his Imitators, _Du-Bellai_, _Du Bartas_, _Desportes_, and other _French_ Poets in the Reigns of _Henry_ III. and IV. who were in great Fame for a long while, and when he wrote, sunk into the last Contempt. _The same among the_ +Romans+, says he, _was the Fate of_ +Naevius+, +Livius+, _and_ +Ennius+_,

who in _Horace_'s time had a great many Admirers as that Poet
informs us, but at last they were entirely decry'd. And it must not
be imagin'd that the Fall of these Authors, as well _French_ as
_Latin_, was owing to the Change of their Languages. The true Reason
was, they did not know how to hit the Point of Solidity and
Perfection in those Languages, which is necessary to make a Work
last, and set a Value upon it for ever. In effect, the _Latin_
Tongue, as it was written by _Cicero_ and _Virgil_, was very much
chang'd in _Quintilian_'s Time, and still more in the Time of _Aulus
Gellus_. However _Cicero_ and _Virgil_ were then more esteem'd than
even in their own Time, because they attain'd the height of
Perfection, of which I have spoken. It is not therefore on account
of the antiquated Words and Expressions in _Ronsard_, that _Ronsard_
has lost the Reputation he once had, but because the Beauties which
were thought to be in him, appear'd all at once to be no Beauties at
all.

Thus we see, that in order to bring us to the degree of Perfection with which the Doctor flatters us by means of his new Academy, they must teach us first to think justly, to distinguish false Beauty from true, and glaring from Brightness, to banish those that write by Humour, and receive only such as aim at Solidity in their Writings. How the Celebrated _Tale_ of a Tub will come off then with the best Judges, I can easily guess, that excellent Treatise being much of the same nature as _Rabelais_, of whom _La Bruyere_ says, _+Rabelais+ is incomprehensible: His Book is an inexplicable Enigma, a meer Chimera; It has a Woman's Face, with the Feet and Tail of a Serpent, or some Beast more deform'd. 'Tis a Monstrous Collection of Political and Ingenious Morality, with a Mixture of Beastliness; where 'tis bad 'tis abominable, and fit for the Diversion of the Rabble, and where 'tis good 'tis exquisite, and may entertain the most delicate._

People very often apply those Faults to the Expression and Words which are originally in the thought. The Merit of such as write by Humour, Changes with the Mode, and their Language savouring of their Sentiments, must of course grow out of Fashion. _Ronsard_ the _French_ Poet was so far from writing ill _French_, that _Pasquier_ thought the _French_ Tongue in its Perfection in his Writings and yet upon the Appearance of _Malherb_ and _Bacan_, he was no more read nor talk'd of; Whereas there were Authors before him, whose Writings are now in general Esteem, as _Marot_ and St. _Galais_, for the kind of Poetry in which they excell'd, and their Stile is imitated for its Simplicity, by which _la Fountain_ acquir'd his Fame.

Instances of this kind may be given in our own Tongue, which has improv'd in Refinement as much as the _French_. Our _Shakespear_ shone on the Stage, with all the Qualities of a Dramatick Poet, and _Diction_ in particular, when the _French_ Stage was Barbarous. His Style has its Beauties now, and is newer than many who have since Writ, and for a while with Reputation.

Among all the various ways in which we of late have endeavour'd to endear our selves to the _French_, and make 'em forgive us for beating them so, nothing certainly will oblige 'em more than our affecting to imitate them in our Political Style. Of this Nature is that Novelty the Reverend Author has introduc'd into our Language, where the Term _Prime Minister_ has no more a Place than _Will and Pleasure_. Pray who among the many Ministers Her Majesty is so happily serv'd by, does she Honour with that Name, and how comes it that _Prime_ does not go with Precedence? What Law of ours Impowers any body to order our Language to be _Inspected_, and who is there that wou'd think himself oblig'd to obey him in it? Is there no difference between the Ministers of a Despotick Monarchy, and the Servants of a limited one, who have no Rule but the Law, and are as accountable to it as the vilest of their Flatterers. We see how our Tongue would be improv'd and enlarg'd, had the Doctor and his Brethren the ordering of it. He has already impos'd on us the Court Style of _France_, and their Politicks wou'd soon come after it. He pastes a particular Compliment on our Tongue and his Patron, that they have not Merit enough to subsist a Hundred Years without mending. As bad as our _English_ is, I'll engage it will subsist in the History of another great Man of this Nation, as long as the Names of _Edward_ the III. or _Henry_ V. shall be remembred in _Britain_. There being some Characters so illustrious that without the Ornaments of Stile or the Beauties of Wit, they Shine in their Native Dress, and make every thing look Glorious about them. Others there are which require all the Advantages of Language and Invention, and darken every Thing that comes near them. The best of it is, the Contempt with which he treats the _English_ Tongue, is not like to do it any harm, for whatever becomes of any ones History a Hundred Years hence, the Doctor's will certainly be of much shorter Date, unless his Censurers should preserve the Memory of him, or he thinks fit to own at last some other of his Productions, when 'tis probable Fortune has done her best or her worst for him.

I have several very good Reasons why, if I were to be of this Academy, I would banish the word Dozen out of our Dictionary, and the Doctor has no doubt his to be fond of it, and fixing it there for ever. The _French_ King says _he has given about half a dozen Pensions to Learned Men in several Parts of +Europe+, and perhaps a dozen in his own Kingdom_; which, he said, purely out of Affection to the Word Dozen, because he knew full well the _French_ King bestows Pensions on a Hundred Men in several Parts of _Europe_; and on a Thousand in his own Kingdom, who excel in Arts and Literature, _which, including the whole, do not amount to half the Income of many a Private Commoner in +England+_. Whereas I will engage to name Him a Hundred Pensions in _France_ that have been given to Men of Letters, every one of which shall amount to more than half the Income of a dozen Lords, let me have the naming of them too. The History of his Reign, which has been so long Writing, has cost him near threescore Thousand Pounds Sterling. _Boileau_ himself, after he had liv'd a Life of Affluence and Pleasure, keeping a Country-House and City-House, dy'd worth above Five or Six Thousand Pounds, which he had wholly from the King. Not to mention the Rewards _Racine_, _Valincourt_, and other Poets and Historians had, who were imployed about his History; Nor those to all Academies of Sciences founded by him, and the great Pensions he allow'd the Professors. The prodigious Expences he has been at in Printing only at the _Louvre_, would perhaps amount to a Sum equal to the whole Income of several Dozens that might be thought of above the Rank of Commoners.

The last Pages of the Doctor's Book are incomparable, full of most delicate Eulogy in the World, which I cannot read without calling to mind that Verse of _Despreaux_ to Monsieur _Seignelai_.

_Tout Eloge imposteur blesse une ame sincere._

To paint a _Mecaenas_ like a _Mars_, and confound Men's Qualities, is
a Stale Practice of sorded Flatterers, which Men of Merit reject
with Disdain.

_Un Coeur Noble est content de ce qu'il trouve en lui._
_Et ne Supplaudit point de Qualitez d'autrui._

A great Soul scorns to usurp another's worth, and is always content
with its own.

The Doctor seems to have an Opinion, that every body loves Flattery as well as himself, and will take any Thing kindly that is said in their Favour. A little more Sincerity would not be amiss in the Composition of a Clergy-man and if this is the way to get the _Medal_ he talks of, it will be dearly purchas'd.

I shall be heartily glad to see some of those Productions from Men above Money, that shall deserve the Laurel he has prepar'd for them. People, I doubt not, will crowd to get their Scriptions in, as they do to get Money into the Lottery; but certainly, the Society will take care of themselves, and if there's any thing to be got have the Forestalling of the Market. The Design itself is useful, and cannot meet with too much Encouragement, Her Majesty, always willing to promote the Good of our Country, will, it is hop'd, hearken to it in due time; but if it _be defer'd till Peace_ there will be no great Harm in it, tho' he is pleas'd to rally one of the late M------rs, as much above his Satyr as his Panagyrick, for being so silly as to prefer Necessity to Convenience.

The want of a _Grammar_ and _Dictionary_ has been long complain'd of; and we cannot expect our Tongue will ever spread abroad, unless Foreigners are put into a more regular Method of learning it. To distribute Rewards to Merit, is the Duty of a good Ministry, and nothing contributes more to the Glory of a Country than Works of _Eloquence_ and _Wit_; but he has assum'd a Post that will not be allow'd him. He has set himself in the Director's Chair of an _English_ Academy; before he has past Examination whether he is fit for a Place at the Board; Members are nam'd that have no Right to such Honour, unless it is a Privilege that is Inseperable from their Posts and Peerage; and he has given us Assurance of fine Pieces of _Wit_ and _Eloquence_ from a Quarter it never yet came.

Projectors, like Quacks, promise Wonders but 'tis always the Labour of the Mountain------I might enlarge on this Head if I had not run my Reflections too far already. I shall therefore conclude with a Discription of one of those Quacks and Pretenders, as I find it in the Speech of the famous _Alexander Bendo_, who, as much a Quack as he was, understood our Tongue and our Constitution as well as the Doctor and his Master.

_Reflect a little_, says he, _what a kind of Creature a Quack is._ Mind what follows. _He is one who is fain to supply some higher Ability he pretends to with Craft. He draws great Companies to him by undertaking strange Things which can never be effected._ The rest is so valuable, that tho I digress'd in it Ten times more than I do, I would present the Doctor with it, and leave it to his serious Consideration.

_The Politician by his Example, no doubt, finding how the People are taken with specious, miraculous Impossibilities, plays the same Game, protests, declares, promises, I know not what things, which he is sure can ne'er be brought about. The People believe, are deluded, and pleased; the Expectation of a future Good, which shall never befal them, draws their Eyes off of a present Evil. Thus they are kept and establish'd in Subjection, Peace and Obedience, and he in Greatness, Wealth, and Power: So you see the Politician is, and must be a Quack in State Affairs and the Quack (no doubt if he thrives) is an Errant Politician in Physick._

_FINIS._

* * * * *
* * * *

The
_BRITISH_
ACADEMY:

being a
New-Erected SOCIETY

for the
Advancement of Wit and Learning:

with
Some few OBSERVATIONS upon it.

----_Hae +Tibi+ erunt Artes:_
_Pacisq; imponere Morem._ Virgil.

_LONDON_:

Printed in the Year MDCCXII.

Price Two-pence.

The

_British_ Academy, _&c._

Such is our Case at present, that if we have a Mind to be agreeably entertain'd with the State of our own Affairs, we must look into Foreign Papers, rather than into those that are publish'd here by Authority; and therefore I often read the _Dutch_ Prints with the same Eagerness and Pleasure, as the _French_ at _Paris_ read the _Post Boy_. If we have no good News for Our selves here, we may sometimes find some from _Holland_; and what is good, is so rare, that I had rather have it from any Place, than not at all. I was so delighted with the following Paragraph in the _Amsterdam_ Gazette of the 20th of _May_ 1712. _N.S._ that I cou'd not help transcribing, and turning it into _English_, that such Comfortable Tidings to _Men of Obscure Merit_, might be convey'd all over the Nation. And I shall endeavour to prove, that the Design there mention'd, is much likelier to succeed in _England_, than ever it was in _France_.

The Words of the _Dutch_ Gazette are as follows, in the Article from _London_.

_Il s'est forme ici depuis peu +une Societe pour recompenser & encourager le Merite, par report aux beaux Arts+. Elle doit etre composee de 21 Membres, dont il y en a deja 19 d'Arretez savoir les Ducs de Beaufort & d'Ormond; les Comites d'Arran & d'Orrery: les Lords Duplin, Gendre du Grand Tresorier; Harley, Fils dudit Tresorier; Lansdowne, Secretaire des Guerres; Masham & Bathurst: les Chevalier Windham: Messieurs St. Jean, Secretaire d'Etat: Harcourt Fils du Garde des Seaux; Raymond Solliciteur-General; les Colonels Hill & Desney; Swif, Docteur en Theologie; Prior Arbuthnott, Medicin de la Reine; & Friend, Medicin du Duc d'Ormond. Ces Messieurs, qui ont reserve de Nommer les Deux autre, Membres lors qu'ils le jugeront a propos, s'assemblant tous les Jeudis, & ont deja fait des gratifications a quelques Auteurs dont les ouvrages ont ete goutez, & recommande d'autres aux Ministres d'Etat pour avoir quelque Etablissement._

There has been lately form'd here _a Society to Reward and Encourage Merit, with respect to the Liberal Arts and Sciences_. It is to be composed of 21 Members, of which Number there are already 19 chosen: That is to say, The Dukes of _Beaufort_ and _Ormond_; the Earls of _Arran_ and _Orrory_; the Lords _Duplin_, Son-in-Law of the Great Treasurer; _Harley_, Son of the said Treasurer; _Lansdown_, Secretary of War; _Masham_ and _Bathurst_; Sir _W. Windham_; Mr. _St. John_, Secretary of State; _Harcourt_, Son of the Lord Keeper; and _Raymond_, Sollicitor-General: The Colonels _Hill_ and _Desney_; _Swift_, Doctor of Divinity; _Prior_, _Arbuthnott_ the Queen's Physician; and _Friend_, Physician to the Duke of _Ormond_. These Gentlemen who have deferr'd naming the other Two Members till such time as they think fit, do now assemble every _Thursday_, and have already given Rewards to some Authors, whose Works have been approved of, and have recommended Others to the Ministers of State, that they may have some Establishment.

This Fact being thus fairly related, the Reader is desired to observe, That it was in the Year 1629, under the single Ministry of Cardinal _Richlieu_, when a Society of such great Wits was first form'd at _Paris_; which was soon after establish'd, by an Edict of the King, with the Style and Title of the _French_ Academy. And it is left to be determin'd by all Judicious Readers, whether this _British_ Seminary of Wit and Learning is not a Copy of that Renown'd Society in _France_; and whether the Design and Model of it has not been approved of there, since our happy Correspondence with that Ingenious Nation.

The _French_ Society consisted only at their first Meeting, of Seven or Eight Men of Letters, who met together to talk about their Books and Writings: And it was some time before Monsieur _Servien_, Secretary of State, and other Persons, distinguish'd by their Condition, as well as by their Merit, were added to the Company. But here we see the _British_ Society, at the very first Formation of it, is compos'd of no less than Two Dukes, not only capable of _Rewarding_, but of Judging, as well as of Writing: And likewise of Two Earls; Five Lords; One Knight; One Secretary of State; Two Colonels of Foot, and One Squire: Not to mention the Lawyer; the Doctors; the Religious Priest; and the Poet. What therefore may we not expect from the future Progress of this Society, which sets out with so much greater Lustre, than that of its Original at _Paris_; so famous now all over _Europe_.

The Great End and Business of the _French_ Academy, was to correct and refine their Language, as may be seen at large in the History of that Academy, written by Monsieur _Pelisson_: And we have already a Proposal, publish'd the 17th of _May_ 1712, _for Correcting, Improving, and Ascertaining the +English+ Tongue, in a Letter to the most Honourable +Robert+ Earl of +Oxford+ and +Mortimer+, Lord High Treasurer of +Great Britain+: By +Jonathan Swift+, D.D._

_Louis_, King of France, by Letters Patents, in the Year 1635, having mention'd the Great Things done for the Glory and Embellishment of _France_, by his dearly belov'd Cousin the Cardinal _Richlieu_, His Principal Minister of State, gives that Minister Power and Authority to call himself the Chief, and the Protector of the _French_ Academy: And doubtless the Scheme of this _British_ Academy is form'd with a View no less Glorious; That the Great and Memorable Actions of this _Minister_; the mighty Things perfom'd for the Allies and the Common Cause; the vast Successes against the Enemy; and, above all, the Restoring of Credit, and Paying the Publick Debts, may be fairly transmitted to Posterity.

That this is the chief Design of our _new Erected Society_, is plainly insinuated by the Author of the Letter before mentioned; for which the Reader may please to see his own Words: _If Things go on_, says he, _at the present Rate_, (that is, if our Language be not corrected, improved, and ascertain'd,) _all I can promise your Lordship, is, That about Two hundred Years hence some painful Compiler, who will be at the Trouble of studying old Language, may inform the World, that in the Reign of +Queen ANNE+, +ROBERT Earl of OXFORD, a very Wise and Excellent Man+, was made +High Treasurer+, and saved his Countrey._ [Mark those last Words, pray, as you go along.] _Thus much he may be able to pick out, and willing to transfer into his New History; but the rest of your Character which I, or any other Writer, may value our selves by drawing: And the Particular Account of the +great+ Things, done under your Ministry, for which you are already so Celebrated in +most+ Parts of +Europe+, will probably be dropt._ So far that Author: But I cannot help differing with him in one Particular: For I am firmly of Opinion, that altho our Language should happen not to be _improved_ or _ascertain'd_, yet the _great Things_ done by that _very Wise and Excellent Man_, will not so easily be forgotten; nor the _rest_ of his Character be _dropt_, for which he is already _so celebrated in most Parts of +Europe+_.

Besides, as there seems to be an Exact Agreement between the intended Protector of this Society, and that of the _French_ Academy in its Infancy, there can be no Doubt but the great Work will be carried on after much the same Manner, and under the same Statutes and Regulations. And it appears in Monsieur _Pelisson_'s History of the _French_ Academy, That every Member of it, both Present and Future, Friend or Foe, was oblig'd in Gratitude to their Protector, to _revere his Virtue and his Memory_. The _British_ Academicians being therefore under the same Obligation, how is it possible that their _Protector_'s _Vertue_ or _Memory_ should ever be forgotten?

And there is one considerable Advantage, which our New Academy will have above the _French_. For it appears by the History just mention'd, that after the _French_ King had given his Consent, that his dear Cousin should be Chief of the Academy, the Parliament could not for a long while be brought to confirm the Patent. And Monsieur _Pelisson_ gives the Reasons of it. _Cardinal +Richlieu+_, says he, _having carried the +Royal Authority+ a great deal higher than any one had done before him; tho belov'd by some, was envy'd by others, hated and detested by many, fear'd and dreaded by all. His Creatures_, continues he, _talk'd of this Design with excessive Encomiums. Never_, said they, _were the past Ages possest of so much Eloquence as ours is like to be. We shall out-do all that went before us, and all that shall come after. And the greatest Share of the Glory will redound to the Academy and the Cardinal. Others, on the contrary, treated this Design as ridiculous. They accused the Academy as aiming to give Laws to Things not susceptible of them, and were perpetually falling upon them with Jests and Satyrs. Distrustful People could not tell but there might be a Snake in the Grass; and were afraid the establishing this Society would be a new Support of his Domination, that they were only his Pensioners, maintain'd by him to justify all his Actions, and make Observations on those of others._ These were the Difficulties in France: But our New Society need fear no such Opposition as the _Frenchmen_ found from their Parliament of _Paris_. Our _Parl----t_ will most certainly be as forward to pass an Act in Favour of them and their Protector, as they have been to do so many great Things already for him and the Nation, and even to pass a Vote in his Praise. Besides, there is no Body can pretend that _he has ever carried the Royal Authority higher than any one had done before him_; nor can it be imagin'd that he has a thousandth Part of the Enemies that Cardinal _Richlieu_ had: And I am fully persuaded, that all Things being consider'd, both at Home and Abroad, there is not a Man in the World that _envies_ him. And tho he has been suspected to _maintain Pensioners to justify his own Actions, and make Observations on those of others_; yet, whoever will look carefully over the List of the Members, must needs acquit him of that Calumny, and confess, that he who pick'd out such a Set of _Wits_ and _Patrons_, could have no such base Thoughts in his Head.

When the _French_ Academy had settled their Statutes, the next Thing they did was to get a Seal. And what was the Impression? Why, only their Protectors Picture; not engrav'd like a _Seneca_'s Head, but drawn at length with a modest Word on the Reverse. _To Immortality._ Something like this may be very easily done here. But I am not for putting on the Reverse, _the Bill for the Protestant Succession_; tho it may be seen in the Protector's Hand at Sir _G. Kneller_'s: For that is too gross, even for a common Picture. But what think you of his own Head on one Side and Twelve Lords on the Reverse? Or since all other Societies have taken their _Motto's_ from the Old World, suppose he fetch'd one from the New; and clapp'd his own Face upon the Frontispiece, with this Word on the Reverse, written in Cyphers, _THE SOUTH-SEA_.

I have but one or two Objections to the Statutes in _France_, which I cannot get over. One is, they must not meddle with Matters of Religion. This might have very ill Consequences, and hinder their Top Wit from shewing his Talents: I mean that Orthodox Divine, who it is well known was never half so witty upon any other Subject, as upon that of Religion. Another Law of theirs that gives me Offence, is, The Law by which they are oblig'd to judge of no-body's Works but their own. For perhaps our Academy may not be in a Humour to write any Thing these Hundred Years, except a Trifle now and then, as an _Examiner_, a _Conduct_, a _John Bull_, or so. All which Works are allowable, because the _French_ Statute says, _Political Matters may be treated of conformably to the Authority of the State_.

There was one Rule more among the _French_ Academicians, that will never do in _England_ which is their forbidding the Academy's Certificate to be printed before the Writings of the Members, and allowing 'em only to put, _Par un tel de l'Academie Francoise_; As if one should say, _By such a Person of the +British+ Academy_. This would make mad Work here: Every little _Grubstreet_ Scribler would presently be publishing his Trash, with the stolen Title of _My Lord such a one, or Brigadier such a one, of the +British+ Academy._ And how should we be able to distinguish the Right from the Wrong, unless their License be printed before in Form, like a Privilege Royal, _To our Trusty and Well-beloved +Abel Roper+, of +London+, Bookseller_.

Having just mention'd _Abel_, it puts me in Mind of a certain Officer belonging to the _French_ Academy, call'd a Library-Keeper. This was given to one _Camusat_, the most Eminent Bookseller then in _Paris_: And I presume no body will say that Trusty _Abel_ is not the fittest Man in _England_ for that Office: He being supposed not only to have printed, but even to have father'd some considerable Works of the most Elegant of all our Academicians.

There's nothing else very remarkable in the Laws of the _French Academy_, except their forbidding any Member to write in their Defence, which it is probable will be thought worth observing here. For if our Society should pretend to answer every impertinent Thing that will be written against them, they would be finely set to Work. If therefore they should happen to be daily pelted at, the shortest way will be to despise their Opponents, and to consider themselves as Persons above the Reach of Malice; incorporated under a glorious Protector for some good End or other; and in daily Expectation of having a Charter and an Act of Parliament to back them; and of being made Wits by the Laws of the Land.

I cannot conclude without observing how pat every Thing happens: The _French_ Society met on _Thursdays_. So the News tells us, the _English_ do; with this good difference: The _French_ met after they had din'd. The _English_, they say, dine together, and drink a chearful Glass afterwards; which has great Efficacy in Matters of Wit and Eloquence, as well for those that are to _write_, as those that are to _reward_. Wine is therefore call'd _Generous_, and is as nearly ally'd to Wit, as Wit is to Madness. How much wittier are some Men over the third Bottle than over the first! A strong Reason that the Meeting should be at a Tavern, and not any private House, which the _French_ Academy found very inconvenient; for whenever the Members, at whose Houses they met, took a Fancy to Marry, their Wives turn'd the Wits out of Doors; as it happen'd in the Case of Monsieur _Conrart_ and some others. Thus they were driven from one place to another, till their Protector got them a Room in the King's own Palace; which cannot conveniently be done in _England_ whilst Lodgings are so scarce: And therefore I hope they will drink on as they do, till _Whitehall_ is rebuilt. And here I will leave them for the present: When their two other Members are chosen, it may perhaps be not unseasonable to acquaint the Publick with the further Progress of this hopeful Society; and to shew all the World how far we not only imitate or copy, but even excel our Friends the _French_. In the mean time, I hope, some of their best Writers will be order'd to give us a short Touch or Essay of their Eloquence, upon _our late Glorious Enterprize against the +French+, on +Tuesday+ the 20th of this present +May+, under the Command of his Grace the D. of +Orm--d+._

_FINIS._

* * * * *
* * * *

_THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY_

Announces Its

_Publications for the Third Year (1948-1949)_

[Transcriber's Note:
Where available, Project Gutenberg e-text numbers are shown in
brackets, along with other information. Some announced titles were
published in a later year, or not at all.]

_At least two_ items will be printed from each of the _three_ following groups:

Series IV: Men, Manners, and Critics

Sir John Falstaff (pseud.), _The Theatre_ (1720). [15999]
Aaron Hill, Preface to _The Creation_; and Thomas Brereton,
Preface to _Esther_. [15870: Hill article, and anonymous article
_Of Genius_]
Ned Ward, Selected Tracts.

Series V: Drama

Edward Moore, _The Gamester_ (1753). [16267]
Nevil Payne, _Fatal Jealousy_ (1673). [16916]
Mrs. Centlivre, _The Busie Body_ (1709). [16740: Year 4]
Charles Macklin, _Man of the World_ (1781). [14463: Year 5]

Series VI: Poetry and Language

John Oldmixon, _Reflections on Dr. Swift's Letter to Harley_ (1712);
and Arthur Mainwaring, _The British Academy_ (1712).
Pierre Nicole, _De Epigrammate_.
[In preparation as "An Essay on True and Apparent Beauty in Which
from Settled Principles is Rendered the Grounds for Choosing and
Rejecting Epigrams"]
Andre Dacier, Essay on Lyric Poetry.
[Published in year 13 as "The preface to Aristotle's Art of poetry"]

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English Literature Of The Seventeenth And Eighteenth Centuries

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During the first two years the publications are issued in three series: I. Essays on Wit; II. Essays on Poetry and Language; and III. Essays on the Stage.

_PUBLICATIONS FOR THE FIRST YEAR (1946-1947)_

MAY, 1946: Series I, No. 1--Richard Blackmore's _Essay upon Wit_ (1716), and Addison's _Freeholder_ No. 45 (1716). [13484]

JULY, 1946: Series II, No. 1--Samuel Cobb's _Of Poetry and Discourse on Criticism_ (1707). [14528]

SEPT., 1946: Series III, No. 1--Anon., _Letter to A. H. Esq.; concerning the Stage_ (1698), and Richard Willis' _Occasional Paper_ No. IX (1698). [14047]

NOV., 1946: Series I, No. 2--Anon., _Essay on Wit_ (1748), together with Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton's _Adventurer_ Nos. 127 and 133. [14973]

JAN., 1947: Series II, No. 2--Samuel Wesley's _Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry_ (1700) and _Essay on Heroic Poetry_ (1693). [16506]

MARCH, 1947: Series III, No. 2--Anon., _Representation of the Impiety and Immorality of the Stage_ (1704) and anon., _Some Thoughts Concerning the Stage_ (1704). [15656]

_PUBLICATIONS FOR THE SECOND YEAR (1947-1948)_

MAY, 1947: Series I, No. 3--John Gay's _The Present State of Wit_; and a section on Wit from _The English Theophrastus_. With an Introduction by Donald Bond. [14800]

JULY, 1947: Series II, No. 3--Rapin's _De Carmine Pastorali_, translated by Creech. With an Introduction by J. E. Congleton. [14495]

SEPT., 1947: Series III, No. 3--T. Hanmer's (?) _Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet_. With an Introduction by Clarence D. Thorpe. [14899]

NOV., 1947: Series I, No. 4--Corbyn Morris' _Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit_, etc. With an Introduction by James L. Clifford. [16233]

JAN., 1948: Series II, No. 4--Thomas Purney's _Discourse on the Pastoral_. With an Introduction by Earl Wasserman. [15313]

MARCH, 1948: Series III, No. 4--Essays on the Stage, selected, with an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch. [16335]

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EDWARD NILES HOOKER, _University of California, Los Angeles_
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LOUIS I. BREDVOLD, _University of Michigan_
BENJAMIN BOYCE, _University of Nebraska_
CLEANTH BROOKS, _Louisiana State University_
JAMES L. CLIFFORD, _Columbia University_
ARTHUR FRIEDMAN, _University of Chicago_
SAMUEL H. MONK, _University of Minnesota_
JAMES SUTHERLAND, _Queen Mary College, London_

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Errata (noted by transcriber)

The word "tho'" is written both with and without final apostrophe.

Typographical Errors and Inconsistencies

those of Carew of Antony and Edmund Bolton [_text unchanged_]
we are to be happier than we thought of [thonght]
and are more for _Liquids_ than the Men [more sor]
I give them over to Mr _Collier_ [_anomalous missing ._]
26th of _April_, 1711. [_. for ,_]
and some Years since [_"some-/Years" at line break_]
originally seems to be plac'd in the People [to to]
the Smock to be upript by the Butler
[_text unchanged: quoted passage has "unript"_]
went away with the For to's, [_. for ,_]
No, tho' y' have purchas'd to your Name [y have]
or what Works of theirs [theris]
_Horace_ asserts _Osse_ to be the only Rule of [_text unchanged_]
As naturally as Pigs squeak.: [_punctuation unchanged_]
did not approve of _Horace_, [_text unchanged_]
_Monumentum AEre perennius_? [pereunius]
as unintelligible in his Time [unintelligable]
_Horace_'s Works are still [ere]
there's a Thirst after Wit [ther'es]
the Thought from the Diction. [_missing ._]
when the _French_ Stage was Barbarous [the the]
to see some of those Productions [of of]
to rally one of the late M------rs [ofs the]
an Errant Politician in Physick [en Physick]

_with the +For to's+ and the +Until's+ in that general Rout that_ ...
[The italics are garbled in these lines: as printed,
_with the For to's_ and the _Until's_ in that general _Rout that_
or (with de-italicized text in +marks+)
_with the For to's +and the+ Until's +in that general+ Rout that_]

Mechanical Errors

Unless otherwise noted, the error is an invisible apostrophe. In
phrases containing more than one apostrophe, the relevant word is
given in brackets.

I am very unwilling to reckon our Author. [invisible .]
one of the Champions of our Church [invisible u in "Church"]
Publick Injuries are so seldom redress'd
I am very well satisfy'd,
his Academy will have the Glory of [invisible o in "of"]
for want of the _Ez's_ and _Er's_ [_Ez s_]
he has criticis'd on his Lordship's Poem [Lordship s]
Who pall'd the Appetite he meant to raise.
not to stand stockstill like Dr. +Donne+'s,
the +thereon's+, the +therein's+, [therein s]
the ancient House of the +hereof's+
his Epistle +de arte Poetica+, that [invisible a in "that"]
the Example of all the Polite Writers [invisible f in "of"]
whether any one wou'd not be better pleas'd [pleas d]
very much chang'd in _Quintilian_'s Time [_Quintilian_ s]
where 'tis bad 'tis abominable [tis bad]
confound Men's Qualities
of sorded Flatterers [invisible r in "sorded"]
_Un Coeur Noble est content de ce qu'il trouve en lui
as much above his Satyr [invisible a in "his"]
has been long complain'd of
he has assum'd a Post
Members are nam'd
strange Things which can never be effected. [invisible .]

Horace, _Ars Poetica_ (or _De Arte Poetica_) ll. 52-62

+Horace+, who tells us in his Epistle +de arte Poetica+,
that Present Use is the final Judge of Language,
(the Verse is too well known to need quoting)
Words going off and perishing like Leaves, and new ones coming in
their Places_, [60-62]

et nova fictaque nuper habebunt verba fidem si
Graeco fonte cadent, parce detorta. quid autem
Caecilio Plautoque dabit Romanus ademptum 55
Vergilio Varioque? ego cur, acquirere pauca
si possum, invideor, cum lingua Catonis et Enni
sermonem patrium ditaverit et nova rerum
signatum praesente nota producere nomen.
ut silvae foliis privos mutantur in annos, 60
prima cadunt ita verborum vetus interit aetas
et iuvenum ritu florent modo nata vigentque.

_Il s'est forme_ ...

Except for clear typographical errors, the French text was left unchanged because it is impossible to know where the errors originated. All accents are as printed.

les Ducs [text has Dues]
les Comites [spelling unchanged: modern form is Comtes]
les Chevalier Windham [error for le]
Fils du Garde des Seaux
[Error for Sceaux? In modern French, "seau" is a coal-scuttle while
"sceau" is a seal (here, Lord Keeper of the Seal)]
Swif [error for Swift]
Prior Arbuthnott [missing , or ; between names]
Medicin du Duc [text has Due, as above; spelling "Medicin" unchanged]
les Deux autre, [error for autres]
s'assemblant tous les Jeudis [text has tons]