attain its end, it is not only wearied, but exasperated too at the vanity of its labours; then we speak ill of happier studies, and, sighing, condemn the excellence which we find above our reach.

My* Zoilus, which you used to write about, I finished last spring, and left in town. I waited till I came up to send it you, but not arriving here before your book was out, imagined it a lost piece of labour. If you will still have it, you need only write me word.

I have here seen the First Book of Homer,‡ which came out at a time when it could not but appear as a kind of setting up against you. My opinion is, that you may, if you please, give them thanks who writ it. Neither the numbers nor the spirit have an equal mastery with yours; but what surprizes me more is, that, a scholar being concerned, there should happen to be some mistakes in the author's sense;§ such as putting the light

Printed for B. Lintot, 1715, 8vo. and afterwards added to the last edition of his poems.

Pope.

↑ Parnelle assisted Pope by giving him the Essay on Homer's Life; in which, though there appears a good deal of research and ancient learning, yet it is delivered in so uncouth and harsh a style, even after it was repeatedly corrected and altered, that Pope always continued much dissatisfied with it. Warton.

Pope.

Written by Mr. Addison, and published in the name of Mr. Tickell. § There cannot be a stronger proof that it was not Addison's. His scholarship was well known, and is proved clearly by his education, and his own most elegant compositions in Latin, which display the greatest accuracy in that language; and it is not likely such a scholar should be so ignorant of Greek. Considering Pope's limited education, can it be supposed that he was a

of Pallas's eyes into the eyes of Achilles, making the taunt of Achilles to Agamemnon (that he should have spoils when Troy should be taken) to be a cool and serious proposal; the translating what you call ablution by the word offals, and so leaving water out of the rite of lustration, &c. but you must have taken notice of all this before. I write not to inform you, but to shew I always have you at heart. I am, &c.

LETTER XXI.

THE REV. DR. BERKLEY TO MR. POPE.

-Some days ago, three or four gentlemen and myself, exerting that right which all readers pretend to over authors, sate in judgment upon the two new translations of the first Iliad. Without partiality to my countrymen, I assure you, they all gave the preference where it was due; being unanimously of opinion, that yours was equally just to the sense with Mr. -'s, and without compari

more correct translator than Addison? Addison's classical attainments, from the most indubitable proofs, were superior to Pope's; and, if the translation was his, is it likely he should have committed any glaring mistakes of the meaning? Bowles.

Whether the translation was Tickell's or Addison's, certain it is, by Addison's own admission to Pope, that he had undertaken to peruse it for Tickell, and, as his earnestness for its success is well known, any mistakes in the author's sense are at least as imputable to the critic as they are to the author.

son more easy, more poetical, and more sublime. But I will say no more on such a thread-bare subject, as your late performance is at this time.

I am, &c.

LETTER XXII.

MR. GAY TO MR. POPE.

(EXTRACT.)

July 8, 1715.

-I have just set down Sir Samuel Garth at the opera. He bid me tell you that every body is pleased with your translation, but a few at Button's; and that Sir Richard Steele told him, that Mr. Addison said the other translation was the best that ever was in any language.* He treated me with extreme civility, and out of kindness gave me a squeeze by the fore-finger. I am informed that at Button's your character is made very free with as to morals, &c., and Mr. Addison says, that your translation and Tickell's are both very well done, but that the latter has more of Homer.+ I am, &c.

* Sir Richard Steele afterwards, in his preface to an edition of the Drummer, a comedy by Mr. Addison, shews it to be his opinion, that "Mr. Addison himself was the person who translated this book."

Pope.

† Mr. Addison might have said this with great sincerity.

Bowles.

LETTER XXIII.

DR. ARBUTHNOT TO MR. POPE.

(EXTRACT.)

July 9, 1715.

I congratulate you upon Mr. T-'s first book. It does not indeed want its merit; but I was strangely disappointed in my expectation of a translation nicely true to the original; whereas, in those parts where the greatest exactness seems to be demanded, he has been the least careful, I mean the History of Ancient Ceremonies and Rites, &c. &c., in which you have with great judgment been exact. I am, &c.

DEAR POPE,

LETTER XXIV.

MR. GAY TO MR. POPE.

(1716.)

*

Too late I see, and confess myself mistaken in relation to the comedy; yet I do not think, had I followed your advice, and only introduced the mummy, that the absence of the crocodile had saved it. I cannot help laughing myself, (though the vulgar do not consider it was designed to look ridiculous) to think how the poor monster and mummy were dashed at their reception; and, when the cry was loudest, I thought that if the • Three Hours after Marriage.

thing had been written by another, I should have deemed the town in some measure mistaken; and, as to your apprehension that this may do us future injury, do not think of it; the doctor has a more valuable name than can be hurt by any thing of this nature, and yours is doubly safe. I will, if any shame there be, take it all to myself, and indeed I ought, the motion being first mine, and never heartily approved by you.

LETTER XXV.

MR. POPE TO DR. SWIFT.

June 20, 1716.

I CANNOT suffer a friend* to cross the Irish seas without bearing a testimony from me of the constant esteem and affection I am both obliged and inclined to have for you. It is better he should tell you than I, how often you are in our thoughts and in our cups, and how I learn to sleep less + and drink more whenever you are named among us. I look upon a friend in Ireland, as upon a friend in the other world, whom (popishly speaking) I believe constantly well disposed towards me, and ready to do me all the good he can, in that state of separation, though I hear nothing

Mr. Jervas, who paid a visit to Ireland soon after the date of this letter.

† Alluding to his constant custom of sleeping after dinner. Warburton.