world, but there are ten thousand to go out of it, and return no more.

I profefs to your highness in the integris ty of my heart, that what I am going to fay is literally true this minute I am writing: what revolutions may happen before it fhall be ready for your perufal, I can by no means warrant: however, I beg you to accept it as a fpecimen of our learning, our politenefs, and our wit. I do therefore affirm upon the word of a fincere man, that there is now actually in being a certain poet, called John Dryden, whofe tranflation of Virgil was lately printed in a large folio, well bound, and if diligent fearch were made, for aught I know, is yet to be seen. There is another, called Nahum Tate, who is ready to make oath, that he has caufed many reams of verfe to be pub lifhed, whereof both himself and his bookfeller (if lawfully required) can ftill pro duce authentic copies, and therefore wonders why the world is pleafed to make fuch a fecret of it. There is a third, known by the name of Tom Durfey, a poet of a vaft comprehenfion, an univerfal genius, and most profound learning. There are K 2

allo

alfo one Mr. Rymer, and one Mr. Dennis, most profound critics. There is a perfon ftyled Dr. Bentley, who has written near a thousand pages of immenfe erudition, giving a full and true account of a certain Squabble of wonderful importance between himself and a book feller: he is a writer of 'infinite wit and humour; no man rallies with a better grace, and in more fprightly Farther I avow to your highness,

turns.

that with these eyes I have beheld the perfon of William Wotton, B. D. who has written a good fizeable volume against a friend of your governor' (from whom alas he muft therefore look for little favour) in a moft gentlemanly ftile, adorned with the utmoft politenefs and civility; replete with discoveries equally valuable for their novelty and use; and embellished with traits of wit fo poignant and fo appofite, that he is a worthy yokemate to his foremention'd friend.

Why should I go upon farther particulars, which might fill a volume with

: e Bentley in his controverfy account of his dialogues with with lord Orrery upon the ge- a bookseller about the loan and nuineness of Phalaris's epiftles reftitution of a MS.

has given, in a preface, à longf Sir William Temple.

the

the just elogies of my contemporary brethren? I fhall bequeath this piece of juftice to a larger work; wherein I intend to write a character of the present set of wits in our nation: their perfons I shall describe particularly and at length, their genius and understandings in mignature.

In the mean time, I do here make bold to prefent your highness with a faithful abftract drawn from the univerfal body of all arts and sciences, intended wholly for your fervice and inftruction: nor do I doubt in the leaft, but your highness will peruse it as carefully, and make as confiderable improvements, as other young princes have already done by the many volumes of late years written for a help to their studies.

That your highness may advance in wifdom and virtue, as well as years, and at last out-fhine all your royal ancestors, shall be the daily prayer of,

SIR,

Decemb.

1697

Your Highness's

Moft devoted, &c.

There were innumerable books printed for the use of the

Dauphine of France.

1

PREF A CE.

TH

HE wits of the present age being fo very numerous and penetrating, it feems the grandees of church and ftate begin to fall under horrible apprehenfions, left thefe gentlemen, during the intervals of a long peace, fhould find leisure to pick holes in the weak fides of religion and go

vernment.

To prevent which, there has been much thought employed of late upon certain projects for taking off the force, and edge of thofe formidable enquirers, from canvafing and reafoning upon fuch delicate points. They have at length fixed upon one, which will require fome time as well as coft to perfect. Mean while, the danger hourly encreafing by new levies of wits all appointed (as there is reafon to fear) with pen, ink, and paper, which may at an hour's warning be drawn out into pamphlets, and other offenfive weapons, ready for immediate execution ; it was judged of abfolute neceffity, that fome prefent expedient be thought on, 'till K 4

the