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"In our country a man feldom fets up for a Poet, without attacking the reputation of all his brothers in the art, &c."

a very

I am forry to find that an Author who is justly esteemed among the best judges, has admitted fome ftrokes of this nature into fine Poem, "The Art of Criticism." This gave offence to Pope. The persons whom Addison confidered as described by Pope, most probably were Dennis, and Pope's own friend, Wycherley.

"But Appius reddens, &c."

and

"Such Bards we have, &c."

There was another circumstance which perhaps caused Addison to speak somewhat feverely; I mean, Pope's attack upon Burnet; for the line

"When unbelieving Priests reform'd the nation,”

I have no doubt alluded to him. Jortin imagines the satire of the paffage was levelled against Burnet and Kennet, whom Warburton probably means, when he speaks of latitudinarian Divines! Notwithstanding Pope's conftant boaft of " Moderation," it is well known what was his Creed, and what were his Politics; and his petulant hoftility to Dr. Burnet, a man deservedly raised to his high station in the church, might be easily accounted for.

These circumstances, I have no doubt, occafioned Addison to fpeak as he did; but it must be added, respecting Pope's general charge of Socianism,

("The following licence of a foreign reign,

Did all the dregs of bold Socinus drain,")

that it was, in William's reign, undoubtedly juft; in confequence of the difpofition of man to run from one extreme into another. An address was presented by the House of Commons to the King, Feb. 17th, 1698; "Befeeching his majefty to give effectual orders for fuppreffing all pernicious books and pamphlets, which contained impious doctrines against the Holy Trinity, and other fundamental articles of the Proteftant Faith, tending to the fubversion of the Christian Religion."

Nothing can more clearly demonstrate the fpeculative licentioufnefs of the times.

* Tindal

[graphic]

THE RAPE OF THE LOCK.

AN HEROI-COMICAL POEM.

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR MDCCXII.

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ARABELLA FERMOR,

From a Picture by Sir Peter Lely.

r

in the Collection of W. Fermor, Esq. Tusmore, Oxfordshire.

Published by Cadell & Davies, Strand, and the other Proprietors, May 1.1807.

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