Pope's publications:--"This man is always abusing _me_ or the
_King_!"

[298] Bentley, in one place, having to give a positive contradiction
to the statement of the bookseller, rising in all his dignity
and energy, exclaims, "What can be done in this case? Here are
two contrary affirmations; and the matter being done in
private, neither of us have any witness. I might plead, as
AEmilius Scaurus did against one Varius, of Sucro. _Varius
Sucronensis ait, AEmilius Scaurus negat. Utri creditis
Quirites?_" p. 21.--The story is told by Valerius Maximus,
lib. iii. c. 7. Scaurus was insolently accused by one Varius,
a Sucronian, that he had taken bribes from Mithridates:
Scaurus addressed the Roman people. "He did not think it just
that a man of his age should defend himself against
accusations, and before those who were not born when he filled
the offices of the republic, nor witnessed the actions he had
performed. Varius, the Sucronian, says that Scaurus, corrupted
by gold, would have betrayed the republic; Scaurus replies, It
is not true. Whom will you believe, fellow-Romans?"--This
appeal to the people produced all the effect imaginable, and
the ridiculous accuser was silenced.

Bentley points the same application, with even more
self-consciousness of his worth, in another part of his
preface. It became necessary to praise himself, to remove the
odium Boyle and his friends had raised on him--it was a
difficulty overcome. "I will once more borrow the form of
argument that AEmilius Scaurus used against Varius Sucronensis.
Mr. Spanheim and Mr. Graevius give a high character of Dr. B.'s
learning: Mr. Boyle gives the meanest that malice can furnish
himself with. _Utri creditis, Quirites?_ Whether of the
characters will the present age or posterity believe?"--p. 82.
It was only a truly great mind which could bring itself so
close to posterity.

[299] It was the fashion then to appear very unconcerned about one's
literary reputation; but then to be so tenacious about it when
once obtained as not to suffer, with common patience, even the
little finger of criticism to touch it. Boyle, after defending
what he calls his "honesty," adds, "the rest _