and just. "To undervalue this dispute about 'Phalaris,'
because it does not suit one's own studies, is to quarrel with
a circle because it is not a square. If the question be not of
vulgar use, it was writ therefore for a few; for even the
greatest performances, upon the most important subjects, are
no entertainment at all to _the many of the world_."--p. 107.

[303] This index, a very original morsel of literary pleasantry, is at
once a satirical character of the great critic, and what it
professes to be. I preserve a specimen among the curiosities I
am collecting. It is entitled--

"_A Short Account of +Dr. BENTLEY+, by way of Index._

"Dr. Bentley's true story proved false, by the
testimonies of, &c., p. --

"His civil language, p. --

"His nice taste,
in wit, p. --
in style, p. --
in Greek, p. --
in Latin, p. --
in English, p. --

"His modesty and decency in contradicting great
men"--a very long list of authors, concluding with
'_Everybody_,' p. --

"His familiar acquaintance with books he never saw,"
p. --

And lastly, "his profound skill in criticism--from
beginning to THE END."

Which thus terminates the volume.

[304] Cicero ad Atticum, Lib. vii., Epist. xii.

[305] No doubt this idea was the origin of that satirical Capriccio,
which closed in a most fortunate pun--a literary caricature,
where the doctor is represented in the hands of Phalaris's
attendants, who are putting him into the tyrant's bull, while
Bentley exclaims, "I had rather be _roasted_ than _Boyled_."

[306] Sir Richard Blackmore, in his bold attempt at writing "A Satire
against Wit," in utter defiance of it, without any, however,
conveys some opinions of the times. He there paints the great
critic, "crowned with applause," seated amidst "the spoils of
ruined wits:"

"Till his rude strokes had thresh'd the empty sheaf,
Methought there had been something else than chaff."

Boyle, not satisfied with the undeserved celebrity conceded to
his volume, ventur