inst the reputation of Mr. Dryden." It was
in favour of _folly_ against _wisdom_, _weakness_ against
_power_, &c.; _Pope_ against _Dryden_. He closes with a
well-turned period. "Wherever genius runs through a work, I
forgive its faults; and wherever that is wanting, no beauties
can touch me. Being struck by Mr. Dryden's genius, I have no
eyes for his errors; and I have no eyes for his enemies'
beauties, because I am not struck by their genius."

[39] In the narrative of his frenzy (quoted p. 56), his _personnel_
is thus given. "His aspect was furious, his eyes were rather
fiery than lively, which he rolled about in an uncommon
manner. He often opened his mouth as if he would have uttered
some matter of importance, but the sound seemed lost inwardly.
His beard was grown, which they told me he would not suffer to
be shaved, believing the modern dramatic poets had corrupted
all the barbers of the town to take the first opportunity of
cutting his throat. His eyebrows were grey, long, and grown
together, which he knit with indignation when anything was
spoken, insomuch that he seemed not to have smoothed his
forehead for many years."--ED.

[40] There is an epigram on Dennis by Savage, which Johnson has
preserved in his Life; and I feel it to be a very correct
likeness, although Johnson censures Savage for writing an
epigram against Dennis, while he was living in great
familiarity with the critic. Perhaps that was the happiest
moment to write the epigram. The anecdote in the text
doubtless prompted "the fool" to take this fair revenge and
just chastisement. Savage has brought out the features
strongly, in these touches--

"Say what revenge on Dennis can be had,
Too dull for laughter, for reply too mad.
On one so poor you cannot take the law,
On one so old your sword you scorn to draw.
Uncaged then, let the harmless monster rage,
Secure in dulness, madness, want, and age!"

[41] Dennis points his heavy cannon of criticism and thus
bombards that aerial edifice, the "Rape of the Lock." He is
inquiring into the nature of _poetical machinery_, which, he
oracularly pronounces, should be religious, or allegorical,
or politi