persons now looked up to for literature and ability, are admired without reason, and I can surpass them all myself; and will surpass them all too." "Come, come," said Hamilton, "don't be angry now, I was only telling you what I heard; but we shall not touch any more on your genius and learning; it is a tender point: I know your works excel most of the age; and I dare say, every body else thinks so too, only they say the contrary to vex you." Easily persuaded, that others thought as highly of him as he did of himself, Scribble swallowed these declarations, and soon after departed to attend an appointment. "Who is this?" said Mortimer. "Scribble," answered his friend, "is one of that numerous class who, without genius or philosophy, set up in the trade of authorship. He is, however, much better qualified than many of the frater-
