lation, and so delighted with its many acknowledged beauties; that they were more willing to expatiate on its merits, and unfold its charms, than compare it with an original which they themselves imperfectly understood. In addition to this, and speaking without any affectation of pedantry, a classical simplicity of taste was no more the characteristic excellence of that time, than solid and extensive learning. Amidst the general shout of approbation, old Bentley's sarcastic growl was heard with indifference or contempt; but Bentley was the only one among them who had studied or understood the subject of dispute; what he said was strictly true; it was not the effusion of envy or mean detraction: the bard of Twickenham was no rival of his; nor was Bentley ever unjust, where solid attainments or splendid talents could claim respect. He did not detract from the merits of Pope's translation as a poem; he did not enter into the subject of its original beauties; but he said it was not Homer, and he was right.
To return to Parnell, Goldsmith mentions that the Scriblerus[1] Club, when the members were all in
- ↑ The memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus rose from a happy thought, and were happily executed. They were the flower of that wit, and humour, and sagacity, of which the Dunciad was the strong and bitter root. In the editions of Pope, this part of his works does not seem to me to be faithfully edited. There is a chapter called "Annus Mirabilis," which should precede 'Stradling versus Styles,' that is omitted. The chapter called The Double
