was now heir, and with the hearty consent of my master commenced gentleman. The adventures in which my new character engaged me shall be communicated in another letter, by, Sir,
Yours, &c.
Numb. 117. Tuesday, April 30, 1751.
Ὄσσαν ἐπ’ Οὐλύμπῳ μέμασαν Θέμεν αὐτὰρ ἐπ Ὄσση |
Homer. |
The gods they challenge, and affect the skies: |
Pope. |
TotheRAMBLER
SIR,
NOTHING has more retarded the advancement of learning than the disposition of vulgar minds to ridicule and vilify what they cannot comprehend. All industry must be excited by hope; and as the student often proposes no other reward to himself than praise, he is easily discouraged by contempt and insult. He who brings with him into a clamorous multitude the timidity of recluse speculation, and has never hardened his front in publick life, or accustomed his passions to the vicissitudes and accidents, the triumphs and defeats of mixed conversation, will blush at the stare of petulant incredulity, and suffer himself to be driven by a burst of laughter, from the fortresses of demonstration. The mechanist will be afraid
