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with the utmoſt Degree of Diffidence and Caution, I have frequently reviewed all my Arguments, traced them backwards to their firſt Principles, and uſed every Method of Examination to diſcover whether all the Deductions were natural and juſt, and whether I was not impoſed on by ſome ſpecious Fallacy;[1] but the farther I carried my Enquiries, and the longer I dwelt upon this great Point, the more was I convinced, in ſpite of all my Prejudices, that this wonderful Prediction was not written by a King.
For after a laborious and attentive Peruſal of Hiſtories, Memoirs, Chronicles, Lives, Characters, Vindications, Panegyricks, and Epitaphs, I could find no ſufficient Authority for aſcribing to any of our Engliſh Monarchs, however gracious or
- ↑ I wiſh, ſaid my Friend, invidiouſly, that Dr. Johnſon had proceeded with the ſame Caution and Diffidence, had reviewed his Arguments, and traced out his firſt Principles, &c. before he had ſent forth into the World his False Alarm, and Taxation no Tyranny.
