Prior excepted, the harmony of his numbers is equal to any body's. And, that he had all the merit that a man can have that way.« And

 

Mr. Thomas Cooke,

after much blemishing our author's Homer, crieth out,

 

»But in his other works what beauties shine!

While sweetest Music dwells in ev'ry line.

These he admir'd, on these he stamp'd his praise,

And bade them live to brighten future days.45«

 

So also one who takes the name of

 

H. Stanhope,

the maker of certain verses to Duncan Campbell46, in that poem, which is wholly a satyr on Mr. Pope, confesseth,

 

»'Tis true, if finest notes alone could show

(Tun'd justly high, or regularly low)

That we should fame to these mere vocals give;

Pope more than we can offer should receive:

For when some gliding river is his theme,

His lines run smoother than the smoothest stream,« etc.

 

Mist's Journal, June 8, 1728.

Although he says, »The smooth numbers of the Dunciad are all that recommend it, nor has it any other merit;« yet that same paper hath these words: »The author is allowed to be a perfect master of an easy and elegant versification. In all his works we find the most happy turns, and natural similes, wonderfully short and thick sown.«

The Essay on the Dunciad also owns, p. 25. it is very full of beautiful images. But the panegyric, which crowns all that can be said on this Poem, is bestowed by our Laureate,

 

Mr. Colley Cibber,

who »grants it to be a better Poem of its kind than ever was writ;« but adds, »it was a victory over a parcel of poor wretches, whom it was almost cowardice to conquer. – A man might as well triumph for having killed so many silly flies that offended him. Could he have let them alone, by this time, poor souls! they had all been buried in oblivion47.« Here we see our excellent Laureate allows the justice of the satyr on every man in it, but himself; as the great Mr. Dennis did before him.

The said

 

Mr. Dennis and Mr. Gildon,

 

in the most furious of all their works (the forecited Character, p. 5.) do in concert48 confess, »That some men of good understanding value him for his rhymes.« And (p. 17.) »That he has got, like Mr. Bays in the Rehearsal, (that is, like Mr. Dryden) a notable knack at rhyming, and writing smooth verse.«

Of his Essay on Man, numerous were the praises bestowed by his avowed enemies, in the imagination that the same was not written by him, as it was printed anonymously.

Thus sang of it even

 

Bezaleel Morris.

»Auspicious bard! while all admire thy strain,

All but the selfish, ignorant, and vain;

I, whom no bribe to servile flatt'ry drew,

Must pay the tribute to thy merit due:

Thy Muse, sublime, significant, and clear,

Alike informs the Soul, and charms the Ear,« etc.

 

And

 

Mr. Leonard Welsted

thus wrote49 to the unknown author, on the first publication of the said Essay: »I must own, after the reception which the vilest and most immoral ribaldry hath lately met with, I was surprised to see what I had long despaired, a performance deserving the name of a poet. Such, Sir, is your work. It is, indeed, above all commendation, and ought to have been published in an age and country more worthy of it. If my testimony be of weight any where, you are sure to have it in the amplest manner,« etc. etc. etc.

Thus we see every one of his works hath been extolled by one or other of his most inveterate Enemies; and to the success of them all they do unanimously give testimony. But it is sufficient, instar omnium, to behold the great critic, Mr. Dennis, sorely lamenting it, even from the Essay on Criticism to this day of the Dunciad! »A most notorious instance (quoth he) of the depravity of genius and taste, the approbation this Essay meets with50 – I can safely affirm, that I never attacked any of these writings, unless they had success infinitely beyond their merit. – This, though an empty, has been a popular scribler. The epidemic madness of the times has given him reputation51. – If, after the cruel treatment so many extraordinary men (Spencer, Lord Bacon, Ben.