*

grown very scarce, and others are fallen into oblivion, for which reafon an Author may be permitted to ftep in and take a place made vacant by one who is now gone to reft. And though it be prefumption to think of equalling the great men who have laboured before us, and whofe reputation is eftablished, yet fince there are many who had rather peruse a new book than a good book, their humour should not be totally difregarded.

The fame truths may be placed in various views; and amongst men whofe tafte and fancy differ fo widely, an argument fhall feem perfuafive, and a remark pertinent to one,

* Nunc placida compoftus pace quiefcit.

† Τὴν γὰρ ἀοιδὴν μᾶλλον ἐπικλήσ ̓ ἄνθρωποι,

Ήτις ἀκόνεωςι νεωτάτη ἀμφιπέληται.

Homer. Odyff. A. 351.

which by another is flighted and rejected. It feems therefore convenient that feveral perfons fhould try their skill, and propofe their thoughts upon a matter of fuch importance, fince every one may reasonably hope to gain over, or confirm, or fecure fome reader of a correfponding turn of mind. Even the weakest contriver of a foolish and forlorn fyftem must be very unlucky, if he finds not a few approvers and followers: be poffeffes at least a quality fomewhat like electricity, which attracts chaff and fraws; and what the old Greek Poet obferved in his days is as true

now;

Ως αιὲ τὸν ὁμοῖον ἄγει θεὸς ὡς τὸν ὁμοῖον

Some overruling Pow'r

Ever delights to couple like to like.

The understandings of men are as the chords of mufical inftruments:

when

when a fring founds, the frings which are unifons to it, if within proper diftance, will vibrate.

None then ought to be difcouraged, though his abilities be no more than common, from appearing in defence of truths in which all are interested. Invention, Wit, Sagacity, Eloquence, when they offer their fervice on this occafion, merit a kind reception. Behind thefe follows modeft and flowpaced Industry, willing to take the lowest place, and yet sometimes more ufeful than fome of the former, and verifying the proverb, Claudus viator omnia refert certiora, A lame traveller brings the best intelligence.

If, amidft fome imperfections, an argument, which is not new, be fet in a new light, if an objection be removed,

a 4

moved, if a fentiment be fo expressed as to leave a good effect upon the mind, if an ingenious, or useful, or remarkable paffage, not commonly known, be produced from an ancient Writer, if fomewhat be fuggefted worthy of confideration, and the Reader be put upon thinking, and the Author perform the humble office of an Index which points out the roads to the passenger, the work ought not to be treated with contempt.

Shall I add yet farther, that fuch perfons deferve fomething beyond a bare permission to utter their thoughts? When the intention feems upright, and the end proposed is to make men better and wifer, what is not ill executed fhould be received with approbation, with good words and

good

good wishes, and Small faults and inadvertencies should be candidly excufed. Much more than this it may be vanity or folly to expect.

And here I thought to have concluded; but these words of Grotius come fo often into my mind, that I cannot forbear to cite them. Lapfum Origenem in quibufdam rebus

negari non poteft. Quale mihi nequid eveniat, Deum fupplex precor, foleoque fcriptis meis hanc addere cautionem, ut fi quid ibi fit alienum dogma [a veritate et facris Literis] id pro non fcripto habeatur.

In this I would willingly join with Grotius. Whosoever is in the difpofition which he defcribes, takes the best way to fecure himself from dangerous