Anecdotes, observations, and characters of books and men. Collected from the conversation of Mr. Pope, and other eminent persons of his time ... Now first published from the original papers, with notes and a life of the author, by S. W. Singer. (Appendix. Letters to Mr. Spence.)

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J.R. Smith, 1858 - Authors, English - 396 pages

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Page 102 - He began on it ; and when first he mentioned it to Swift, the doctor did not much like the project. As he carried it on, he showed what he wrote to both of us ; and we now and then gave a correction or a word or two of advice, but it was wholly of his own writing.
Page 22 - I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.
Page xxix - That's very strange ; but, if you had not supped, I must have got something for you. Let me see, what should I have had ? A couple of lobsters ; ay, that would have done very well ; two shillings ; tarts, a shilling ; but you will drink a glass of wine with me, though you supped so much before your usual time only to spare my pocket I' ' No, we had rather talk with you than drink with you.
Page 23 - Wise men have said are wearisome; who reads Incessantly, and to his reading brings not A spirit and judgment equal or superior (And what he brings, what needs he elsewhere seek) Uncertain and unsettled still remains, Deep versed in books and shallow in himself, Crude or intoxicate, collecting toys, And trifles for choice matters, worth a sponge; As children gathering pebbles on the shore.
Page 160 - tis true — this truth you lovers know — In vain my structures rise, my gardens grow ; In vain fair Thames reflects the double scenes Of hanging mountains, and of sloping greens: Joy lives not here ; to happier seats it flies, And only dwells where Wortley casts her eyes.
Page 381 - THE ILIADS OF HOMER, Prince of Poets, never before in any Language truly translated, with a Comment on some of his chief Places. Done according to the Greek by GEORGE CHAPMAN, with Introduction and Notes by the Rev. RICHARD HOOPER. 2 vols.
Page 211 - To answer your question as to Mr. Hughes ; what he wanted in genius, he made up as an honest man ; but he was of the class you think him.
Page 226 - In the morning, after the priest had given him the last sacraments, he said, "There is nothing that is meritorious but virtue and friendship, and indeed friendship itself is only a part of virtue.
Page 84 - All you need do (says he) is to leave them just as they are; call on Lord Halifax two or three months hence, thank him for his kind observations on those passages, and then read them to him as altered. I have known him much longer than you have, and will be answerable for the event.
Page 261 - you have the honour of seeing the two greatest men in the world." — "I don't know how great men you may be," said the Guinea man, "but I don't like your looks. I have often bought a man much better than both of you, all muscles and bones, for ten guineas.

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