Whatever he judged beneficial to mankind, he conftantly communicated (not only during his stay among us, but ever fince his absence) by fome method or other in which Oftentation had no part. With what incredible Modefty he concealed himself, is known to numbers of those to whom he addreffed fometimes Epiftles, fcmetimes Hints, fometimes whole Treatifes, Advices to Friends, Projects to first Minifters, Letters to Members of Parliament, Accounts to the Royal Society, and innumerable others.

All these will be vindicated to the true Author, in the course of these Memoirs. I may venture to say they cannot be unacceptable to any, but to those, who will appear too much concerned as Plagiaries, to be admitted as Judges. Wherefore we warn the public, to take particular notice of all fuch as manifest any indecent Paffion at the appearance of this Work, as Perfons moft certainly involved in the Guilt.

The End of the First Book.

MARTINUS SCRIBLERUS

ΠΕΡΙ ΒΑΘΟΥΣ.

CHAP. I.

T hath been long (my dear Countrymen) the fub

numberless Poets, Critics and Orators have compiled and digefted the Art of ancient Poefy, there hath not arifen among us one perfon fo public-fpirited, as to perform the like for the Modern. Although it is univerfally known, that our every-way induftrious Moderns, both in the Weight of their writings, and in the Velocity of their judgments, do so infinitely excel the faid Ancients.

Nevertheless, too true it is, that while a plain and direct road is paved to their ↓s, or Sublime; no track has been yet chalked out, to arrive at our ßáBos, or Profound. The Latins, as they came between the Greeks and Us, make use of the word Altitudo, which implies equally height and depth. Wherefore confidering with no fmall grief, how many promifing