a Dulcimer. In hopes of receiving
satisfaction from you, I am yours, whilst

"ISABELLA KIT."

The pertness which this fair lady has shown in this letter, was one
occasion of my joining her to the Bass-viol, which is an instrument that
wants to be quickened by these little vivacities; as the sprightliness
of the Kit ought to be checked and curbed by the gravity of the
Bass-viol.

My next letter is from Tom Folio,[206] who it seems takes it amiss that
I have published a character of him so much to his disadvantage:

"SIR,

"I suppose you meant Tom Fool, when you called me Tom Folio in a
late trifling paper of yours; for I find, it is your design to run
down all useful and solid learning. The tobacco-paper on which your
own writings are usually printed,[207] as well as the incorrectness
of the press, and the scurvy letter, sufficiently show the extent
of your knowledge. I question not but you look upon John Morphew to
be as great a man as Elzevir; and Aldus, to have been such another
as Bernard Lintot.[208] If you would give me my revenge, I would
only desire of you to let me publish an account of your library,
which I daresay would furnish out an extraordinary catalogue.

"TOM FOLIO."

It has always been my way to baffle reproach with silence, though I
cannot but observe the disingenuous proceedings of this gentleman, who
is not content to asperse my writings, but has wounded, through my
sides, those eminent and worthy citizens, Mr. John Morphew, and Mr.
Bernard Lintot.[209]

[Footnote 203: See No. 155.]

[Footnote 204: The preceding portion of this paper is printed in
Tickell's edition of Addison's Works.]

[Footnote 205: See No. 157.]

[Footnote 206: See No. 158.]

[Footnote 207: See No. 101.]

[Footnote 208: Bernard Lintot (1675-1736) was Jacob Tonson's principal
rival in the publishing trade in the time of Queen Anne and George I.]

[Footnote 209: The author of a curious pamphlet, "The Critical
Specimen," 1711, said he was much divided in his opinion, whether to
prefer the every way excellent Mr. Jacob Tonson, junior, or Mr. Bernard
Lintot to be his bookseller, for the latter of whom he had had a
particular consideration since he received this eulogium from his
honoured friend Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.--This pamphlet purports to be