he
probability is that if Warburton had not condemned the proposal it would
have appeared in Theobald's edition. "With a just deference to your most
convincing reasons," says Theobald, "I shall with great cheerfulness
banish it as a bad and unsupported conjecture" (_id._ ii., p. 477); and
this remark is typical of the whole correspondence. A considerable share
of the merit of Theobald's edition--though the share is mostly
negative--belongs to Warburton, for Theobald had not taste enough to keep
him right when he stepped beyond collation of the older editions or
explanation by parallel passages. Indeed, the letters to Warburton,
besides helping to explain his reputation in the eighteenth century, would
in themselves be sufficient to justify his place in the _Dunciad_.

Warburton had undoubtedly given Theobald ungrudging assistance and was
plainly interested in the success of the edition. But as he had gauged
Theobald's ability, he had some fears for the Preface. So at least we
gather from a letter which Theobald wrote to him on 18th November, 1731:

"I am extremely obliged for the tender concern you have for my
reputation in what I am _to prefix to my Edition_: and this part,
as it will come last in play, I shall certainly be so kind to
myself to communicate in due time to your perusal. The whole
affair of _Prolegomena_ I have determined to soften into
_Preface_. I am so very cool as to my sentiments of my Adversary's
usage, that I think the publick should not be too largely troubled
with them. _Blockheadry_ is the chief hinge of his satire upon me;
and if my Edition do not wipe out that, I ought to be content to
let the charge be fixed; if it do, the reputation gained will be a
greater triumph than resentment. But, dear Sir, will you, at your
leisure hours, think over for me upon the contents, topics,
orders, etc., of this branch of my labour? You have a
comprehensive memory, and a happiness of digesting the matter
joined to it, which my head is often too much embarrassed to
perform; let that be the excuse for my inability. But how
unreasonable is it to expect this labour, when it is the only part
in which I shall not be able to be just to my friends: for, to
confess assistance in a _Preface_ will, I am afraid, make me
appear too naked. Rymer's extravagant rancour against our Author,
under the umbrage of criticism, may, I presume, fin