ages and characters, such
strict enquiries into nature, such close observations on the several
humours, manners, and affections of all ranks and degrees of men, and,
as it were, so true and perfect a dissection of humankind, delivered
with so much pointed wit, and force of expression, could be no other
than the work of extraordinary diligence, labour, and application; but
in truth, we owe the pleasure and advantage of having been so well
entertained, and instructed by him, to his facility of doing it; if it
had been a trouble to him to write, I am much mistaken if he would
not have spared that trouble. What he has performed, would have been
difficult for another; but a club, which a man of an ordinary size could
not lift, was a walking staff for Hercules. To judge by the sharpness,
and spirit of his satires, you might be led into another mistake, and
imagine him an ill-natur'd man, but what my lord Rochester said of lord
Dorset, is applicable to him, the best good man with the worst natured
muse. As pointed, and severe as he is in his writings, in his temper
he had all the softness of the tenderest disposition; gentle and
inoffensive to every man in his particular character; he only attacks
vice as a public enemy, compassionating the wound he is under a
necessity to probe, or grieving, like a good natured conqueror, at the
occasions which provoke him to make such havock. King Charles II. a
nice discerner of men, and himself a man of wit, often chose him for a
companion at his leisure hours, as Augustus did Horace, and had very
advantageous views for him, but unluckily an amorous inclination
interfered; the lover got the better of the courtier, and ambition fell
a sacrifice to love, the predominant passion of the noblest mind. Many
object to his versification; it is certain he is no master of numbers,
but a Diamond is not less a Diamond for not being polished.'

Mr. Pope, when very young, made his court to Mr. Wycherley, when very
old; and the latter was so well pleased with the former, and had such
an opinion of his rising genius, that he entered into an intimate
correspondence with him, and submitted his works to Mr. Pope's
correction. See the letters between Pope and Wycherley, printed in
Pope's works.

[Footnote 1: Dennis's Letters, vol. i. p. 213.]

* * * * *

NAHUM TATE

Was born about the middle of the reign of Charles II. in the kingdom of
Ireland, and there received his e