of
learning and worth. Let us now retreat; or, rather, walk round
Lorenzo's grounds. We have had _Book-Discussion_ enough to last us to
the end of the year.[470] I begin to be wearied of conversing.

[Footnote 468: My favourite author, Morhof, has spoken
'comme un brave homme' upon the difficulty of literary
enterprizes, and the facility and venom of detraction: I
support his assertion 'totis viribus'; and to beg to speak
in the same person with himself. 'Non ignotum mihi est,
quantae molis opus humeris meis incumbat. Oceanum enim
ingressus sum, in quo portum invenire difficile est,
naufragii periculum a syrtibus et scopulis imminet. Quis
enim in tanta multitudine rerum et librorum omnia
exhauriret? Quis non alicubi impingeret? Quis salvum ab
invidia caput retraheret, ac malignitatis dentes in
liberiore censura evitaret? Praeterea ut palato et gustu
differunt convivae, ita judiciis dissident lectores, neque
omnium idem de rebus sensus est, hoc praesertim tempore, quo
plures sunt librorum judices, quam lectores, et e lectoribus
in lictores, ubique virgas et secures expedituros, multi
degenerant.' _Praef. Morhof._--Even the great Lambecius (of
whom see p. 41, ante) was compelled to deliver his
sentiments thus:--'laborem hunc meum non periculosum minus
et maglignis liventium _Zoilorum_ dentibus obnoxium, quam
prolixum foro et difficilem.' Prod. Hist. Lit. _Proleg._ One
of the Roman philosophers (I think it was Seneca) said, in
his last moments, 'Whether or not the Gods will be pleased
with what I have done, I cannot take upon me to pronounce:
but, this I know--it has been my invariable object to please
them.' For 'the Gods' read 'the Public'--and then I beg
leave, in a literary point of view, to repeat the words of
Seneca.]

[Footnote 469: 'From the last catalogue of the fair of
Lepisic [Transcriber's Note: Leipsic], it would appear that
there are now in Germany _ten thousand two hundred and forty
three authors_, full of _health_ and _spirit_, and each of
whom publishes at least _once a year_!' _American Review_,
Jan. 1811, p. 172.]

[Footnote 470: Through the favour of Dr. Drury, the Editor
is enabled to present the reader with an original letter,
enclosing a list of books directed to be purchased by
BENJAMIN HEATH, Esq.; also