might have put me
upon my defence. I was prepared for the attack, ... but I have not
heard anything said sufficient to provoke an answer." He goes on--

"But there is one thing at which I am more concerned than all the
false criticisms that are made upon me; and that is, some of the
ladies are offended. I am heartily sorry for it; for I declare, I
would rather disoblige all the critics in the world than one of the
fair sex. They are concerned that I have represented some women
vicious and affected. How can I help it? It is the business of a
comic poet to paint the vices and follies of human kind.... I should
be very glad of an opportunity to make my compliments to those
ladies who are offended. But they can no more expect it in a comedy,
than _to be tickled by a surgeon when he is letting their blood_."

62 "Instead of endeavouring to raise a vain monument to myself, let me
leave behind me a memorial of my friendship, with one of the most
valuable men as well as finest writers of my age and country--one who
has tried, and knows by his own experience, how hard an undertaking
it is to do justice to Homer--and one who, I am sure, seriously
rejoices with me at the period of my labours. To him, therefore,
having brought this long work to a conclusion, I desire to dedicate
it, and to have the honour and satisfaction of placing together in
this manner the names of Mr. Congreve and of--A. POPE."--_Postscript
to Translation of the Iliad of Homer._ Mar. 25, 1720.

63 "When asked why he listened to the praises of Dennis, he said, he
had much rather be flattered than abused. Swift had a particular
friendship for our author, and generally took him under his
protection in his high authoritative manner."--THOS. DAVIES,
_Dramatic Miscellanies_.

64 "Congreve was very intimate for years with Mrs. Bracegirdle, and
lived in the same street, his house very near hers, until his
acquaintance with the young Duchess of Marlborough. He then quitted
that house. The Duchess showed us a diamond necklace (which Lady Di.
used afterwards to wear) that cost seven thousand pounds, and was
purchased with the money Congreve left her. How much better would it
have been to have given it to poor Mrs. Bracegirdle."--DR. YOUNG
(_Spence's Anecdotes_).

65