in his own
Kingdom_; which, he said, purely out of Affection to the Word Dozen,
because he knew full well the _French_ King bestows Pensions on a
Hundred Men in several Parts of _Europe_; and on a Thousand in his own
Kingdom, who excel in Arts and Literature, _which, including the whole,
do not amount to half the Income of many a Private Commoner in
+England+_. Whereas I will engage to name Him a Hundred Pensions in
_France_ that have been given to Men of Letters, every one of which
shall amount to more than half the Income of a dozen Lords, let me have
the naming of them too. The History of his Reign, which has been so long
Writing, has cost him near threescore Thousand Pounds Sterling.
_Boileau_ himself, after he had liv'd a Life of Affluence and Pleasure,
keeping a Country-House and City-House, dy'd worth above Five or Six
Thousand Pounds, which he had wholly from the King. Not to mention the
Rewards _Racine_, _Valincourt_, and other Poets and Historians had, who
were imployed about his History; Nor those to all Academies of Sciences
founded by him, and the great Pensions he allow'd the Professors. The
prodigious Expences he has been at in Printing only at the _Louvre_,
would perhaps amount to a Sum equal to the whole Income of several
Dozens that might be thought of above the Rank of Commoners.

The last Pages of the Doctor's Book are incomparable, full of most
delicate Eulogy in the World, which I cannot read without calling to
mind that Verse of _Despreaux_ to Monsieur _Seignelai_.

_Tout Eloge imposteur blesse une ame sincere._

To paint a _Mecaenas_ like a _Mars_, and confound Men's Qualities, is
a Stale Practice of sorded Flatterers, which Men of Merit reject
with Disdain.

_Un Coeur Noble est content de ce qu'il trouve en lui._
_Et ne Supplaudit point de Qualitez d'autrui._

A great Soul scorns to usurp another's worth, and is always content
with its own.

The Doctor seems to have an Opinion, that every body loves Flattery as
well as himself, and will take any Thing kindly that is said in their
Favour. A little more Sincerity would not be amiss in the Composition of
a Clergy-man and if this is the way to get the _Medal_ he talks of, it
will be dearly purchas'd.

I shall be heartily glad to see some of those Productions from Men above
Money, that shall deserve the Laurel he has prepar'd for them. People,
I doubt not, will crowd to get their Scriptions in, as they do to get
Money