y. But here we see the _British_
Society, at the very first Formation of it, is compos'd of no less than
Two Dukes, not only capable of _Rewarding_, but of Judging, as well as
of Writing: And likewise of Two Earls; Five Lords; One Knight; One
Secretary of State; Two Colonels of Foot, and One Squire: Not to mention
the Lawyer; the Doctors; the Religious Priest; and the Poet. What
therefore may we not expect from the future Progress of this Society,
which sets out with so much greater Lustre, than that of its Original at
_Paris_; so famous now all over _Europe_.

The Great End and Business of the _French_ Academy, was to correct and
refine their Language, as may be seen at large in the History of that
Academy, written by Monsieur _Pelisson_: And we have already a Proposal,
publish'd the 17th of _May_ 1712, _for Correcting, Improving, and
Ascertaining the +English+ Tongue, in a Letter to the most Honourable
+Robert+ Earl of +Oxford+ and +Mortimer+, Lord High Treasurer of +Great
Britain+: By +Jonathan Swift+, D.D._

_Louis_, King of France, by Letters Patents, in the Year 1635, having
mention'd the Great Things done for the Glory and Embellishment of
_France_, by his dearly belov'd Cousin the Cardinal _Richlieu_, His
Principal Minister of State, gives that Minister Power and Authority to
call himself the Chief, and the Protector of the _French_ Academy: And
doubtless the Scheme of this _British_ Academy is form'd with a View no
less Glorious; That the Great and Memorable Actions of this _Minister_;
the mighty Things perfom'd for the Allies and the Common Cause; the vast
Successes against the Enemy; and, above all, the Restoring of Credit,
and Paying the Publick Debts, may be fairly transmitted to Posterity.

That this is the chief Design of our _new Erected Society_, is plainly
insinuated by the Author of the Letter before mentioned; for which the
Reader may please to see his own Words: _If Things go on_, says he, _at
the present Rate_, (that is, if our Language be not corrected, improved,
and ascertain'd,) _all I can promise your Lordship, is, That about Two
hundred Years hence some painful Compiler, who will be at the Trouble of
studying old Language, may inform the World, that in the Reign of +Queen
ANNE+, +ROBERT Earl of OXFORD, a very Wise and Excellent Man+, was made
+High Treasurer+, and saved his Countrey._ [Mark those last Words, pray,
as you go along.] _Thus much he may be able to pick out, and willing to
tran