correction of his works. He implored a
renewal of the rigour when he invoked, with full experience of the
treatment he was to expect, the same good offices in April, 1710, and
the anger which Johnson imputes to him on that occasion at the detection
of his faults is not only in singular contradiction to the whole of his
previous conduct, but is belied, as we have seen, by his letter to Pope.
The notion that he was offended at the freedom of his friend's remarks
was an inference drawn from the tone of Pope's reply, and not from the
language of Wycherley himself.

"I am sorry," Pope commences, "you persist to take ill my not accepting
your invitation, and to find, if I mistake not, your exception not
unmixed with some suspicion." The letter of Wycherley is dated April 27,
1710, and if the contents of the letter of Pope, which is dated May 2,
did not show that it was the answer, all doubt would be removed by the
fact that it was headed "The Answer" by the poet, both in the octavo of
1735, and the quarto of 1737. This led to the conclusion that Wycherley,
while professing to receive the strictures on his verses with kindness,
had at the same time manifested in his letter some displeasure which
his friend thought proper to omit, and which connected their quarrel
with the secret soreness of the author at the candour of the
critic.[175] Pope did indeed suppress the beginning and the end of
Wycherley's communication; but the passages he kept back betray the
falsity of his own insinuation. "I answered," the letter begins, "yours
of the 15th, which I think was the last I had from you, about three days
after my receiving it; but having not yet received any answer to it from
you, I doubt your old pain of the head-ache has prevented it, which
gives me a great deal of concern for you, insomuch that I have had
thoughts of making you a visit before my journey into Shropshire, which
has been delayed by delays and disappointments to me out of the
country." The end is as follows: "My most humble service pray to Sir
William Trumbull, and your good father and mother, whilst I can assure
you from hence all the world here are your servants and friends. I know
not but I may see you very suddenly at Binfield after all my broken
promises."[176] Instead, therefore, of Wycherley being annoyed at Pope's
refusal to accept his invitation, it was Wycherley who was designing to
visit Pope; and instead of his persisting to take ill any part of his
frien