withdrawn from the World, and dead to all the Interes of it as of a Man really deceased At the same time it is an laitmética bow to leave the Publick with a good Grace. Epitaphium Vivi Authoris. He, 0 View, Sai Lore percalo Vatis adbuc Cinerem calentem. THE Publication of these Criticisms having procured me the following Letter from a very ingenious Gentleman, I cannot forbear inferting it in the Volume, though it did not come foon enough enough to have a place in any of my fingle Papers. Mr. SPECTATOR, Pa HAVING read over in your per, 551, fome of the Epigrams, made by the Grecian Wits, in • Commendation of their celebrated Poets, I could not forbear fending you another, out of the fame Collection, which I take to be as great a Compliment to Homer, as any that has yet been paid him. · Τίς ποθ ̓ ὁ “ Τροΐης πόλεμον, &c. Who first tranfcrib'd the famous Trojan War, And wife Ulyffes' Acts, 0 Jove make known: For fince 'tis certain, Thine thofe Poems are, No more let Homer boast they are his own. IF you think it worthy of a Place in your Speculations, for ought I know (by that means) it may in time be printed as often in English, as it has already been in Greek. I am (like the • rest of the World) 4th Dec. SIR, Your great Admirer, G. R THE THE Reader may observe that the Beauty of this Epigram is different from that of any in the foregoing. An Irony is looked upon as the finest Palliative of Praife; and very often conveys the nobleft Panegyrick under the Appearance of Satire. Homer is here feemingly accufed and treated as a Plagiary but what is drawn up in the Form of an Accufation is certainly, as my Correfpondent obferves, the greatest Compliment that could have been paid to that Divine Poet. Dear Mr. SPECTATOR, I Am a Gentleman of a pretty good Fortune and of a Temper impatient of any thing which I think an Injury; however I always quarelled according to Law, and inftead of attacking my Adverfary by the dangerous Method of Sword and Piftol, I made my Affaults by that more • fecure one of Writ or Warrant. I cannot help telling you, that, either C by the Juftice of my Caufes, or the . Superiority of my Counsel, I have been generally fuccefsful; and to my great Satisfaction I can fay it, that by three Actions of Slander, and half a ८ a dozen Trefpaffes, I have for several Years enjoy'd a perfect Tranquility in my Reputation and Eftate. By these C means alfo I have been made known to the Judges, the Serjeants of our Circuit are my intimate Friends, and the ornamental Counsel pay a very profound Refpect to one who has made fo great a Figure in the Law. Affairs of Confequence having brought C me to Town, I had the Curiofity the C other Day to vifit Westminster-Hall; ' and having placed my felf in one of the Courts, expected to be moft a'greeably entertained. After the Court C and Counsel were with due Ceremony feated, up ftands a learned Gentleman, and began, When this Matter C was laft flirred before your Lordship; the next humbly moved to quash an • Indictment; another complained that his Adversary had fnapp'd a Judgment; the next informed the Court that his Client was fripped of his Poffeffion; ' another begged leave to acquaint his Lordship they had been faddled with Cofts. At laft up got a grave Serjeant, and told us his Client had been hung up a whole Term by a Writ of Error. At this I could bear it no longer, longer, but came hither, and refolv'd to apply my felf to your Honour to interpofe with thefe Gentlemen, that they would leave off fuch low and un• natural Expreffions: For furely tho' the Lawyers fubfcribe to hideous • French and falfe Latin, yet they should let their Clients have a little decent and proper English for their Mony. What Man that has a value for a good Name would like to have it faid in a publick Court, that Mr. fuch-a-one was ftripped, faddled, or hung up? This being what has efcaped your Spectatorial Obfervation, be pleafed to correct fuch an illiberal Cant among pro• feffed Speakers, and you'll infinitely • oblige Your humble Servant, Joe's Coffee-boufe, Philonicus. Wed |