the two principal qualifications of the orator, and the two different fates attending upon his works.
The ladder, is an adequate symbol of faction, and of poetry, to both of which so noble a number of authors are indebted for their fame. Of faction, because [1]*****Hiatus in *******MS. ******Of poetry, because its orators do perorare with a song; and because climbing up by slow degrees, fate is sure to turn them off, before they can reach within many steps of the top: and because it is a preferment attained by transferring of propriety, and a confounding of meum and tuum.
Under the stage itinerant, are couched those productions designed for the pleasure and delight of mortal man; such as, six-penny-worth of wit, Westminster drolleries, delightful tales, complete jesters, and the like; by which the writers of and for GRUB-STREET, have in these latter ages so nobly triumphed over time; have clipped his wings, pared his nails, filed his teeth, turned back his hourglass, blunted his sithe, and drawn the hobnails out of his shoes. It is under this class, I have presumed to list my present treatise, being just come from having the honour conferred upon me, to be adopted a member of that illustrious fraternity.
- ↑ Here is pretended a defect in the manuscript; and this is very frequent with our author, either when he thinks he cannot say any thing worth reading, or when he has no mind to enter on the subject, or when it is a matter of little moment; or perhaps to amuse his reader, whereof he is frequently very fond; or, lastly, with some satirical intention.
