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other, which are now lodged in the Library. While this was transacting, I chanced to call upon Mr Bennet (whom I had several times obliged), and acquainted him with it, not questioning but he would be very ready to comply as far as his share went, which was then but very little. But, to my surprise, he answered me very pertly that he knew not what right the Parliament had to give away any man's property; that he hoped the Company of Stationers would refuse, and try it out at law; that they were a body, and had a common purse; and more to this purpose. Some little time after, calling there again, upon a fresh discourse about the MS. Phalaris, which I had formerly promised to lend him, as soon as I had power, I asked him upon what account he could refuse to give the Royal Library its due settled on it by Act of Parliament; and at the same time expect a favour out of it that would make his own book more vendible, and the MS. less valuable? For after the various lections were once taken and printed, the MS. would be like a squeezed orange, and little worth for the future. Since, therefore, he was resolved to try the law against the Library, he ought in justice to present to