In March 1739-40, the world was in danger of being deprived of this extraordinary Genius, by an intermitting fever; which, with some difficulty, was relieved by a plentiful use of the bark.

Soon after this period, he had his first interview with Mr. Pope, who, in a letter dated April 16, 1740, on a prospect of their meeting soon, says, "Let us meet like men who have been many years acquainted with each other, and whose friendship is not to begin, but continue. All forms should be past when people know each other's mind so well. I flatter myself you are a man after my own heart, who seeks content only from within, and says to greatness, Tuas habeto tibi res, egomet habebo meas. But as it is but just your other friends should have some part of you, I insist on my making you the first visit in London, and thence, after a few days, to carry you to Twickenham, for as many as you can afford me." This meeting appears soon after to have taken place*, to the satisfaction of both parties; and a firm friendship was established between them, which continued with undiminished fervour until the death of Mr. Pope; who, during the remainder of his life, paid the utmost deference and respect to his friend's judgment and abilities.

Meantime Mr. Warburton was proceeding with his magnum opus; and, July 1, 1740, tells Dr. Doddridge, "I have been about two months in

Author, which did not fall under their consideration; so that we are like to be shortly furnished with a more complete and accurate edition of his writings than has hitherto been published. Of this undertaking somewhat has been already said by the Rev. Mr. Birch, in the ninth volume of the General Dictionary, p. 190, &c. where likewise that Gentleman has inserted several specimens of it, extracted from Mr. Warburton's own manuscript. But as these are, in that costly (though valuable) Work beyond the reach of a great many readers, who are very desirous of seeing the sketches of so great a master, I think it not amiss, for their sake, to make them the subject of this article."

"Their very first interview was at Lord Radnor's garden, just by Mr. Pope's at Twickenham. Dodsley was present; and was, he told me, astonished at the high compliments paid him by Pope as he approached him." Dr. WARTON.

Lon

11 London, where I was in a constant hurry; and this threw me so much back, that I have been as busy since I came home. The second volume of the Divine Legation goes slowly on*; but I hope to have it out next winter."

In the beginning of the following year he received a Letter from the above-named very pious and learned Friend, offering to select proper Extracts for in

* Early in 1740 he tells Mr. Birch, "The second volume is in the press: I have received two sheets; two more are coming, and they cry out for more copy. Inter nos, I only write from hand to mouth as they say here, so that an East wind, a fit of the spleen, want of books, and a thousand other accidents, will frequently make the press stand still. This will be an inconvenience to Mr. Gyles, but I told him what he was to expect; and his hands are so full of great works, that I may well be spared, amongst the first-rate of the fleet, and cruise at my leisure in a lee-shore, safe from Webster and the rest of these guarda-costas."

† "I am far from being pleased with the manner in which the Extracts from Books are generally made in "The Works of the Learned," and other monthly papers of that kind. I think it would be more for the credit of our Nation abroad, and the improvement of it at home, that these accounts should be a kind of abridgement of the most material things contained in books of importance; which might give those who have never read them some idea of their contents, and revive in those who have read them an impression of their most material passages. This is what I would especially wish, where so valuable a Book as yours is in question. And though, where every thing is so charming as this second volume will be, if it be like the first, it is difficult to know what to omit, and consequently how to abridge it; yet, if you please to trust me, I will do my best; and, busy as I am, will, in two or three successive articles, give such an abstract of it as may do it the least wrong; and, till some translation of it can be made, give the learned world abroad the justest notion of its design which so narrow limits will permit. Now, if you think this little piece of friendship worth your acceptance, I beg you would let me know, and that you would order the second volume, in sheets, to be sent me as soon as it is printed off. At the same time letting the Author of this Paper know, that the affair is lodged in my hands, and, consequently, that he is to wait for the first article from me, which I will dispatch as soon as possible." Jan.... 1740-1. In answer, Mr. Warburton says, Feb. 2, "I am to thank you, dear Sir, for your friendly and obliging concern for my reputa tion. What you observe of that absurd account of my first volume in the Works of the Learned' is exactly true. I believe there never was so nonsensical a piece of stuff put together. But VOL. V. the

sertion in "The Works of the Learned:" a favour which was gratefully accepted. Accordingly,

the Journal in general is a most miserable one [see p. 549]; and, to the opprobrium of our Country, we have neither any better, nor, I believe, any other. And that this will never grow better, I dare be confident, but by such an accidental favour as this you design it. I altogether approve of the method you propose to take in abstracting it; and Robinson, I dare say, will not presume to alter a word. I am sure I would not: and therefore my seeing it before he prints it will be needless. I will take care you shall have a copy sent you before publication. I propose to have it out about Easter; and yet, to my shame I must tell you, though it consists of three books, the first is not yet entirely printed, and the far greatest part of the other two I have not yet composed. To let you into this mystery, I must acquaint you with my faults and imperfections, the common occasion of all prophane mys teries. I am naturally very indolent, and apt to be disgusted with what has been any time in my hands or thoughts. When I published my first volume, I intended to set about the remainder immediately; but found such a disgust to an old subject, that I deferred it from month to month, and year to year: till at length, not being able to conquer my listlessness, I was forced to have recourse to an old expedient; that is, begin to set the press on work, and so oblige myself unavoidably to keep it a-going. I began this project last year, but grew weary again before I had half got through the first book: and there it stuck till just now, when I set it a-going again; and have absolutely promised the Bookseller to supply him constantly with copy till the whole volume is printed, and to get it ready by Lady-day. So that now I hurry through it in a strange manner; and you may expect to find it as incorrect as the former, and for the same reason. Yet I had resolved against serving this volume so: and still my evil nature prevailed, and I find at length it is in vain to strive with it. I take no pride, I will assure you, in telling you my infirmities. I confess myself as to a friend, without any manner of affectation: And, that you may see it is so, I would not have you think that natural indolence alone makes me thus play the fool. Distractions of various kinds, inseparable from human life, joined with a naturally melancholy habit, contribute greatly to increase my indolence, and force me often to seek in letters nothing but mere amusement. makes my reading wild and desultory: and I seek refuge from the uneasiness of thought from any book, let it be what it will, that can engage my attention. There is no one whose good opinion I more value than yours; and the marks you give me of it make me so vain, that I was resolved to humble myself, in making you this confession. By my manner of writing upon subjects, you would naturally imagine they afford me pleasure, and attach me thoroughly. I will assure you, no. I have

This

amused

April 22, 1741, Mr. Warburton says, "You will receive in a very little time my second volume*. I have

amused myself much in human learning, to wear away the tedious hours inseparable from a melancholy habit. But no earthly thing gives me pleasure, but the ties of natural relation and the friendship of good men. And for all views of happiness, I have no notion of such a thing, but in the prospects which Revealed Religion affords us. You see how I treat you, as if you were my confessor. You are in a more sacred relation to me: 1 regard you as my friend,"

Feb. 4, 1740-1, Mr. Pope tells him, "I am heartily glad of the advancement of your second volume; and particularly of the Digressions, for they are so much more of you; and I can trust your judgment enough to depend upon their being perti

You will, I question not, verify the good proverb, that the furthest way about, is the nearest way home: and much better than plunging through thick and thin, more Theologorum; and persisting in the same old track, where so many have either broken their necks, or come off very lamely. This leads me to thank you for that very entertaining, and, I think, instructive story of Dr. W[aterland], who was, in this, the image of * * *, who never admit of any remedy from a hand they dislike. But I am sorry he had so much of the modern Christian rancour, as, I believe, he may be convinced by this time, that the kingdom of Heaven is not for such."-The story concerning Dr. Waterland, to which Mr. Pope alludes, is related with much pleasantry by Dr. Middleton, in the following words: "In his last journey from Cambridge to London, being attended by Dr. Plumtre, and Dr. Cheselden the surgeon, he lodged the second night at Hodsden; where being observed to have been costive on the road, he was advised to have a clyster, to which he consented. The Apothecary was presently sent for, to whom Dr. Plumtre gave his orders below stairs, while Dr. Waterland continued above; upon which the Apothecary could not forbear expressing his great sense of the honour which he received, in being called to the assistance of so celebrated a person, whose writings he was well acquainted with. The company signified some surprize to find a Country Apothecary so learned; but he assured them, 'that he was no stranger to the merit and character of the Doctor, but had lately read his ingenious Book with much pleasure, The Divine Legation of Moses." Dr. Plumtre, and a Fellow of Magdalen, there present, took pains to convince the Apothecary of his mistake, while Cheselden ran up stairs with an account of his blunder to Waterland, who, provoked by it into a violent passion, called the poor fellow a puppy, and blockhead, who must needs be ignorant in his profession, and unfit to administer any thing to him, and might possibly poison his bowels; and, notwithstanding Dr. Plumtre's endeavours to moderate his displeasure, by representing the expediency of the operation, and

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the

wrote to Robinson, as you directed, concerning the Extracts. When you see the book, you will find what a trick I have been played: in the most impudent piece of plagiarism that perhaps ever was known

the man's capacity to perform it, he would hear nothing in his favour, but ordered him to be discharged, and postponed the benefit of the clyster till he reached his next stage."

66

*The MSS. of the Rev. John Jones (many years curate to Dr. Young at Welwyn) supply the following particulars on this subject: Mr. Warburton's account of the late difference between him and Mr. Coventry, &c.; which Mr. Warburton gave me in conversation, July 2, 1741. "Mr. Warburton had, on repeated occa sions, fallen into company with Mr. Coventry at Cambridge [sometimes at Dr. Middleton's, sometimes at Mr. Caryl's, sometimes at Mr. Hardwick's, &c.] On those occasions they fell into discourse about matters of Religion and Literature. Coventry took occasion to lay the plan of his pamphlet before Warburton; and particularly acquainted him with the method in which he intended to proceed with regard to the false theory of Religion amongst the antient Heathens. Which Warburton in the main approved of, though he thought he was going out of the road he had at first chalked out for himself; which was, to expose false religion amongst Christians only. However, Coventry enlarges upon his plan, and represents to him in particular the favourable notion he had of Shuckford's scheme, and of that of L'Abbé Pluche. For he had hitherto gone upon their schemes, and (as may be seen by the conclusion of his third piece, especially with regard to the former writer) intended to proceed upon that plan. In the course of his design he proposed (as he there promised) to give an account, agreeably to their notions, of the origin of the hero and symbolic worship, as he had (I think) before, of that of the celestial luminaries. Warburton perceived he was wrong in his sentiments about the succession and progress of these several kinds of worship. He endeavours to set him right. Coventry (having already formed his plan, and published it in part to the world) was not very forward at first to come into this new scheme, which would disconcert his measures, make him seem inconstant in his notions and designs, and embarrass him in other difficulties, not easy to be got over. However, upon farther conversation and reflection, he seemed in a great measure, if not altogether, convinced. Warburton then, having (as it seemed) set Coventry upon the right scent, matters were like to go on in a fair way of proceeding, and Coventry was left to his discretion to proceed upon that or the former plan; for Warburton was very willing he should make use of the notions he had suggested, in print, if he pleased, though he himself at the same time was preparing (as he also intimated) to give a full account of the matter in his next volume, which was then in considerable forwardness for the press. But then, as this gentle