to wit and poetry. The Judges and Ma­gistrates may with full as good reason be re­proach’d with Ill-nature, for putting the laws in execution against a Thief or Im­postor — The same will hold in the Re­publick of Letters, if the Criticks an Judges will let every Ignorant Pretender to scribling, pass on the world.

Theobald, Lett. to Mist, Jun. 22, 1728.

Attacks may be levelled, either a­gainst Failures in Genius, or against the Pretensions of writing without one.

Concanen, Ded. to the Auth. of the Dunc.Ded. to the Auth. of the Dunc.: in A compleat collection of all the verses, essays, letters and advertisements, which Have been occasioned by the Publication of Three Volumes of Miscellanies, by Pope and Company. To which is added an Exact List of the Lords, Ladies, Gentlemen and others, who have been abused in those Volumes. With a large Dedication to the Author of the Dunciad, containing some Animadversions upon that Extraordinary Performance, printed for A. Moore, near St. Paul’s, 1728, pp. iii–xv.

A Satyre upon Dulness, is a thing that has been used and allowed in All Ages.A Satyre … Ages: Ibid., p. xi.

Out of thine own Mouth will I judge thee, wicked Scribler!