I must avow then, openly and sincerely, that my principles are diametrically opposite to the sentiments of Spinoza and Leibnitz; they are perfectly coincident with the tenets of M. Paschal and the Archbishop of Cambray; and I shall always esteem it an honour to me to imitate the moderation with which the latter submitted his private opinions to the decisions of the church of which he professed himself a member.

I have the honour to be, &c.

A. POPE.

SIR,

M. Racine's answer to Mr. Pope.

Paris oct. 25, 1742.

THE mildness and humility with which you justify yourself is a convincing proof of your religion; the more so, as you have done it to one on whom it is incumbent to make his own appology for his rash attack upon your character. Your manner of pardoning me is the more delicate, as it is done without any mixture of reproach: but though you acquit me with so much politeness, I shall not so easily forgive myself.

Certain it is, a precipitance of zeal hurried me

away. As I had often heard positions, said to be your's, or at least consequences resulting from your Essay, cited against certain truths which I now find you respect as much as myself, I thought I had a right to enter the lists with you. The passage of my preface was extorted from me by a degree of remorse which I felt in writing against you. This remorse,

Sir, was awakened in me by the consideration that the greatest men are always the most susceptible of the truths of Revelation, I was really grieved to think that Mr. Pope should oppose a religion whose enemies have ever been contemptible; and it appeared strange that, in a Work which points out the road to happiness, you should furnish arms to those who are industrious to misguide us in the research.

Your letter at the same time that it does honour to your character, must bring a blush in my face for having entertained unjust suspicions: but notwithstanding this, I think myself obliged to make it public. The injury which I have done you was so, the reparation should be the same. I owe this to you, I owe it to myself, I owe it to justice.

Whatever may be said in your favour in the commentary you have sent me, it is now rendered unnecessary by your own declaration. The respect which you avow for the religion you profess, is a sufficient

vindication of your doctrine, I will add, that, for the future, those among us who shall feel the laudable ambition of making their poetry subservient to religion ought to take you for their model; and it should ever be remembered that the greatest poet in England is one of the humblest sons of the church.

I am, &c.

VOL. III.

MORAL ESSAYS,

IN FOUR EPISTLES.

TO SEVERAL PERSONS.

Est brevitate opus, ut currat sententia, neu se
Impediat verbis lassas onerantibus aures:
Et sermone opus est modo tristi, sæpe jocoso,
Defendente vicem modo rhetoris atque poetæ,
Interdum urbani parcentis viribus, atque
Extenuantis eas consulto.

HOR.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Essay on Man was intended to have been comprised in Four books :

The First of which the Author has given us under that title in Four Epistles.

The Second was to have consisted of the same number: 1. Of the extent and limits of human reason. 2. Of those arts and sciences, and of the parts of them, which are useful, and therefore attainable, together with those which are unuseful, and therefore unattainable. 3. Of the nature, ends, use, and application, of the different capacities of men.

4. Of