Tom Brown makes the charge more directly.  “But, prithee, why so severe always on the priesthood, Mr. Bayes?  What have they merited to pull down your indignation?  I thought the ridiculing men of that character upon the stage, was by this time a topic as much worn out with you, as love and honour in the play, or good fulsome flattery in the dedication.  But you, I find, still continue your old humour, to date from the year of Hegira, the loss of Eton, or since orders were refused you.  Whatever hangs out, either black or green colours is presently your prize:  and you would, by your good will, be as mortifying a vexation to the whole tribe, as an unbegetting year, a concatenation of briefs, or a voracious visitor; so that I am of opinion, you had much better have written in your title-page,

                           Manet alta mente repostum
  Judicium Cleri, spretaeque injuria Musoe.”

The same reproach is urged by Settle.  See vol. ix.

[40] Vol. xviii. [The Diary had not been deciphered when Scott wrote.  —­ED.]

[41] There was, to be sure, in the provoking scruples of that rigid sect, something peculiarly tempting to a satirist.  How is it possible to forgive Baxter, for the affectation with which he records the enormities of his childhood?

“Though my conscience,” says he, “would trouble me when I sinned, yet divers sins I was addicted to, and oft committed against my conscience, which, for the warning of others, I will here confess to my shame.  I was much addicted to the excessive gluttonous eating of apples and pears, which I think laid the foundation of the imbecility and flatulency of my stomach, which caused the bodily calamities of my life.  To this end, and to concur with naughty boys that gloried in evil, I have oft gone into other men’s orchards, and stolen the fruit, when I had enough at home.”  There are six other retractions of similar enormities, when he concludes:  “These were my sins in my childhood, as to which, conscience troubled me for a great while before they were overcome.”  Baxter was a pious and worthy man; but can any one read this confession without thinking of Tartuffe, who subjected himself to penance for killing a flea, with too much anger?

[42] See vol. xviii.  Mr. Malone thinks tradition has confounded a present made to the poet himself probably of L100, with a legacy bequeathed to his son Charles, which last did amount to L500, but which Charles lived not to receive.

[43] She is distinguished for beauty and virtue, by the author of “The Court at Kensington.” 1699-1700.

  “So Ormond’s graceful mien attracts all eyes,
  And nature needs not ask from art supplies;
  An heir of grandeur shines through every part,
  And in her beauteous form is placed the noblest heart: 
  In vain mankind adore, unless she were
  By Heaven made less virtuous, or less fair.”

[44] Gildon, in his “Comparison between the Stages.”—­“Nay then,” says the whole party at Drury-lane, “we’ll even put ‘The Pilgrim’ upon him.”  “Ay, ’faith, so we will,” says Dryden:  “and if you’ll let my son have the profits of the third night, I’ll give you a Secular Masque.”  “Done,” says the House; and so the bargain was struck.