perennaturum est opus!—­Hujus memoriam Anglorum primus, post tantum,
    proh dolor! ab tanti excessu poetae intervallum, statua eleganti in
    loco celeberrimo, coenobio Westmonasteriensi, posita, regum,
    principum, antistitum, illustriumque Angliae virorum caemeterio, vir
    ornatissimus, Gulielmus Benson prosecutus est.
         Poetarum Scotorum Musae Sacrae, in praefatione, Edinb. 1739.

A character, as high and honourable as ever was bestowed upon him by the most sanguine of his admirers! and as this was my cool and sincere opinion of that wonderful man formerly, so I declare it to be the same still, and ever will be, notwithstanding all appearances to the contrary, occasioned merely by passion and resentment; which appear, however, by the Postscript to the Essay, to be so far from extending to the posterity of Milton, that I recommend his only remaining descendant, in the warmest terms, to the public.

[2] On two unequal crutches propp’d he[2a] came;
    Milton’s on this, on that one Johnston’s name.  Dunciad, Book IV.

[2a] Benson.  This man endeavoured to raise himself to fame, by
     erecting monuments, striking coins, and procuring translations of
     Milton; and afterwards continued:  by a great passion for Arthur
     Johnston, a Scots physician’s version of the Psalms, of which he
     printed many fine editions. Notes on the Dunciad.

No fewer than six different editions of that useful and valuable book, two in quarto, two in octavo, and two in a lesser form, now lie, like lumber, in the hand of Mr. Vaillant, bookseller, the effects of Mr. Pope’s ill-natured criticism.

One of these editions in quarto, illustrated with an interpretation and notes, after the manner of the classic authors in usum Delphini, was, by the worthy editor, anno 1741, inscribed to his Royal Highness Prince George, as a proper book for his instruction in principles of piety, as well as knowledge of the Latin tongue, when he should arrive at due maturity of age.  To restore this book to credit was the cause that induced me to engage in this disagreeable controversy, rather than any design to depreciate the just reputation of Milton.

TESTIMONIES CONCERNING MR. LAUDER.

Edinb.  May 22, 1734.

These are certifying, that Mr. William Lauder past his course at this university, to the general satisfaction of these masters, under whom he studied.  That he has applied himself particularly to the study of humanity[1] ever since.  That for several years past, he has taught with success, students in the humanity class, who were recommended to him by the professor thereof.  And lastly, has taught that class itself, during the indisposition, and since the death of its late professor:  and, therefore, is, in our opinion, a fit person to teach humanity in any school or college whatever.