In this letter he very sensibly observes, ’That since the very spirit of the christian religion, is the spirit of union and charity, it follows by consequence, that a spirit of division, is a spirit of malice, and of the Devil.  A true son of the church, is he who appears most for union, who breathes nothing but charity; who neglects all worldly greatness to bear his master’s yoke; and, who has learned of him to be meek and lowly of heart.’

He shews that the moderate part of the Church of England are the truest church; and that violent party which differs from the moderate ought to be called Dissenters, because they are at a greater distance from charity, which is the characteristic of a true church, than any Dissenters.  By which, says he, ’It appears that Mr. Sacheverel has made a rod to whip himself, for if only the true Church of England is to remain, and if the moderate part is the true church, the most violent ought the least to be tolerated, because they differ from charity; and consequently are more ready to disturb the public peace.’

In 1703 he published proposals for putting a speedy end to the war, by ruining the commerce of the French and Spaniards, and securing our own without any additional expence to the nation.  This was thought a very judicious, and well designed plan.

In 1706 our author published an Essay on the Italian Opera, in which, with an irresistable force, he shews the extreme danger that a generous nation is exposed to, by too much indulging effeminate music.  In the preface he quotes a passage from Boileau, in which that satirist expresses himself with much severity against emasculating diversions; and the Italian music in particular.

He observes, ’That the modern Italians have the very same sun and soil with the antient Romans, and yet are their manners directly opposite.  Their men are neither virtuous, wise, or valiant, and they who have reason to know their women, never trust them out of their sight.  ’Tis impossible to give any reason for so great a difference between the ancient Romans, and the modern Italians, but only luxury; and the reigning luxury of modern Italy, is that soft and effeminate music, which abounds in the Opera.’

In this Essay Mr. Dennis remarks, that entertainments entirely made up of music can never instruct the mind, nor promote one excellent purpose in human nature.  ’Perhaps, says he, the pride and vanity that is in mankind, may determine the generality to give into music, at the expence of poetry.  Men love to enjoy their pleasures entirely, and not to have them restrained by awe, or curbed by mortification.  Now there are but few judicious spectators at our dramatic representations, since none can be so, but who with great endowments of nature have had a very generous education; and the rest are frequently mortified, by passing foolish judgments:  But in music the case is vastly different; to judge of that requires only use, and a fine ear, which the footman oft has