Vanoque dilectis popello
      Divitiis animosus hostis. 
    Possis ut illum dicere mortuum
    En Terra jam nunc Quantula sufficit? 
      Exempta sit Curis, Viator,
      Terra sit illa laevis, precare. 
    Hic sparge Flores, sparge breves Rosas,
    Nam Vita gaudet Mortua Floribus,
      Herbisque Odoratis Corona
      Vatis adhuc Cinerem Calentem.’

[The Publication of these Criticisms having procured me the following Letter from a very ingenious Gentleman, I cannot forbear inserting it in the Volume, though it did not come soon enough to have a place in any of my single Papers.

  Mr.  SPECTATOR,

’Having read over in your Paper, No. 551. some of the Epigrams made by the Grecian Wits, in commendation of their celebrated Poets, I could not forbear sending you another, out of the same Collection; which I take to be as great a Compliment to Homer, as any that has yet been paid him.

    [Greek:  Tis poth’ ho ton Troiaes polemon, &c.]

    Who first transcribed the famous_ Trojan War,
    And wise Ulysses’ Acts, O Jove, make known: 
    For since ’tis certain, Thine those Poems are,
    No more let Homer boast they are his own.

  If you think it worthy of a Place in your Speculations, for ought I
  know (by that means) it may in time be printed as often in English,
  as it has already been in Greek, I am (like the rest of the World)

  SIR,

  Your great Admirer,
  G. R.
  4th Dec.

The Reader may observe that the Beauty of this Epigram is different from that of any in the foregoing.  An Irony is look’d upon as the finest Palliative of Praise; and very often conveys the noblest Panegyrick under the Appearance of Satire. Homer is here seemingly accused and treated as a Plagiary; but what is drawn up in the form of an Accusation is certainly, as my Correspondent observes, the greatest Compliment that could have been paid to that Divine Poet.]

  Dear Mr.  SPECTATOR,

I am a Gentleman of a pretty good Fortune, and of a Temper impatient of any thing which I think an Injury; however I always quarrelled according to Law, and instead of attacking my Adversary by the dangerous Method of Sword and Pistol, I made my Assaults by that more secure one of Writ or Warrant.  I cannot help telling you, that either by the Justice of my Causes, or the Superiority of my Counsel, I have been generally successful; and to my great Satisfaction I can say it, that by three Actions of Slander, and half a dozen Trespasses, I have for several Years enjoy’d a perfect Tranquility in my Reputation and Estate.  By these means also I have been made known to the Judges, the Serjeants of our Circuit are my intimate Friends, and the Ornamental Counsel pay a very profound Respect to one who has made so