There was another instance given of this kind at the table:  a gentleman who had a very great favour done him, and an employment bestowed upon him, without so much as being known to his benefactor, waited upon the great man who was so generous, and was beginning to say, he was infinitely obliged.  “Not at all,” says the patron, turning from him to another, “had I known a more deserving man in England, he should not have had it.”

We should certainly have had more examples, had not a gentleman produced a book which he thought an instance of this kind:  it was a pamphlet, called, “The Naked Truth."[217] The idea any one would have of that work from the title, was, that there would be much plain dealing with people in power, and that we should see things in their proper light, stripped of the ornaments which are usually given to the actions of the great:  but the skill of this author is such, that he has, under that rugged appearance, approved himself the finest gentleman and courtier that ever writ.  The language is extremely sublime, and not at all to be understood by the vulgar:  the sentiments are such as would make no figure in ordinary words; but such is the art of the expression, and the thoughts are elevated to so high a degree, that I question whether the discourse will sell much.  There was an ill-natured fellow present, who hates all panegyric mortally.  “P——­ take him!” said he, “what the devil means his ‘Naked Truth,’ in speaking nothing but to the advantage of all whom he mentions?  This is just such a great action as that of the champion’s on a coronation day, who challenges all mankind to dispute with him the right of the sovereign, surrounded with his guards.”  The gentleman who produced the treatise, desired him to be cautious, and said, it was writ by an excellent soldier, which made the company observe it more narrowly:  and, as critics are the greatest conjurers at finding out a known truth, one said, he was sure it was writ by the hand of his sword-arm.  I could not perceive much wit in that expression:  but it raised a laugh, and I suppose, was meant as a sneer upon valiant men.  The same man pretended to see in the style, that it was a horse officer; but sure that’s being too nice:  for though you may know officers of the cavalry by the turn of their feet, I can’t imagine how you should discern their hands from those of other men.  But it is always thus with pedants, they will ever be carping; if a gentleman or a man of honour puts pen to paper, I don’t doubt, but this author will find this assertion too true, and that obloquy is not repulsed by the force of arms.  I will therefore set this excellent piece in a light too glaring for weak eyes, and, in imitation of the critic Longinus, shall, as well as I can, make my observations in a style like the author’s, of whom I treat; which perhaps I am as capable of as another, having an unbounded force of thinking, as well as a most exquisite address, extensively and wisely indulged to me by the supreme