About the same time that the Doctor left off Writing, one Mr. Ozell put out his MONTHLY AMUSEMENT, (which is still continued) and as it is generally some French Novel or Play indifferently Translated, is more or less taken Notice of, as the Original Piece is more or less Agreeable.

As to our Weekly Papers, the Poor REVIEW is quite exhausted, and grown so very Contemptible, that tho’ he has provoked all his Brothers of the Quill round, none of them will enter into a Controversy with him.  This Fellow, who had excellent Natural Parts, but wanted a small Foundation of Learning, is a lively instance of those Wits, who, as an Ingenious Author says, will endure but one Skimming.

The OBSERVATOR was almost in the same Condition, but since our Party-Struggles have run so high, he is much mended for the better; which is imputed to the Charitable Assistance of some out-lying Friends.

These Two Authors might, however, have flourish’d some time longer, had not the Controversie been taken up by much abler Hands.

The EXAMINER is a Paper, which all Men, who speak without Prejudice, allow to be well Writ.  Tho’ his Subject will admit of no great Variety, he is continually placing it on so many different Lights, and endeavouring to inculcate the same thing by so many Beautiful Changes of Expressions, that Men, who are concern’d in no Party, may Read him with Pleasure.  His way of assuming the Question in Debate, is extremely Artful; and his Letter to Crassus, is, I think, a Master-piece.  As these Papers, are suppos’d to have been Writ by several Hands, the Criticks will tell you, That they can discern a difference in their Stiles and Beauties, and pretend to observe, that the first EXAMINERS abound chiefly in Wit, the last in Humour.

Soon after their first appearance, came out a Paper from the other Side, called the WHIG EXAMINER, writ with so much Fire, and in so excellent a Stile, as put the Tories in no small pain for their favourite Hero, every one cry’d Bickerstaff must be the Author, and People were the more confirm’d in this opinion, upon its being so soon lay’d down; which seem’d to shew, that it was only writ to bind the EXAMINERS to their good Behaviour, and was never design’d to be a Weekly Paper.  The EXAMINERS therefore have no one to Combat with at present, but their Friend the MEDLEY; The Author of which Paper, tho’ he seems to be a Man of good Sense, and expresses, it luckily enough now and then, is, I think, for the most part, perfectly a Stranger to fine Writing.

I presume I need not tell you that the EXAMINER carries much the more Sail, as ’tis supposed to be writ by the Direction, and under the Eye of some Great Persons who sit at the helm of Affairs, and is consequently look’d on as a sort of publick Notice which way they are steering us.

The reputed Author is Dr. S—–­t, with the assistance, sometimes, of Dr. Att—–­y; and Mr. P—–­r.

The MEDLEY, is said to be Writ by Mr. Old—–­n, and supervised by Mr. Mayn—–­g, who perhaps might intirely write those few Papers which, are so much better than the rest.