Page:A letter to the Rev. Richard Farmer.djvu/45

( 39 ) perfectly novel. "The reciprocal good opinion" (we are told) "which the publick and Mr. appear to entertain of each other, does both parties infinite honour." It is, I believe, the firt time that the good opinion of the publick has ever been tated as a matter of reproach to him who has had the good fortune to obtain it. If by my humble labours I had any title to uppoe the publick had been pleaed and benefited, I hould conider myelf as having obtained the bet reward which it has to betow, or the ons of literature ought to apire to.—To have merited publick approbation, mut to an ingenuous mind ever afford a pleaure which the cavils of criticim cannot diminih; and which nothing can o much augment as the diapprobation of the ignorant, the envious, the petulant, and the vain.

I am, my dear Sir, Your very affectionate friend, And humble ervant, EDMOND MALONE.