Page:The Works of Alexander Pope (1717).djvu/11

 the more liable to be mistaken. The only method he has, is to make the experiment by writing, and appealing to the judgment of others: And if he happens to write ill (which is certainly no sin in itself) he is immediately made an object of ri­dicule. I wish we had the humanity to reflect that even the worst authors might endeavour to please us, and in that endeavour, deserve some­thing at our hands. We have no cause to quarrel with them but for their obstinacy in persisting, and this too may admit of alleviating circumstances. Their particular friends may be either igno­rant, or insincere; and the rest of the world too well bred to shock them with a truth, which ge­nerally their Booksellers are the first that inform them of. This happens not till they have spent too much of their time, to apply to any profession which might better fit their talents; and till such talents as they have are so far discredited, as to be but of small service to them. For (what is the hard­est case imaginable) the reputation of a man ge­nerally depends upon the first steps he makes in the world, and people will establish their opinion of us, from what we do at that season when we have least judgment to direct us.

On the other hand, a good Poet no sooner com­municates his works with the same desire of infor­mation, but it is imagin'd he is a vain young