Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/266

192 that he should know the worth of books; for he is better skilled in the catalogues of ales, his Humty Dumty, Hugmatee, Three-threads, and the rest of that glorious list, than in the catalogues of MSS.

But, pray, what was that scurvy usage that I gave to Mr Boyle? The Doctor remembers but one particular, and that has no relation to Mr Boyle. I am almost persuaded that Mr Boyle's name was not once mentioned in that conversation. For this talk was not had the last time, when I called for the MS., but long before, when my Patent was not yet passed, and before I had the custody of the Library. But suppose Mr B. was named then, I am sure it must be with respect. For how could I use him scurvily in denying him a MS. which was not then in my power to give? Before the time of that discourse, I had promised that the MS. when I could come at it, should be at Mr Boyle's service; and in such words as Mr Boyle himself owns to be expressions of great civility: that a gentleman of that name and family, to which I had so many obligations, and should always have an honour for, might command any service that lay in my power. That I really used these expressions, even