Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/296

222 ingenuity, to maintain a fault that I am convinced of. I require therefore the same candour from him; and if he does not perform it, I shall not reckon it as an answer. For if he has not either judgement enough to know when he's confuted, or sincerity enough to confess it, it is to no purpose at all to continue the controversy.

6. But if he thinks to drop the main subject, or but slightly to touch upon it; and to give, as he says, "a view of the Doctor's picture in miniature," by way of burlesque, and ridicule, and banter, which his genius is so strongly bent to; I shall look upon that to be least of all an answer; because 'tis no part of the dispute; for I will never contest that point with him, but allow that he has no ill talent at farce and grimace. And if there be neither truth, nor learning, nor judgement, in his book, it shall be cried up for those other accomplishments, as much as he pleases.

Mr B. thought fit in his second edition to rake up all his affronts upon me together, under the title of "A short account of Dr B. by way of index." And in an imperfect imitation of so great an example, I had