Part 28 (1/2)

'588 tax:'

blame, find fault with.

'591'

In Pope's time n.o.blemen could take degrees at the English universities without pa.s.sing the regular examinations.

'617'

Dryden's 'Fables' published in 1700 represented the very best narrative poetry of the greatest poet of his day. D'Urfey's 'Tales', on the other hand, published in 1704 and 1706, were collections of dull and obscene doggerel by a wretched poet.

'618 With him:'

according to ”the bookful blockhead.”

'619 Garth:'

a well-known doctor of the day, who wrote a much admired mock-heroic poem called 'The Dispensary'. His enemies a.s.serted that he was not really the author of the poem.

'623'

Such foolish critics are just as ready to pour out their opinions on a man in St. Paul's cathedral as in the bookseller's shops in the square around the church, which is called St. Paul's churchyard.

'632 proud to know:'

proud of his knowledge.

'636 humanly:'

an old form for ”humanely.”

'642 love to praise:'

a love of praising men.

'648 Maeonian Star:'

Homer. Maeonia, or Lydia, was a district in Asia which was said to have been the birthplace of Homer.

'652 conquered Nature:'