46 Gomments on Sterne. 
literary pleafure, are held to be profane diffectors, 
who mangle the carcafe of learning, out of fpleen 
and idle curiofity.* Befides, the originality of 
Sterne has fcarcely Leen made a problem; on the 
contrary, he is confidered as the inventor of a new 
ftyle in our language. I cannot help thinking, 
however, with honeft Mungo in the farce, that it 
imports us little to hear what we do not underftand 5 
and though far beneath the dignity of Horace or 
Pope,f who profefled to admire nothing, I think 
it very unphilofophical, to let wonder conquer 
reafon, efpecially in the clofet. 
To be too curious in the furvey of beautiful per- 
formances, is to invite difguft. ‘The coloffal ftatues 
of Phidias, though polifhed to perfection without; 
bore a rude appearance to thofe who examined them 
* It has been faid, that a learned Gentleman intends to 
re-publifh Joe Miller’s Jefts, with illuftrations from the 
Greek writers. I expeét impatiently the reftoration of 
feveral of his Ivifh ftortes to Hierecles the Philofopher, 
from whofe Aceiz thofe ridiculous blunders have wandered 
abroad, and having loft their original country, are moft 
unfairly quartered upon Ireland, 
+ Niladmirari prope res eft una, Numici, 
Solaque, quz poflit facere et fervare beatum. 
Hor, Ep, Lib. 1, Ep, vi. 
For fools admire, but men of fenfe approve, 
Pope, 
