An Artificial Age ; Port^ the Patron^ and the Pillory. 63 



— I mean Dr. Johnson. We remember him as the man who 

 came forward and throwing oif the patronage of the great 

 appealed to the public verdict, and set literature once and for 

 ever on a i5rm basis. It was he who showed that there is 

 nothing disgraceful in seeking from the public a living by 

 literature. After all, very much of the eighteenth century may 

 be found in the nineteenth only under other forms, though we 

 have in very many things improved. I have pleasure in 

 bearing out what Prof. MacMullan has stated with regard to 

 the lecture this evening, and in seconding the vote of thanks to 

 Mr. Moore. 



Mr. Moore. — The gratification afforded by your kind recep- 

 tion of my paper is largely increased by the very flattering 

 remarks made by Prof. MacMullan and Dr. Sheldon. Being 

 aware of the critical capacity of these gentlemen, you can quite 

 understand that any remarks from them would be of genuine 

 value. I came ready to claim indulgence for my deficiencies. 

 Though I have written thirty-two volumes now, this is my first 

 appearance on the lecture platform. Therefore you will see that 

 I looked upon the First Offenders' Act as being particularly 

 applicable to my case. Thanks, however, to the clemency of 

 my judges I have no occasion to put forward that plea. If your 

 Secretary is good enongh to honour me with an invitation to 

 deliver another lecture at any future time, I trust I shall be able 

 to bring before you something more worthy of your acceptance. 



