C 139 3 



fometimes fuppofed to happen) the one poi- 

 fon fhould expel the other. 



I now come to the examples you have 

 given, of different fubjects which I am fup- 

 pofed to defpife myfelf, and to wifli others 

 to defpife, becaufe they are incapable of be- 

 ing painted. Before I make any remarks 

 on the examples themfelves, I will beg leave 

 to alk you, whether you ferioufly think that 

 any perfon was ever fo abfurd as to declare, 

 or even to think, that objects of fight which 

 were incapable of being painted, were there- 

 fore to be defpifed. Should you difcover 

 any perfon who had declared that, (or any 

 thing which nearly approaches it, ) to be his 

 opinion — treat him as Dogberry defired to 

 be treated — fet him down as an afs — but no 

 more think of arguing with him than with 

 Dogberry, or his reprefentative. If it be 

 merely a phantom you have raifed, in order 

 to combat it, I muft fay your talents might 

 have been more worthily employed. It is 



never 



