[ 437 ] 



mean time, did not want intelligence of the attack defigned by 

 the French : there were no factions or cabals raifed about the 

 perfon to be fixed upon as General ; for every one, with a kind 

 of reverential awe, intreated Newton to accept the port ; he mo- 

 deftly complied with their requeft, and begged that Milton might 

 be joined with him in command. Milton did not decline this 

 honour, and, on account of his lofs of fight, defired that Addifon 

 might be appointed to affift him, for he found that he was infi- 

 nitely ftronger when that able critic was near. The whole army was 

 led on in the following manner : Newton and Milton took their 

 poft in the centre, in which were likewife Bacon, Locke, and 

 Spenfer. Shakfpeare commanded the right wing, and had in his 

 di virion, Rovve, Otway, Dry den, Waller, Cowley, and Gay. 

 Pope had under his command; in the left wing, Congreve, Swift, 

 Butler, Jon fon, and many more. I have forgot, I believe, as yet 

 mentioning one very particular circumftance, which was, that 

 after Defcartes fxrft fpoke, each book had occafionally taken upon 

 itfelf the fhape of its author. The engagement had .now begun. 

 Defcartes advanced with great intrepidity, but his troops, every 

 ftep he took towards Newton, vifibly decreafed, and his Vor- 

 texes, which he had fo much ' relied on, immediately dif- 

 appeared. I was a good deal furprifed at this fudden change ; 

 but looking towards Newton, I .faw that he had a mield of ada- 

 mant prefented. to him . on that occafion by Natural Philofophy, 

 which the moment any thing falfe, though never fo ingenious, 

 ft ruck againft, it was immediately reduced to its proper ftate of 

 nothing. Newton, I eing content with having humbled Defcar- 

 tes's arrogance, took pity on his condition ; and no enemy in the 

 field being; of coniequence enough for him to honour with a de- 



O J. O 



feat, he chofe, like Edward the Third, to be only fpeclator of 

 the fight, and view with pleafure the valour of his countrymen. 



Locke ? 



6 



