[ 44* I 



by Rabelais, feeing Swift and Butler advance towards him, znS 

 knowing that to oppofe would be in vain, laughed at Rabelais as* 

 he was fneaking off, and had even the impudence to cut a joke, 

 upon Pantagruel. He then began being witty upon his own 

 perfon ; and faid he was furprized that Defcartes could think of- 

 taking him for a foldier, as he was fome feet below the ftandard: 

 of any nation ; he at the fame time made fuch a- droll compliment: 

 to Swift and Butler, that they could not help beginning a cph?~ 

 verfation with him, in which they were infinitely delighted with; 

 his wit. Nothing now remained to be decided but the difpute: 

 between the Comic Poets, which was juft going to begin with u 

 great warmth on each fide, when Plautus interpofing prefentedU 

 Moliere with a crown. Congreve and Jonfon, notwithstanding ; 

 their merit, acquiefced in this determination, and were advancing £ 

 to pay their refpects to the French. Poet, when the Laureaf, . 

 thinking that proper regard was not paid to his deferts, ftepped ' 

 abruptly in with an- intention to difpute the authority of Plautus; : 

 but unluckily for him fome enemy of his repeating the firfb 

 flanza of his laft Ode, there followed lb univerfal a laugh, that i 

 it prevented the continuation of my dream. 



THE 



