A Short History of the Adventures of a London Reviewer (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824. Excerpt: ... PART XIV. The authors and critics met this day a good deal later than the hour appointed, so that the Reviewer had time to visit Sir Thomas Lycurgus, who wished to know the success of the literary adventures at the hill; he likewise expected to have had his mind soothed by the amenity of that excellent man from the disappointments he had lately met with at the critical exercises, where his opinion was over-ruled by the learned men who had assembled there to assist him. When Sir Thomas wished him joy of his hill, and the assistance which he had so indefatigably received regarding it, "Ah, sir," says he, "there is indeed a resemblance of the beautiful Grecian original; there are men and books; odd men and men at odds; we have had a grand procession or two; and the London Reviewer is placed in mock majesty on the top of the hill; but what signifies all this when his opinion is never takeri in placing the books on it; if asked, it is never followed. I have abundance of futile compliments paid to me, but no respect. I resemble the cuckold husband in La Fontaine, when he is asked to the table of his wife's gallant; he is placed at the head of it; served with warm tid bits and delicate morsels, with a great deal of flattering ceremony; but what is this? nothing more than a gilded cloak to hide his disgrace and dishonour." "Let us have patience," says Sir Thomas, "when we have no better remedy at hand." Dr Skylight proposed to weigh the authors of roost wit in the English language one against the other. At these words Calfleather's face became two inches shorter; and when Skylight called out for the works of Swift, Addison, Pope, Prior, Congreve, Vanburgh, and Wicherly, Calfleather hastened to the chest in order to fetch them from it, with the air of a young Fren...