I have several very good Reasons why, if I were to be of this Academy, I would banish the word Dozen out of our Dictionary, and the Doctor has no doubt his to be fond of it, and fixing it there for ever. The _French_ King says _he has given about half a dozen Pensions to Learned Men in several Parts of +Europe+, and perhaps a dozen in his own Kingdom_; which, he said, purely out of Affection to the Word Dozen, because he knew full well the _French_ King bestows Pensions on a Hundred Men in several Parts of _Europe_; and on a Thousand in his own Kingdom, who excel in Arts and Literature, _which, including the whole, do not amount to half the Income of many a Private Commoner in +England+_. Whereas I will engage to name Him a Hundred Pensions in _France_ that have been given to Men of Letters, every one of which shall amount to more than half the Income of a dozen Lords, let me have the naming of them too. The History of his Reign, which has been so long Writing, has cost him near threescore Thousand Pounds Sterling. _Boileau_ himself, after he had liv'd a Life of Affluence and Pleasure, keeping a Country-House and City-House, dy'd worth above Five or Six Thousand Pounds, which he had wholly from the King. Not to mention the Rewards _Racine_, _Valincourt_, and other Poets and Historians had, who were imployed about his History; Nor those to all Academies of Sciences founded by him, and the great Pensions he allow'd the Professors. The prodigious Expences he has been at in Printing only at the _Louvre_, would perhaps amount to a Sum equal to the whole Income of several Dozens that might be thought of above the Rank of Commoners.
The last Pages of the Doctor's Book are incomparable, full of most delicate Eulogy in the World, which I cannot read without calling to mind that Verse of _Despreaux_ to Monsieur _Seignelai_.
_Tout Eloge imposteur blesse une ame sincere._
To paint a _Mecænas_ like a _Mars_, and confound Men's Qualities, is a Stale Practice of sorded Flatterers, which Men of Merit reject with Disdain.
_Un Coeur Noble est content de ce qu'il trouve en lui._ _Et ne Supplaudit point de Qualitez d'autrui._
A great Soul scorns to usurp another's worth, and is always content with its own.