But I must beg leave to inform the author, that this paper is not intended for the management of controversy, which would be of very little import to most readers, and only misspend time, that I would gladly employ to better purposes.  For where it is a man’s business to entertain a whole room-full, it is unmannerly to apply himself to a particular person, and turn his back upon the rest of the company.

[Footnote 1:  No. 25 in the reprint. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 2:  “They met and whispered together; and their entire aim was the confirmation of their own power and an oath for the destruction of their enemies.” [T.S.]]

[Footnote 3:  The following is the passage in Sacheverell’s sermon in which the nickname is used:  “What dependence can there be upon a man of no principles? ...  In what moving and lively colours does the holy Psalmist paint out the crafty insidiousness of such wily Volpones!” Godolphin, in spite of Somers’s protest against such action, brought about the preacher’s impeachment, for this description of himself, as he took it.  See also vol. v., p. 219 and note of present edition. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 4:  An attempt was made to repeal the Act for Naturalizing Foreign Protestants (7 Ann. c. 5), which received the royal assent, March 23rd, 170-8/9, by a Bill which passed the House of Commons, January 31st, 171-0/1, but was thrown out by the Lords, February 5th.  Persons naturalized under this Act had to pay a fee of one shilling on taking the prescribed oath of allegiance. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 5:  See Nos. 20 and 23, ante, and notes pp. 118 and 141. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 6:  Nicholas Lechmere (1675-1727), member for Appleby (1708-10), Cockermouth (1710-17), and Tewkesbury (1717-21), was one of the managers in the impeachment of Sacheverell.  He, with Addison, Hoadly, and Minshull corrected Steele’s draft of “The Crisis” for publication.  He was created Lord Lechmere in 1721, after he had held the offices of solicitor-general (1714-18) and attorney-general (1718-20).  See also vol. v., p. 326 note, of present edition. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 7:  “R.H.  H.S.  Esqs;” in both editions.  In Faulkner’s collected reprint the second name was altered to William Shippen, and Scott follows Faulkner; but there can be no doubt that the initials were intended for St. John, since the persons named were those who succeeded to the places of the dismissed ministers.  Shippen was a prominent member of the October Club, but he did not hold any public office. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 8:  In No. 19 of “The Medley,” the writer calls “The Examiner” to account for writing Abigail Masham, spinster.  She was then Mrs. Masham. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 9:  See No. 23, ante, and notes p. 138. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 10:  “The Case of the Present Convocation Consider’d; In Answer to the Examiner’s Unfair Representation of it, and Unjust Reflections upon it.” 1711, See note p. 129. [T.S.]]