an amusement for gentlemen.  Histories of chivalry, instead of enervating, tend to invigorate the mind, and endeavour to raise human nature above the condition which is naturally prescribed to it; but as strict justice, patriotic motives, prudent counsels, and a dispassionate choice of what upon the whole is fittest and best, do not direct these heroes of romance, they cannot serve for instruction and example, like the great characters of true history.  It has ever been my opinion, that only the clear and steady light of truth can guide men to virtue, and that the lesson which is impracticable must be unuseful.  Whoever shall design to regulate his conduct by these visionary characters will be in the condition of superstitious people, who choose rather to act by intimations they receive in the dreams of the night, than by the sober counsels of morning meditation.  Yet I confess it has been the practice of many nations to incite men to virtue by relating the deeds of fabulous heroes:  but surely it is the custom only of yours to incite them to vice by the history of fabulous scoundrels.  Men of fine imagination have soared into the regions of fancy to bring back Astrea; you go thither in search of Pandora.  Oh disgrace to letters!  Oh shame to the muses!

Bookseller.—­You express great indignation at our present race of writers; but believe me the fault lies chiefly on the side of the readers.  As Monsieur Scuderi observed to you, authors must comply with the manners and disposition of those who are to read them.  There must be a certain sympathy between the book and the reader to create a good liking.  Would you present a modern fine gentleman, who is negligently lolling in an easy chair, with the labours of Hercules for his recreation? or make him climb the Alps with Hannibal when he is expiring with the fatigue of last night’s ball?  Our readers must be amused, flattered, soothed; such adventures must be offered to them as they would like to have a share in.

Plutarch.—­It should be the first object of writers to correct the vices and follies of the age.  I will allow as much compliance with the mode of the times as will make truth and good morals agreeable.  Your love of fictitious characters might be turned to good purpose if those presented to the public were to be formed on the rules of religion and morality.  It must be confessed that history, being employed only about illustrious persons, public events, and celebrated actions, does not supply us with such instances of domestic merit as one could wish.  Our heroes are great in the field and the senate, and act well in great scenes on the theatre of the world; but the idea of a man, who in the silent retired path of life never deviates into vice, who considers no spectator but the Omniscient Being, and solicits no applause but His approbation, is the noblest model that can be exhibited to mankind, and would be of the most general use.  Examples of domestic