A PLEASING THOUGHT

THEY speak most truly who do say

We have no writing-folk to-day

Like those whose names, in days gone by,

Upon the scroll of fame stood high.

And when I think of Smollett’ s tales,

Of waspish Pope’ s ill-natured rails,

Of Fielding dull, of Sterne too free,

Of Swift’ s uncurbed indecency,

Of Dr. Johnson’ s bludgeon-wit,

I must confess I’ m glad of it!