Part 37 (2/2)

'135 Garth:'

Sir Samuel Garth, like Arbuthnot, a doctor, a man of letters, and an early friend of Pope.

'137'

Charles Talbot, Duke of Shrewsbury; John, Lord Somers; and John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham; all leading statesmen and patrons of literature in Queen Anne's day.

'138 Rochester:'

Francis Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester, an intimate friend of Pope.

'139 St. John:'

Bolingbroke. For Pope's relations with him, see introduction to the 'Essay on Man,' p. 116.

'143'

Gilbert Burnet and John Oldmixon had written historical works from the Whig point of view. Roger Cooke, a now forgotten writer, had published a 'Detection of the Court and State of England.' Pope in a note on this line calls them all three authors of secret and scandalous history.

'146'

The reference is to Pope's early descriptive poems, the 'Pastorals' and 'Windsor Forest.'

'147 gentle f.a.n.n.y's:'

a sneer at Lord Hervey's verses. See the introduction to this poem, p.

126.

'149 Gildon:'

a critic of the time who had repeatedly attacked Pope. The poet told Spence that he had heard Addison gave Gildon ten pounds to slander him.

'151 Dennis:'

see note on 'Essay on Criticism.' l. 270.

<script>