Part 4 (2/2)

_William Lloyd_, than whom (so far as I am able to judge) this Nation could not have afforded a fitter Person, either for that great Industry, or accurate Judgment, both in _Philological_, and _Philosophical_ Matters, required to such a Work. And particularly, I must wholly ascribe to him that tedious and difficult Task, of suiting the Tables to the _Dictionary_, and the drawing up of the _Dictionary_ itself, which, upon trial, I doubt not, will be found to be the most perfect, that was ever yet made for the _English Tongue_.

I will only farther beg leave to mention, the _Bishop_ of _Carlisle_, _Your Self_, and Dr. _Gibson_, who for good Spirit, masterly Judgment, and all the Ornaments of Stile, in the several ways of Writing, may be equalled with the best and most polite. To conclude, if this Preface is writ in a Stile, that may be thought somewhat rough and too severe, it is not out of any natural Inclination to take up a Quarrel, but to do some Justice to the Study of Antiquities, and even of our own Language itself, against the severe Censurers of both; whose Behaviour in this Controversy has been such, as cou'd not have the Treatment it deserved in a more modest or civil manner. If I am mistaken herein, I beg Pardon: I might alledge that which perhaps might be admitted for an Excuse, but that I will not involve the whole s.e.x, by pleading Woman's Frailty. I confess I thought it would be to little purpose to write an _English Saxon Grammar_, if there was nothing of Worth in that Language to invite any one to the study of it; so that I have only been upon the Defensive. If any think fit to take up Arms againsst me, I have great Confidence in the Protection of the Learned, the Candid, and the n.o.ble; amongst which, from as many as bear the Ensigns of St. _George_, I cannot doubt of that help, that true Chevalrie can afford, to any Damsel in Distress, by cutting off the Heads of all those Dragons, that dare but to open their Mouths, or begin to hiss against her. But, Sir, before I conclude, I must do you the Justice to insert an extract of two Letters from the Right Honourable _D. P._ to the Reverend Dr. _R. Taylor_, relating to your _Thesaurus. Lingg. Vett. Septentrion._ which indeed might more properly have been placed in the eighth Page of this Preface, had it come sooner to my Hands. It is as follows,

--”The _Dean_'s Present, which I shall value as long as I live for his sake. _Dom. Mabillon_ was the first that told me of that Work, and said, that the Author was a truly learned Person, and not one of those Writers who did not understand their Subject to the bottom, but, said he, that learned Man is one of ten thousand.”

[Footnote F: See the Epistle to the Reader in the Essay towards a Real Character, p. 3.]

And in another Letter to the abovemention'd Dr. _Taylor_--. ”When _Dom. Mabillon_ first told me of it, he did not name the Author, so as I understood who he was, but the Elogium he made of him, was indeed very great, and I find that the _Dean_ in one Word, has done that worthy Man Justice.” This high Elogium of your self, and of your great Work, from so renowned an Antiquary, as it is a great Defence and Commendation of the _Old Northern Learning_, so is it the more remarkable, in that it was given by one, against whom you had written in the most tender Point of the Controversy, _De Re Diplomatica_, as may be seen in your _Lingg.

Vett. Septentr. Thesaur. Praefat. General._ p. _x.x.xvi_, &c.

Sir, I once more heartily beg your Pardon for giving you so much trouble, and beg leave to give you my Thanks for the great a.s.sistance I have received in the _Saxon_ Studies from your learned Works, and Conversation; and in particular for your favourable Recommendation of my Endeavours, in a farther cultivating those Studies, who with sincere Wishes for your good Health, and all imaginable Respect for a Person of your Worth and Learning, am,

_SIR_,

Your Most Obliged,

Humble Servant,

_Elizabeth Elstob._

William Andrews Clark Memorial Library: University of California

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