To the author of these lines was dedicated, in 1756, the first
volume of an "Essay on the Writings and Genius of Pope," which
attempted, whether justly or not, to pluck from Pope his "Wing of
Fire," and to reduce him to a rank at least one degree lower than
the first class of English poets. If Young accepted and approved
the dedication, he countenanced this attack upon the fame of him
whom he invokes as his Muse.

Part of "paper-sparing" Pope's Third Book of the "Odyssey,"
deposited in the Museum, is written upon the back of a letter signed
"E. Young," which is clearly the handwriting of our Young. The
letter, dated only May 2nd, seems obscure; but there can be little
doubt that the friendship he requests was a literary one, and that
he had the highest literary opinion of Pope. The request was a
prologue, I am told.

"May the 2nd.

"DEAR SIR;--Having been often from home, I know not if you have done
me the favour of calling on me. But, be that as it will, I much
want that instance of your friendship I mentioned in my last; a
friendship I am very sensible I can receive from no one but
yourself. I should not urge this thing so much but for very
particular reasons; nor can you be at a loss to conceive how a
'trifle of this nature' may be of serious moment to me; and while I
am in hopes of the great advantage of your advice about it, I shall
not be so absurd as to make any further step without it. I know you
are much engaged, and only hope to hear of you at your entire
leisure.