And now the little boys in the streets began to salute him with
several names. Sometimes they would call him Jack the Bald,
sometimes Jack with a Lanthorn, sometimes Dutch Jack, sometimes
French Hugh, sometimes Tom the Beggar, and sometimes Knocking Jack
of the North {112}. And it was under one or some or all of these
appellations (which I leave the learned reader to determine) that he
hath given rise to the most illustrious and epidemic sect of
AEolists, who, with honourable commemoration, do still acknowledge
the renowned Jack for their author and founder. Of whose originals
as well as principles I am now advancing to gratify the world with a
very particular account.

"Mellaeo contingens cuncta lepore."



SECTION VII.--A DIGRESSION IN PRAISE OF DIGRESSIONS.



I have sometimes heard of an Iliad in a nut-shell, but it has been
my fortune to have much oftener seen a nut-shell in an Iliad. There
is no doubt that human life has received most wonderful advantages
from both; but to which of the two the world is chiefly indebted, I
shall leave among the curious as a problem worthy of their utmost
inquiry. For the invention of the latter, I think the commonwealth
of learning is chiefly obliged to the great modern improvement of
digressions. The late refinements in knowledge, running parallel to
those of diet in our nation, which among men of a judicious taste
are dressed up in various compounds, consisting in soups and olios,