that wants this wit may indeed be scorned, but the scorn shows the
honour which the contemner has for wit." Of this remark Pope made
the proper use, by correcting the passage.

I have preserved, I think, all that is reasonable in Dennis's
criticism; it remains that justice be done to his delicacy. "For
his acquaintance," says Dennis, "he names Mr. Walsh, who had by no
means the qualification which this author reckons absolutely
necessary to a critic, it being very certain that he was, like this
essayer a very indifferent poet; he loved to be well dressed; and I
remember a little young gentleman whom Mr. Walsh used to take into
his company as a double foil to his person and capacity. Inquire
between Sunning Hill and Oakingham, for a young, short, equal,
gentleman, the very bow of the God of Love, and tell me whether he
be a proper author to make personal reflections? He may extol the
ancients, but he has reason to thank the gods that he was born a
modern; for had he been born of Grecian parents, and his father
consequently had by law had the absolute disposal of him, his life
had been no longer than that of one of his poems, the life of half a
day. Let the person of a gentleman of his parts be never so
contemptible, his inward man is ten times more ridiculous; it being
impossible that his outward form, though it be that of downright
monkey, should differ so much from human shape as his unthinking,
immaterial part does from human understanding." Thus began the
hostility between Pope and Dennis, which, though it was suspended
for a short time, never was appeased. Pope seems, at first, to have
attacked him wantonly; but though he always professed to despise
him, he discovers, by mentioning him very often, that he felt his
force or his venom.