The history of the notes has never been traced. Broome, an his
preface to his poems, declares himself the commentator "in part upon
the 'Iliad,'" and it appears from Fenton's letter, preserved in the
Museum, that Broome was at first engaged in consulting Eustathius;
but that after a time, whatever was the reason, he desisted.
Another man of Cambridge was then employed, who soon grew weary of
the work, and a third, that was recommended by Thirlby, is now
discovered to have been Jortin, a man since well known to the
learned world, who complained that Pope, having accepted and
approved his performance, never testified any curiosity to see him,
and who professed to have forgotten the terms on which he worked.
The terms which Fenton uses are very mercantile: "I think at first
sight that his performance is very commendable, and have sent word
for him to finish the seventeenth book, and to send it with his
demands for his trouble. I have here enclosed the specimen; if the
rest come before the return, I will keep them till I receive your
order."

Broome then offered his service a second time, which was probably
accepted, as they had afterwards a closer correspondence. Parnell
contributed the "Life of Homer," which Pope found so harsh, that he
took great pains in correcting it; and by his own diligence, with
such help as kindness or money could procure him, in somewhat more
than five years he completed his version of the "Iliad," with the
notes. He began it in 1712, his twenty-fifth year, and concluded it
in 1718, his thirtieth year. When we find him translating fifty
lines a day, it is natural to suppose that he would have brought his
work to a more speedy conclusion. The "Iliad," containing less than
sixteen thousand verses, might have been despatched in less than