It
resembles "The Dunciad" in containing more bitterness than humour.
Examples are given of the "Pert style," the "Alamode" style, the
"Finical style." The exceptions taken to such hyperbole as the
following, seem to be the best founded--
OF A LION.
"He roared so loud and looked so wondrous grim
His very shadow durst not follow him."
OF A LADY AT DINNER.
"The silver whiteness that adorns thy neck
Sullies the plate, and makes the napkins black."
OF THE SAME.
"The obscureness of her birth
Cannot eclipse the lustre of her eyes
Which make her all one light."
OF A BULL BAITING.
"Up to the stars the sprawling mastiffs fly
And add new monsters to the frighted sky."
There is a certain amount of humour in Arbuthnot's "History of John
Bull," and in his "Harmony in an Uproar." A letter to Frederick Handel,
Esquire, Master of the Opera House in the Haymarket, from Hurlothrumbo
Johnson, Esquire, Composer Extraordinary to all the theatres in Great
Britain, excepting that of the Haymarket, commences--
"Wonderful Sir!--The mounting flames of my ambition have long
aspired to the honour of holding a small conversation with you; but
being sensible of the almost insuperable difficulty of getting at
you, I bethought me a paper kite might best reach you, and soar to
your apartment, though seated in the highest clouds, for all the
world knows I can top you, fly as high as you will.
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