Note 468 — The Alcove. (continued 2)

My favourite author, Morhof, has spoken 'comme un brave homme' upon the difficulty of literary enterprizes, and the facility and venom of detraction: I support his assertion 'totis viribus'; and to beg to speak in the same person with himself. 'Non ignotum mihi est, quantæ molis opus humeris meis incumbat. Oceanum enim ingressus sum, in quo portum invenire difficile est, naufragii periculum à syrtibus et scopulis imminet. Quis enim in tanta multitudine rerum et librorum omnia exhauriret? Quis non alicubi impingeret? Quis salvum ab invidia caput retraheret, ac malignitatis dentes in liberiore censura evitaret? Præterea ut palato et gustu differunt convivæ, ita judiciis dissident lectores, neque omnium idem de rebus sensus est, hoc præsertim tempore, quo plures sunt librorum judices, quam lectores, et è lectoribus in lictores, ubique virgas et secures expedituros, multi degenerant.' Præf. Morhof.—Even the great Lambecius (of whom see p. 41, ante) was compelled to deliver his sentiments thus:—'laborem hunc meum non periculosum minus et maglignis liventium Zoilorum dentibus obnoxium, quam prolixum foro et difficilem.' Prod. Hist. Lit. Proleg. One of the Roman philosophers (I think it was Seneca) said, in his last moments, 'Whether or not the Gods will be pleased with what I have done, I cannot take upon me to pronounce: but, this I know—it has been my invariable object to please them.' For 'the Gods' read 'the Public'—and then I beg leave, in a literary point of view, to repeat the words of Seneca.