Note 105 — Chapter II · LEARNED LADIES IN ENGLAND FROM 1650 TO 1760

The "Matchless Orinda" gives us an inkling of the way some of this praise should be discounted. It seems that Waller was reported to have said that he would give all his own poems to have been the author of a poem written by the Duchess of Newcastle. On being taxed with insincerity he answered that he could "do no less in Gallantry than be willing to devote all his own Papers to save the Reputation of a Lady, and keep her from the Disgrace of having written anything so ill." (Letters from Orinda to Poliarchus, Letter XLII.)