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Memoirs of the extraordinary life, works, and discoveries of Martinus Scriblerus. By Mr. Pope — Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus

MEMOIRS Of the Extraordinary LIFE, WORKS, AND DISCOVERIES OF MARTINUS SCRIBLERUS.

By Mr. POPE.

DUBLIN: Printed by and for GEORGE FAULKNER. M. DCC. XLI.

INTRODUCTION TO THE READER.

IN the Reign of Queen ANNE, (which notwithstanding those happy Times which succeeded, every Englishman may remember) thou may'st possibly, gentle Reader, have seen a certain Venerable Person who frequented the Outside of the Palace of St. James's, and who by the Gravity of his Deportment and Habit, was generally taken for a decay'd Gentleman of Spain. His stature was tall, his visage long, his complexion olive, his brows were black and even, his eyes hollow yet piercing, his nose inclin'd to Aquiline, his beard neglected and mix'd with grey: All this contributed to spread a solemn Melancholy over his countenance. Pythagoras was not more silent, Pyrrho more motionless, nor Zeno more austere. His Wig was as black and smooth as the plumes of a Raven, and hung as strait as the hair of a River-God rising from the water. His Cloak so compleatly covered his whole person, that whether or no he had any other cloaths (much less any linnen) under it, I shall not say; but his sword appear'd a full yard behind him, and his manner of wearing it was so stiff, that it seem'd grown to his Thigh.

his whole figure was so utterly unlike any thing of this world, that it was not natural for any man to ask him a question without blessing himself first, Those who never saw a Jesuit, took him for one, and others believed him some High Priest of the Jews.

But under this macerated form was conceal'd a Mind replete with Science, burning with a Zeal of benefiting his fellowcreatures, and filled with an honest conscious Pride, mix'd with a scorn of doing or suffering the least thing beneath the dignity of a Philosopher. Accordingly he had a soul that would not let him accept of any offers of Charity, at the same time that his body seem'd but too much to require it. His lodging was in a small chamber up four pair of stairs, where he regularly payed for what he had when he eat or drank, and he was often observed wholly to abstain from both. He declin'd speaking to any one, except the Queen, or her first Minister, to whom he attempted to make some applications; but his real business or intentions were utterly unknown to all men. Thus much is certain, that he was obnoxious to the Queen's Ministry; who either out of Jealousy or Envy, had him spirited away, and carried abroad as a dangerous person, without any regard to the known Laws of the Kingdom.

One day, as this Gentleman was walking about dinner-time alone in the Mall, it happen'd that a Manuscript dropt from under his cloak, which my servant pick'd up, and brought to me. It was written in the Latin tongue, and contain'd many most profound Secrets, in an unusual turn of reasoning and style. The first leaf was inscribed with these words, Codicillus, seú Liber Memorialis, Martini Scribleri. The Book was of so wonderful a nature, that it is incredible what a desire I conceiv'd that moment to be acquainted with the Author, who I clearly perceiv'd was some great Philosopher in disguise. I several times endeavour'd to speak to him, which he as often industriously avoided. At length I found an opportunity (as he stood under the Piazza by the Dancing-room in St. James's) to acquaint him in the Latin tongue, that his Manuscript was fallen into my hands: and saying this, I presented it to him, with great Encomiums on the learned Author. Hereupon he took me aside, survey'd me over with a fix'd attention, and opening the clasps of the Parchment cover, spoke (to my great surprize) in English, as follows.