SHOWING WHAT THAT QUESTION WAS, WHICH WAS ANSWERED BEFORE IT WAS
ASKED.
_Chacun a son stile; le mien, comme vouz voyez, n'est pas laconique._
M^E. DE SEVIGNEˊ.
In reporting progress upon the subject of the preceding chapter, it
appears that the question asked concerning the question that was
answered, was not itself answered in that chapter; so that it still
remains to be explained what it was that was so obvious as to require
no other answer than the answer that was there given; whether it was
the reason why there is no portrait of Dr. Daniel Dove? or the reason
why Horrebow, if he had been the author of this book, would simply
have said that there was none, and have said nothing more about it?
The question which was answered related to Horrebow. He would have
said nothing more about the matter, because he would have thought
there was nothing more to say; or because he agreed with Britain's old
rhyming Remembrancer, that although
More might be said hereof to make a proof,
Yet more to say were more than is enough.
But if there be readers who admire a style of such barren brevity, I
must tell them in the words of Estienne Pasquier that _je fais grande
conscience d'alambiquer mon esprit en telle espece d'escrite pour leur
complaire_. Do they take me for a Bottle-Conjurer that I am to
compress myself into a quart, wine-merchants' measure, and be corked
down? I must have “ample room and verge enough,”—a large canvas such
as Haydon requires, and as Rubens required before him. When I pour out
nectar for my guests it must be into
a bowl
Large as my capacious soul.
It is true I might have contented myself with merely saying there is
no portrait of my venerable friend; and the benevolent reader would
have been satisfied with the information, while at the same time he
wished there had been one, and perhaps involuntarily sighed at
thinking there was not. But I have duties to perform; first to the
memory of my most dear philosopher and friend; secondly, to myself;
thirdly, to posterity, which in this matter I cannot conscientiously
prefer either to myself or my friend; fourthly, to the benevolent
reader who delighteth in this book, and consequently loveth me
therefore, and whom therefore I love, though, notwithstanding here is
love for love between us, we know not each other now, and never shall!
fourthly, I say to the benevolent reader, or rather readers,
_utriusque generis_, and fifthly to the Public for the time being.
“England expects every man to do his duty;” and England's expectation
would not be disappointed if every Englishman were to perform his as
faithfully and fully as I will do mine. Mark me, Reader, it is only of
my duties to England, and to the parties above-mentioned that I speak;
other duties I am accountable for elsewhere. God forbid that I should
ever speak of them in this strain, or ever think of them otherwise
than in humility and fear!