from my writing pastorals to my attempting the Iliad. I cannot deny myself

the pride of confessing, that I have had the advantage not only of their

advice for the conduct in general, but their correction of several

particulars of this translation.

I could say a great deal of the pleasure of being distinguished by the

Earl of Carnarvon; but it is almost absurd to particularize any one

generous action in a person whose whole life is a continued series of

them. Mr. Stanhope, the present secretary of state, will pardon my desire

of having it known that he was pleased to promote this affair. The

particular zeal of Mr. Harcourt (the son of the late Lord Chancellor) gave

me a proof how much I am honoured in a share of his friendship. I must

attribute to the same motive that of several others of my friends: to whom

all acknowledgments are rendered unnecessary by the privileges of a

familiar correspondence; and I am satisfied I can no way better oblige men

of their turn than by my silence.

In short, I have found more patrons than ever Homer wanted. He would have

thought himself happy to have met the same favour at Athens that has been

shown me by its learned rival, the University of Oxford. And I can hardly

envy him those pompous honours he received after death, when I reflect on

the enjoyment of so many agreeable obligations, and easy friendships,

which make the satisfaction of life. This distinction is the more to be

acknowledged, as it is shown to one whose pen has never gratified the

prejudices of particular parties, or the vanities of particular men.

Whatever the success may prove, I shall never repent of an undertaking in

The Iliad of Homer