The Rambler, Vol. II | Page 3

loss of ancient writers whose characters have
survived their works; but, perhaps, if we could now retrieve them, we
should find them only the Granvilles, Montagues, Stepneys, and
Sheffields of their time, and wonder by what infatuation or caprice they
could be raised to notice.
It cannot, however, be denied, that many have sunk into oblivion,
whom it were unjust to number with this despicable class. Various
kinds of literary fame seem destined to various measures of duration.
Some spread into exuberance with a very speedy growth, but soon
wither and decay; some rise more slowly, but last long. Parnassus has
its flowers of transient fragrance, as well as its oaks of towering height,
and its laurels of eternal verdure.
Among those whose reputation is exhausted in a short time by its own
luxuriance, are the writers who take advantage of present incidents or
characters which strongly interest the passions, and engage universal
attention. It is not difficult to obtain readers, when we discuss a
question which every one is desirous to understand, which is debated in
every assembly, and has divided the nation into parties; or when we
display the faults or virtues of him whose publick conduct has made
almost every man his enemy or his friend. To the quick circulation of
such productions all the motives of interest and vanity concur; the
disputant enlarges his knowledge, the zealot animates his passion, and
every man is desirous to inform himself concerning affairs so
vehemently agitated and variously represented.
It is scarcely to be imagined, through how many subordinations of
interest the ardour of party is diffused; and what multitudes fancy
themselves affected by every satire or panegyrick on a man of
eminence. Whoever has, at any time, taken occasion to mention him
with praise or blame, whoever happens to love or hate any of his
adherents, as he wishes to confirm his opinion, and to strengthen his
party, will diligently peruse every paper from which he can hope for
sentiments like his own. An object, however small in itself, if placed
near to the eye, will engross all the rays of light; and a transaction,

however trivial, swells into importance when it presses immediately on
our attention. He that shall peruse the political pamphlets of any past
reign, will wonder why they were so eagerly read, or so loudly praised.
Many of the performances which had power to inflame factions, and
fill a kingdom with confusion, have now very little effect upon a frigid
critick; and the time is coming, when the compositions of later hirelings
shall lie equally despised. In proportion as those who write on
temporary subjects, are exalted above their merit at first, they are
afterwards depressed below it; nor can the brightest elegance of diction,
or most artful subtilty of reasoning, hope for so much esteem from
those whose regard is no longer quickened by curiosity or pride.
It is, indeed, the fate of controvertists, even when they contend for
philosophical or theological truth, to be soon laid aside and slighted.
Either the question is decided, and there is no more place for doubt and
opposition; or mankind despair of understanding it, and grow weary of
disturbance, content themselves with quiet ignorance, and refuse to be
harassed with labours which they have no hopes of recompensing with
knowledge.
The authors of new discoveries may surely expect to be reckoned
among those whose writings are secure of veneration: yet it often
happens that the general reception of a doctrine obscures the books in
which it was delivered. When any tenet is generally received and
adopted as an incontrovertible principle, we seldom look back to the
arguments upon which it was first established, or can bear that
tediousness of deduction, and multiplicity of evidence, by which its
author was forced to reconcile it to prejudice, and fortify it in the
weakness of novelty against obstinacy and envy.
It is well known how much of our philosophy is derived from Boyle's
discovery of the qualities of the air; yet of those who now adopt or
enlarge his theory, very few have read the detail of his experiments. His
name is, indeed, reverenced; but his works are neglected; we are
contented to know, that he conquered his opponents, without inquiring
what cavils were produced against him, or by what proofs they were
confuted.
Some writers apply themselves to studies boundless and inexhaustible,
as experiments in natural philosophy. These are always lost in
successive compilations, as new advances are made, and former

observations become more familiar. Others spend their lives in remarks
on language, or explanations of antiquities, and only afford materials
for lexicographers and commentators, who are themselves
overwhelmed by subsequent collectors, that equally destroy the
memory of their predecessors by amplification, transposition, or
contraction. Every new system of nature