[76]. Effusion of Latin Words. Theobald has omitted a striking passage in the original preface. It was shown that Shakespeare's writings, in contrast with Milton's, contain few or no Latin phrases, though they have many Latin words made English; and this fact was advanced as the truest criterion of his knowledge of Latin.
The passage is referred to by Hurd in his Letter to Mr. Mason on the Marks of Imitation (1757, p. 74). Hurd thinks that the observation is too good to have come from Theobald. His opinion is confirmed by the entire omission of the passage in the second edition. Warburton himself claimed it as his own. Though the passage was condensed by Theobald, Warburton's claim is still represented by the passage from For I shall find (p. 76, l. 7) to Royal Taste (l. 36).
[77]. Shakespeare ... astonishing force and splendor. Cf. Pope, p. 50.
Had Homer, etc. Cf. Pope, p. 56.
[78]. Indulging his private sense. See p. [61].
Lipsius,—Satyra Menippæa (Opera, 1611, p. 640).
[79]. Sive homo, etc. Quintus Serenus, De Medicina, xlvi., “Hominis ac simiae morsui.”
[80]. Nature of any Distemper ... corrupt Classic. Cf. Shakespeare Restored, pp. iv, v.
[81]. Bentley's edition of Paradise Lost had appeared in 1732.
the true Duty of an Editor. A shy hit at Pope's “dull duty of an editor,” Preface, p. 61.