Q. I was never so happy as to meet with any of these Authors. But what d'ye think of Cornelius Tacitus?
A. A Talking, Tedious, Empty Fellow.
Q. Well but is not Titus Livius a pretty Good Historian?
A. Ha Ha Ha. That Same Titus is an Errant Puppy, A Damn'd, Insipid, Lying Coxcomb. Titus Livius a good Historian sayst thou? Why if I had a Schoolboy that writ such Latin I'de tickle his Toby for him.
Q. But what's your Opinion of Caesars Commentaries then? I mean, for a Narrative?
A. A Narrative d'ye say? Deliver me from such Narratives! Why 'tis no more to be compar'd to the Narratives that are written now adays, then an Apple is to an Oyster.
Q. But however He was a very Brave Fellow, was he not?
A. He was an Arbitrary, Oppressing, Tyrannical Fellow. And then for his Bravery, he did pretty well at the Battel of Leipsick, and after that, at Lepanto; and when you have said that, you have said all.
Q. You have read all these Authors, have you not?
A. Why verily I have, and I have not. They are a company of Lying, Ridiculing Rascals; They do not AFFECT me at all: they are below me, they are not worth my notice.