THE OCCASIONAL PAPER. NUM B. IX. O F CENSURE A N ESSAY. LONDON: Printed for J.HARRISON under the Royal Exchange, and A. DODD without Temple-bar. 1716. Price Three Pence. OF CENSURE A N ESSAY C ENSURE is nothing else but making a Judgment of Things, and forming our own Opinion of them according to their refpective Nature and critical Difference. Tis Marking out the Excellence and Defect of any Perfon or Performance to publick Notice. Such were the antient Cenfors among the Ro mans, who judg'd of the Manners and Behaviour of Men according to the Laws and Cuftoms which were fettled and obtained. It may be confidered either as Virtuous or Vi cious, according to the Judgment which is made, or the Temper of Mind in him who makes it. Cenfure n.b. Cenfure is fometimes Virtuous, and imports fomething excellent and useful. When it proceeds from a Love of Truth and Concern for the Interefts of Mankind, and is under the Direction of Wisdom and a Spirit of Meeknefs, it is fo far from being culpable, that it must be owned, he is a great and brave Man, who daresundertake it. Tis truly heroick for * Man to expofe himself to ferve the Publick; to ftand the Shot of Rage and Malice and Envy, affifted with Wit, and fupported by Power, and at the fame time backed with Numbers; for the fake of Truth and Virtue. If in the writing a Poem, a Man ought, according to Horace, to confider his Abilities; Quid valeant humeri, quid ferre recufent: I am fure a Man ought to weigh the Matter very care. fully, when he fets up for a Cenfor. So many natural Talents, fo many moral Virtues; fo much Application, Exactnefs, and Experience is requifite; as is fufficient to deter a Man from the Attempt: And I believe the World has produced more fit for the Imperia Purple, than to be Cato's Succeffors. For however Men naturally run into Cenfure, and every body thinks himself qualified, there are very few fufficiently capable, or difpofed aright: When 'tis managed with Judgment and Hu manity, 'tis of great Service to the World: It ferves to correct a vain Temper, and excite a heavy one, to lay the Reins upon an eager and forward Spirit, and give Steadinefs and Caution to a wavering and wandering Mind. It It ferves many times to prevent unfurnished Men from unequal Attempts, to the Prejudice of the Publick; and very much helps to fecure the right Ufe of their Talents, where any are duly qualified for publick Service. It keeps the World not a little in awe: Great Men, and those who govern others, are very much govern'd by others in this. The Rabble themselves are afraid of one anothers ill Tongues, and Reproach; perhaps when they have fuppreffed the Fear of every thing else. The Honefty of many a Dealer; the good Behaviour of many People in publick Profeffions, the Impartiality of fome Judges; the Sincerity of Minifters of State; perhaps the Virtue of fome few Ladies, may be not a little beholden to the Awe, in which they stand, of malicious Tongues. There are fome things, in which Cenfure fhould be wholly fpared; and 'tis an Argument of very ill Breeding, very little Senfe, and no Religion, to allow it in our felves, or be pleafed with it in others. When Perfons labour under natural and unavoidable Infirmi ties and Blemishes: Some for the fake of their Countenances; others for the Shape of their Bodies; many from an Infirmity in Speech; are very great Sufferers this Way, and furnish Matter for ill-plac'd Cenfure and ill-natured Diverfion. If Men have given proof of fincere Repentance of any Fault, there Cenfure is peculiarly out of place, and exceeding barbarous. Or when things are barely Matter of Sufpicion. A bare Sufpicion is like the harmlefs Buz of a Bee about our Ears; but let Cen |