ABSTRACT

WHEN the great Chrononhotonthologos (see that play written by Fielding) was missing, Aldiborontiphoscophormio, was asked where he might be found. Why this enquiry was made, the reader may discover by refering to Athenæus: it argues that I have a right to make a similar enquiry respecting truth, as Archimedes cried Eureka in the time of Hiero, King of Syracuse. Does the reader wish to know more of kings; I will refer him to the memoirs of πιππιν; 1 or does he feel any curiosity respecting queens, let him look at τοµ θυµ Q. A. φηλδινγ; 2 ∆ολαλα loquitur. 3 Queens indeed are usually queans, 4 a proof that in our language there is yet great need of a synonymical dictionary. On the subject of queans I recollect a curious passage in Suidas too long to be quoted. Macrobius says something of a similar nature, but Philoxenus apud Stobaeum is of a different opinion. After this argument it would be a waste of time to contend with the bigots who believe in hell—a place that may be proved by the accounts of the Siamese, to have no existence but in vulgar superstition. Would you wish to learn what the ancients thought of this, refer to Diogen. Laert. or that admirable work, the theme of my constant meditation, Ramanha, written by one of the scribes of Sandracottus, who clearly shews that hell is a corruption of Bel the Dragon, a fit prototype for our Dr. Bell, 5 whose impudence astonishes me and the nation, and makes him a fit companion for the Belzebub of the priests.