BOOK XII
CONTAINING THE SAME INDIVIDUAL TIME WITH THE FORMER
Chapter 1
Showing what is to be deemed plagiarism in a modern author, and what
is to be considered as lawful prize
The learned reader must have observed that in the course of this
mighty work, I have often translated passages out of the best
antient authors, without quoting the original, or without taking the
least notice of the book from whence they were borrowed.
This conduct in writing is placed in a very proper light by the
ingenious Abbe Bannier, in his preface to his Mythology, a work
great erudition and of equal judgment. "It will be easy," says he,
"for the reader to observe that I have frequently had greater regard
to him than to my own reputation: for an author certainly pays him a
considerable compliment, when, for his sake, he suppresses learned
quotations that come in his way, and which would have cost him but the
bare trouble of transcribing."
To fill up a work with these scraps may, indeed, be considered as
a downright cheat on the learned world, who are by such means
imposed upon to buy a second time, in fragments and by retail, what
they have already in gross, if not in their memories, upon their
shelves; and it is still more cruel upon the illiterate, who are drawn
in to pay for what is of no manner of use to them. A writer who
intermixes great quantity of Greek and Latin with his works, deals
by the ladies and fine gentlemen in the same paultry manner with which
they are treated by the auctioneers, who often endeavour so to
confound and mix up their lots, that, in order to purchase the
commodity you want, you are obliged at the same time to purchase
that which will do you no service.
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