Epistle V. To Sparsus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley.]
[_]
On the Rehearsal of his Panegyrick.
THE Report goes, that Æschines, at the Request of the Rhodians,
read his own Oration, then that of Demosthenes; and that both were receiv'd with loud Voices of Applause.
I do not wonder that this befel the Writings of Men so eminent; when Persons of the greatest Learning have attended to my Oration,
lately deliver'd, with that Zeal, Agreement, and Application. Tho' their Attention was not quicken'd by any Comparison or Rivalship.
For the Rhodians were mov'd, as by the Beauties of each Speech themselves,
so that by the poignancy of making a Parallel between them: But mine was approved without the Advantage of Emulation.
Whether justly or no, you will know, when you peruse the Book; the compass of which
does not suffer me to Preface it in a longer Epistle. For I ought to be short in this,
where I have it in my Power, and to make the Extent of the Book it self the more excusable;
tho' it does not exceed the largeness of the Occasion.
