without them, as they are so near coming. And besides, I don't think so proper to write Notes, and point out beauties (if there are any) or criticize on the faults in my own work. The former is by no means proper for me to do, and the latter (I'll uphold it) will be done. for me faster perhaps than I could wish. All that is proper for me to do, I will willingly and readily set about. (if you shall think proper, and acquaint me with your pleasure. in the next) which I take to be no more than barely expounding the hard words by some of more common use, and put a few Scriptural proofs and allusions, &c., in the margin. This I will do, if you please, and correct the copies as well as I can, and send them to you correctly written, (inclosed in a Frank) with large blank margins for any Critick to fill with Notes —To go any further would bear too hard upon modesty and decency.
As for poor plodding Richards, you have said more of him. than ever I intended to do myself: but say what you will, you cannot injure him much. I have so much Charity for him as to believe he undertook it with a view to the publick Good; but can by no means allow that the Book will be useful to the next Compiler or indeed to anybody else. When Virgil gathered gold out of Ennius's ordure, I presume the former bore a proportion as one to ten to the latter, but here is not an ounce to a tun weight, so not worth raking for. I wish he had nothing to do with Moses. Williams, H. Salisbury, and Baxter. I am sure it had been better; but especially his own Glam: what has Glam. words to do with Welsh? I had rather he had made use of any Gibberish, and authorised it with an Hottentotice; that would never mislead Posterity; but we may be easy, for I dare say his Dictionary never will. The Dictionaries, Glossaries, &c., that he compiled from, might have been useful to a Judicious man, that could have picked and culled with Judgment and discretion. But I have no patience when I see H. Salisbury, or the late unaccountable Mr. M Williams quoted to justify a blunder or to legitimate and authorise the uncouthest Gibberish. He must be superstitiously bigoted to H. Salisbury &c., or else very
