particular persons). It grew up insensibly into a custom for every

academician to repeat these elogiums at his reception; it was laid

down as a kind of law that the public should be indulged from time

to time the sullen satisfaction of yawning over these productions.

If the reason should afterwards be sought, why the greatest geniuses

who have been incorporated into that body have sometimes made the

worst speeches, I answer, that it is wholly owing to a strong

propension, the gentlemen in question had to shine, and to display a