"Mary Astell returned a borrowed copy of Pierre Bayle's Pensees diverses (4th ed., 1704) to the owner, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, with the first volume profusely annotated. On the flyleaf she write a general impression, beginning [...] "I ask pardon for scribling in Y[ou]r La[dyshi]ps Book. The Author is so disingenuous & inconsistent yt no lover of Truth can read it without a just Indignation.'"
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Astell Print: Book
'"Bayle's Dictionary is a very useful work for those to consult who love the biographical part of literature, which is what I love most."
Talking of the eminent writers in Qneen Anne's reign, he observed, "I think Dr. Arbuthnot the first man among them. He was the most universal genius, being an excellent physician, a man of deep learning, and a man of much humour. Mr. Addison was, to be sure, a great man; his learning was not profound; but his morality, his humour, and his elegance of writing, set him very high."'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Book
