[To TRH ED/TOR OF THE " SPEOTATOR."3 invalidate the conclusion
just drawn for him) that in "The in Pope's day like the French " th6," because of the rhyme,— clusions drawn from this as to the pronunciation of his day. Every schoolboy has been taught that " tea " was pronounced Basset Table," line 112, Pope wrote,— upon the accuracy of the rhymes in Pope, and too rigid con- And in line 27,— But not every schoolboy is told (because it might somewhat "The snuff-box to Corclelia I decree ; has always seemed to me that too much stress is laid Now leave complaining and begin your tea." Would sometimes counsel take—and sometimes tea." " Great Anna ! whom three realms obey, " Tell, tell your griefs, attentive will I stay, Though time is precious and I want some tea."
In face of this variation, would it be safe to argue that " spoiled " was always pronounced " spiled," because Pope wrote in his "Epilogue to the Satires," lines 38, 39,— " Down, down, proud Satire, though a realm be spoiled, Arraign no mightier thief than wretched Wild."
It seems to me, not.—I am, Sir, &c., C. C. T.
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