CHAPTER X.

Controversy respecting the Works of Homer; Arguments of the Disputants--Controversy on the supposed Epistles of Phalaris--Opinion of Sir William Temple on the Superiority of the Ancients--Dissertation of Dr. Bentley on the Epistles of Phalaris--He proves them to be a Forgery--Doubts as to the Anabasis being the Work of Xenophon--Arguments of Mr. Mitford in the Affirmative--Alcyonius accused of having plagiarised from, and destroyed, Cicero’s Treatise “De Gloria”--Curious Mistake as to Sir T. More’s Utopia--The Icon Basilike--Disputes to which it gave rise--Arguments, pro and con, as to the real Author of it--Lauder’s Attempt to prove Milton a Plagiarist--Refutation of him by Dr. Douglas--His interpolations--George Psalmanazar--His Account of Formosa--His Repentance and Piety--Publication of Ossian’s Poems by Mr. Macpherson--Their Authenticity is doubted--Report of the Highland Society on the Subject--Pseudonymous and anonymous Works--Letters of Junius--The Drapier’s Letters--Tale of a Tub--Gulliver’s Travels--The Waverley Novels--Chatterton and the Rowley Poems--W. H. Ireland and the Shakspearian Forgeries--Damberger’s pretended Travels--Poems of Clotilda de Surville--Walladmor--Hunter, the American--Donville’s Travels in Africa 147