This
indeed is perfect cavilling, and I am ashamed to dwell any longer
upon it.
Fourthly, I will appeal to Mr. Partridge himself, whether it be
probable I could have been so indiscreet, to begin my predictions
with the only falsehood that ever was pretended to be in them;
and this in an affair at home, where I had so many opportunities
to be exact; and must have given such advantages against me to a
person of Mr. Partridge's wit and learning, who, if he could
possibly have raised one single objection more against the truth
of my prophecies, would hardly have spared me.
And here I must take occasion to reprove the above mention'd
writer of the relation of Mr. Partridge's death, in a letter to a
lord; who was pleased to tax me with a mistake of four whole
hours in my calculation of that event. I must confess, this
censure pronounced with an air of certainty, in a matter that so
nearly concerned me, and by a grave judicious author, moved me
not a little. But tho' I was at that time out of town, yet
several of my friends, whose curiosity had led them to be exactly
informed (for as to my own part, having no doubt at all in the
matter, I never once thought of it) assured me, I computed to
something under half an hour: which (I speak my private opinion)
is an error of no very great magnitude, that men should raise a
clamour about it. I shall only say, it would not be amiss, if
that author would henceforth be more tender of other men's
reputations as well as his own.
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