)༢ Now that the last proof-sheets are before me, I feel that my book ought not to go into the world without bearing on its pages the expression of my sincere gratitude to those who are in any way connected with it. I am indebted to prof. dr. A. E. H. Swaen for much kindness and encouragement. In spite of the enormous amount of work which has passed through his hands during the last four or five years, I have never appealed to him for help in vain. At this moment my thoughts naturally go back to the past, to the many pleasant hours I spent with prof. dr. P. Fijn van Draat and Mr. M. G. van Neck who guided my first steps in the study of English, and whose lessons I still remember gratefully. My thanks are due also to the authorities of the British Museum, especially to Mr. Arundell Esdaile, who was always ready to help me, during my stay in London in the winter of 1924, and who has rendered me many a kind service since then. CONTENTS I. HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE CONTROVERSY. II. THE CONTROVERSY AS FAR AS POPE'S MORAL CHARACTER APPENDICES TWO LETTERS TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD BYRON IN ANSWER TO HIS LETTER ON THE REV. W. L. BOWLES'S |