So, Sir Critick, I could have replied; but I scorn it. --'Tis language unurbane, --and only befitting the man who cannot give clear and satisfactory accounts of things, or dive deep enough into the first causes of human ignorance and confusion. It is moreover the reply valiant--and therefore I reject it: for tho' it might have suited my uncle _Toby's_ character as a soldier excellently well, and had he not accustomed himself, in such attacks, to whistle the _Lillabullero_, as he wanted no courage, 'tis the very answer he would have given; yet it would by no means have done for me. You see as plain as can be, that I write as a man of erudition; --that even my similies, my allusions, my illustrations, my metaphors, are erudite, --and that I must sustain my character properly, and contrast it properly too, --else what would become of me? Why, Sir, I should be undone; --at this very moment that I am going here to fill up one place against a critick, --I should have made an opening for a couple.
----Therefore I answer thus:

So, Sir Critic, I could have replied; but I scorn it. 'Tis uncivil language, only fit for a man who cannot give clear accounts of things, or dive deep enough into the causes of human ignorance. It is moreover the reply valiant - and therefore I reject it: for though it might have suited my uncle Toby's character as a soldier excellently well, (had he not accustomed himself, in such attacks, to whistle Lillabullero,) yet it would not do for me.
You see plainly, that I write as a man of learning; - that even my similes, my allusions, my metaphors, are erudite, - and that I must sustain my character properly, or what would become of me? Why, Sir, I should be undone; at the very moment that I filled up one place against a critic, I should have made an opening for a couple more.
Therefore I answer thus:
