Bernard Lintot, or, as he originally wrote his name, Barnaby Lintott, was the son of a Sussex yeoman, and commenced business as a bookseller at the sign of the Cross Keys, between the Temple Gates, in the year 1700. He is thus characterized by John Dunton--“He lately published a collection of _Tragic Tales_, &c., by which I perceive he is angry with the world, and scorns it into the bargain; and I cannot blame him: for D’Urfey (his author) both treats and esteems it as it deserves; too hard a task for those whom it flatters; or perhaps for Bernard himself, should the world ever change its humour and grin upon him. However, to do Mr. Lintot justice, he is a man of very good principles, and I dare engage will never want an author of _Sol-fa_,[4] so long as the play-house will encourage his comedies.” The world, however, did grin upon him, for in 1712 he set up a “Miscellany” intended to rival Tonson’s, and here appeared the first sketch of the “Rape of the Lock,” and this introduction to Pope was to turn out of as much importance in his fortunes as the previous connection with Dryden had been to Tonson. A memorandum-book, preserved by Nichols, contains an exact account of the money paid by Lintot to his various authors. Here are the receipts for Pope’s entire works:-- £ _s._ _d._ 1712, Feb. 19. Statius, first book; Vertumnus and Pomona 16 2 6 1712, March 21. First edition of the Rape 7 0 0 1712, April 9. To a Lady presenting Voiture upon Silence to the author of a Poem called Successio 3 16 6 1712-13, Feb. 23. Windsor Forest 32 5 0 1713, July 22. Ode on St. Cecilia’s Day 15 0 0 1714, Feb. 20. Additions to the Rape 15 0 0 1715, Feb. 1. Temple of Fame 32 5 0 1715, April 31. Key to the Lock 10 15 0 1716, July 17. Essay on Criticism 15 0 0 ------------- In 1712 Pope, mindful of Dryden’s success, commenced his translation of Homer, and in 1714 Lintot, equally mindful probably of the profits Tonson had derived from Virgil, made a splendid offer for its publication. He agreed to provide at his own expense all the subscription and presentation copies, and in addition to pay the author two hundred pounds per volume. The Homer was to consist of six quarto volumes, to be delivered to subscribers, as completed, at a guinea a volume, and through the unremitting labours of the poet’s literary and political friends, six hundred and fifty-four copies were delivered at the original rate, and Pope realized altogether the munificent sum of five thousand, three hundred and twenty pounds, four shillings.