Moreover, these high ideals were entertained under the most unfavorable circumstances. By the time the second volume was complete, the editors took pleasure in announcing that in spite of "open assault and private assassination," "published reproach and printed letters of abuse, distributed like poisoned arrows in the dark," yea, in spite of the "breath of secret calumny" and the "loud blasts of obloquy," the _Critical Review_ was more strongly entrenched than before. There was more than mere rhodomontade in these words. Not only did open rivalry exist between the two reviews, but they were both made the subject of violent attacks by authors whose productions had been condemned on their pages. John Brine (1755), John Shebbeare (1757), Horace Walpole (1759), William Kenrick (1759), James Grainger (1759) and Joseph Reed (1759) are the earliest of the many writers who issued pamphlets in reply to articles in the reviews. In 1759 Smollett was tried at the King's Bench for aspersions upon the character of Admiral Sir Charles Knowles published in the _Critical Review_. He was declared guilty, fined £100, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Yet in spite of such difficulties, the _Critical Review_ continued to find favor among its readers. The articles written by its "Society of Gentlemen" were on the whole far more interesting in subject and treatment than the work of Griffiths' unfortunate hacks; but the _Monthly_ was also prospering, as in 1761 a fourth share in that review was sold for more than £755. In 1760 appeared a curious anonymous satire entitled _The Battle of the Reviews_, which presented, upon the model of Swift's spirited account of the contest between ancient and modern learning, a fantastic description of the open warfare between the two reviews. After a formal declaration of hostilities both sides marshal their forces for the struggle. The "noble patron" of the _Monthly_ is but slightly disguised as the Right Honourable Rehoboam Gruffy, Esq. His associates Sir Imp Brazen, Mynheer Tanaquil Limmonad, Martin Problem, and others were probably recognized by contemporary readers. To oppose this array the _Critical_ summons a force that contains only two names of distinction, Sampson MacJackson and Sawney MacSmallhead (_i.e._, Smollett). The ensuing battle, which is described at great length, results in a victory for the _Critical Review_, and the banishment of Squire Gruffy to the land of the Hottentots. Dr. Johnson's well-known characterization of the two reviews was quite just. On the occasion of his memorable interview (1767) with George III, Johnson gave the King information concerning the _Journal des Savans_ and said of the two English reviews that "the _Monthly Review_ was done with most care; the _Critical_ upon the best principles; adding that the authors of the _Monthly Review_ were enemies to the Church." Some years later Johnson said of the reviews: