Don Quixote, Boccalini, la Bruyère. It is probably of set purpose that Swift, speaking in the character of the bookseller, enumerates Cervantes' hero as one of a list of authors; and we may also infer that the other names are introduced somewhat at random, and without any special literary reference. The English parallel to Don Quixote which naturally presents itself is Butler's Hudibras; but Swift, who greatly admired Butler, was not likely to refer to Hudibras with an implied sarcasm. Trajano Boccalini was an Italian writer, who lived from 1556 to 1613. His works are Ragguagli di Parnaso (News from Parnassus) and Pietra del Paragone Politico (Political Touchstone). The last had a political bearing against Spain, and was not published until after Boccalini's death. An English translation of part of his works had appeared in 1626, and a translation of the whole was now being prepared, and was issued in 1705, with a preface by John Hughes, the friend of Addison. He is described as 'a satirical wit'; but this description, as now employed, would scarcely apply to his works. The News from Parnassus treats of moral questions by means of allegorical machinery, difficult points being discussed by a council summoned by Apollo, and referred to his decision. At times his essays approach very nearly to the form of fables. There are passages in the Tale of a Tub which recall his manner, and some of the papers in the Spectator owed, perhaps, something to his writings. La Bruyère founded his Caractères upon Theophrastus. As his Caractères appeared only in 1687, it could hardly be necessary to refit them 'to the humour of the age.'