He was no philosopher, and therefore an incompetent assailant of the abuses of philosophy.

The fourth book consists chiefly of ridicule upon pedagogues who teach words instead of things; upon the unlucky "virtuosos" who care for old medals, plants, and butterflies--pursuits which afforded an unceasing supply of ridicule to the essayists of the time; a denunciation of the corruption of modern youth, who learn nothing but new forms of vice in the grand tour; and a fresh assault upon Toland, Tindal, and other freethinkers of the day.

There were some passages marked by Pope's usual dexterity, but the whole is awkwardly constructed, and has no very intelligible connexion with the first part.
It was highly admired at the time, and, amongst others, by Gray.

He specially praises a passage which has often been quoted as representing Pope's highest achievement in his art.

At the conclusion the goddess Dulness yawns, and a blight falls upon art, science, and philosophy.