Pope might have had from Bolingbroke the "philosophical stamina" of the essay, but he must, at least, have contributed the "poetical imagery," and have had more independent power than the story implied.

It is, indeed, impossible accurately to fix the relations of the teacher and his disciple.

Pope acknowledged in the strongest possible terms his dependence upon Bolingbroke, and Bolingbroke claims with equal distinctness the position of instigator and inspirer.

His more elaborate philosophical works are in the form of letters to Pope, and profess to be a redaction of the conversations which they had had together.

These were not written till after the Essay on Man; but a series of fragments appear to represent what he actually set down for Pope's guidance.