The exposition of Pope (the first part of which appeared in December, 1738) is one of his most tiresome performances; nor need any human being at the present day study the painful wire-drawings and sophistries by which he tries to give logical cohesion and orthodox intention to the Essay on Man.
If Warburton was simply practising his dialectical skill, the result was a failure.

But if he had an eye to certain lower ends, his success surpassed his expectations.

Pope was in ecstasies.

He fell upon Warburton's neck--or rather at his feet--and overwhelmed him with professions of gratitude.

He invited him to Twickenham; met him with compliments which astonished a bystander, and wrote to him in terms of surprising humility.