The great Cham of literature. (Samuel Johnson)
Ridiculous modes, invented by ignorance, and adopted by folly.
A mere index hunter, who held the eel of science by the tail. Index-hunter is a term used mockingly, meaning one who acquires superficial knowledge merely by consulting indexes. The '[holding] the eel of science by the tail' allusion was used in 1728 by Alexander Pope (q.v.).
I think for my part one half of the nation is mad - and the other not very sound.
Nature and wisdom are not, but should be, companions.
The Highlanders regale themselves with whisky. They find it an excellent preservation against the winter cold. It is given with great success to the infants in the confluent smallpox.