the tangled history of the latter poem, with its 'pomp of prefaces' and mystifying apparatus of all kinds. In preparing the Notes, I have been indebted for much assistance and many valuable suggestions to Mr. Hales and Mr. Jerram, the Editors of this series. I have also occasionally adopted, but never, I think, without acknowledgment, notes from the excellent and useful Globe edition of Pope's Poetry, published under the care of Prof. Ward, of Owens College. CONTENTS. AN ESSAY ON CRITICISM . MORAL ESSAYS: EPISTLE I. TO SIR RICHARD TEMPLE, LORD EPISTLE III. TO ALLEN, LORD BATHURST: OF EPISTLE IV. TO RICHARD BOYLE, EARL OF THE DUNCIAD. TO DR. JONATHAN SWIFT:— Book II. THE GAMES Book III. THE DESCENT TO THE SHADES Book IV. THE TRIUMPH OF DULNESS NOTES APPENDIX INDEX. PAGE 25 35 * It need scarcely be said that these headings to the books of the 'Dunciad' are not found in the original editions; they are added for the sake of distinction, and greater convenience of reference. I AN ESSAY ON CRITICISM. PART I. Introduction-That it is as great a fault to judge ill as to write ill, and a more dangerous one to the public-That a true taste is as rare to be found as a true genius-That most men are born with some taste, but spoiled by false education-The multitude of critics, and causes of them-That we are to study our own taste, and know the limits of it-Nature the best guide of judgment-Improved by art and rules, which are but methodized Nature-Rules derived from the practice of the ancient poetsThat therefore the ancients are necessary to be studied by a critic, particularly Homer and Virgil-Of licenses, and the use of them by the ancients-Reverence due to the ancients, and praise of them. PART II. Causes hindering a true judgment-1. Pride-2. Imperfect learning-3. Judging by parts, and not by the wholecritics in wit, language, versification, only-4. Being too hard to please, or too apt to admire-5. Partiality - too much love to a sect-to the ancients or moderns-6. Prejudice or prevention -7. Singularity-8. Inconstancy-9. Party spirit-10. EnvyAgainst envy, and in praise of good-nature-When severity is chiefly to be used by critics, ver. 526, &c. PART III. Rules for the conduct of manners in a critic-Candour incorrigible poet-And of an impertinent critic-Character of a good critic-The history of Criticism, and characters of the best critics; Aristotle; Horace; Dionysius; Petronius; Quintilian; Longinus-Of the decay of Criticism, and its revival-Erasmus -Vida-Boileau-Lord Roscommon, &c.-Conclusion. 'Tis hard to say if greater want of skill But of the two less dangerous is th' offence 'Tis with our judgments as our watches, none True taste as seldom is the critic's share ; Both must alike from Heaven derive their light, ΤΟ Most have the seeds of judgment in their mind : 20 The lines, though touch'd but faintly, are drawn right: And some made coxcombs Nature meant but fools: |