Elements of the Critical Philosophy: Containing a Concise Account of Its Origin and Tendency

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T.N. Longman, 1798 - English language - 183 pages

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Page 33 - The proper study of mankind is Man. Plac'd on this isthmus of a middle state, A being darkly wise and rudely great: With too much knowledge for the Sceptic side, With too much weakness for the Stoic's pride, He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest; In doubt to deem himself a God or Beast; In doubt his mind or body to prefer; Born but to die, and reas'ning but to err...
Page 33 - Created half to rise, and half to fall: Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all; Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurl'd; The glory jest, and riddle of the world!
Page lxxxi - Truly, I have known men, that even with reading Amadis de Gaule, which, God knoweth, wanteth much of a perfect poesy, have found their hearts moved to the exercise of courtesy, liberality, and especially courage.
Page cxxxi - When we compare this book with other dictionaries, the merit of its author appears very extraordinary.
Page lxxvi - Italian novels, the visionary reveries or refinements of false philosophy, a degree of superstition sufficient for the purposes of poetry, the adoption of the machineries of romance, and the frequency and improvements of allegoric exhibition in the popular spectacles.
Page xxiv - Ther is a wel fair abbei, Of white monkes, and of grei, Ther beth bowris and halles: Al of pasteiis beth the walles, Of fleis, of fisse, and rich met, The likfullist that man mai et. Fluren cakes beth the schingles alle, Of cherche, cloister, boure and halle. The pinnes beth fat podinges, Rich met to princez and kinges.
Page lxxxi - Euphues," a romance, does not give credit to fuch an encomium. — Another comic writer of this reign was ROBERT GREEN. He was a man of great humour and drollery, and by no means deficient in point of wit; which talents, however, were proftituted by him to the bafe purpofes of vice and obfcenity.
Page xxxvii - ... of his country. And nothing could have induced or enabled his people to bear the load of taxes with which they were encumbered in his reign, but the love and admiration of his person, the fame of his victories, and the excellent laws and regulations which the parliament enacted with his advice and concurrence.
Page xxxix - Attic dress of the muse: but here are life, and spirit, and ease, and plain sense, and pictures of real manners, and perpetual incident, and entertainment. The language is remarkably good for the time, and far superior, in neatness and elegance, even to that of Gawin Douglas, who wrote more than a century after.
Page lxv - ... merit. His philological learning would have gained him honour in any country, and among us it may justly call for that reverence which all nations owe to those who first rouse them from ignorance, and kindle among them the light of literature.

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