the only Use of reciting the Virtues and Actions of the Great, is to make others emulate their Example; and if all Dedications, like this, were written from the Heart, and inftead of the ufual Terms of Compliment, contained fome Portion of the Patron's Life, which was worthy the Imitation of others, every fuch Address would prove an Incitement to great and good Actions, and be often of more Confequence to the Public than the Book itself. I have the Honour to be, my Lord, with the most perfect Gratitude and Respect,

Your LORDSHIP'S

moft obliged, and

St. Paul's Churchyard, Nov. 12, 1761.

moft obedient Servant,

JOHN NEWBERY.

ADVERTISEMENT.

M

R. NEWBERY begs leave to recommend these and the fubfequent Volumes to the young Gentlemen and Ladies who have read his little Books. In thofe he attempted to lead the young Pupil to a Love of Knowledge, in these he has endeavoured to introduce him to the Arts and Sciences, where all useful Knowledge is contained. This may be said, he apprehends, without depreciating the Claffics, which are ever to be held in Efteem, but are to be esteemed principally for being the Keys of Literature, and for difclofing to us the Tafte and Wisdom of the Ancients.

The Reader will perceive that a very free Ufe has been made of the Works of many Authors, and the Nature of the Subject required it; for it is in Criticism, as in Life, one good Example is worth many Precepts.

The Examples here collected from different Books will give no Offence, it is hoped, either to the Authors or Proprietors; for, whatever may be the Fate of thefe Volumes, they can neither depreciate the Merit of those Books, nor anticipate their Sale; but will, we apprehend, have a contrary Effect.

In fome Parts of the Work, and especially towards the latter End, Sentiments and Reflections will be found which may appear, perhaps, fingular; but, it is prefumed, they will not on that account be thought impertinent. They are generally concerning Things with which Learning has little to do, but where Nature herself is to be confulted, and here no Preeminence is to be claimed in Confequence of a fuperior Education; fince every Man can best feel how he is affected.

Whatever Value thefe Reflections and Observations may have, the Examples introduced will always have their Merit, and will, we hope, lead the young Student to a careful perufal of the Volumes from whence they are extracted.

CON

IN

NTRODUCTION

Of the Origin of Poetry

Of Mufic and Dancing

The Intention of thefe perverted

Of the Structure of English Verfe, and of Rhyme

Of the feveral forts of English Verfes

Of the Elisions allowed in English Poetry, with Miscellaneous

* Remarks

The Sublime Style
The Plain Style

Page 1

2

Of the Beauty of THOUGHT in Poetry

Thoughts in Poetry may be just without being true

Of fublime Thoughts, with Examples

Of agreeable or beautiful Thoughts, with Examples

Of delicate Thoughts, with Examples

4.

8

10

14.

18

19

20

27

36

Of Humour

37

Of brilliant Thoughts, with Examples

38

Of hunting down a Thought, and its bad Effects

Of the STYLE of Poetry

40

4I

The Difference between the Style of Poetry and Prose ibid.

Of Epithets, Tropes and Figures, and their use 43

The Latitude given to Epithets by Quintilian and Rollin

is too great

ibid.

ibid.

ibid.

When Epithets may be admitted with Propriety

Of Compound Epithets

Epithets to be used sparingly when the Paffions are con-

ibid.

None are found in the affecting Oration which Shakespeare

puts into the Mouth of Mark Authony

cerned

44

Tropes and Figures best learned by reading the Poets and
polite Authors

Of the Metaphor, the Simile and the Description

Many Figures may be refolved into the Description`

Of the various Sorts of Style

45

46

47

ibid.