Fresnoy's Art of Painting................. 12 To Miss Blount, with Voiture's Works. 1717. 131 To the same, on her leaving the Town after the Coronation. 1715............................................. BIBL. UNIV. GENT The Basset-table. An Eclogue.............. Verbatim from Boileau......... Answer to a Question of Mrs. Howe......... AN ESSAY ON CRITICISM. WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1709. 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 poets.-That therefore the ancients are necessary to be studied by a critic, parti cularly Homer and Virgil.-Of licences, and the use of them by the ancients.-Reverence due to the ancients, and praise of them. "Tis hard to say if greater want of skill BIBL. UNIV. In poets as true genius is but rare, True taste as seldom is the critic's share; Both must alike from Heaven derive their light, Yet if we look more closely, we shall find But as the slightest sketch, if justly trac'd, To tell 'em would a hundred tongues require, Be sure yourself and your own reach to know, First follow Nature, and your judgment frame |