To Robert Earl of Oxford. 1721............... 126 To James Craggs, Esq. 1720...... To Mr. Jervas, with Dryden's Translation of 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................. 133 To Mr. John Moore, Author of the celebrat- To Mrs. M. B. on her Birth-day... MISCELLANIES. Page ......... 139 The Basset-table. An Eclogue........ 142 Answer to a Question of Mrs. Howe ........... 143 Occasioned by some Verses of his Gracė the Duke of Buckingham.......... 113 Prologue to a Play for Mr. Dennis's Benefit, in 1733, when he was old, blind, and in great Distress, a little before his Death 141 Macer. A Character.. 145 Song, by a Person of Quality. 1733.......... 146 On a certain Lady at Court..... Op his Grotto at Twickenham.... 148 ..... 147 AN ESSAY ON CRITICISM. WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1709. PART 1. 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 tbem.---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 'Tis with our judgments as our watches, none Go just alike, yet each believes his own. VOL. II. |