off in a plain, brief, and popular manner, in order to afford it the better chance of being read and remembered by those for whose use it is intended.

But as it might be thought that I had very imperfectly performed my task should I, in treating of light reading, pass by the poetical department without notice, I shall add something upon that head. And, in the first instance, offer my opinion candidly on the general characteristics of the poems of Swift and Pope: I mean those parts of their poetical labours which are more particularly in every one's possession,

and constantly submitted to the eye of youth, as models of perfect versification, and splendid proofs of human capacity.

It must be confessed that many of their poems are such: but it should not be forgotten that the most ingenious compositions of these eminent wits are also the most pernicious and inexcusable.

These authors, in their poetical characters, may be considered as parallels to Fielding and Smollet, and as entitled, for many of their effusions, to the like condemnation. Let any person of ripe

years and an unprejudiced mind reflect on the tendency of some of Pope's poems, and say what it is which they must be supposed to teach those who for the first time peruse their contents.

Is it credible that any one was ever

made wiser or better by the corrupt and profane allusions contained in the

Epistle of Eloisa to Abelard;" by the vile precepts inculcated in the "Elegy on an unfortunate young Lady;" or by the false philosophy, the trite senti'ments, and solemn nothings of the

Essay on Man?” The far-famed

"Rape of the Lock" is by no means

free from taint; and much might be said to prove that many of his shorter pieces are exceedingly reprehensible.

Of some of the inspirations of Dean Swift's Muse it is not possible to speak in terms too severe; nor, indeed, to speak at all, without danger of impropriety: I shall, therefore, only observe that in one place or another of his poetical writings, and those of Pope, may be discovered instances the most flagitious of almost every indecorous and debasing thought that the heart of humanity can conceive.

This assertion, I am sorry to think,

cannot be contradicted; but the inference it carries along with it is obvious, and needs no explanation: the poetical volumes of Swift and Pope should not be placed, as they perpetually are, in youthful and innocent hands!

Criminal as they are for having thus written, these renowned names are re-. sponsible for still greater offences; as they have been the means of enoouraging innumerable copyists; who, incapable of melodious verse or poignant wit, could yet, like them, be abusive, filthy, and obscene; and have accordingly, for more than half a century, in