CRITICAL DISSERTATIONS. I. ON THE Idea of univERSAL POETRY. II. ON THE Provinces of DRAMATIC POETRY. III. ON POETICAL IMITATION. IV. ON THE MARKS OF IMITATION. VATIBVS ADDERE CALCAR, VT STVDIO MAIORE PETANT HELICONA VIRENTEM. HOR. DISSERTATION I. ON THE IDEA OF UNIVERSAL POETRY. to us. WHEN we speak of poetry, as an art, we mean such a way or method of treating a subject, as is found most pleasing and delightful In all other kinds of literary composi tion, pleasure is subordinate to USE: in poetry only, PLEASURE is the end, to which use itself (however it be, for certain reasons, always pretended) must submit. This idea of the end of poetry is no novel one, but indeed the very same which our great philosopher entertained of it; who gives it as the essential note of this part of learning THAT IT SUBMITS THE SHEWS OF THINGS TO THE DESIRES OF THE MIND: WHEREAS REASON DOTH BUCKLE AND BOW THE MIND UNTO THE NATURE OF THINGS. For to gratify the desires of the mind, is to PLEASE: Pleasure then, in the |