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 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 The Sublime Style Page 1 2 Of brilliant Thoughts, with Examples Of hunting down a Thought, and its bad Effects 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 When Epithets may be admitted with Propriety Epithets to be used sparingly when the Paffions are con- None are found in the affecting Oration which Shakespeare puts into the Mouth of Mark Authony Tropes and Figures best learned by reading the Poets and Of the Metaphor, the Simile and the Description ibid. |