Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets: With Critical Observations on Their Works, Volume 2 |
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Page 21
... means to procure . At school he became acquainted with the poets ancient and modern , and fixed his attention particularly on Milton . In 1694 he entered himself at Christchurch , a college at that time in the highest reputation , by ...
... means to procure . At school he became acquainted with the poets ancient and modern , and fixed his attention particularly on Milton . In 1694 he entered himself at Christchurch , a college at that time in the highest reputation , by ...
Page 30
... mean and filthy , and the language itself entirely unknown to all men of good breeding . The style of Billingsgate would not make a very agreeable figure at St. James's . A gentleman would take but little pleasure in language which he ...
... mean and filthy , and the language itself entirely unknown to all men of good breeding . The style of Billingsgate would not make a very agreeable figure at St. James's . A gentleman would take but little pleasure in language which he ...
Page 31
... mean subjects so high , should still be more elevated on greater themes ; that he , that could draw such noble ideas from a shilling , could not fail upon such a subject as the Duke of Marlborough , which is capable of heightening even ...
... mean subjects so high , should still be more elevated on greater themes ; that he , that could draw such noble ideas from a shilling , could not fail upon such a subject as the Duke of Marlborough , which is capable of heightening even ...
Page 43
... mean and trifling , that , like the junior compositions of Mr. Stepney , they may make grey authors blush . There are many of his first essays in oratory , in epigram , elegy , and epic , still handed about the university in manuscript ...
... mean and trifling , that , like the junior compositions of Mr. Stepney , they may make grey authors blush . There are many of his first essays in oratory , in epigram , elegy , and epic , still handed about the university in manuscript ...
Page 44
... means he seemed to read with a design to correct , as well as imitate . " Being thus prepared , he could not but taste every little delicacy that was set before him ; though it was impossible for him at the same time to be fed and ...
... means he seemed to read with a design to correct , as well as imitate . " Being thus prepared , he could not but taste every little delicacy that was set before him ; though it was impossible for him at the same time to be fed and ...
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Common terms and phrases
acquaintance Addison afterwards appeared Beggar's Opera Blackmore Cato censure character College Congreve Court criticism death dedication Dennis died Dryden Duchess Duchess of Marlborough Duke Earl Earl of Dorset elegance endeavoured Essay excellence favour folio friends Garth genius Halifax honour Iliad imagination imitation Johnson Journal to Stella Juba King William Lady letter lived London Lord Lord Bolingbroke Lord Halifax Love Marlborough Matthew Prior Montague nature never observed occasion opinion Oxford Parnell perhaps Philips Pindar play pleased pleasure poem poet poetical poetry Pope Pope's praise Preface Prince printed Prior published Queen reader reason received remarks Richard Savage satire Savage says seems Sempronius sometimes Spectator Spence by Singer Spence.-JOHNSON Steele supposed Swift Syphax Tatler Thomas Parnell thought Tickell tion told Tonson tragedy translated Tyrconnel verses virtue Westminster Westminster Abbey Whig write written wrote
Popular passages
Page 145 - The marriage, if uncontradicted report can be credited, made no addition to his happiness ; it neither found them nor made them equal. She always temembered her own rank, and thought herself entitled to treat with very little ceremony the tutor of her son.
Page 75 - A true Account and Declaration of the horrid Conspiracy against the late King, his present Majesty, and the present Government ; a performance which he thought convenient, after the Revolution, to extenuate and excuse.
Page 351 - Spanish, but with little better success than before; for though it was received and acted, yet it appeared so late in the year that the author obtained no other advantage from it than the acquaintance of Sir Richard Steele and Mr. Wilks, by whom he was pitied, caressed, and relieved. Sir Richard Steele, having declared in his favour with all the ardour of benevolence which constituted his character, promoted his interest with the utmost zeal, related his misfortunes, applauded his merit, took all...
Page 413 - Once, when he was without lodging, meat, or clothes, one of his friends, a man not indeed remarkable for moderation in his prosperity, left a message, that he desired to see him about nine in the morning. Savage knew that his intention was to...
Page 58 - James, whose skill in physic will be long remembered ; and with David Garrick, whom I hoped to have gratified with this character of our common friend. But what are the hopes of man ? I am disappointed by that stroke of death which has eclipsed the gaiety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.
Page 137 - The danger was soon over. The whole nation was at that time on fire with faction. The Whigs applauded every line in which liberty was mentioned, as a satire on the Tories ; and the Tories echoed every clap, to show that the satire was unfelt.
Page 154 - Button had been a servant in the Countess of Warwick's family, who, under the patronage of Addison, kept a coffee-house on the south side of Russell Street, about two doors from Covent Garden. Here it was that the wits of that time used to assemble.
Page 131 - To teach the minuter decencies and inferior duties, to regulate the practice of daily conversation, to correct those depravities which are rather ridiculous than criminal, and remove those grievances which, if they produce no lasting calamities, impress hourly vexation...
Page 292 - Opera the gangs of robbers were evidently multiplied. Both these decisions are surely exaggerated. The play, like many others, was plainly written only to divert, without any moral purpose, and is therefore not likely to do good; nor can it be conceived, without more speculation than life requires or admits, to be productive of much evil.
Page 288 - will make you sure of a clean shirt and a shoulder of mutton every day." This counsel was rejected : the profit and principal were lost, and Gay sunk under the calamity so low that his life became in danger.