Letters on Literature, Taste, and Composition: Addressed to His Son |
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Page 94
Yet I must confess that , in the bulk of our poetry , and in our heroic verse in
particular , more attention is given to accent than to quantity . From these defects
in our numbers , and to afford us that regular return of the same sound , which
seems ...
Yet I must confess that , in the bulk of our poetry , and in our heroic verse in
particular , more attention is given to accent than to quantity . From these defects
in our numbers , and to afford us that regular return of the same sound , which
seems ...
Page 150
He may also enliven it not only with splendid figures , but with pleasing episodes
, which serve to relieve the attention , and enliven the gravity of precept . Of all
these excellencies we have a most strike , ing example in the Georgics of Virgil .
He may also enliven it not only with splendid figures , but with pleasing episodes
, which serve to relieve the attention , and enliven the gravity of precept . Of all
these excellencies we have a most strike , ing example in the Georgics of Virgil .
Page 207
Attention is caught by the solemn though abrupt opening of the scene , and is still
preserved by the interesting nature of the historical prophecy . Notwithstanding
Dr . Johnson ' s arch remark , I have always greatly admired the passage ...
Attention is caught by the solemn though abrupt opening of the scene , and is still
preserved by the interesting nature of the historical prophecy . Notwithstanding
Dr . Johnson ' s arch remark , I have always greatly admired the passage ...
Page 299
The English language , if we include the translations from foreign authors ,
contains a body of medicine , ample and voluminous enough to engage the
attention of most practitioners , and to furnish them with every useful kiņd of in .
formation .
The English language , if we include the translations from foreign authors ,
contains a body of medicine , ample and voluminous enough to engage the
attention of most practitioners , and to furnish them with every useful kiņd of in .
formation .
Page 318
The attention of youth is directed to the elegant latinity of Cęsar and of Horace ,
not to the facts , observations , or precepts , which are contained in these
valuable authors . If the tutors of our youth condescend to remark eyen upon the ...
The attention of youth is directed to the elegant latinity of Cęsar and of Horace ,
not to the facts , observations , or precepts , which are contained in these
valuable authors . If the tutors of our youth condescend to remark eyen upon the ...
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Common terms and phrases
action admired admit afford antient appear attention beautiful bound called character comedy common composed composition considered consists containing critics drama early English epic epigram excellent expression facts fancy former French genius give Greek hand happy Homer human imagination imitation interesting introduced Johnson kind knowledge language learned least less letters lines literature lively lyric manner means measure Milton mind moral narrative nature never observed original particularly passions perfect perhaps period person picture play plot poem poet poetical poetry Pope present productions prose reason regarded remark respect rules satire scarcely scene seems sentiment Shakspeare short song spirit story style taste thing thought tion tragedy translation unity verse Virgil whole writers written young
Popular passages
Page 65 - WE were now treading that illustrious Island, which was once the luminary of the Caledonian regions, whence savage clans and roving barbarians derived the benefits of knowledge, and the blessings of religion. To abstract the mind from all local emotion would be impossible, if it were endeavoured, and would be foolish, if it were possible.
Page 167 - Who wickedly is wise, or madly brave, Is but the more a fool, the more a knave. Who noble ends by noble means obtains, Or failing, smiles in exile or in chains, Like good Aurelius let him reign, or bleed Like Socrates, that man is great indeed. What's fame? a fancied life in others' breath, A thing beyond us, ev'n before our death.
Page 90 - AWAKE, my St John ! leave all meaner things To low ambition, and the pride of kings. Let us (since life can little more supply Than just to look about us and to die...
Page 105 - O thou, that, with surpassing glory crown'd, Look'st from thy sole dominion, like the god Of this new world; at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminish'd heads ; to thee I call, But with no friendly voice, and add thy name, 0 sun ! to tell thee how I hate thy beams, That bring to my remembrance from what state 1 fell, how glorious once above thy sphere...
Page 166 - I'll tell you, friend! a wise man and a fool. You'll find, if once the monarch acts the monk, Or, cobbler-like, the parson will be drunk, Worth makes the man, and want of it, the fellow; The rest is all but leather or prunella.
Page 57 - His studies had been so various, that I am not able to name a man of equal knowledge. His acquaintance with books was great; and what he did not immediately know, he could at least tell where to find.
Page 166 - Go ! if your ancient, but ignoble blood Has crept through scoundrels ever since the flood, Go ! and pretend your family is young, Nor own your fathers have been fools so long. What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards ? Alas ! not all the blood of all the Howards. Look next on greatness : say where greatness lies, Where, but among the heroes and the wise...
Page 168 - Csesar with a senate at his heels. In Parts superior what advantage lies? Tell (for You can) what is it to be wise? 'Tis but to know how little can be known; To see all others...
Page 167 - Is hung on high, to poison half mankind. All fame is foreign but of true desert, Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart : One...
Page 195 - Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear : Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air. Some village- Hampden, that, with dauntless breast, The little tyrant of his fields withstood, Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest, Some Cromwell guiltless of his country's blood. Th...