This is an excellent ridicule on the generality of trifling critics; the principles of their feveral judgments are humouroufy fatirized, and with great justness.† Such critics as Dr. Young here mentions, are among the number of those who bring certain taunts and reflections on criticifm in general; a fpecies of literature extremely useful, and comprehending every part of polite learning. The ridicule of injudicious and malevolent critics is reasonable; but the ridicule of criticifm itself is abfurd. Critics, however learned, ought to present their opinions to the world with diffidence, especi

+ The celebrated Rouffeau treats criticism itfelf as lightly as the Doctor does the critics; La critique elle-meme, dont on fait tant de bruit, n'eft qu'un art de conjecturer; l'art de choisir entre plufieurs menfonges, celui qui reffemble le mieux à la verité. Emile, tome ii. p. 277

ally

ally if they employ themselves in pointing out the errors in works of genius; but if instead of modesty they difplay a haughty infolence of decifion, their wretched pretensions should be defeated, and every fhaft of ridicule pointed at fuch proper objects.

The ufe of true criticifm cannot be difputed; for every ingenuous reader will own, that there is great pleasure in feeing the latent beauties of an author brought to light: how much has every admirer of fine poetry been obliged to Mr. Addison, for the new and manly remarks he made on the Paradise Loft, a book in the hands of but few people before his criticisms appeared? When Scaliger wrote his poetics in praise of Virgil, he acted in a different manner, and at tempted to raise his favourite's reputa.

This is an excellent ridicule on the generality of trifling critics; the principles of their feveral judgments are humouroufly fatirized, and with great juftness.+ Such critics as Dr. Young here mentions, are among the number of those who bring certain taunts and reflections on criticism in general; a fpecies of literature extremely useful, and comprehending every part of polite learning. The ridicule of injudicious and malevolent critics is reasonable; but the ridicule of criticifm itself is abfurd. Critics, however learned, ought to present their opinions to the world with diffidence, efpeci

+ The celebrated Rouffeau treats criticism itfelf as lightly as the Doctor does the critics; La critique elle-meme, dont on fait tant de bruit, n'eft qu'un art de conjecturer; l'art de choisir entre plufieurs menfonges, celui qui reffemble le mieux à la verité. Emile, tome ii. p. 277.

ally

ally if they employ themselves in pointing out the errors in works of genius; but if instead of modesty they difplay a haughty infolence of decifion, their wretched pretenfions should be defeated, and every fhaft of ridicule pointed at fuch proper objects.

The use of true criticifm cannot be difputed; for every ingenuous reader will own, that there is great pleasure in feeing the latent beauties of an author brought to light: how much has every admirer of fine poetry been obliged to Mr. Addison, for the new and manly remarks he made on the Paradise Loft, a book in the hands of but few people before his criticisms appeared? When Scaliger wrote his poetics in praise of Virgil, he acted in a different manner, and at tempted to raise his favourite's reputa.

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This is an excellent ridicule on the nerality of trifling critics; the principles of their several judgments are humourously satirized, and with great juftness.† Such critics as Dr. Young here mentions, are among the number of those who bring certain taunts and reflections on criticism in general; a fpecies of literature extremely useful, and comprehending every part of polite learning. The ridicule of injudicious and malevolent critics is reasonable; but the ridicule of criticifm itself is abfurd. Critics, however learned, ought to present their opinions to the world with diffidence, efpeci

+ The celebrated Rouffeau treats criticism itfelf as lightly as the Doctor does the critics; La critique elle-meme, dont on fait tant de bruit, n'eft qu'un art de conjecturer; l'art de choifir entre plufieurs menfonges, celui qui reffemble le mieux à la verité. Emile, tome ii. p. 277.

ally