Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1817. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... substance, I conceive; but how they make no strain in the publication, is a little harder than algebra to me. Yet, by the transposition of two stops, I think, we may come at clear sense. The purpose is perspicuous ev'n as substance, Whose grossness little characters sum up: And, in the publication, make no strain, But that Achilles, &c. t. e. the aim and purpose of this duel is as visible as gross substance can be; and make no doubt, when it comes to be proclaimed, but that Achilles, dull as he is, will discover the drift of it. P. 335. The secrets of neighbour Pandar, &c. I do not know what authority Mr. Pope has for this reading. The first folio reads, The secrets of Nature. What, if we should read, The secret'st things of Nature: i. e. the occult parts of Nature, or the mysteries of Nature, as the Poet elsewhere expresses it: All's Well that ends Well, p. 168. Hath not in Nature's mystery more science Than I have in this ring. So there is some allusion to this, I think, in this speech of Hamlet, p. 232: There are more things in heav'n and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But I am very much of opinion, I shall obtain a very satisfactory exposition from your sagacity. P. 345. Not Neoplolemus so mirable. Does not our good Poet forget himself here in the truth of story? He cannot by this Neoptolemus mean Pyrrhus the son of Achilles; for he, from our own Poet's words, was not yet come to the Trojan wars; consequently had no eclat in arms to make him so mirable. P. 326: But it must grieve young Pyrrhus now at home, When Fame shall in his island sound her trump, &c. And was there any other Neoptolemus? P. 343. P. 343. So glib of tongue They give a COASTING welcome ere it comes. What Ir intended here by coasting? I know this is spoken of ...