Neptune is here introduced perfonally, and not figuratively for the ocean: the defcrip. tion therefore, which is only applicable to the ocean, is altogether improper.

It is not fufficient, that a figure of fpeech be regularly conftructed, and be free from blemish it requires tafte to difcern when it is proper when improper; and taste, I suspect, is the only guide we can rely on. One however may gather from reflection and experience, that ornaments and graces fuit not any of the difpiriting paffions, nor are proper for expreffing any thing grave and important. In familiar converfation, they are in fome measure ridiculous. Profpero in the Tempest, fpeaking to his daughter Miranda, fays,

The fringed curtains of thine eyes advance,
And fay what thou feeft yond.

No exception can be taken to the juftness of the figure; and circumftances may be imagined to make it proper: but it is certainly not proper in familiar converfation.

In

In the laft place, though figures of speech have a charming effect when accurately conftructed and properly introduced, they ought however to be scattered with a sparing hand: nothing is more luscious, and nothing confequently more fatiating, than redundant ornament of any kind.

CHA P.

XXI.

: Narration and Defcription.

H

ORACE, and many writers after him, give inftructions for chufing a fubject adapted to the genius of the author. But rules of criticism would be endlefs, did one defcend to peculiarities in talent or genius. The aim of the present work is, to confider human nature in general, and to explore what is common to the fpecies. The choice of a subject comes not under fuch a plan: but the manner of execution comes under it; because the manner of execution is subjected to general rules Thefe rules refpect the things expreffed, as well as the language or expreffion; which fuggefts a divifion of the present chapter into two parts; first of thoughts, and next of words. I pretend not to justify this divifion as entirely accurate. In difcourfing

of

of the thoughts, it is difficult to abstract altogether from words; and still more difficult, in difcourfing of the words, to abftract altogether from thought.

The firft obfervation is, That the thoughts which embellifh a narration ought to be chafte and folid. While the mind is intent upon facts, it is little difpofed to the operarations of the imagination. Poetical images in a grave hiftory are intolerable; and yet Strada's Belgic hiftory is full of poetical images. Thefe being difcordant with the fubject, are difguftful; and they have a ftill worfe effect, by giving an air of fiction to a genuine hiftory. Such flowers ought to be fcattered with a fparing hand, even in epic poetry; and at no rate are they proper, till the reader be warmed, and by an enlivened imagination be prepared to relish them: in that ftate of mind, they are extremely agreeable. But while we are fedate and attentive to an hiftorical chain of facts, we reject with difdain every fiction. This Belgic hiftory is indeed wofully vicious both in matter and form: it is ftuffed with

frigid and unmeaning reflections, as well as with poetical flashes, which, even laying afide the impropriety, are mere tinfel.

Vida *, following Horace, recommends a modest commencement of an epic poem ; giving for a reason, that the writer ought to husband his fire. This reafon has weight; but what is faid above fuggests a reason ftill more weighty: Bold thoughts and figures are never relifhed till the mind be heated and thoroughly engaged, which not the reader's cafe at the commence

ment.

Shakespear, in the first part of his hiftory of Henry VI. begins with a fenti ment too bold for the most heated imagi

Bedford. Hung be the heav'ns with black, yield day to night!

Comets, importing change of times and states,
Brandifh your cryftal treffes in the sky,

aldusere And with them fcourge the bad revolting ftars,

That have confented unto Henry's death! 139 1

Poct. lib. 2. 1. 30,ót bra muros e, ded