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Page 13
Is it in human nature to suppose , that when one of my friends declares his joy at
seeing me , and his kind concern for my health , by intimating a hearty wish of my
eternal perdition , that he really means what he says ? It has been observed by ...
Is it in human nature to suppose , that when one of my friends declares his joy at
seeing me , and his kind concern for my health , by intimating a hearty wish of my
eternal perdition , that he really means what he says ? It has been observed by ...
Page 56
I propose , if I meet with proper encouragement , making application to
parliament for permission to open ' A Licensed Warehouse for Wit , ' and for a
patent , entitling me to the sole vending and uttering wares of this kind , for a
certain term of ...
I propose , if I meet with proper encouragement , making application to
parliament for permission to open ' A Licensed Warehouse for Wit , ' and for a
patent , entitling me to the sole vending and uttering wares of this kind , for a
certain term of ...
Page 128
Yet I will thank you , nor the thanks refuse , Ye kind Instructors of my lisping muse
: Accept the wishes of a grateful heart , That feels far more than language can
impart . Whenever good shall mark my humble way , To you the merit and the ...
Yet I will thank you , nor the thanks refuse , Ye kind Instructors of my lisping muse
: Accept the wishes of a grateful heart , That feels far more than language can
impart . Whenever good shall mark my humble way , To you the merit and the ...
Page 130
I remember an instance of this kind , which though not very serious in its
consequences , must nevertheless have been extremely distressing . A
gentleman in a crowded theatre , turned suddenly round to a stranger who sat
beside him , and ...
I remember an instance of this kind , which though not very serious in its
consequences , must nevertheless have been extremely distressing . A
gentleman in a crowded theatre , turned suddenly round to a stranger who sat
beside him , and ...
Page 147
And that , if his ambition was of that kind which some have represented it , a more
daring piece of injustice was never directed to more beneficial purposes . A
dauntless resolution , and cunning revenge , says Machiavel , are the most
effectual ...
And that , if his ambition was of that kind which some have represented it , a more
daring piece of injustice was never directed to more beneficial purposes . A
dauntless resolution , and cunning revenge , says Machiavel , are the most
effectual ...
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Popular passages
Page 249 - What he attempted, he performed ; he is never feeble, and he did not wish to be energetic ; he is never rapid, and he never stagnates. His sentences have neither studied amplitude, nor affected brevity ; his periods, though not diligently rounded, are voluble and easy. Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison, HUGHES.
Page 249 - His prose is the model of the middle style ; on grave subjects not formal, on light occasions not grovelling ; pure without scrupulosity, and exact without apparent elaboration ; always equable and always easy, without glowing words or pointed sentences.
Page 169 - Let others better mould the running mass Of metals, and inform the breathing brass, And soften into flesh, a marble face ; Plead better at the bar ; describe the skies, And when the stars descend, and when they rise.
Page 85 - All on a summer's day." I cannot leave this line without remarking that one of the Scribleri, a descendant of the famous Martinus, has expressed his suspicions of the text being corrupted here, and proposes instead of " all on " reading " alone ", alleging, in favour of this alteration, the effect of solitude in raising the passions.
Page 184 - Yet all these were, when no man did them know; Yet have from wisest ages hidden beene: And later times things more unknowne shall show. Why then should witlesse man so much misweene That nothing is, but that which he hath scene?
Page 135 - With dust dishonour'd, and deform'd with gore. As the young olive, in some sylvan scene, Crown'd by fresh fountains with eternal green, Lifts the gay head, in snowy flowrets fair, And plays and dances to the gentle air; When lo ! a whirlwind from high heaven invades The tender plant, and...
Page 68 - I saw them under a green mantling vine That crawls along the side of yon small hill, Plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots ; Their port was more than human, as they stood : I took it for a...
Page 81 - I too am not entirely destitute of abilities of this kind ; but that by possessing a decent share of critical discernment, and critical jargon, I am capable of becoming a very tolerable commentator. For the proof of which, I shall rather prefer calling the attention of my readers to an object, as yet untreated of by any of my immediate predecessors, than venture to throw in my observations on any work which has before passed the ordeal of frequent examination. And this I shall do for two reasons...
Page 81 - I to take occasion to shew that I too am not entirely destitute of abilities of this kind; but that by possessing a decent share of critical discernment, and critical jargon, I am capable of becoming a very tolerable commentator. For the proof of which, I shall rather prefer calling the attention of my readers to an ob°ject, as yet untreated of by any of my immediate...
Page 91 - Thus have I industriously gone through the several parts of this wonderful work ; and clearly proved it, in .every one of these parts, and in .all of them together, to be a due and proper epic poem ; and to have as good a right to that title, from its adherence to prescribed rules, as any of the celebrated master-pieces of antiquity. And here I cannot help again lamenting, that by not knowing the name of the author, I am unable to twine...