Microcosm. General index |
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Page 27
Perhaps the only true criterion of the utility or dangerous tendency of this passion
, is the disposition of the times ; for the same spirit which in a more corrupt period
carries the enthusiast for it to the height of excess and extravagance , would , in ...
Perhaps the only true criterion of the utility or dangerous tendency of this passion
, is the disposition of the times ; for the same spirit which in a more corrupt period
carries the enthusiast for it to the height of excess and extravagance , would , in ...
Page 34
pires , which have at various periods enslaved mankind ; when I consider those
stupendous frames of political ... now - flourishing nations of the civilized world :
an event , that will most probably take place in some distant period , when the
sun ...
pires , which have at various periods enslaved mankind ; when I consider those
stupendous frames of political ... now - flourishing nations of the civilized world :
an event , that will most probably take place in some distant period , when the
sun ...
Page 68
It remains after a consideration of the causes , to trace their effects in the artless
essays of the more remote periods . ... Allusions to the inferior arts are so unusual
and so simple as must speak them in their first period of progression ; or evince ...
It remains after a consideration of the causes , to trace their effects in the artless
essays of the more remote periods . ... Allusions to the inferior arts are so unusual
and so simple as must speak them in their first period of progression ; or evince ...
Page 70
Yet , whatever allowances we admit in consideration of the distant period which
produced this patriarch of poetry and literature , and however we abstract
ourselves from the prevailing prejudices of modern manners , we still find
ourselves ...
Yet , whatever allowances we admit in consideration of the distant period which
produced this patriarch of poetry and literature , and however we abstract
ourselves from the prevailing prejudices of modern manners , we still find
ourselves ...
Page 173
From this reasoning it is not to be concluded , that in a more polished period men
did not guard their liberties by laws expressly calculated for that purpose .
Holland and England are strong instances to the contrary ; since the laws of both
...
From this reasoning it is not to be concluded , that in a more polished period men
did not guard their liberties by laws expressly calculated for that purpose .
Holland and England are strong instances to the contrary ; since the laws of both
...
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Common terms and phrases
abilities admiration ambition appear attempt attention body called causes character claim common consequences consider consideration criticism desire distinguished effect endeavour entirely equally excellence existence expression favour feelings former frequently future genius give glory Griffin ground hand happy heart hero honour hope human idea imitation immediately instance interest kind knowledge labours language laws learning least less letter liberty light lived look mankind manners means ment merit mind MONDAY moral nature never object observation once opinion original passions perhaps period person pleasing poem poet poetry political present principle probably produced prove readers reason received reflect respect Roman seems short similar spirit success superior suppose surely taste tell thing thought tion true truth universal virtue whole wish writers
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...
Bibliographic information
| Title | Microcosm. General index Volume 45 of The British Essayists: With Prefaces, Historical and Critical, Lionel Thomas Berguer |
| Author | Lionel Thomas Berguer |
| Publisher | T. and J. Allman, 1823 |
| Original from | the New York Public Library |
| Digitized | 5 Mar 2007 |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |