Microcosm. General index |
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Page 66
... probably succeeded as ill by following his own . Nothing is so common , as in
both these writers to meet with expressions and allusions drawn from the
meanest mechanical employments ; at present infinitely disgusting to the general
scholar ...
... probably succeeded as ill by following his own . Nothing is so common , as in
both these writers to meet with expressions and allusions drawn from the
meanest mechanical employments ; at present infinitely disgusting to the general
scholar ...
Page 68
Homer frequently traced the descent of his heroes into remote and fabulous
antiquity ; probably with a view to gratify such of his patrons as piqued
themselves on their pedigree . The poetry of ruder ages is seldom distinguished
for elegance of ...
Homer frequently traced the descent of his heroes into remote and fabulous
antiquity ; probably with a view to gratify such of his patrons as piqued
themselves on their pedigree . The poetry of ruder ages is seldom distinguished
for elegance of ...
Page 101
... levity , which characterized the reign of Charles , has been considered as a
striking instance of fickleness in the human understanding . · But it was probably
this principle , so inherent in our natures , which gave rise to so general a
variation .
... levity , which characterized the reign of Charles , has been considered as a
striking instance of fickleness in the human understanding . · But it was probably
this principle , so inherent in our natures , which gave rise to so general a
variation .
Page 151
But however this principle might tend to the happiness or aggrandizement of
human nature , its superior advantages , without the assistance of revealed
religion , would probably have never been thoroughly understood . For though in
some ...
But however this principle might tend to the happiness or aggrandizement of
human nature , its superior advantages , without the assistance of revealed
religion , would probably have never been thoroughly understood . For though in
some ...
Page 237
Besides these , the various branches of the What ' shisnames , the
Whatyecallums , the Suchaones , and the Thingums and Thingumbobs , come ,
one and all , from the same parent stock . From this account you might probably
be led to ...
Besides these , the various branches of the What ' shisnames , the
Whatyecallums , the Suchaones , and the Thingums and Thingumbobs , come ,
one and all , from the same parent stock . From this account you might probably
be led to ...
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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 |