The British Essayists;: SpectatorJ. Johnson, J. Nichols and son, R. Baldwin, F. and C. Rivington, W. Otridge and son, W.J. and J. Richardson, A. Strahan, R. Faulder, ... [and 40 others], 1808 |
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Page 2
... reader some surprise . Thus when a poet tells us the bosom of his mistress is as white as snow , there is no wit in the comparison ; but when he adds , with a sigh , it is as cold too , it then grows into wit . Every reader's memory may ...
... reader some surprise . Thus when a poet tells us the bosom of his mistress is as white as snow , there is no wit in the comparison ; but when he adds , with a sigh , it is as cold too , it then grows into wit . Every reader's memory may ...
Page 5
... reader may observe in every one of these instances , that the poet mixes the qualities of fire with those of love ; and in the same sentence speak- ing of it both as a passion and as real fire , surprises the reader with those seeming ...
... reader may observe in every one of these instances , that the poet mixes the qualities of fire with those of love ; and in the same sentence speak- ing of it both as a passion and as real fire , surprises the reader with those seeming ...
Page 6
... reader , if this definition agrees with any notion he has of wit . If it be a true one , I am sure Mr. Dryden was not only a better poet , but a greater wit than Mr. Cowley ; and Virgil a much more face- tious man than either Ovid or ...
... reader , if this definition agrees with any notion he has of wit . If it be a true one , I am sure Mr. Dryden was not only a better poet , but a greater wit than Mr. Cowley ; and Virgil a much more face- tious man than either Ovid or ...
Page 7
... readers , is extremely Gothic . He quotes Mon- sieur Segrais for a threefold distinction of the readers of poetry ; in the first of which he comprehends the rabble of readers , whom he does not treat as such with regard to their quality ...
... readers , is extremely Gothic . He quotes Mon- sieur Segrais for a threefold distinction of the readers of poetry ; in the first of which he comprehends the rabble of readers , whom he does not treat as such with regard to their quality ...
Page 8
... readers improve their stock of sense ( as they may by reading better books , and by conversation with men of judgment ) they soon forsake them . ' I must not dismiss this subject without observing , that as Mr. Locke in the passage ...
... readers improve their stock of sense ( as they may by reading better books , and by conversation with men of judgment ) they soon forsake them . ' I must not dismiss this subject without observing , that as Mr. Locke in the passage ...
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Common terms and phrases
admire Æneid Æsop agreeable Altricis appear beautiful behaviour body club conversation court creature discourse dress DRYDEN endeavour EPIG Eucrate Eudoxus face fair sex favour Flavia forbear fortune friend Sir Roger gentleman give Glaphyra hand head hear heard heart honest Honoria honour humour Hyde-park idol JUNE JUNE 12 kind lady letter list of preachers lives look lover mankind manner marriage master ment mild beer mind nature never night observe occasion ordinary OVID particular pass passion person Pharamond physiognomy Platonic love pleased pleasure poets present prince racters reader reason sense serjeant at law servants shew side sorrow soul speak SPECTATOR tell temper thing Thomas Conecte thought tion told town turn VIRG virtue walk whig whole woman women words writing young
Popular passages
Page 235 - ... subjects, hear their duties explained to them, and join together in adoration of the Supreme Being. Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week, not only as it refreshes in their minds the notions of religion, but as it puts both the sexes upon appearing in their most agreeable forms, and exerting all such qualities as are apt to give them a figure in the eye of the village.
Page 282 - A MAN'S first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart ; his next, to escape the censures of the world : if the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected ; but otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbations which it gives itself seconded by the applauses of the public...
Page 233 - But a man can never have taken in his full measure of knowledge, has not time to subdue his passions, establish his soul in virtue, and come up to the perfection of his nature, before he is hurried off the stage. Would an infinitely wise Being make such glorious creatures for so mean...
Page 236 - I was yesterday very much surprised to hear my old friend, in the midst of the service, calling out to one John Matthews to mind what he was about, and not disturb the congregation. This John Matthews it seems is remarkable for being an idle fellow, and at that time was kicking his heels for his diversion.
Page 237 - ... reprimand to the person that is absent. The chaplain has often told me, that upon a catechising day, when sir Roger has been pleased with a boy that answers well, he has ordered a bible to be given him next day for his encouragement; and sometimes accompanies it with a flitch of bacon to his mother.
Page 43 - I never heard the old song of Percy and Douglas that I found not my heart moved more than with a trumpet...
Page 138 - Yet innocence and virgin modesty, Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth, That would be woo'd, and not unsought be won, Not obvious, not obtrusive, but...
Page 213 - Calamy, with several living authors who have published discourses of practical divinity. I no sooner saw this venerable man in the pulpit, but I very much approved of my friend's insisting upon the qualifications of a good aspect and a clear voice ; for I was so charmed with the gracefulness of his figure and delivery, as well as the discourses he pronounced, that I think I never passed any time more to my satisfaction.
Page 212 - Roger, found me out this gentleman who, besides the endowments required of him, is, they tell me, a good scholar, though he does not show it. I have given him the parsonage of the parish ; and because I know his value have settled upon him a good annuity for life. If he outlives me, he shall find that he was higher in my esteem than perhaps he thinks he is.
Page 212 - Greek at his own table ; for which reason, he desired a particular friend of his at the university to find him out a clergyman rather of plain sense than much learning, of a good aspect, a clear voice, a sociable temper, and, if possible, a man that understood a little of back-gammon.