The Works of Alexander Pope, Esq (Volume 5)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1797. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... With that she gave him (piteous of his case, Yet smiling at his ruesul length of face) A shaggy REMARKS. Ver. 140. And we too toaj! our Garth and Addifon.] Nothing is more remarkable than our author's love of praising good writers. He has in this very poem celebrated Mr. Locke, Sir Isaac Newton, Dr. Barrow, Dr. Atterbury, Mr. Drydcn, Mr. Congreve, Dr. Garth, Mr. Addison; in a word, almoll every man of his time that deserved it; evenCibberhimself (presuminghim tobeauthorof the Careless Husband). It was very dissicult to have that pleasure in a poem on this subject, yet he has found means to insert their panegyric, and has made even Dulness out of her own mouth, pronounce it. It must have been particularly agreeable to him to celebrate Dr. Garth; both as his constant friend, and as he was his predecessor in this kind of satire. The Dispensary attacked the whole body of Apothecaries, a much more usesul one undoubtedly than that of the bad poets; if in truth this can be a body, of which no two members ever agreed. It also did, what Mr. Theobald fays is unpardonable, drew in parts of private sharaRer, and introduced perfons independent of his fubjeS. Much more would Boileau have incurred his censure, who left all subjects whatever, on all occasions, to fall upon the bad poets, (which, it is to be feared, would have been more immediately his concern.) But certainly next to commending good writers, the greatest service to learning is to expose the bad, who can only that way be made of any use to it. This truth is very well set forth in these lines addressed to our author: "The craven Rook, and pert Jackdaw, (Tho' neither birds of moral kind) Yet serve, if hang'd, or stuff'd with straw, To shew us which way blows the wind. "Thus IMITATIONS. Ver. 141, 142. pitio...