Page:An Enquiry into the Present State of Polite Learning in Europe.djvu/121

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Of POLITE LEARNING.
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Crebillon, junior. A writer of real merit, but guilty of the same indelicate faults with the former. Wit employed in dressing up obscenity, is like the art used in painting a corpse; it may be thus rendered tolerable to one sense, but fails not quickly to offend some other.

Gresset, agreeable and easy. His comedy called the Mechant, and an humourous poem, entitled Ver-vert, have original merit. He was bred a jesuit, but his wit procured his dismission from the society. This last work particularly, could expect no pardon from the Convent, being a satyr against nunneries!

Dalembert, has united an extensive skill in scientifical learning, with the mostrefined