The PREFACE.
allow'd competent Judges of any Author's Writings.
This sort of Learning was in no small esteem among the Ancients; as is manifest from the many Curious Reflections and useful Criticisms, which Aristotle and Longinus among the Greeks, Horace and Petronius among the Latins (not to mention any more) have left behind them. Of latter date the Italians and Spaniards have set up for great Criticks; but those among them that have prov'd best, are such as have follow'd the Rules and Precepts of Aristotle and Horace, and other great Masters of Antiquity; whilst others that have invented any thing of their own, have come off with less Judgment and Applause. Among the English, there have been but few that merit the Name of Critick, in that Sense I take the Word. Most of them are only Criticks in the worst Sense; that is, such as expose the Faults, but take no notice of the Excellencies of Authors. The Judicious Rymer, who seems to have a particular Talent for Criticising, yet in my Opinion falls short of being a true Critick: And if he will still dispute that Title with the World, yet he must be contented with being reckon'd one of the meaner sort; since'tis more difficult and honourable to discern and commend the Excellencies, than'tis to find out and expose the Failings of Shakespear, Fletcher, or any other Author. At present the French, since the great encouragement they at first receiv'd from the Learned Richlieu, seem to be uppermost in this sort of Learning: And how dull and insipid soever they are said to be in other parts, yet in Criticisms they are full of curious Thoughts, and refin'd Reflections. Rapin, in all the Reflections he has made, comes off with universal Applause; but those on Aristotle's Poesie seem the most Correct of any. He has reflected on all the parts of Poetry, and descends to the more minute and lesser pieces of it; which is something more than Aristotle himself has left us.
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