The Works of James Harris, Esq; With an Account of His Life and Character Volume . 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1801 edition. Excerpt: ...are passionate Gestures to the Eye, so Ch are passionate Tones to the Ear; so are passionate Ideas to the Imagination. To feel the amazing force of an Accumulation like this, we must fee some capital Ablor, acting the Drama of some capital Poet, where all the Powers of Both are assembled at the fame itiJlant. AisD thus have we endeavoured, by a few obvious and easy examples, to explain what we mean by the words, seeking the Cause or Reason, as often as we feel works of Art and Ingenuity to off ed, us. If I might advise a Beginner in this elegant pursuit, it should be, as far as possible, to recur for Principles to the most plain and simple Truths, and to extend every Theorem, as he advances, to its utmost latitude, so as to make it suit, and include, the greatest number of possible Cases. I Would advise him farther, to avoid subtle and far-fetched Refinement, which, as it is for the most part adverse to Perspicuity and Truth, may serve to make an able Sophist, but never an able Critic. A Word more--I would advise a young Critic, in his Contemplations, to turn his Eye rather to the Praise-worthy than the Blameahle; that is, to investigate the Causes of Praise, rather than the Causes of Blame. For tho' an uninformed Beginner may in a single instance happen Part II. happen to blame properly, 'tis more than probable, that in the next he may fail, and incur the Censure past upon the criticizing Cobler, Nc sutor ultra crepidam. We are now to inquire concerning Numerous Composition. / Those, who wish to see the origin of this ingenious Proverb, may find it in Pliny, L. XXV. s. 12, and in Valerius Maximus, L. VIII. c. 12. CHAP. II. Numerous Composition--derived from Quantity SvrLLABiOr--antiently essential both to Verse and Prose--Rhythm--Peans and...