It was, however, my wish to render my own Poems, on different arts, more biftorical than preceptive.

My principal defign was to prefent a general view of the art in queftion, with a just and animating character of its moft eminent profeffors. There is, I believe, a feafon of life, in which Poems of this nature may be read with the happiest effect. — The first, and perhaps the most important step towards forming a great Artist in any line, is to inspire a youth of quick feelings with an enthusiastic paffion for fome particular art, and with an ingenuous delight, in the glory of its Heroes.

Such was the end that I proposed to myself in thefe effays; for, as delicate

2

licate or inconftant health, and the love of literary retirement, have prevented me from ferving the community in fcenes of active life, I have confidered it as particularly incumbent on me to endeavour at least, in my poetical pursuits, to promote the interest of society.

I am aware that fuch an idea is open to much raillery, as vain and romantic; but Poetry is an art, which conduces fo little to the private emolument and advantage of those who devote even a life to it, that they ought, I think, to be indulged in fuch profpects, however chimerical, as arise only from a benevolent vanity.

In clofing this Preface, it may be proper to say, that the collection contains

tains nothing which has not appeared before, except an Ode to that elegant and inftructive female author the Countess of Genlis, with a few short and occafional compofitions, inferted at the end of the first volume.

ERRATU M.

Vol. I. P. 93. 1. 4. from the bottom, for 1732, read 1734.

A N

Συγγενείαν τινα προς ποιητικὴν εχειν ἡ τεχνη εὑρισκεται, και κοινη τις αμφοίν είναι φαντασία,

ἁ λεγειν οἱ ποιηται εχεσι ταυτα εν τῷ γραμματι PHILOSTRATUS.

σημαίνεσα.

Patet omnibus Ars, nondum eft occupata, multum ex illâ etiam futuris reli&tum eft.

SENEC. Epift. 33.

EPISTLE THE FIRST.

VOL. I.

B

ARGUMENT

OF THE FIRST EPISTLE.

Introduction-The flourishing ftate of Art in this country-Difadvantages attending the modern Painter of Portraits-Short encomium on this branch of Art, with the account of its origin in the ftory of the Maid of Corinth-Superiority of Hiftorical Painting-Some account of the Greeks who excelled in it—Its deftruction and revival in Italy-Short account of the most eminent Italian and Spanish Painters Thofe of Flanders and France-The corruption of Art among

the latter.