is a Decifion peculiar to Men of Learning and Tafte, who alone know the Difficulties which attend fuch an Undertaking, and will be impartial enough to give the Tranflator the necessary Indulgence.

Longinus himself was never accurately enough published, nor throughly understood, till Dr. Pearce did him juftice in his late Editions at London, the Second especially. My Thanks are due to that Gentleman, not only for his correct Edition, on account of which the whole learned World is indebted to him; but for those Animadverfions and Corrections of this Tranflation, with which he fo kindly favoured me. Moft of the Remarks and Obfervations were drawn up before I had read his Latin Notes.

I am not the leaft in pain about the pertinency of thofe Inftances which I have brought from the facred Writers, as well as from fome of the fineft of our own Country, to illuftrate the Criticifms of Longinus. I am only fearful, left among the multiplicity of fuch as might be had, I may be thought to have omitted fome of the best. I am fenfible that what I have done might be done much better; but if I have the good Fortune to contribute a little towards the fixing a true judicious Tafte, and enabling my Readers to diftinguish Senfe from Sound, Grandeur from

Pomp,

Pomp, and the Sublime from Fuftian and Bom-
baft, I fhall think my Time well spent, and shall
be ready to fubmit to the Cenfures of a Judge,
but shall only smile at the Snarling of what is
commonly called a Critic.

INDEX

Of Puerilities.

SECT. II.

may be learned

SECT. III

Of the Parenthyrfe, or ill-timed Emotion.

Page I

4

6

8

ibid.

That a Knowledge of the true Sublime is attainable. 13

That the Definition, which the Writers of Rhetoric give

of Amplification, is improper.

32

That the beft Authors ought to be our Models in Writing.

38

That Figures and Sublimity mutually affift one another, 50

That the Sublime with fome Faults is better than what is correct and faultlefs without being Sublime.

SECT. XXXIV.

78

By the preceding Rule Demofthenes and Hyperides are compared, and the Preference given to the former. 81 SE C T. XXXV.

That Plato is in all refpects fuperior to Lyfias; and in general, that whatever is great and uncommon fooneft raifes Admiration.

SE CT. XXXVI.

84