Pope's peculiar powers found their most perfect development in the pieces, which in the collected works are entitled Satires and Epistles of Horace imitated. Casually suggested by Bolingbroke in the course of conversation, and calling themselves an imitation, these 'satires and epistles' are the most original of Pope's writings, and the most natural and spontaneous outcome of his genius. These pieces, nine in number, including a Prologue, and two Epilogues, form a total of some 2000 lines, and were the product of the four years 1735-8, and therefore of Pope's meridian period between his fortieth and fiftieth year. The ferocity of Pope's invective and the malice of his antipathies are here subdued, and though the coarser horse-laugh of the old time breaks out every now and then, yet on the whole the finer play of sarcasm and witty inuendo has taken the place of hard names and slander. The Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot, or Prologue to the Satires may be singled out as Pope's most characteristic piece. We give it entire in our selections. It contains the two famous portraits, that of Lord Hervey (Sporus) and that of Addison (Atticus). The libel, for such it is, on Lord Hervey cannot be excused even by the rancour of political party. This accomplished nobleman was Vice-Chamberlain in the court of George II, a position easy enough to a mere fribble, but which was sure to mark out a man of parts and wit such as Lord Hervey, as the object of hatred to the tory and jacobite opposition. Even as art, Pope must be considered in this sketch to have failed from overcharging his canvas with odious and disgusting images. Yet it is impossible not to admire, however we may condemn, the act by which acknowledged wit, beauty and gentle manners, the Queen's favour, and even a valetudinary diet are travestied into the most odious defects and offences.' (Croker.) The satire on Addison, in a more refined style, but not less unjust in fact, had been written twenty years before, uring Addison's lifetime. Pope regarded the piece with the affection with which an author regards the product of much time and labour; and he had meditated each stab in this finished lampoon for years. Having printed it separately in 1727, he now finally adapted it into this Prolegue to the Satires, only suppressing the real name, but not concealing it under the thin disguise of 'Atticus.' The art of these malignant lines is much greater than that of those on Lord Hervey. Pope here not only avoids any images which were in themselves offen sive, but allows his victim many virtues and accomplishments. MARK PATTISON. FROM THE 'ESSAY ON CRITICISM.' Some to Conceit alone their taste confine, What oft was thought, but ne'er so well express'd; For works may have more wit than does 'em good, Others for Language all their care express, Words are like leaves; and where they most abound, For diff'rent styles with diff'rent subjects sort, These sparks with awkward vanity display As apes our grandsires, in their doublets drest. Be not the first by whom the new are try'd, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside. But most by numbers judge a poet's song, While expletives their feeble aid do join; And ten low words oft creep in one dull line: With some unmeaning thing they call a thought, A needless Alexandrine ends the song, That, like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along Leave such to tune their own dull rhymes, and know What's roundly smooth, or languishingly slow; And praise the easy vigour of a line, Where Denham's strength and Waller's sweetness jo'n. As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance. The hoarse, rough verse should like the torrent roar: Not so, when swift Camilla scours the plain, Flies o'er th' unbending corn, and skims along the main Hear how Timotheus' vary'd lays surprise, And bid alternate passions fall and rise! While at each change, the son of Libyan Jove Avoid extremes; and shun the fault of such, That always shows great pride, or little sense: For fools admire, but men of sense approve : As things seem large which we through mists descry, Dulness is ever apt to magnify. Some foreign writers, some our own despise ; The ancients only, or the moderns prize. To one small sect, and all are damn'd beside. Meanly they seek the blessing to confine, And own stale nonsense which they ne'er invent. THE RAPE OF THE LOCK. CANTO II. Not with more glories, in th' ethereal plain, Fair nymphs, and well-drest youths around her shone, |