nefs for the myrtle, they forgot that the cyprefs was their peculiar garland. In this it is probable they deviated from the original defign of elegy; and it should feem, that any kind of fubjects, treated in fuch a manner as to diffufe a pleafing melancholy, might far better deferve the name, than the facetious mirth and libertine feftivity of the fuccessful votaries of love. But not to dwell too long upon an opinion which may feem perhaps introduced to favour the following performance, it may not be improper to examine into the ufe and end of elegy. The most important end of all poetry is to encourage virtue. Epic and tragedy chiefly recommened the public virtues; elegy is of a fpecies which illuftrates and endears the private. There is a truly virtuous pleasure connected with many penfive contemplations, which it is the province and excellency of elegy to enforce. This, by prefenting suitable ideas, bas difcovered fweets in melancholy which we could not find in mirth; and has led us with fuccefs to the dufty urn, when we could draw no pleafure from the parkling bowl; as paftor al conveys an idea of fimplicity and innocente, it is in partis cular the task and merit of elegy to fhew the innocence and fimplicity of rural life to advantage: and that, in a way diftin&t from paftoral, as much as the plain but judicious landlord may be imagined to furpass bis tenant both in dignity and underftanding. It should also tend to elevate the more tranquil virtues of humility, difinterestedness, fimplicity, and innocence: but then there is a degree of elegance and refinement, no way inconfiftent with thefe rural virtues; and that raifes elegy above that merum rus, that unpolished rufticity, which has given our pastoral writers their bigbeft reputation. Wealth and fplendor will never want their pros per weight: the danger is, left they should too much preponderate. A kind of poetry therefore which throws its chief influence into the other fcale, that magnifies the fweets of liberty and independence, that endears the boneft delights of love and friendhip, that celebrates the glory of a good name after death, that ridicules the futile arrogance birth, that recommends the innocent amufement of letters, and infenfibly prepares the mind for that B 2 bumanity defcended to trifle with thofe of humour and drollery: thefe, indeed, he himself fome measure degraded by the title which he gave them of LEVITIES; but had they been entirely rejected, the public would have been deprived of fome JEUX D'ESPRITS, excellent in their kind, and Mr. SHENSTONE'S character, as a writer, would have been but imperfectly exhibited. But the talents of Mr. SHENSTONE were not confined merely to poetry; his character, as a man of clear judgment, and deep penetration, will beft appear from his profe works. It is there we muft fearch for the acuteness of his understanding, and his profound knowledge of the human heart. It is to be lamented indeed, that fome things here are unfinished, and can be regarded only as fragments: many are left as fingle thoughts, but which, like the sparks of diamonds, fhew the richness of the mine to which they belong; or like the foot of a HERCULES, discover the uncommon strength, and extraordinary dimenfions of that hero. I have no apprehen fion of incurring blame from any one, for preferving these valuable remains: they will discover to every reader, the author's fentiments on several important subjects. And there can be very few, to whom they will not impart many thoughts, which they would never perhaps have been able to draw from the fource of their own reflections. But I believe little need be faid to recommend the writings of this gentleman to public attention. His character is already sufficiently established. And if he be not injured by the inability of his editor, there is no doubt but he will ever maintain an eminent station among the best of our English writers. R. DODSLEY. |