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Printed for Harrison and Co3.18, Paternoster Row: – 1785.

THE

RAMBLER.

IN FOUR VOLUME S.

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI,

QUO ME CUNQUE RAPIT TEMPESTAS, DEFEROR HOSPES.

LONDON:
Printed for HARRISON and Co. No 18, Paternofter Row.

M DCC XCII.

HOR.

HARVARD
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Aug 10, 1943

Dr Samuel. Wordwand

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

N°I. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1750.

CUR TAMEN HOC LIBEAT POTIUS DECURRERE CAMPO,
PER QUEM MAGNUS EQUOS AURUNCE FLEXIT ALUMNUS,
SI VACAT, ET PLACIDI RATIONEM ADMITTITIS, EDAM.

WHY TO EXPATIATE IN THIS BEATEN FIELD;
WHY ARMS, OFT US'D IN VAIN, I MEAN TO WIELD;
17 TIME PERMIT, AND CANDOUR WILL ATTEND,
SOME SATISFACTION THIS ESSAY MAY LEND.

TH

'HE difficulty of the first addrefs on any new occafion is felt by every man in his tranfactions with the world, and confeffed by the fettled and regular forms of falutation which neceffity has introduced into all languages. Judgment was wearied with the perplexity of being forced upon choice, where there was no motive to preference; and it was found convenient that fome eafy method of introduction fhould be eftablished, which, if it wanted the allurement of novelty, might enjoy the fecurity of prefcription.

Perhaps few authors have prefented themfelves before the publick, without wifhing that fuch ceremonial modes of entrance had been anciently eftablifhed, as might have freed them from thofe dangers which the defire of pleafing is certain to produce, and precluded the vain expedients of foftening cenfure by apologies, or roufing attention by abruptnefs.

The epick writers have found the proemial part of the poem fuch an addition to their undertaking, that they have almost unanimously adopted the frit lines of Homer; and the reader needs

Juv.

ELPHINSTON.

only be informed of the fubject, to know in what manner the poem will begin.

But this folemn repetition is hitherto the peculiar diftinction of heroick poetry; it has never been legally extended to the lower orders of literature, but feems to be confidered as an hereditary privilege, to be enjoyed only by thofe who claim it from their alliance to the genius of Homer.

The rules which the injudicious ufe of this prerogative fuggefted to Horace, may indeed be applied to the direction of candidates for inferior fame; it may be proper for all to remember, that they ought not to raife expectation which it is not in their power to fatisfy, and that it is more pleafing to fee finoke brightening into flame, than flame finking into fmoke.

This precept has been long received, both from regard to the authority of Horace, and it's conformity to the general opinion of the world; yet there have been always fome, that thought it no deviation from modefty to recommend their own labours, and imaginel themselves entitled by indifputable merit to an exemption from general re

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straints,

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