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thofe by whom remarkable variations have been introduced, and 

 whofe diftinguifhed excellence has procured for thofe variations a 

 general adoption. Even this tafk, however, though lefs laborious 

 and lefs prolix than the other, is not without its difficulty. 

 Between the coarfe homelinefs of Burnet and the elaborate polifh 

 of Gibbon ; between the loofe and uneven compofition of Til- 

 lotfon, in which the ray of genius is fo often obfcured by the 

 medium through which it paffes, and the clofe precifion of Johnfon, 

 through which the bright idea fhines with fleady luftre (if, indeed, 

 it does not from the expreffion itfelf derive much of that luftre) 

 the difference is great indeed, and to perceive it requires but 

 little exertion of critical difcernment. But other writers have 

 varied effentially the ftyle of Englifli profe between whofe re- 

 fpedive merits the difference is neither fo great nor fo obvious : 

 here lies the difficulty. The difference of oppofite colours is 

 eafily feen, and not difficult to be defcribed ; but of the variety 

 of mixing tints which lie between the two extremes to mark 

 with accuracy the points of tranfition ; to catch the almoft 

 evanefcent diftindions between collateral fhades, and exhibit 

 them with truth and fteadinefs to the eye, is a work for which 

 talents lefs common are neceffary. 



Though previous to the Revolution the ftyle of Englifli profe 

 had been greatly improved, it was notwithftanding very far from 

 being fciultlefs. Scarcely any fingle epithet, indeed, can be found 

 to defcribe its errors. It was loofe, negligent, capricious, and 

 inaccurate : the periods were long and complicated ; their parts 

 clumfily conneded ; circumftances which we.re neceffary to be 



introduced 



