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correct tliem to greater mlnutenefs ? He might have arranged 

 his thoughts in regular cUmax — he might have given us con- 

 trafted fentimeiits and parallel phrafes — he might have def- 

 tined forcible words to important places — he might have 

 condenfed matter for concluding couplets. But his works 

 would have been elaborate — his didtion pompous — his verfifica- 

 tion meafured. He would have forfeited his e.ify fimplicity. 

 Some readers would not fo well underftand him and perhaps 

 none fo much delight in him. At prefent he is a general 

 favourite, and thofe who think his excellence is of that com- 

 mon nature which any perfon might reach have only to make 

 the attempt and thus convince themfelves of his merit. Pa- 

 radoxical as it may feem, there is no flile of writing more 

 diiEcult of attainment than that which is natural. 



