[ x6 ] 



on them is well founded, criticifm will be profitably employed, in 

 tracing the appropriate and flriking excellencies of thefe compofi- 

 tions, and recommending them as objedls of ftudy and imitation. 

 If, on the other hand, the exceffive prediledtion, indeed I may fay 

 the rage, which at prefent attends thefe exotic novelties, is capri- 

 cious and unfounded, they will render a fervice to the intereft of 

 true tafte and found morality, which muft ever be infeparable, 

 who ende'avour to oppofe mounds to the prevailing torrent; who 

 take up arms to refift the irruption of Gothic barbarifm and fero- 

 city. At all events, it muft be amufing to explore the grounds 

 and caufes of a literary phenomenon, fo fudden and fo fingular, as 

 the general predominance of this new.fchool of compolition. 



I SHALL not attempt an accurate examination, in detail, of the 

 numerous German productions, which have teen introduced to the 

 acquaintance of the Englijh reader, through the medium of tranf- 

 lations. The due execution of fuch a tafk would require a know- 

 ledge of the German language, which I want, and more labour and 

 attention than I can fpare ; and would betray the writer into a 

 prolixity of difcuffion far exceeding the compafs of an effay and 

 the meafure of your patience. I fhall reft in generals, and con- 

 tent myfelf with a comprehenfive view of the ftyle, the charadle- 

 riftics and tendency of thofe writings which are fo much the fa- 

 vourites of the paffing hour, and promife to form an Epoch or ra- 

 ther Dynafty in the annals of poetry. 



I HAVE 



