Dr. Barnes on Poetry. 63 
difcufied in the enfuing converfation, from 
which I promife myfclf, both inftruftion and 
entertainment. 
At prefent, I find rnyfelf difpofed to reft ift 
fome fuch general conclufion, as the following. 
To finished and perfect poetry, or rather 
to the highest order of poetic compofitions, 
are neceffary, elevation of fentiment 3 fire of ima¬ 
gination , and regularity of metre. This is the 
Jummit of Parnassus. But, from this fublimeft: 
point, there are gradual declinations, till you 
come to the region of profe. The lajt line of 
feparation is, that of regular metre. And, in 
common language, not having fettled with pre- 
cifion the nature or boundaries of either, we 
often apply the poetic charafter with great lati¬ 
tude, to compofitions, which have more or lefs 
of the preceding qualities, but which are formed 
into uniform and regular verje. Often, the name 
is given to works, which have nothing to diftin- 
guifti them, but mere number. What has net 
this metrical modulation, we call poetical; and 
what has it,' we call profaic , folely upon account 
of the Jentiment. For poetry and profe, like two 
colours, eafily diftinguifhable from each other 
in their pure, unmixed ftate, melt into one ano¬ 
ther by almoft imperceptible lhades, till the 
diftinftion is entirely loft. Their general cha¬ 
racters are widely different. Their approximations 
admit of the neareft refcmblances. 
With 
