100 Modern Languages. 



affected within a few years past, by several popu- 

 lar writers, are among the fantastic errors, which 

 a spirit of misguided imitation, or a perverted taste, 

 have brought too much into use. 



It would be unpardonable, in this sketch, not 

 to take notice of several other writers, who, to- 

 ward the close of the century in question, made a 

 distinguished figure in the annals of English style. 

 Among these, perhaps, the most worthy of our at- 

 tention, are the author of the letters of Junius, 

 Mr. Burke, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Bishop 

 Watson. The remarkable characteristics, and 

 the peculiar excellence of the style of Junius 

 are well known. Mr. Burke, though sometimes 

 very inaccurate, yet furnished many specimens of 

 splendid and forcible eloquence, which would have 

 done honour to the brightest era of Grecian or Ro- 

 man taste. While the writings of Sir Joshua 

 Reynolds* and Bishop Watson, more chaste and 

 correct, and scarcely inferior in force and other 

 beauties, will long be read as admirable models of 

 English composition. 



To the above names might be added those of 

 Dr. Beattie, Dr. Blair, and several others, both 

 in North and South Britain, either still living or 

 lately deceased, who have contributed to form and 

 extend a taste for elegant writing. But to these 

 it would be impossible to do justice without en- 

 gaging in a discussion too minute for the limits of 

 the present sketch. 



In English historical style, Hume and Robert- 

 son are, unquestionably, the best models. The 

 former excels in ease, spirit, and interest; the lat- 

 ter in purity, dignity, strength, and elegance. The 



h Tn this remark, the charge against the memory of Sir J. Reynolds, 

 as having been assisted by Mr. Burke, in the composition of those noble 

 discourses which he delivered before the Royal Academy, is taken for 

 granted to be false, or, at least, not true to the extent which has heec 

 stated. 



