( iao ) 



CHAPTER XX. 



POETRY. 



POETRY, in one form or another, has been the 

 growth of every age with the history of which 

 we are acquainted; and the eighteenth century 

 had its full share of those who paid their court to 

 the muses. It may be said with confidence, in- 

 deed, that the last age produced a far greater num- 

 ber of poets than any former period of the same ex- 

 tent. But it must be confessed that, of this num- 

 ber, few are entitled to the character of distin- 

 guished excellence. The mantle of Shakspeare 

 or of Milton has not fallen upon any succeeding 

 bard. Since the death of the latter, more than a 

 century has passed away without producing a rival 

 of his great and deserved fame. Still it may be 

 maintained that poets, and poetic excellence, have 

 been produced, of sufficient distinction to do high 

 honour to modern genius, and to merit a respectful 

 consideration. 



The poetic diction and versification of several 

 modern languages have been much enriched and 

 refined, during the period under review. Of these 

 improvements it may be proper to take some brief 

 notice, before we proceed to consider the particu- 

 lar specimens of poetic genius which belong to this 

 period. 



During the period in question, English versifi- 

 cation has been greatly improved. Though Dry- 

 den, at the close of the preceding century, had 

 done much towards the promotion of this object; 



