Sect. I.] Epic Poetry. "J 



}3earance doubtless formed an important era in the 

 progress of their poetic character. The various 

 works of Karamsin are also entitled to respectful 

 notice among the valuable contributions to this 

 branch of literary improvement. 



After these preliminary remarks concerning the 

 refinements and riches which have been commu- 

 nicated to the poetic language , of several coun- 

 tries of Europe, it may be proper to take a brief 

 review of the principal productions to which the 

 eighteenth century gave birth, in the various de- 

 partments of poetry ; after which the way will be 

 prepared for some general reflexions on the poetic 

 character of the age. 



SECTION I. 



EPIC POETRY, 



In Epic poetry the period of this Retrospect 

 produced few specimens above mediocrity. The 

 Henriadt of Voltaire stands at the head of the 

 list. This performance, like most of the works of 

 its celebrated author*, discovers great genius, and 



* Few literary men in the eighteenth century rendered them- 

 selves more conspicuous than Francis Arouct do Voltaire. He 

 t\as born in 1694-, at Paris, where he died in 1778. Endowed 

 with an uncommon share of wit, hmnour. fancAr, and taste, he 

 was distinguished as an interesting and entertaining writer for 

 more than half a century. He enjoyed a high reputation, not 

 only as an epic poet, but also as a dramatist, an ixistoriau, a uo^ 



