words beginning with the same letter in the same or 

 following line, has also a fine effect when managed 

 with discretion. Dryden and Pope practised this 

 art with wonderful success. As, for example, where 

 you say ''The polish'd beetle," . . the epithet "bur- 

 nish'd " would be better for the reason above. But 

 then you must avoid affectation in this case, and let 

 the alliteration slide-in as it were without design : 

 and this secret will make your lines appear bold and 

 nervous. 



There are also in poetry allusions, similes, and a 

 thousand nameless graces, the efficacy of which noth- 

 ing can make you sensible of but the careful reading 

 of our best poets, and a nice and judicious applica- 

 tion of their beauties. I need not add that you 

 should be careful to seem not to take any pains 

 about y*" rhimes ; they should fall-in as it were of 

 themselves. Our old poets laboured as much for- 

 merly to lug-in two chiming words, as a butcher does 

 to drag an ox to be slaughtered : but Mr. Pope has 

 set such a pattern of ease in that way, that few com- 

 posers now are faulty in the business of rhiming. 

 When I have the pleasure of meeting you we will 

 talk over these and many other matters too copious 

 for an Epistle. I had like to have forgotten to add 

 that Jack copied your verses and sent them to y*" 

 Uncle John who commended them much : you will 

 be pleased to be commended by one that is the best 



performer and the best critic in that way that I 



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