S20 



Jnirable in their style; but, compared 

 with those which we meet with in poets of 

 a higher cast, and not professedly descrip- 

 tive, I own they, in some respects, put 

 me in mind of Denner; for Thomson 

 seems to have watched all the detail of cir- 

 cumstances, one after another, in the most 

 minute manner, in order to describe them 

 as minutely ; and, therefore, according to 

 Sir Joshua's excellent remark, (a remark 

 equally applicable to both arts,) he does 

 not so much express what is congenial 

 and natural to the mind of man, as what 

 presupposes research and nicety. I must 

 not, however, be unjust to Thomson : his 

 subject often required minute description ; 

 and at least he is far from having the cold- 

 ness which often accompanies minuteness ; 

 on the contrary, to express myself in 

 painters' language, he has great glow of 

 colouring, and great force of light and sha- 

 dow." 



" As you seem," said Mr. Howard, " ta- 

 citly to allow, that Denner has some of the 

 defects which attend minuteness, let me 

 shew you a most uncommon union ; that of 



