POETRY DEFINED AND CLASSIFIED. 
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POETKY DEFINED AND CLASSIFIED. 
SYLLABUS OF A LECTURE BY MR. C. W. DYMOND, F.S.A., M.Inst.C.E. 
(Read January 25th, 1883.) 
What is poetry 1 ? A perfect definition unattainable. Definitions 
proposed by Aristotle, Bacon, Shakspere, Wordsworth, Reynolds, 
Shelley, Leigh Hunt, Dallas, Masson, and Ruskin. Comments on 
their opinions. Poetry may be variously expressed. General 
definition of poetry. Faculties to whose nobler degrees poetry 
appeals when imagination is the vitalizing force. The three great 
poetic fields. True poetry is deep and sympathetic. Attitude of 
the poet toward the universe. Functions of the imagination dis- 
cussed. Fancy defined. Science the antithesis of poetry. Prosy 
works in verse. Naturalistic treatment contrasted with poetic. 
All poets sometimes unpoetic ; instance from Homer. The verbal 
form of poetry the only one generally recognized. Restrained 
feeling a conditio sine qua non of all poetry. Metrical and un- 
metrical poetry. Poetic form prescribed by nature of the subject, 
and genius of the language. Classification of poetic subjects, and 
their appropriate treatment. Mode of distinguishing prose from 
poetry. 
