INQUIRY

INTO THE

NATURE AND EXTENT

OF

POETICK LICENCE.

By N. A. VIGORS, jun. Esq.

Μηδε ημεις ουν την ποιητικην ημεριδα των μέσων εκκοπτωμεν,
μηδ' αφανιζωμεν· αλλ' όπε μεν υφ ηδονης ακρατε προς δοξαν αυθα.
δως θρασυνομενον εξυβριζει και υλομανει το μυθωδες αυτης και
θηατρικον, επιλαμβανομενοι κολεωμεν και πιεζωμεν· όπε δε απ-
Πεται τινος μεσης τη χαριτι, και το γλυκυ τ8 λογα και αγωγον, εκ
ακάρπον εστιν, εδε κενον, ενταύθα φιλοσοφιαν εισαγωμεν και κα.
ταμιγνύωμεν.

PLUT. de audiend. Poet.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR J. MACKINLAY, 87, STRAND,

BY T. BENSLEY, BOLT COURT, FLEET STREET.

1810.

INTRODUCTION.

Among the works of invention, which are intended to promote the convenience, or increase the elegancies of society, the compositions of the Fine Arts are distinguished by a marked peculiarity in their end and execution. As they are directed to the object of contributing to the gratification, not of administering to the necessities of mankind, they seem, by their nature, to claim an exemption from that exactness and regularity of representation, which characterize the works of mere utility. Pursuing thus a peculiar end, they have been indulged in peculiar immunities; and to such an extent has the right of their professors to these exclusive privileges been acknowledged, that they have been allowed to heighten their delineations by such adscititious or imaginary embellishment, as, lying beyond the boundaries of nature and reality, appear more calculated to awaken our interest, or add to our delight.

B