A PREFATORY ESSAY O N ELE EGY. T is obfervable, that difcourfes prefixed to poetry are contrived very frequently to inculcate. fuch tenets as may exhibit the performance to the greatest advantage. The fabric is very commonly raised in the first place, and the measures, by which we are to judge of its merit, are afterwards adjusted. There have been few rules given us by the critics concerning the ftructure of elegiac poetry; and far be B 2. be it from the author of the following trifles, to dignify his own opinions with that denomination. He would only intimate the great variety of fubjects, and the different ftyles in which the writers of elegy have hitherto indulged themselves, and endeavour to fhield the following ones by the latitude of their example. * If we confider the etymology of the † word, the epithet which HORACE gives it, or the confeffion which § OVID makes concerning it, I think we may . conclude thus much however; that elegy, in its true and genuine acceptation, includes a tender and querulous idea that it looks upon this as its peculiar characteristic, and so long as this is thoroughly fuftained, admits of a variety of subjects; which by its manner of treating them, it renders its own. It throws its melancholy ftole over pretty different objells, which, like the drejes at a funeral proceffion, gives them all a kind of folemn and uniform appear ance. It is probable that elegies were written at first upon the death of intimate friends and near relations ; *This effay was written near twenty years ago. -λye, e-particulam dolendi. Miferabiles elegos. HOR. § Heu nimis ex vero nunc tibi nomen erit. OVID. de Morte Tibulli. celebrated celebrated beauties, or favourite miftreffes; beneficent governors and illuftrious men one may add perhaps, of all those, who are placed by VIRGIL in the laurel-grove of his Elyfium, (Vide HURD'S Differtation on HORACE's Epistle) Quique fui memores alios fecere merendo. After these subjects were fufficiently exhausted, and the feverity of fate displayed in the most affecting inftances, the poets fought occafion to vary their complaints; and the next tender fpecies of forrow that prefented itself, was the grief of abfent or neglected lovers. And this indulgence might be indeed allowed them; but with this they were not contented. They bad obtained a small corner in the province of love, and they took advantage, from thence, to over-run the whole territory. They fung its poils, triumphs, evations, and rejoicings *, as well as the captivity and exequies that attended it. They gave the name of elegy to their pleasantries as well as lamentations; 'till at laft, through their abundant fondness for the myrtle, they forgot that the cyprefs was their peculiar garland. In this it is probable they deviated from the original defign of elegy; and it should feem, that any kind of fubjects, treated in fuch a manner as to diffuse a pleafing * Dicite Io Pæan, & Io bis dicite Pæan. B 3 OVID. melancholy, melancholy, might far better deferve the name, than the facetious mirth and libertine feftivity of the fuccefsful votaries of love. But not to dwell too long upon an opinion which may feem perhaps introduced to favour the following performance, it may not be improper to examine into the ufe and end of elegy. The most important end of all poetry is to encourage virtue. Epic and tragedy chiefly recommend the public virtues'; elegy is of a Species which illuftrates and endears the private. There is a truly virtuous pleafure connected with many penfive contemplations, which it is the province and excellency of elegy to enforce. This, by prefenting fuitable ideas, bas difcovered fweets in melancholy which we could not find in mirth; and has led us with fuccefs to the dufty urn, when we could draw no pleasure from the Sparkling bowl; as paftoral conveys an idea of fimplicity and innocence, it is in particular the task and merit of elegy to fhew the innocence and fimplicity of rural life to advantage; and that, in a way diftinct from paftoral, as much as the plain but judicious landlord may be imagined to furpass his tenant both in dignity and understanding. It should also tend to elevate the more tranquil virtues of humility, difinterestedness, fimplicity, and innocence: but then there is a degree of elegance and refinement, no way inconfiftent with thefe rural virtues; and that raifes elegy above that |