off; a continence which is practised by few writers, and scarcely by any of the ancients, excepting Homer and Virgil.

"Chaucer followed nature every where; but was never sc bold to go beyond her; and there is a great difference of being poeta, and nimis poeta, if we may believe Catullus, as much as betwixt a modest behavior and affectation. The verse of Chaucer, I confess, is not harmonious to us; but it is like the eloquence of one whom Tacitus commends-it was auribus istius temporis accommodata. They who lived with him, and some time after, thought it musical, and it continues so even in our judgment, if compared with the numbers of Lydgate and Gower, his contemporaries; there is a rude sweetness of the Scotch tune in it, which is natural and pleasing, though not perfect. *** We can only say, that he lived in the infancy of our poetry, and that nothing is brought to perfection a the first. We must be children before we can grow men. There was an Ennius, and in process of time a Lucilius and a Lucretius before Virgil and Horace."

*

My limits will not allow of continuing down, through later periods, this outline of the history of English style. Neither is it necessary, since the productions of more modern writers of eminence are well known, and the peculiar traits of their styles have often been pointed out. In looking back upon the specimens that have been given, we are able to trace the progress of English style from its early and rude state, towards the refinement and perfection it has since attained. At successive periods, writers have appeared, whose influence has been felt, and who have, individually, contributed something to the improvement of their native language and style. Perhaps their excellences have been united with many faults; but while the beneficial tendencies of the former have been felt, and become incorporated with the language and literature of the country, the latter have disappeared before the improve ments of succeeding ages. There have also been periods, when, from the influence of some unpropitious causes, taste has become corrupɩ, and the progress of style has been stayed; but even in these periods, individuals have appeared, vho have

risen above the prevailing faults of their times, and exerted an influence, which, if not felt by their own age, has been powerful on the age which has followed.

To present a more connected and condensed view of the influence of different writers upon the progress of English style, I shall attempt a classification of them founded upon the different qualities by which they are characterized, and which they may have contributed to impart to the style of their age.

1 The first class consists of those to whom English style is indebted for its copiousness and dignity; copiousness, as they introduce many new words and forms of expressions; and dignity, as the words and phrases, thus introduced by them, were more elevated than those in common conversational use. In this class are to be enumerated those who flourished about the time of the Revival of Letters. Such are Wilson, Ascham, Cheke, More, and others of this date. In some of the succeeding reigns also, especially in that of James I., there were writers who were devoted to classical pursuits, and whose influence was of the same nature. In some of these writers, however, are found gross defects of style harshness, obscurity, and what at the present day would be accounted downright pedantry.

2. The next class of writers is composed of those whose style is in some degree easy and idiomatic. These are either classical scholars of more than usual purity of taste, or uneducated, self-made men, of strong common sense and practical views. These are the writers who have given perspicuity, ease, and naturalness to English style, and their productions continue to this day to have a charm, both with the learned and with common readers. It is pure English undefiled, flowing in its own native channel, ar d reflecting home objects and scenes. In this rank may be placed Raeigh, Cowley, and in latter days Swift and Paley, and also

the writers of the Bunyan school, who alike contributed to preserve the vestal flame of piety in the church, and the purity of their native language and style.

3. Nearly allied to this class is a third, consisting of those who have helped to give simplicity and purity to style. Such are the writers of Chronicles and of Essays and Treatises on practical common-place subjects-matter of fact men, who by the simple narrative, or the plain, practical exhibition of common truths, have sought to inform and improve those around them. Holinshed, Stow, and Bishop Hall are of this class.

4. I would next refer to those who have given precision and definiteness to style. They are writers of accurate. discriminating minds-the philosophers of their day-close thinkers and able reasoners-those whose favorite occupation it was, to search after truth, and either to invent or investigate the different theories, from time to time advanced The direct tendency of this class of writers to promote the attainment of the valuable traits of style just mentioned, is readily seen. Such writers are Herbert, Hobbes, Boyle, and especially Locke, to whom, perhaps, more than to any other author, English style is indebted for precision and accuracy.

5. Another class of writers embraces those who were men of poetical minds-those who possessed an active, playful fancy, and who were in no ordinary degree susceptible of emotions of taste. Their writings abounded in rich profusion of illustration and imagery, and their well-modulated periods show that they were not insensible to the harmony of numbers. It is from this source that style derives its richness, its melody and beauty; and when, as has sometimes been the case, such writers hive appeared at periods in which these traits were peculiarly needed, their influence has been highly advantageous. The writings of Sir Philip Sydney, of Bishop Taylor, of Cowley, and of Temple, have thus enriched and dorned English style.

6. Liveliness of fancy, where it has existed without the guidance of a chaste and correct taste, has sometimes taken a different direction. It has manifested itself in quaintness, in wit, and amusing conceits. Writers of this kind, though they abound in faults, have, without doubt, contributed something to the advancement of style. Their sentences are usually short, and their forms of expression striking and sententious. Thus they helped to break up the long, involved, intricate periods, which formerly prevailed, and tɔ give to style vivacity and sprightliness. Lilly, Bacon in his Essays, Donne, Ben Jonson, Burton, and other writers of the reign of James I., may be ranked in this class.

7. There have appeared at different periods those, whose productions are examples of strength, force, and manliness. of style. Such are most controversial writings that have been called forth in times of political or religious revolution. And whenever the nature of the subject, or the circumstances of the individual, have been such as deeply to interest the feelings, to stir up the soul, and to put into powerful action the faculties of the mind, we have writings, in which the qualities mentioned above are prominent. The extracts from Milton, Barrow, and Sidney, are examples of this manner of writing.

8. The only remaining class of writers, to whom I shall refer, includes those who have given elevation, richness, and every noble quality of style. They are those who, by their contemporaries, and by succeeding ages, have been esteemed intellectually great, and who, from their originality, their rich flow of thought and expression, and the strength, comprehensiveness, and clearness of their views, were well fitted to instruct and improve their race. A few such names are found in English literature; and as they have appeared at successive periods, it is easy to discern their powerful influence on the advancement of their native style. Such men were Bacon, and Milton, and Dryden.