THE BRITISH CRITIC, A NEW REVIEW, FOR JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, M DCC XCVI. Be thou the first true merit to befriend; VOLUME VIII. London: PRINTED FOR F. AND C. RIVINGTON, Pore. PREFACE. WITH WITH the recurrence of the seasons recurs our task of enumerating their beft productions, which, in the literary world, contrary to the order of the natural, come forward chiefly in winter. We, however, as it is not practicable to keep pace en→ tirely with the fertility of the country, are obliged to report our own progrefs, rather than that of our authors; and therefore, in the appearance of our har veft, little difference is found at one or the other fol ftice. Illius immenfæ ruperunt horrea meffes, will always be applicable to a Review, while there are fo many writers, and fo many readers as the prefent age affords. We might with perhaps to be allowed the privilege of felection, in reporting, as well as recapitulating, but fuch is not the cuftom of the country; and we must proceed onward in the path to which the public expectation points. To gratify the tafte, affift the enquiries, confirm the good principles, and deferve the approbation of our countrymen, are, in both parts of our task, the conftant objects of our effort and attention. We take the fubjects of our Preface in their ufual order. DIVINITY. There can be no doubt that the greatest and most momentous work, in this clafs, which has required a Our BRIT. CRIT. VOL. VI11. 409097 |