Notes to Shakespeare: The Comedies and Tragedies

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Notes to Shakespeare: The Comedies and Tragedies by Samuel Johnson, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Samuel Johnson ISBN: 9781465588067
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Samuel Johnson
ISBN: 9781465588067
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
THAT praises are without reason lavished on the dead, and that the honours due only to excellence are paid to antiquity, is a complaint likely to be always continued by those, who, being able to add nothing to truth, hope for eminence from the heresies of paradox; or those, who, being forced by disappointment upon consolatory expedients, are willing to hope from posterity what the present age refuses, and flatter themselves that the regard which is yet denied by envy, will be at last bestowed by time. Antiquity, like every other quality that attracts the notice of mankind, has undoubtedly votaries that reverence it, not from reason, but from prejudice. Some seem to admire indiscriminately whatever has been long preserved, without considering that time has sometimes co-operated with chance; all perhaps are more willing to honour past than present excellence; and the mind contemplates genius through the shades of age, as the eye surveys the sun through artificial opacity. The great contention of criticism is to find the faults of the moderns, and the beauties of the ancients. While an authour is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate them by his best. To works, however, of which the excellence is not absolute and definite, but gradual and compara-tive; to works not raised upon principles demonstra-tive and scientifick, but appealing wholly to observation and experience, no other test can be applied than length of duration and continuance of esteem.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
THAT praises are without reason lavished on the dead, and that the honours due only to excellence are paid to antiquity, is a complaint likely to be always continued by those, who, being able to add nothing to truth, hope for eminence from the heresies of paradox; or those, who, being forced by disappointment upon consolatory expedients, are willing to hope from posterity what the present age refuses, and flatter themselves that the regard which is yet denied by envy, will be at last bestowed by time. Antiquity, like every other quality that attracts the notice of mankind, has undoubtedly votaries that reverence it, not from reason, but from prejudice. Some seem to admire indiscriminately whatever has been long preserved, without considering that time has sometimes co-operated with chance; all perhaps are more willing to honour past than present excellence; and the mind contemplates genius through the shades of age, as the eye surveys the sun through artificial opacity. The great contention of criticism is to find the faults of the moderns, and the beauties of the ancients. While an authour is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate them by his best. To works, however, of which the excellence is not absolute and definite, but gradual and compara-tive; to works not raised upon principles demonstra-tive and scientifick, but appealing wholly to observation and experience, no other test can be applied than length of duration and continuance of esteem.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book Poems of American Patriotism by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Story-Lives of Great Musicians by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book A Few Words About The Devil: and Other Biographical Sketches and Essays by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Bits about Home Matters by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Les Alegres Comares De Windsor by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Paths of inland Commerce, A Chronicle of Trail, Road and Waterway by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Thoughts Out of Season (Complete) by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Absolute Spirit by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Women's Speaking Justified, Proved and Allowed of by the Scriptures by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book British Birds in Their Haunts by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Madame de Staël: Famous Women Series by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book John Deane of Nottingham: Historic Adventures by Land and Sea by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Caravan Route between Egypt and Syria by Samuel Johnson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy