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 Salted With Fire by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Zend Avesta by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Selected Works of Louis Becke by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Our Little Scotch Cousin by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book A Lenda da Meia-Noite by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Romance of Lust: A Classic Victorian Erotic Novel by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book William Shakespeare by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book On the Natural Faculties by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Bishop and the Boogerman by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Our Little Swiss Cousin by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Lost Gospel and Its Contents Or, The Author of "Supernatural Religion" Refuted by Himself by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book Parisian Frolics by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Holy Scriptures by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Flemmings and Flash Harry of Savait From The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton and Other Stories by Samuel Johnson
Cover of the book The Powder Monkey 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