The study of human nature, in which every poet should be read, is merely a contexture of different sciences. Every thing which regards man's state and situation, either has been made, or is capable of becoming the subject of such learned or philosophical investigation. To History is committed the perpetuation of his achievements in the more active and splendid scenes of life. The circumstances not only of his nature and existence, but of those inferiour beings, and of that inanimate world, which becomes considerable from being connected with him, supply Natural History with its various speculations. From the varieties in his manners, his conduct, and his opinions, Ethicks derive their matter of discussion. The peculiarities of his language give to Grammar, and Rhetorick their scope and origin. And to Criticism is consigned the regulation of those finer productions of the art, which furnish his taste with the means of elegant gratification.

That each of these sciences enter the composition of poetry, is a truth so evident, as to need no proof in order to be admitted. And he who would succeed in this art, must not only have his observation considerably

exercised in the different subjects of their investigation, but must have reduced his speculations in them under such general heads, as will give his thoughts the consistence and utility, which arise from system. He cannot hope, without being somewhat of a good historian, to succeed in those higher walks of his art, which take their subject from the oral or written annals of a nation. Without much of the skill and observation of a naturalist, his descriptions of rural scenery, and his delineation of life and manners, must be cold and uninteresting. That knowledge of the human heart and character, of the calm tenour of sentiment, and the warm ebullition of passion, which he is so frequently called upon to display, he must derive from the same study whence the moral philosopher constructs his system of ethicks. Over lanin all the varieties of sense, structure, guage embellishment, and harmony, he must exercise the skill of a grammarian and a rhetorician. And he must complete his education in this circle of sciences, by acquiring a perfect insight into those critical rules by which his art is to be tried on the touchstone of excellence.