MARTINUS SCRIBLERUS, ΠΕΡΙ ΒΑΘΟΥΣ. CHA P. I. IT hath been long (my dear Countrymen) the fubject of my concern and furprise, that whereas numberlefs Poets, Criticks, and Orators, have compiled and digefted the Art of ancient Poefy, there hath not arifen among us one perfon fo publick-fpirited, as to perform the like for the Modern. Although it is univerfally known, that our every way industrious Moderns, both in the Weight of their Writings, and in the Velocity of their Judgments, do fo infinitely excel the faid Ancients. Nevertheless, too true it is, that while a plain and direct road is paved to their v↓oç, or Sublime; no track has been yet chalked out, to arrive at our Báboç, or Profound. The Latins, as they came between the Greeks and Us, make ufe of the word Altitudo, which implies equally height and depth. Wherefore confidering with no small grief, how many promifing Geniufes of this age are wandering (as I may say) in the dark without a guide, I have undertaken this arduous but neceffary task, to lead them as it were by the hand, and step by step, the gentle down-hill way to the Bathos; the bottom, the end, the central point, the non plus ultra, of true Modern Poefy! When I confider (my dear Countrymen) the extent, fertility, and populoufnefs of our Lowlands of Parnaf fus, the flourishing state of our Trade, and the plenty of our Manufacture; there are two reflections which adminifter great occafion of surprise: The one, that all dignities and honours fhould be bestowed upon the exceeding few meagre inhabitants of the top of the mountain; the other, that our own nation should have arrived to that pitch of greatness it now poffeffes, without any regular Syftem of Laws. As to the first, it is with great pleasure I have observed of late the gradual Decay of Delicacy and Refinement among mankind, who are become too reasonable to require that we fhould labour with infinite pains to come up to the taste of these mountaineers, when they without any may condefcend to ours. But as we have now an unqueftionable Majority on our fide, I doubt not but we shall fhortly be able to level the Highlanders, and procure a farther vent for our own product, which is already fo much relished, encouraged, and rewarded, by the Nobility and Gentry of Great Britain. Therefore, to fupply our former defect, I propose to collect the scattered rules of our Art into regular Institutes, from the example and practice of the deep Geniufes of our nation; imitating herein my predeceffors the Master of Alexander, and the Secretary of the renowned Zenobia. And in this my undertaking I am the more animated, as I expect more fuccefs than has attended even those great Criticks; fince their Laws (though they might be good) have ever been flackly executed, and their Precepts (however ftrict) obeyed only by fits, and by a very small number. At the fame time, I intend to do juftice upon our neighbours, inhabitants of the upper Parnaffus; who, taking advantage of the rifing ground, are perpetually throwing down rubbish, dirt, and stones upon us, never fuffering us to live in peace. These men, while they |