A history of criticism and literary taste in Europe, from the earliest texts to the present day. Volume 3 (of 3), Modern criticism

by George Saintsbury

[298]. On the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Sciences, ibid., p. 125.

[299]. Ibid., p. 126.

[300]. P. 141 sq.

[301]. V. sup., vol. ii. pp. [327], [417].

[302]. V. sup., vol. ii. p. [418].

[303]. The Sceptic, p. 186.

[304]. Pp. 217-222.

[305]. “Refinement” seems here to mean “conceit,” “elaborate diction.” But the “simplicity” of Lucretius, in any sense in which the quality can be said to be pushed to excess by Sophocles, is very hard to grasp.

[306]. P. 257: “Whoever would assert an equality of genius and elegance between Ogilby and Milton, or Bunyan and Addison, would be thought to defend no less an extravagance,” &c.

[307]. P. 258.