The poems of Mark Akenside, M.D / [Mark Akenside].

  • Mark Akenside
Date:
1772
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The poems of Mark Akenside, M.D / [Mark Akenside]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and of the fecondary pleafure, as it is called, arifing from the refem- blance of their imitations to the original appearances of nature. After which, the work concludes with fome reflexions on the general conduct of the powers of imagination, and on their natural and moral ufefulnefs in life. Concerning the manner or turn of compofition which prevails in this piece, little can be laid with propriety by the author. He had two mo¬ dels ; that antient and Ample one of the firfb Grecian poets, as it is re¬ fined by Virgil in the Georgies, and the familiar epiftolary way of Ho¬ race. This latter has feveral advantages. It admits of a greater variety of ftile; it more readily ingages the generality of readers, as partaking more of the air of converfation; and, efpecially with the afiiftance of rhyme, leads to a clofer and more concife exprefiion. Add to this the example of the moft perfedl of modern poets, who has fo happily ap¬ plied this manner to the noblefl parts of philofophy, that the public tafte is in a great meafure formed to it alone. Yet, after all, the fubje£t before us, tending almoft conftantly to admiration and enthufiafm, feemed rather to demand a more open, pathetic and figured ftile. This too appeared more natural, as the author’s aim was not fo much to give formal precepts, or enter into the way of direct argumentation, as, by exhibiting the moil ingaging prolpedts of nature, to enlarge and har¬ monize the imagination, and by that means infenfibly difpofe the minds of men to a fimilar tafte and habit cf thinking in religion, morals, and civil life. ’Tis on this account that he is fo careful to point out the benevolent intention of the Author of nature in every principle of the humamconftitution here infilled on ; and alfo to unite the moral excel¬ lencies of life in the fame point of view with the meer external objects of good tafte.; thus recommending them in common to our natural pro- penfity for ;admiring what is feautiful and lovely. The fame views have
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