" [2] To be
sure, I have long despised myself and man, but I never spat in the face
of my species before--"O fool! I shall go mad." [3]
[Footnote 1: 'Macbeth', act v. sc. 5, line 22.]
[Footnote 2: 'Romeo and Juliet', act iii. sc. 3.]
[Footnote 3: 'King Lear', act ii. sc. 4.]
* * * * *
APPENDIX I.
ARTICLES FROM 'THE MONTHLY REVIEW'.
1. 'POEMS', BY W. R. SPENCER. (VOL. 67, 1812, PP. 54-60.)
Art. VII. Poems by William Robert Spencer. 8vo. 10s. Boards. Cadell and
Davies. 1811.
The author of this well-printed volume has more than once been
introduced to our readers, and is known to rank among that class of
poetical persons who have never been highly favoured by stern criticism.
The "mob of gentlemen who write with ease" has indeed of late years
(like other mobs) become so importunate, as to threaten an alarming
rivalry to the regular body of writers who are not fortunate enough to
be either easy or genteel. Hence the jaundiced eye with which the real
author regards the red Morocco binding of the presumptuous
"Litterateur;" we say, _the binding_, for into the book itself he cannot
condescend to look, at least not beyond the frontispiece.--Into Mr.
Spencer's volume, however, he may dip farther, and will find sufficient
to give him pleasure or pain, in proportion to his own candour. It
consists chiefly of "_Vers de Societe_," calculated to prove very
delightful to a large circle of fashionable acquaintance, and pleasing
to a limited number of vulgar purchasers.
Pages:
539
540
541
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