FROM THE DISPENSARY.
This sixth canto of the 'Dispensary', by Dr. Garth, has more
merit than the whole preceding part of the poem, and, as I am
told, in the first edition of this work it is more correct than
as here exhibited; but that edition I have not been able to
find. The praises bestowed on this poem are more than have been
given to any other; but our approbation, at present, is cooler,
for it owed part of its fame to party.*
[footnote] *Cf. Dedication of 'The Traveller', ll. 34-45.
ECLOGUE I. SELIM: OR, THE SHEPHERD'S MORAL.
The following eclogues*, written by Mr. Collins, are very
pretty: the images, it must be owned, are not very local; for
the pastoral subject could not well admit of it. The description
of Asiatic magnificence, and manners, is a subject as yet
unattempted amongst us, and I believe, capable of furnishing a
great variety of poetical imagery.
[footnote] *i.e. -- Selim, Hassan, Agib and Secander, and Abra.
Goldsmith admired Collins, whom he calls in the 'Enquiry', 1759,
p.
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