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FUBLISHED BY JOHN MURRAY, NO. 32, FLEET-STREET.
SOLD ALSO BY W. MINSHULL, GAZETTE OFFICE,

LANCASTER.

1812.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Belles Lettres are universally acknowledged to be sources of the greatest refinement, pleasure, and utility. This consideration naturally leads to an expectation, that every effort to contribute to their improvement will be welcomed with encouragement proportionate to its extent.

If, therefore, an endeavour be made to analyse the first principles of them; the utmost extent to which, in this province, it is possible to aspire; it is hoped that it will be indulged with the greatest latitude of allowance. To attain this purport, is the design of the present publication.

Numerous have been the systems to ascertain the nature and origin of the first principles of the Belles Lettres. Some authors have undertaken the developement of one principle; others of another. Longinus and Burke have treated on Sublimity; St. Augustine, and Sir Joshua Reynolds, on Beauty; Burke, again, and other eminent authors, have left us dissertations on Taste and Style. But their de

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