EMINENT FOR POETICAL MEXIT."
Published originally by himself in the year 1772; and re-published

by R. H. Evans, in the year 1810.

BY JAMES PLUMPTRE, B.D.

FELLOW OF CLARE-HALL, CAMBRIDGE,

TO WHICH ARE ADDED

A COLLECTION OF SONGS

REVISED AND ALTERED BY THE EDITOR ;

WITH SOME
ORIGINAL SONGS.

To sway the judgment, while he sooths the ear;
To curb mad passion in its wild career;
To wake by sober touch the useful lyre,
And rule, with reason's rigour, fancy's fire:
Be this the Poet's praise.

MASON'S MUSÆUS.

CAMBRIDGE:

PRINTED BY F. HODSON,
AND SOLD BY F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON, No. 62, ST. PAUL'S
CHURCH-YARD, LONDON; AND J. DEIGHTON, AND

J. NICHOLSON, CAMBRIDGE.

Stechert

11-24-25

12581

CONTENTS.

PREFACE.

These Letters submitted to a Friend, Page xiii. Oo making

quotations and using Italics, p. xiv. On making references

to Books, xxi. On altering Songs, xxvii. Mr. Dibdin, xxix.

On the Poetry of the Author, xxx.

LETTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

Reasons for undertaking this work, Page 1. Oo the Influence

of Poetry, p. 8. On the importance of forming a correct

Taste, 16. On Indecency and Licentiousness, 18.

Heatbenisin, 23. Onaltering Songs, 25. Sources of Vocal

Poetry, 27.

On

LETTER II.

ON BALLADS AND PASTORAL SONGS.

Oo Ballads, p. 29. On Pastoral Songs, 32. Oo Nature and

Art and the Love of Novelty, 32. Oo Reality in Poetry, 34.

On the state of Morals among the lower Classes, 38. Re-

quisites in Pastoral or Rural Poetry, 42. Review of the

Ballads and Pastoral Songs in Vocal Poetry: 45.-Despair,

50, 51. Dying for love, 51. 53. 57. 58. 63. Predestination,

51. 55. Superstition, 52. 58. 59. 63.