PRINTED FOR S. PRICE, W. SLEATER, J. SHEPPARD,
W. AND H. WHITESTONE, E. LYNCH, R. CROSS,
W. COLLES, R. MONCRIEFFE, T. WALKER,
P. WOGAN, C. JENKIN, L. WHITE,

H. CHAMBERLAINE, J. BEATTY,

P.BYRNE, R. BURTON, T.WEBB,

AND J. PARKER.

M,DCC,LXXXII.

ARGUMENT

OF THE FIRST EPISTLE.

Introduction.-Defign of the Poem to remove prejudices which obftruct the cultivation of Epic writing.—Origin of Poetry.-Honours paid to its infancy.—Homer the first Poet remaining.— Difficulty of the question why be had no Succeffor in Greece. Remark of a celebrated Writer, that as Criticifm flourishes Poetry declines.-Defence of Critics-Danger of a bigoted acquiefcence in critical Systems—and of a Poet's criticising his own works.- Advantages of Friendship and Study of the higher Poets.