Author: DENNIS (John):
Title: Original Letters, Familiar, Moral and Critical. By Mr Dennis. In Two Volumes.
Description: Lonson: Printed for W. Mears, at the Lamb without Temple-Bar. MDCCXXI 1721 FIRST EDITION. 2 volumes bound in 1. 8vo, 195 x 113 mms., pp. [xvi], 486, and with separate title-page to the volume 2, though paginated continuously, contemporary calf, gilt border on covers, spine gilt in compartments (but faded), red leather label; upper front joint slightly cracked, top and base of spine chipped, but a good copy, possibly rebacked at some time with the old spine laid down John Dennis (1658-1734) is one of the most influential literary critics in the history of English literature, and this collection of his writings, Original Letters, Familiar, Moral and Critical (1721), was a landmark publication in his lifetime. Among the many discussed authors and historical figures are Milton, Shakespeare, Addison, Lansdowne, Prior, Rowe, Steele, and Virgil. More general topics addressed include satire, The Spectator, and the fate of the Pretender. Collectors of Milton material will find it notable that, within the pages of this book, Dennis discusses "the great Qualities of Milton" (p. 73), the "growing Genius of Milton" (p. 80), and "Milton's matchless Genius" (p. 193), and passim. One bon mot that stands out, in my opinion, is Dennis's assertion that "the Force of Milton's Genius hides and conceals the Assistance of Art" (p. 189). Dennis also reminds us of the slow roll of Milton's reputation in the beginning: that "Milton's Paradise Lost had been printed forty Years before it was known to the greatest Part of England" (p. 174). Not least are Dennis's insights into God himself in Milton's work: "… God, who makes quite another Impression with his Lightning and his Thunder in Paradise Lost, than with his Meekness and his Stoicism in Paradise Regain'd" (p. 11). Nor does Dennis shirk from comparing and contrasting Milton with other luminaries, such as Homer and Virgil (p. 173), Sternhold (pp. 187, 192), Cowley (p. 207), and Ben Jonson (p. 398), whose successor he sees Milton to be. ESTC T135783. The book is very difficult to find in tolerable condition, and this is the first copy to pass through my hands.

Keywords: aesthetics philosophy prose


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