Though sone make slight of libels, yet you may see by them how the wind sits; as, take a straw and throw it up into the air, you may see by that which way the wind is, which you shall not do by casting up a stone. More solid things do not show the complexion of the times so well as ballads and libels."-SELDen's Table-Talk. "An ordinary song or ballad, that is the delight of the common people, cannot fail to please all such readers as are not unqualified for the entertainment by their affectation or their ignorance; and the reason is plain, because the same painting of Nature which recommend it to the most ordinary reader will appear beautifu' to the most refined."—ADDISON in Spectator, No. ze. |