The publication was commenced in January, 1779, and concluded May, 1790 .-- ED.] If it be dangerous for a young writer to resign himself to the opinions of his friends, he also incurs some peril in passing them with inattention.
He wants a Quintilian.

One mode to obtain such an invaluable critic is the cultivation of his own judgment in a round of reading and meditation.

Let him at once supply the marble and be himself the sculptor: let the great authors of the world be his gospels, and the best critics their expounders; from the one he will draw inspiration, and from the others he will supply those tardy discoveries in art which he who solely depends on his own experience may obtain too late.

Those who do not read criticism will rarely merit to be criticised; their progress is like those who travel without a map of the country.

The more extensive an author's knowledge of what has been done, the greater will be his powers in knowing what to do.