The third Species of Obscurities, which deform our Author, as the Effects of his own Genius and Character, are Those that proceed from his peculiar Manner of Thinking, and as peculiar a Manner of cloathing those Thoughts.  With regard to his Thinking, it is certain, that he had a general Knowledge of all the Sciences:  But his Acquaintance was rather That of a Traveller, than a Native.  Nothing in Philosophy was unknown to him; but every Thing in it had the Grace and Force of Novelty.  And as Novelty is one main Source of Admiration, we are not to wonder that He has perpetual Allusions to the most recondite Parts of the Sciences:  and This was done not so much out of Affectation, as the Effect of Admiration begot by Novelty.  Then, as to his Style and Diction, we may much more justly apply to SHAKESPEARE, what a celebrated Writer has said of MILTON; Our Language sunk under him, and was unequal to that Greatness of Soul which furnish’d him with such glorious Conceptions.  He therefore frequently uses old Words, to give his Diction an Air of Solemnity; as he coins others, to express the Novelty and Variety of his Ideas.

Upon every distinct Species of these Obscurities I have thought it my Province to employ a Note, for the Service of my Author, and the Entertainment of my Readers.  A few transient Remarks too I have not scrupled to intermix, upon the Poet’s Negligences and Omissions in point of Art; but I have done it always in such a Manner, as will testify my Deference and Veneration for the Immortal Author.  Some Censurers of Shakespeare, and particularly Mr. Rymer, have taught me to distinguish betwixt the Railer and Critick.  The Outrage of his Quotations is so remarkably violent, so push’d beyond all Bounds of Decency and sober Reasoning, that it quite carries over the Mark at which it was levell’d.  Extravagant Abuse throws off the Edge of the intended Disparagement, and turns the Madman’s Weapon into his own Bosom.  In short, as to Rymer, This is my Opinion of him from his Criticisms on the Tragedies of the Last Age.  He writes with great Vivacity, and appears to have been a Scholar:  but, as for his Knowledge of the Art of Poetry, I can’t perceive it was any deeper than his Acquaintance with Bossu and Dacier, from whom he has transcribed many of his best Reflexions.  The late Mr. Gildon was One attached to Rymer by a similar Way of Thinking and Studies.  They were Both of that Species of Criticks, who are desirous of displaying their Powers rather in finding Faults, than in consulting the Improvement of the World:  the hypercritical Part of the Science of Criticism.