_Ambitious_ and _active_ in her _temper_, yet
_inclined_ to _cheerfulness_ and _society_; of a lofty _spirit_, _constant_
and even _vehement_ in her _purpose_, yet _politic, gentle_, and _affable_,
in her _demeanor_, she _seemed_ to _par_take only so much of the _male
virtues_ as to _render_ her _estimable_, without _relinquishing_ those soft
_graces_ which _compose_ the _proper ornament_ of her _sex_.
GIBBON.
In the _second century_ of the _Christian era_, the _empire_ of _Rome
comprehended_ the fairest _part_ of the earth, and the most _civilized
portion_ of mankind. The _frontiers_ of that _extensive monarchy_ were
guarded by _ancient renown_, and _disciplined valour_. The _gentle_ but
_powerful influence_ of laws and _manners_ had _gradually cemented_ the
_union_ of the _provinces_. Their _peaceful inhabitants enjoyed_ and
_abused_ the _advantages_ of wealth and _luxury_. The _image_ of a free
_constitution_ was _preserved_ with _decent reverence_.
JOHNSON.
Of _genius_, that _power_ which _constitutes_ a _poet_; that _quality_
without which _judgment_ is cold, and knowledge is _inert_; that _energy_
which _collects_, _combines_, _amplifies_, and _animates_; the
_superiority_ must, with some _hesitation_, be _allowed_ to Dryden. It is
not to be _inferred_ that of this _poetical vigor Pope_ had only a little,
_because_ Dryden had more; for every other writer since Milton must give
_place_ to _Pope_; and even of Dryden it must be said, that if he has
brighter _paragraphs_, he has not better _poems_.
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