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¬time, been sanctioned l)y general consent, evinced by the reception of their works. — They arc, for the most part, men of talents and learning, and seem never to forget, that an en- lightened people are critics over themselves. — This is the only shape in which the press ought to submit to censorship, and it has greatly contributed to the advancement of literature in Great Britain; it prevents us from mispending our time and our money upon useless or mis- chievous publications, and serves as a sample before we buy. Authors, whatever may be their genius or acquirements, are the xroi y st possible judges of their own works t and the great masters of criticism, aware that for the same reason they are subject to error, are remarkable for the can- dour with which they examine publications at all entitled to respect. There are some minor critics, however, who cannot be taught this reserve; but as in the first instance it would neither be just nor prudent for an author to defend him- self against criticism, so in the last it would be inhuman. — An insect upon the most polished ¬marble, ¬
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