If any of my Countrymen therefore can take delight from reading the Pastorals of _Theocritus_ and _Virgil_, or any of those who have imitated those two Ancients, I shall be ready to allow that there may be several sorts of Pastorals. 'Tis certain that _Milton_ and _Homer_, (thro' the Scene of the Former lying about the Sphere of Men) are as different as _East_ from _West_, yet both excellent. Tragedy has as different sorts as Epick-Poetry; Nor are _Julius Caesar_ and the _Orphan_ of the same Nature. The same difference in Tragedy, is between all those, whose Chief CHARACTER is a Hero, and those that draw a Female, as _Jane Shore_, the Lady _Jane Gray_, _and the like_, are to me entirely different from _Shakespear's_, not respecting the Excellency of 'em. _Shakespear_ having a Genius made for the Sublime, and perhaps Mr. _Row_ rather for the Soft and Tender; as appears in two Passages at the End of _JANE SHORE_. Which in my Judgment are not much excell'd by even _Otway_ himself. Since I have mention'd that Author, I can't help remarking how difficult a thing it is for any Person to know what his own Genius is fittest for; and how great a Chance it is whether ever a Writer comes to know it. Tho' _Otway_ had so fine a Genius for the TENDER, it never appear'd till a little before he dyed. Thro' all his Plays we cannot trace even the least Glimpse of it, till his two last, _The Orphan_ and _Venice Preserv'd_. But we run the Digression too far. SECT. 2. _What Kind of Pastorals would please most Universally; and delight the greatest Number of Readers_. For my own Part, as I said, I could be delighted with any Kind of Pastoral, if the Writer would but be at the Pains of selecting the most beautiful Images, and tenderest Thoughts. This is the first and principal Matter. Yet this might be perform'd by a moderate Capacity, without a Genius born for Tragedy. Would a Person but form a delightful Story, invent new and uncommon and pleasing Characters, and furnish his Mind with a small Number of fine Images from the Country, before he sate down to write his Pieces, He would not fail of Success. But if Writers will only put down a parcel of common triffling Thoughts from _Theocritus_ and _Virgil_, nor will so much as aim at any thing themselves, can you blame me Cubbin, if I throw 'em aside. Let 'em have a thousand Faults, I can be pleas'd by 'em, if they have but Beauties with 'em; nor will you ever hear me blame _Shakespear_ for his Irregularity. And Pastoral is delightful to me in it's own Nature, that were these Authors to employ but my Mind in any manner, I should have Patience to peruse 'em. But if these Authors were unwilling to be at the Pains of forming a pleasant Story themselves, they might go upon little Tales already known, such as, _The Two Children in the Wood_, and a thousand others inimitably pretty and delightful.