Proceeds to the description of a good author; says, his principal end, in occasional writings, should be to entertain the publick innocently and genteely; to insinuate knowledge in the disguise of amusement, and trifle the world into virtue and good manners: he should consider every reader as a critick and a gentleman, and be earful of offending either: points out what a writer should observe, who would recommend himself and entertain the world; _i. e._ an important subject, a clear and expressive method, a flowing and natural stile, imagination and judgment, truth and impartiality, modesty in his images, pity for the failings of human nature, and endeavours to amend ’em. He shou’d think himself a son of the publick and be an example of the generous spirit he would recommend; he should be able to race the passions thro’ all their disguises; have knowledge in his head, and good humour in his heart: he should be an enemy to vice, but a friend to all mankind. Weekly Register, _Jan. 30._ No. 42. This is a continuation of a former discourse upon criticism, wherein he points out several excellencies that distinguish a good critick from a bad. He then considers the manner of criticism, that some are _Fox-hunters_ in censure, and declare war against all writers in general. Some are like _Fig_ and _Sutton_, the declar’d antagonists to one another. Some are _Whigs_ and _Tories_, divided into parties, always applauding themselves, and condemning their opposers. Some are _Grubstreet_ hawkers, who make a penny of throwing about censure at random without distinction or regard of persons. The design of criticism is amendment; and concludes with acknowledging his own failings, and his readiness to be handsomely corrected. The Universal Spectator, _Saturday Jan. 2._ No. 117. _Great wits to madness nearly are ally’d_ _And thin partitions do their bounds divide._ Dryden. Mr. _Stonecastle_, the nominal author, begins this day’s entertainment with observing that men are not born for themselves; that we are not only bound to relieve the necessities of others, but in all our dealings, _&c._ with mankind to render ourselves grateful to all, offensive to none, much less take pleasure in doing disagreeable things. Says there is a sett of people who are frequently committing ill-bred, rude, and even shocking things, which they excuse by only saying, ’tis their humour. Instances in a certain knight, who never spoke himself, nor suffer’d any body in his presence to speak louder than to be barely heard; insomuch that his servants, as they were accustom’d to be mutes at home, behav’d like no body when they came abroad.