Of all the _Latin_ Commentators, _Victorius_ seems to me the most Wise, Knowing, and Exact, but his Assistance is not sufficient, to give us an Understanding of Poesie. The _Italian Castelvetro_, has a great deal of Wit, and Knowledge, if we may call that Wit, which is only Fancy, and bestow on much Reading the name of Knowledge. If we recollect all the Qualities of a good Interpreter, we shall have an Idea just contrary to that of _Castelvetro_. He knew neither the Theatre, the Passions, nor the Characters; he understood neither _Aristotle's_ Reasons, nor his Method, and strove rather to contradict, than explain him. On the other hand, he is so Infatuated with the Author's of his own Country, that he forgot how to Criticise well; he talks without Measure, like _Homer's Thersites_, and declares War to all that is fine. Indeed he has some good things, but 'tis not worth while to spend our time in looking after them. The _French_ Art of Poetry by _Mesnardiere_, may pass for a Commentary on some Chapters of _Aristotle_, but that Work is of little value; for besides that Author's being no good Critick, and perpetually deceiv'd, he did not penetrate into the Meaning of the Philosopher. The Practice of the Theatre by the Abbot _D'Aubignac_, is infinitely better, but is rather a Sequel and Supplement, than an Explication of _Aristotle_; on which, a perfect Instruction in the Ancient Rules, will enable you to pass a Judgment. The Treatise of Epick Poem by Father _Bossu_, is above all the Moderns have done in that Kind, and is the best Commentary Extant, on what _Aristotle_ has wrote concerning that sort of Poem; none ever penetrated deeper into the bottom of that Art, and set in a better Light (according to _Aristotle's_ Rules) _Homer's_, and _Virgil's_ Beauties, or the Solidity, and Beauty of _Aristotle's_ Rules, by the marvellous Conduct of those two great Poets. If he had Treated of _Tragedy_, as throughly, as he has done of the _Epopoeia_, he had left almost nothing for me to have done after him; but unfortunately, he omitted the most difficult, which he could have Explain'd much better than my self, had he had spare time. His Work however has done me great Service. I have profited by the good, which others have Wrote, and must confess, that their Faults have been useful to me. But after all, the most excellent Commentators on the Poetick Art, are the Ancient Poems, and as they gave the hint to make Rules, 'tis by them, that these ought to be Explain'd. I hope, I have not followed such good Guides in vain. If I have wander'd, by following them, without a true Understanding, I should be very well pleased to be put in the right way, by any, who would advise me of my Faults, or make them publickly known.