necessary concomitant of good wit. Conversely, the would-be wit lacks
genius, expression, and judgment, and therefore turns critic, that he
may denounce in others what is not to be found in himself. Hence the
word critic has come to mean a fault finder rather than a man of sound
judgment.

The following selections are reproduced, with permission, from a copy of
_The English Theophrastus_ in the library of the University of Michigan.

W. Earl Britton

University of Michigan




THE

MANNERS

Of the AGE.


_Authors, Wits, Poets, Criticks,_ Will's _Coffee-House, Play-House,_ &c.


"Eubulus fancying himself Inspir'd, stands up for the Honour of Poetry,
and is mightily provok'd to hear the Sacred Name of _Poet_, turn'd into
Scandal and Ridicule; He tells you what a profound Veneration the
_Athenians_ had for their Dramatick Writers; how greatly _Terence_ and