Page:A Dissertation on Reading the Classics and Forming a Just Style.djvu/242

198 what is a Wonder to me, Sir Francis Bacon, who hath given us many Strokes of a masterly Pen, and was certainly the greatest and most universal Genius the World, perhaps, hath produced, hath failed most in his Style, where we should expect he would have most excelled. For in Philosophy, Perspicuity and a plain Elegance are only required, but in History all the Beauty, Strength, Majesty, and Compass of Expression are demanded. In these his Henry VII. is extremely wanting, and if we examine into it, we shall find, that nothing but the Reputation of the Author Rh