"It is plain then that these Persons by designing totally to suppress the Stage, which is the only encouragement that we have in these Islands of Poetry, manifestly intended to drive out so noble and useful an Art from among us, and by that means endeavour'd with all their might to weaken the power of Religion, which has need of Poetry to make its utmost Impression upon the Minds of Men."
The Grounds of Criticism in Poetry
The Grounds of Criticism in Poetry, Contain'd In some New Discoveries never made before, requisite for the Writing and Judging of Poems surely. Being A Preliminary to a larger Work design'd to be publish'd in Folio, and Entituled, A Criticism upon our most Celebrated English Poets Deceas'd. By Mr. Dennis (London: Printed for Geo. Strahan and Bernard Lintott, 1704). &lt;<a href="http://name.umdl.umich.edu/004844084.0001.000">Link to ECCO-TCP</a>&gt;
[46], 127 p.