o the
Words of a Man, who wrote with wonderful Exactness, and puts in nothing,
but what is to the purpose. I have nevertheless taken the Liberty
sometimes, to enlarge his Thoughts, for what was understood in his time,
by half a Word, would hardly be Intelligible now, unless some Pains was
taken to explain it.

A simple Translation of _Aristotle_, would be clear enough, and there
would be no need of Commentaries, if we were well Instructed in those
Poets, from whom he takes his Rules, but as almost all the World is
Ignorant of them, and 'tis necessary to explain by Example, what is
Obscure in the Rule. This is what I have endeavour'd to do in my
Remarks, which will seem short, if you consider the many large Volumes
which have been wrote on this little Treatise.

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, a