All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

178 ALL LY A GARDEN FALR.
' You liave done well,' said the critic,
folding liis arms, ' to entrust your ambitions
to the sympathy of your playfellow and tlie
experience of your teacher. Eead your works.
Expect, young man, from me a rigid censure.
I look for nothing short of the merits of French
verse : these merits are precision, iiettetc, clear-
ness of thought ; eveiywhere the right word.
Even in English, where there are so many
words, there is always tlie right word. Claire,
my child, sit beside me. Open your heart to
the noble sentiments of the poet, and leave to
me the coldness of the critic'
This was encouraging : iJoileau, in his age,
might so have received 13eranger in his youth.