The opening of Part I
INTRODUCTION: That it is as great a fault to judge ill, as to write ill, and a more dangerous one to the public, ver. 1--That a true taste is as rare to be found as a true genius, ver. 9 to 18--That most men are born with some taste, but spoiled by false education, ver. 19 to 25--The multitude of critics, and causes of them, ver. 26 to 45--That we are to study our own taste, and know the limits of it, ver. 46 to 67--Nature the best guide of judgment, ver. 68 to 87--Improved by art and rules, which are but methodised nature, ver. 88--Rules derived from the practice of the ancient poets, ver. 88 to 110--That therefore the ancients are necessary to be studied by a critic, particularly Homer and Virgil, ver. 120 to 138--Of licenses, and the use of them by the ancients, ver. 142 to 180--Reverence due to the ancients, and praise of them, ver. 181, &c.