in composition, is a serious endeavour, by strained description, to raise a low or familiar subject beyond its rank; which, instead of being sublime, never fails to be ridiculous. The mind in some animating passions is indeed apt to magnify its objects beyond natural bounds; but such hyperbolical description has its limits; and, when carried beyond these, it degenerates into burlesque, as in the following example.

*Sejanus.*

Great and high, The world knows only two, that's Rome and I. My roof receives me not; 'tis air I tread, And at each step I feel my advanc'd head Knock out a star in heaven.

*Sejan*, of Ben. Johnson, act 5.

A writer who has no natural elevation of genius is extremely apt to deviate into bombast. He strains above his genius, and the violent effort he makes carries him generally beyond the bounds of propriety.