I do not mean to say that there is nothing of this in Dryden, but as little, I think, as is possible, considering how much he has written.

You will easily understand my meaning, when I refer to his versification of 'Palamon and Arcite,' as contrasted with the language of Chaucer.

Dryden had neither a tender heart nor a lofty sense of moral dignity.

Whenever his language is poetically impassioned, it is mostly upon unpleasing subjects, such as the follies, vices, and crimes of classes of men, or of individuals.
That his cannot be the language of imagination, must have necessarily followed from this,--that there is not a single image from Nature in the whole body of his works; and in his translation from Virgil, whenever Virgil can be fairly said to have his _eye_ upon his object, Dryden always spoils the passage.
But too much of this; I am glad that you are to be his editor.

His political and satirical pieces may be greatly benefited by illustration, and even absolutely require it.