ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses Coleridge's efforts to reform literary criticism. Coleridge felt himself bound to attempt criticism of such a 'fair and philosophical' nature with the aim of clearing up some of the misunderstandings and disagreements which were produced by opinionated criticism. Coleridge makes the connection with criticism explicit, and he seems to be suggesting that the reviewer cannot be a surrogate thinker for the reader. A handful of publications emanating from Edinburgh began to alter the tone of public literary discussion to such effect as to damage Coleridge's reputation both as a writer and as a man. Although he does not say so in so many words, such abuse of opinion presumably lies behind Coleridge's decision to expound 'The Principles of Poetry, and their application as grounds of criticism' in his 1811-12 series of literary lectures. His criticism is aimed not at the opinions themselves, but at the custom of presenting them unsupported.
