THE THEATRE. 283 



correct, and poetically woven, original in its nature, and powerful 

 in invention and description. 



The "Essay on Man/' came next under the lecturer's consider- 

 ation, and he seemed to think, with Blair and Johnson, that 

 Bolingbroke furnished the material of this work, whilst Pope 

 invested it with the poetic and philosophic imagery for which it 

 is celebrated. 



In dwelling upon the perspicuity which pervades the writings 

 of Pope, the lecturer condemned that straining after obscurity 

 and mystification which has been the besetting sin of some more 

 modern writers: his remarks and illustrations on this head were 

 couched in that strain of kindly satire which he knows so well 

 how to adopt. 



Mr. Wightwick next proceed to recite, from the works of 

 the author under consideration, passages to exemplify his power 

 in depicting the picturesque, the gorgeous, the fanciful, the 

 melancholy, and the passionate. He then alluded to Dr. John- 

 son's criticisms, which appear in his life of Pope, and pronounced 

 them in all respects excellent. 



The lecturer attributed much of Pope's excellence, to that 

 independence of spirit which scorned the exchange of praise for 

 money, nor ever opened a shop of condolence or congratulation. 

 He suffered coronations, royal marriages, &c. &c. to pass without 

 a song, his effusions were always voluntary, and his subjects 

 chosen by himself. 



This excellent paper was concluded to the following effect; — 

 It is not Pope^s imagination — it is not his pathetic tenderness — 

 it is not his passionate intensity which I would maintain as 

 supreme, or even veri/ extraordinary ; but it is his profession of 

 these qualities in Jalr proportion, and his more than ordinary 

 shareof critical judgment — it is his knowledge of his own powers, 

 and his respect for the general reader of all countries and of all 

 .ges — it is his general perfection in humbler deeds, rather than 

 his partial fulfilment of loftier attempts — it is the health of his 

 genius rather than its strength — it is the independence of his 

 genius rather than its rank — it is the accomplished whole formed 

 of those various parts, which I would now advance as consti- 

 tuting his claims to occupy — not the^rs^ seat — but still a seat 

 in the loftiest level of the temple of Poetic Fame. 



THE THEATRE. 



Since our last publication, the Theatre has been opened for the 

 Winter season ; Mrs. Sandford having engaged a company of 

 performers whose talent is well deserving public patronage. 



Amongst the old familiar faces, we have recognised that clever 

 actress, Mrs, Horsman, who has long been a favorite with the 



