118 On the Machinenj of the 



-decent regard to moral, that.it do not corrupt,' 

 if.it do not improve. We:turn ,a way from, the 

 Pierre of Otway and the I lorriccjcof M^ycherJey, 

 with as much aversion as from Catiline and 

 Clodius, and, though all the' art: of Otway 

 (which must be acknowledged to be' great) be 

 exerted to interest us In the 'fortunes of liis 

 hero, yet- the " feeble and transient sympathy, 

 which he can a\\'ake5 cannot overcome the 

 fixed abhorrence, which the villainy of the char 

 racter has aroused. It is the happiest talent of 

 a poet to: insinuate instruction w^ithout appear- 

 ing to intend instmction^, .the heart is taken 

 by surprise,' it is met iii its native iinnocence, 

 and the most virtuous emotions are Excited and 

 the most exalted lessons are' impressed. Of 

 this talent Shakespeare is a rich example and^ 

 in the exercise of this noble talent, he has 

 made a rich atonement for his occasional play- 

 fulness and wantonness. I will riot say, that 

 in him the impressive moral of the stage has 

 surpassed that of > the pulpit ; from me this 

 concession would not be expected, nor 

 perhaps be credited; but this I will say, that 

 in representing the vanity of all human 

 grandeur and power, especially when mixed 

 with crime, and when, at the close of life, 

 the mind is looking back on the scene, 

 that has been passed, I. could wish even from 



