STUDY XIII. 159 



ridicule, an effort in which they commonly fuc- 

 ceed to admiration. The love of ridicule in a 

 people, is by no means, therefore, a proof of their 

 happinefs, but, on the contrary, of their mifery. 

 This accounts for the gravity of the ancient Ro- 

 mans ; they were ferious, becaufe they were happy : 

 but their defendants, who are, at this day, very 

 miferable, are like wife famous for their pafqui- 

 nades, and fupply all Europe with harlequins and 

 buffoons, 



I do not deny that fpeftacles, fuch as tragedies, 

 may have a tendency to unite the citizens. The 

 Greeks frequently employed them to this effedt. 

 But by adopting their dramas, we deviate from 

 their intention. Their theatrical reprefentations 

 did not exhibit the calamities of other Nations, 

 but thofe which they themfelves had endured, and 

 events borrowed from the Hiftory of their own 

 country. Our tragedies excite a compaffion whofe 

 objed is foreign to us. We lament the diftreffes 

 of the family of Agamemnon, and we behold, with- 

 out ihedding one tear, thofe who are in the depth 

 of mifery at our very door. We do not fo much 

 as perceive their diftreffes, becaufe they are not 

 exhibited on a ftage. Our own heroes, neverthe- 

 lefs, well reprefented in the theatre, would be fuffi- 

 cient to carry the patriotifm of the people to the 

 very height of enthufiafm. What crowds, of fpec- 



tators 



