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An Examination of an ESSAY on the DRAMATIC 

 CHARACTER o/^ &r JOHN FALSTAFF. By the 

 i?^z;. RICHARD STACK, D.D. F.T.C.D. and M.R.I. A. 



X HE eflay, which I intend to examine, muff be acknowledged Read Feb. 

 to be one of the moft ingenious pieces of criticifm any where to » ' • 

 be found : For though its defign feems to be in contradidlion 

 to the general fentiment of mankind, yet has the writer ma- 

 naged his fubjedl with fo much ability and addrefs, that fome 

 have been gained over to his opinion, others hefitate, and all 

 muft admire. We arc pleafed with his dexterity in fupport of a 

 paradox in the fame manner as v/e are charmed with Falflaff's 

 wit and humour, even when employed in defence of his vices. 

 In my opinion it is in a great meafure owing to this entertaining 

 cfTay, that, according to the writer's own words, " it fhould now 

 " be a queftion, whether Falftaff is or is not a man of courage." 

 The ground upon which I ftand with this expert antagonift, 

 whether we confider the fuperiority of his talents or the novelty 

 of his caufe, is fo unequal, indeed, that I fhould avoid meeting 

 him, if I could be influenced ty any confidcration but a love of 



( A 2 ) truth. 



