[ 4 ] , 



truth, and a defire to fix what appears to me the true notion 

 of the moft delightful dramatic charader ever drawn. I muft 

 therefore confefs, that a conjiitutional courage does not feem to me 

 any part of the imprejjion which Shakefpear defigned to give of 

 FalftafF's charader : nor do I fear that fuch a charge will tend to 

 make us lefs delighted with this wonderful perfon, who contrives 

 to render thofe vices, which expofe all others to hatred and con- 

 tempt, principally and immediately fubfervient to the purpofes of 

 mirth and humour. If I can weaken the force of the ingenious 

 writer's arguments on the other fide, I fhall confider my opinion 

 as fully eftablifhed ; for he has omitted nothing of any moment 

 that could fupport his fingularity and refinement. 



The author introduces his effay with a diftindion between the 

 conclufions of the underftanding formed upon adions, and the 

 imprefTions upon a certain fenfe fomewhat like inftind, which 

 immediately acquaints us with the principles of charader without 

 any confideration of adions, and fometimes determines our heart 

 even againft the conclufions of our rcafon. This obfervation he 

 feems to apply in the prefent cafe thus : " The charader of 

 " FalftafF has indeed ftrong appearances of cowardice. In the 

 " firft moment of our acquaintance with him he is involved in 

 " circumftances of apparent diflionour. We hear him familiarly 

 ''■ called coward by his moft intimate companions. We fee him 

 " on occafion of the robbery at Gadfliill in the very ad of running 

 " away from the prince and Poins : on another of more honourable 

 " obligation, in battle and ading in his profeflion as a foldicr, 

 " efcaping from Douglas, even out of the world as it were j 

 '-' counterfeiting death and deferting his very exiftence ; betrayed 



" into 



