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catching occafions of mirth from his very vices. Thus, by 

 making them tlie ground into which he has wrought the moft 

 entertaining fancies and dehghtful humour, he has made it almoft 

 impoffible to feparate matters thus clofely interwoven, and has 

 feduced judgment to the fide of wit. Thefe are the ftrange arts 

 by which Shakefpear has drawn our hking toward fo offenfive 

 an objed ; or to fpeak with more precifion, has contrived to veil 

 the offenfive parts of his charader. Defence is a thing of too 

 ferious a nature for Falftaff; he laughs at all vindication j crefcit 

 fub fonder e virtus ; his elaftic vigour of mind repels all dilEcuIties ; 

 his alacrity bears him above all difguft ;, and in the gay wit we 

 forget the contemptible coward. 



