[ 47 ] 



his dominions by the treachery of a brother. And the averfion 

 with which we are apt to regard the character of an enchanter, 

 is loft in that of a man " rapt in fecret Jiudies" and devoted to 

 the love of letters. Still had fuch a perfon been reprefented in 

 the midft of civilized fociety, the fiction perhaps would have 

 been looked upon as incredible. But in folitude, in the lone- 

 fome uninhabited wafte, and in darknefs, (that temporary foli- 

 tude) men have ever been forward to embrace the wildeft delu- 

 fions of fancy. For this reafon Shakefpear lays his fcene in a 

 defert ifland ; where, before Profpero's arrival, no human being 

 had trod except an exiled forcerefs. 



Miranda from the beginning appears in the true feminine 

 charms of foftnefs, compaffion and fimplicity. She is now 

 prefented in the more interefting view of rightful heir to her 

 father's dukedom, and companion of his fuiFerings. Our curiofity 

 alfo is ftill kept alive : Profpero's enemies are now in his power : 

 his fate depends on feizing this opportunity ; but in what manner 

 he will feize it we remain uncertain. Thus is Shakefpear equally 

 judicious in what he difclofes and conceals. Longinus admires 

 an expreiTion of Herodotus. " The whole theatre was melted into 

 " tears'' Similar to this, but much more noble, is Shakefpear's : 



" No, not fo much perdition as an hair - 



" Betid to any creature in the vejjel, 

 « Wliich thou heard'Jl cry." 



How clofely too does he imitate nature, even in the circumftahce 

 which he fele£ls for Miranda's remembrance, namely, the number 

 of her attendants. That, by the frequency of repetition, muft 



have 



