random, any of the numerous progeny of that prolific parent the 

 German School. They are fuch marked mannerifts, and there is 

 fuch a flrong family refemblance in thefe produdions, that a fair 

 eftimate of the genius, the fpirit, and tendency, of the charade- 

 riftic merits, or demerits, of the whole tribe, may be formed, on 

 the confideration of a few inftances. Let us now proceed, to con- 

 fider the tendency of the German produdlions, with refped to 

 morals. 



The Drama is the higheft fpecies of poetry, as hiftorical paint- 

 ing is the higheft fpecies, in the pidurefque art. Nothing can be 

 more ufeful, than to reprefent man, in his various charaders and 

 fituations, with truth and juftice. Without enquiring too minute- 

 ly, what Artflole means, by the phrafe of purging the pajions, it is 

 plain, that dramatic poetry, regulated by the rules of a juft mora- 

 lity, fupplies important leflbns, by fhewing the fatal tendency of 

 guilt, and the inconveniences, that refult from vice and folly. It 

 impreffes, in the moft forcible and pleafing manner, maxims, 

 which may be coUeded from paft experience. It leads us, to con- 

 troul our paffions, and regulate our feelings; and to acquire an 

 habitual temperance of mind ; by fhewing the acute fufferings, 

 which attend the unbridled fway of paffions and emotions, not ex- 

 cepting thofe, which, in themfelves, are laudable. It reprefTes pride 

 and infolence, by difplaying the uncertainty of human profperity, 

 and cultivates the kind fympathies, by reminding us, that forrow 

 Vol. VIII. ( F ) is 



