116 



of comic humour: whereas, every countrj', Avherc good poets 

 are to be found, furnishes a school of tragedy. The object 

 of tragedy being to excite terror and pity, by the represen- 

 tation of great and calamitous events, the tragic muse finds 

 her materials every where. The tragic poet requires no pre-, 

 liminary education: man is every where unhappy, and evevy 

 where feels his misery. Hence more excellent writers have 

 arisen in tragedy than in comedy. 



The task of comedy is difficult: her excellence consists 

 in the natural representation of manners and characters, 

 not of the most perfect kind. The talent, by which the 

 comic writer aims at eminence, in this department, is called 

 liumour: the subjects, on which it is employed, are, the 

 foibles, the caprices, the lighter passions of men. It is 

 obvious, that comedy can arrive at perfection, there only, 

 where a plentiful crop of foibles, follies, and caprices 

 arises: where all the various vanities, and eccentricities of 

 human nature, are left free to expand themselves, and 

 blossom without control; and the professions and pursuits 

 of men are infinitely varied. I have already shewn, that, 

 under a strict republic, the ramifications of character, and 

 the display of follies and foibles, are repressed, by morals 

 and virtue, the spirit of equality, and the cultivation of 

 good order. Tlie republican govenmicnt endeavours to 

 form a perfect character: comedy delights in that which 

 is imperfect. Comedy retjuires a variety of characters: 

 despotism produces a sameness of character, and stitles and 



overwhelms 



