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If this is true, wholly or iu part, of one branch or 

 phase of art, it must be no less true of each and every 

 aspect of the same subject ; of art spoken or written, as 

 of art carved in stone or framed in architecture ; of art 

 dramatic and epic, as of art picturesque and pictorial. 

 Antique philosophy (no less than antique fable in the 

 mythology) assigned to dramatic art, epic poetry, and 

 sculpture a common origin ; the same beneficient tutelary 

 guardianship of Minerva, and by her impersonation, the 

 same miraculous origin and maturity at birth. The per- 

 fection of the highest possibilities of literature in tragedy 

 and epic poetry (as of sculpture and architecture), in the 

 results of one master mind, substantiate the truth, sha- 

 dowed by the fable, of the unity in nature and origin of 

 all art. Modern philosophy, with a spirit which seeks 

 differences with a view to classification, rather than to 

 discover resemblances, which contain the secret of laws, 

 draws parallels between poetry and painting, and is 

 content. It would consider the application of the same 

 laws of creation to literature and sculpture unreasonable, 

 and to claim for dramatic literature especially the same 

 dignity of sustained design, would be considered absurd. 

 The belles lettres are presumed soulless ; their own in- 

 centive, inspiration, reward. The di-amas of Shakspere 

 would be cited perhaps as the first instance m proof of 

 how little even a high order of literature has needed 

 either of motive or design, to ensure its success, and 

 how much may be accomplished without the pretext of 

 superior intention, " Conceived in a purely secular spirit 

 by an actor and manager of a theatre, they offer abun- 

 dant evidence, if it were needed, that poetic literature of 

 the highest kind, can be created in the simplest spirit 

 of construction Avithout moral arrangement or motives of 

 dignified design." These positions are worth testing. 



Is dramatic art exceptional in claiming moral excellence 



