332 On Tragical Representations. 
man of letters, who may be supposed to be the 
best judge of composition and eloquence; nor 
yet the man of a lively imagination, to whom the 
effect of tragical representations is peculiarly ap- 
propriate. Though if a heart mellowed to pity 
be joined to these advantages, the interest in 
such spectacles will perhaps receive an increase 
from this superadded source; but tragedy ex- 
ercises her utmost power on even the unlearned 
and untutored, if there be found a feeling and 
benevolent heart. ' 
‘The same judgment is farther illustrated from 
the powerful effect on an audience of a story 
happily adapted to the purpose, though the com- 
position be materially faulty. It shall awake all 
the passions in which tragedy rejoices, more than 
all the faultless productions of the Greek and 
French drama. Banks and Southern are poets 
of but a middle fame ; yet the Earl of Essex and 
Oronooko will dissolve an audience in tears, so 
long as the human heart, and the inclinations 
which it has received from its maker shall en- 
dure. If tragedy owe her attractions to the 
eloquence of the poet; it is to the eloquence’ of 
nature, not of art. An untutored genius, hav- 
ing strong conceptions, a heart that can enter 
into the feelings ofa fellow heart, quick in catch- 
ing the most striking features of distress, judg- 
ment to select a happy tale of virtuous suffering, 
