fjgTi. ' LITERARY INTELLIGENCER. 177 



who is capable of experiencing it. Othello, as we have 

 feen, was naturally of an heroic and amiable difpolition ; 

 but when by his bold undertakings he is expofed to 

 imminent dangers, he would then Ihine in his brightefl 

 colours ; all his magnanimity, and all his addrefs, are 

 brought to view ; at that moment, all the generous af- 

 fections of the foul would be drawn towards him ; ad- 

 miration of his virtues, wilhes for his fuccefs, and fo- 

 licitude for his fafety. And when the befl feelings of 

 the heart are thus lavilhed on a certain object, it is no 

 •wonder it fliould fettle into fixed love and efteem. 



Such was the fublimated paflion of Defdemona, in- 

 fpired folely by internal beauty. The perfon of Othello 

 had every thing to cool defire, poll'efling not only the 

 black complexion, and the fvvarthy features of the Af- 

 ricans ; he was alfo declined, as he fays, into the vale 

 of year-: but his mind was every thing to Defdemona ; 

 it fupplied the place of youth by its ardour, and of 

 every perlonal accomplilhment by its ftrength, its ele- 

 vation, and its foftnefs. Where, in all the annals of 

 love, do we find fo pure and fo difinterefted a paffion, 

 fupported with fo much dignity and nature ; Ihe loved 

 h'lm for the dangers he had pajfed ; upon this fleeting 

 and incorporeal idea, did flie reft her affeftions, upon 

 abftract feelings and qualities of the mind, which mufl: 

 require in her all that warmth of imagination, and 

 livelinefs of conception, which diitingniili the fined 

 genius. 



The charafter of this exquifite lady, is always con- 

 fiftently fupported. Her behaviour towards Caffio, 

 ihews, in a particular manner, her liberal and benevo- 

 lent heart ; and her converfation with Emilia, about the 

 heinoufnefs of infidelity, is a ftriking pidture of innocent 

 purity. It is artfully introduced, and adds much to 

 -the pathos of the tragedy. The circumftances of order- 

 ing her wedding-fheets to be put on her bed, and the 

 melancholy fong of a willow, are well imagined, and 

 "awaken the mind to expeft fome dreadful revolution. 



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