fj6 Ni»a, a story. Jan. 1 1. 



From the specimens that have been already exhibited 

 of the Shakespeare, we have no reason to think that 

 this attempt will be considered, by future connoifseurs, 

 as the tie plus ultra of perfection. Though, considering 

 every thing, it will perhaps be accounted the most extra- 

 ordinary exertion of genius that ever was displayed on the 

 globe. Genius might be here represented as revelling in 

 the wild luxuriance of health and youthful vigour, un- 

 chastened by time, nor yet instructed by age and experi- 

 ence never to overstep the modesty of nature. The very 

 eagernefs to excel, produces an overstrained effort which 

 never can accord with the simplex muneliiils, this highest 

 exertion of human powers in regard to matters of taste. 

 Let us then look upon this attempt as a beautiful fore- 

 taste of what may in time be expected from industry, 

 perseverance, and attention 5 but let us never, fascina- 

 ted by novelties, mistake eccentricities of genius for 

 the delicate touches of nature. Shakespeare, perhaps, 

 was the only man, who by the aid of genius alone, was 

 ever able to delineate nature in her purest, most una- 

 adorned, and therefore most beautiful attire. His 

 touches go directly to the heart, without applying to 

 the fascinating aid of a perverted taste, or an overheat- 

 ed imagination. 



NINA, A STORY. 



1 HK experience of all times has (hewn, that hulhands 

 have suddenly lost the affections of their wives, and 

 women ceased to pofsefs the hearts of their hufhands, 

 when they least apprehended it, without either one or the 

 other being able to trace the source of the misfortune. 



Convinced that instruction, conveyed by example, is, 

 of all others, the most efficacious, I do not hesitate to 



