1793" on Englijh poetry — Shakespeare. i^^ 



works of considerable length. In s.nalf performan- 

 ces, the recurrence of rhimes, will often have a 

 good effect ; and in ludicrous compositions, the very 

 awkwardnefs of these gingling arrangements fre- 

 qaentlj tends to heighten the effect of the picture ; 

 as when, 



The pulpit drum ecclesiastick 



Is beat with fist instead of a stick. 



But in serious or sublime compositions it can sel^ 

 dom I think have a good effect. 



Shakespeare, as a dramatic writer, deserves, 

 without dispute, the first rank, if the most perfect 

 delineation of human characters, easy natural dia= 

 logue, and energy and propriety of language, are al- 

 lowed to be the principal criaracteristics of drama- 

 tic exellence. In these respects there never yet has 

 appeared a writer in any European language who 

 could be put in competition with Shakespeare. His 

 powers, indeed, were so much superior to all <jfher 

 -men in these respects, that he can only be looked u- 

 pon as one of those prodigies that heaven vouch- 

 safes some times to produce to give an idea of the 

 pofsible powers of the human mind, and to mode- 

 rate the vanity of those who are disposed to afsume 

 to themselves a superiority above others. The dra- 

 matic performances of Shakespeare seem to have 

 been produced without any effort from him ; and 

 he appears to have viewed them with great indif- 

 ference himself ; for he took no care to guard against 

 their being injured by the interpolations of others. 

 Thev were put into the hands of men, who willing 

 to obtain the appFause of an ill informed publiq, 



VOL, Xvi. MM f 



