Poetry. 215 



rected many errors; but defective both in taste 

 and learning, he was still far from having done 

 justice to his undertaking. The next in this list 

 of critical editors is Sir Thomas Hanmer, whose 

 edition appeared in 1744, He made many emen- 

 dations with great judgment, and in a manner 

 which indicated both discernment and erudition ; 

 but in others he discovered much caprice, and 

 adopted a large number of the censurable innova- 

 tions of Pope. In 1747, Dr. Warburton made 

 trial of his great critical acumen, and his profound 

 erudition, on the works of the same illustrious dra- 

 matist; but though he displayed much sagacity and 

 learning, his work was rather considered as an exhi- 

 bition of himself, than an elucidation of his author. 

 In 1765 appeared the edition of Dr. Johnson. 

 This great critic threw more light on Shaks-^ 

 peare than all who had gone before him* His 

 preface to the edition, his numerous emendations, 

 and his notes on obscure passages, discover a 

 soundness of judgment* a profundity of critical 

 skill, and an elegance of taste, which will do him 

 lasting honour. The editorial labours of Mr. Ma- 

 lone close the list. His edition appeared in 1789. 

 Having devoted much time and pains to the work, 

 and having the advantage of all that had been 

 done by his predecessors, he may be considered, 

 on the whole, the most complete commentator on 

 Shakspeare that has hitherto appeared. 



The dramatic productions of France, during the 

 period under consideration, were numerous; and 

 some of them attained, and still hold a high repu- 

 tation/ The first class of French Tragedies be- 

 longing to this age may be slightly noticed. In 

 this list the first place is due to the several tragic 

 productions of Voltaire. The Zaire, the Alzire, 



i See La Harpe's Lectures^ and his Literary Corresftridencc. 



