216 Poetry. 



the Merope, and the Orphan of China, by him, are 

 all possessed of distinguished excellence. It is 

 peculiarly worthy of remark, that notwithstand- 

 ing that celebrated infidel, in almost every page 

 of his prose writings, discloses his hatred of reli- 

 gion, and the profligacy of his principles, nothing 

 can be more pure, in a moral and religious 

 view, than his tragedies. Next to those of Vol- 

 taire are the tragic compositions of the elder 

 Crebillon, which are universally allowed to dis- 

 play great powers, and especially to excel in 

 force of character. His Bhadamislus and Atrceus 

 are always quoted as his best performances. The 

 tragedies of La Motte have also a place assigned 

 them among the great dramatic productions of 

 France, during the last age. Of his several works; 

 the Lies de Castro holds the highest rank. The 

 historical and patriotic tragedies of Dubelloy are 

 much celebrated in the annals of French literature. 

 His Siege of Calais attained the greatest degree 

 of celebrity; and afterwards his Titus and %eU 

 mira commanded considerable attention. The 

 tragedies of M. Saurin are also honourably men- 

 tioned among the critics of the author's own coun- 

 try. Of these, to his Spartacus the most liberal 

 praise has been given. M. Diderot, among the 

 numerous productions of his pen, gave to the 

 public several tragedies; but they are, like many 

 of his other writings, more conspicuous monu- 

 ments of his moral depravity than of his genius 

 or taste. 



The French Comedies which have attracted at- 

 tention are much more numerous. The comic 

 production of Le Sage rank high in this list. His 

 Tuscaret gained great and general popularity. 

 The Le Glorieiix, and Le Philosophe Marie, of 

 Desto itches, were still more eminently popular. 

 The former, indeed., has been pronounced one of 



