4i2 Poetry. [Chap. XX. 



tragedy it is too " regularly dull," and unnatu- 

 rally stiff, for scenic representation. The Revenge , 

 by Dr. Young, displays no small share of that sub- 

 limity and fn-e Vv liich the illustrious author so re- 

 markably possessed. Of his several tragedies, 

 this only keeps possession of the stage. The 

 Gamester of Moore will long remain a very ho- 

 nourable monument of the dramatic powers of its 

 author. The Elf rid a and Caractacus of Mason * 

 would have done credit to the most favourable 

 periods of ancient literature. Douglas, by Mr. 

 Home, for several reasons attracted an unusual 

 degree of public attention, when it first appeared ; 

 and has ever since maintained a high character f. 

 Among the tragedies of Thomson Tancred and 

 Sigismunda alone merits distinction. This, with 

 regard to plot, sentiment, and style, is entitled to 

 high respect; but perhaps scarcely to that de- 

 gree which might ha\ e been expected from the 

 great powers displa^X'd in the Seasons. The Irene 

 of Dr. Johnson, though it " furnishes a rich store 

 of noble sentiments, fine imagery, and beautiful 

 language, is deficient in plan, pathos, and general 



* The reverend "Wijliam Mason was a native of Yorkshire. 

 He publislied his first poem in 1748, took orders in \lb^, and 

 died in 1797. 



f Mr. Home waa a clergyman of the church of Scotland. The 

 circumstance of a person of his profession giving encouragement 

 to the stage, by writing for it, gave great and just oftence, and 

 made his tragedy an object of much more attention and interest 

 ihan it would otherwise have been. I^e wrote several tragedies 

 afterward ; but they were all unsuccessful. It seemed as if his 

 genius had been absorbed by his first production. 



