Sect. IX.] Drama. 49 



was considered rather as an exhibition of himself 

 than an elucidation of his author. In 1765 ap- 

 peared the edition of Dr. Johnson. This great 

 critic threw more light on Shakspeare 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 

 judgement, a profundity of critical skill, and an 

 elegance of taste, "which will do him lasting ho- 

 nour. The editorial labours of Mr. Malonc 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 Shak- 

 speare that has hitherto appeared. 



Ihe dramatic productions of /"/-^wce, during the 

 period under consideration, were numerous ; and 

 jsome of them attained, and still hold, a liigh repu- 

 tation *. The first class of French Tragedies be- 

 longing to this age may be siighty noticed. In 

 this list the iirst place is due to the several tragic 

 productions of Voltaire. The Zaire, the Alzire, 

 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 Voltaire are 

 the tragic compositions of the elder Crebillon, 



* Sc^ la Harpe's Lectures, and his Literari/ Correspondence. 



