50 Poelry. [ChaP. XX. 



which are universally allowed to display great 

 powers, and especially to excel in force of charac- 

 ter. His Rhadamistus and Atreus 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 Ines de 

 Castro holds the highest rank. The historical 

 and patriotic tragedies of Dubelloy are much ce- 

 lebrated in the annals of French literature. His 

 Siege of Calais attained the greatest degree of 

 celebrity ; and afterwards his Titus and Zelmij^a 

 commanded considerable attention. The trage- , 

 dies of M. Saurin are also honourably mentioned 

 among the critics of the author's own country. 

 Of these, to his Spartacus the most liberal praise 

 has been given. M. Diderot, among the nume- 

 rous productions of his pen, gave to tlie public 

 several tragedies ; but they are, like many of his 

 other writings, more conspicuous monuments of 

 his moral depravity than of his genius or taste. 



The French Comedies which have attracted at- 

 tention are much more nimierous. The comic 

 productions of le Sage rank high in this list. His 

 Tuscaret gained great and general popularity. 

 Le Glorieii.r, and Le Philosophe Marie, of Des- 

 touches, were still more eminently popular. 

 The former, indeed, has been pronounced one of 

 the best comedies that the age produced. Piron 

 was also a comic writer of great celebrity among 

 his countrymen, and even throughout Europe. 

 His Aletromanie is an effort of high dramatic ge- 

 nius ; but is liable to exception with respect to 

 its moral tendency. The younger Crebillon dis- 



