52 ' Poetry. [CHAP.XX. 



veral imitators. The domestic and sentimental 

 comedies of M. Dorat are considerably celebrat- 

 ed ; and the moral dramas of Monval and Bouilly 

 have also a high reputation. 



Beside the French comic writers above men- 

 tioned, several others have attained distinction, 

 though in an inferior degree. Among these, Re- 

 gnard, la Motte, Marivaux, Marmontel, Sedaine, 

 and Saint Foix, deserve particular notice. It is to 

 be lamented tliat purity of moral character cannot 

 be always ascribed to their productions. 



Though the best English comedies of the eigh- 

 teenth century are far superior to those of the 

 same language which were produced in the pre- 

 ceding age, we cannot consider the same improve- 

 ment as belonging to modern French comedy. 

 Molicre, who died towards the close of the seven- 

 teenth century, in the combined excellences of 

 wit, humour, plot, and character, has never been 

 equalled by any of his successors. It may be 

 questioned, indeed, whether he was ever equalled, 

 in all these respects, by any writer, ancient or 

 modern. His plays have supplied materials for 

 plunder to all other comic writers since his time. 



The dramatic works of Ttahjy during the jieriod 

 ©f this retrospect, were many in number, and some 

 of them highly valued as efforts of genius *. la. 

 Italian Tragedy, the various works of Martelli, 

 which appeared early in the century, hold an 

 honourable place. His Perselide, Ifigenia, and 

 Alceste, are generally enumerated among the best 

 productions of his pen. To Martelli is ascribed 



* Se»\Ys.\kcr'sHiittorical Memoir omitalian Tragedy, 4to, 1799. 



