SHAKSPEARE. 7 



robbed of half his fame that posterity has 

 given to another a renown that has filled the 

 universe which ought to have belonged to 

 this great man. Yes, sir, from some un- 

 known, and now for ever hidden cause, they 

 seem to argue, that the most capacious mind, 

 the most comprehensive learning, the most 

 fertile imagination, and the most perfect 

 knowledge of the human heart its springs, 

 motives, and actions, together with the 

 most masterly design, the most eloquent 

 diction, and the most dignified sentiments 

 that the English language ever expressed 

 were produced by the son of a third-rate 

 tradesman in a small provincial town." 



"Indeed! Well, I know nothing about 

 that." 



"Neither do I, Mr. B , enough for 



me that the writings are the product of our 

 language, and will ever be its pride and 

 boast; and though 'Pulmam qui meruit 



being the author of some, at least, of Shakspeare's Flays, 

 first made its appearance in the Northern capital. 



