DR. DARWIN. 69 



rennefs, while it could boaft a Darwin, 

 and other men of claffical learning, poetic 

 talents, and liberal information. Of 

 that number was the Rev. Thomas Seward 

 Canon-Refidentiary of its Cathedral ; 

 known to the lettered world as critical 

 editor of Beaumont and Fletcher's Plays, 

 in concert with Mr. Simpfon. Their edi- 

 tion came out in the year 1750. By peo- 

 ple of literary tafte and judgment, it is 

 allowed to be the beft commentary on 

 thofe dramatic poets which has appeared ; 

 and that from the lucid ability of Mr. 

 SewarcTs readings and notes. Strange, that 

 dramas, fo entirely of the Shakefperian 

 fchool, in the bufmefs and intereft of their 

 plots ; in the ftrength and variety of their 

 characters ; and which, in their fentiments 

 and language, poflefs fo much of Shake- 

 fpeare's fire, fliould be coldly and ftupidly 

 negle&ed in the prefent day, which has 

 not yet forgotten to proclaim the Bard of 

 Avon to be, what he furely is, the firft 

 F 3 poet 



