RABBIT-FERRETING. 141 



"But, my good Ward, dramatic language is not 

 for flies and trifles, but to express deep feeling or 

 passion." 



" Oh, bother feeling and passion. If a man deeply 

 injured you, would you make him a florid speech on 

 your withering sorrow and his vile depravity ? No, 

 verily; you should simply cut or shoot him, as 

 circumstances required." 



"It is rather late to discuss the drama, Hope ; 

 but I thought you liked it ? " 



"So I do. I delight to witness the plays of 

 Moliere, Sheridan, and such ; but Corneille, Shak- 

 speare, or Eacine I had rather read than see played." 



"How do you read with pleasure what you think 

 unnatural ? " 



"Because I quietly taste both the charm of their 

 clear natural insight and their beauties of ARTIFICIAL 

 style." 



" What about the present stage, thou creature of 

 whims?" 



" The Green Bushes and Arrah somethings ? Well, 

 I don't know much about them ; but the scenery is 

 really pretty in some I have seen." 



" You would, perhaps, prefer Congreve, Wycherly, 

 or such improprieties ? You have read them ? " 



