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have given thofe readings which to us appear most confonant to our author's manner and meaning, without obtruding one capricious opinion on another.

We have furnished an explanation of technical and obfolete terms; pointed out the leading beauties, as they occur, without defcanting so much as to anticipate the reader's conception and investigation; we have fhewn, with a becoming impartiality, what appear to us to be blemishes and imperfections: the requifites for reprefenting every character of importance are defined, and the mode of performance effential for fcenes peculiarly capital, is clearly pointed out.

We have earnestly confulted correctness, neatness, ornament, utility, and cheapness of price; we have avoided all oftentation of criticism, compacting our notes as much as poffible; in regard whereof, it may be justly faid, that we could have enlarged the number, and extended the phrafeology, with much less trouble, than it cost us to give them their prefent form; it has been our peculiar endeavour to render what we call the effence of SHAKESPEARE, more instructive and intelligible; efpecially to the ladies and to youth; glaring indecencies being removed, and intricate paffages explain

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ed; and lastly, we have ftriven to fupply plainer ideas of criticifm, both in public and private, than we have hitherto met with.

A general view of each play is given, by way of introduction.

Though this is not an edition meant for the profoundly learned, nor the deeply ftudious, who love to find out, and chace their own critical game; yet we flatter ourfelves both parties may perceive fresh ideas started for fpeculation and reflection.

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ESSAY

ON

ORATOR Y.

TH

HOUGH it is not strictly within the limits of our plan, to range at large over the extenfive field of oratorical correctnefs, fancy and excellence, as it refpects the pulpit, fenate, and bar; yet it is hoped we fhall fo far touch on the effentials of them all, as to give hints, which may prove useful to each of the three degrees.

If we fay that an orator, like a poet, to excel, fhould be born fuch, it will be no ftrained affertion; and if we add that he must be more indebted to nature, than a fon of the mufes, it will be easily admitted. Cultivated imagination, regulated by judgment, conftitutes one; who, totally void of external requifites, may fhine from his closet, tho' ever fo deformed in figure, rude in features, weak in voice, or blemish'd in appearance.

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The other, though he may, by peculiar excellence of delivery, and the help of a feeling fubject well treated on, be able to imprefs an audience, with little more than a good voice; yet experience powerfully convinces us that a graceful person, refpectable marking features, expreffive eyes, and ornamental gesture, are of the utmoft utility: it is no argument to fay, that a man, as in the cafe of Sir John Fielding, tho' the visual gates of fympathy be fhut, may fhow ftrong marks of oratorical merit; for the queftion naturally follows, would he not be much more powerful in expreffion, if the indexes of thought enjoyed their natural and proper vigour, especially where particular feelings are to be excited?

It is too common for ignorance and avarice, to mifapply the talents of youth, especially in this point of view; many are destined for, and brought up to the most serious, the most important concerns of life, wherein public speaking is required, who labour under glaring defects and imbecilities of expreffion; hence fo many drowly, irkfome preachers, fo many fenatorical cyphers; and fuch a number of imperfect pleaders: this parental blunder is much the fame as breeding a purblind boy to watchmaking, or one hard of hearing to mufic.

Suppofing a perfon qualified by nature, let us fee how far art may be called in. The complete orator must have a general and intimate knowledge of himself, the world and mankind; a clear conception of the paffions and affections of those he is to inftruct and perfuade; a perfect acquaintance with the various diftinctions of virtue and vice; he should be critically intimate with all the beauties and blemishes of the ancient writers; he should

be

be an hiftorian and a logician; poffeffing a correct idea of, and taste for, the liberal arts; if a competent knowledge of the mechanical ones is added, fo much the better; he fhould poffefs a quick conception, and a retentive memory; he should be able to break thro', with safe, the cobwebs of fophiftry, and, above all, enjoy that grand ingredient recommended by CICERO, focial philofophy.

He should be mafter of all the arguments, for and against his fubject; in fhort, to fum up all with the great Roman orator's own words," he "fhould be furnished with logical acutenefs, phi"lofophical wifdom, and poetical imagination, "embellished with the most polished elocution "and gesture of the stage."

To expatiate upon the obvious advantages deriveable from each of the above qualifications required to complete this very comprehenfive character we are confidering, would be to fpin out a needlefs length of explanation; which could anfwer no end, but anticipating the reader's reflec tive investigation; wherefore we shall quit this point, with obferving, that when fo many requifites, both internal and external are neceffary, it is no wonder that a complete orator is fo very fcarce a character.

Declaimers, who may be justly stiled the pageants of oratory, poffefs the flowery, but not the argumentative, part; they appeal boldly to fancy and the paffions, but cautiously shun rational inquifition; fhew and plaufibility completely fet up one of this dangerous kind of public speakers, who oftener make profelytes among the weak and ignorant, than found orators do; as they are mostly pleafing, tho' feldom inftructive. Bishop Sprat, fpeaking of them, in his history of the Royal Society, empha

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