Languages & literature > Abridgement of lectures on rhetoric

ENGLISH TRAGEDY.
287
Voltaire Is not inferior to his predeceflbrs in the dra¬
ma ; and in one article he has outdone them, the deli¬
cate and interefting Gtuations, he has introduced. Here
lies his chief ftrength. Like his predeceflbrs, however,
he is fometimes deficient in force, and fometimes too
declamatory. His charaflers, notwithftanding, are
drawn with fpirit, his events are ftriking, and his fenti-
Bients elevated.
ENGLISH TRAGEDY.
It has often been remarked of tragedy in Great
Britain, that it is more ardent, than that of France, but
more irregular and incorrefl. It has therefore excelled
in the foul of tragedy. For the pathetic muft be allow¬
ed to be the chief excellence of the tragic mufe.
The nr ft obje<£t on the Englifli theatre is the great
Shakcfpeare. In extent and force of genius, both for
tragedy and comedy, he is unrivalled. But at the
fame time it is genius Ihooting wild, deficient in tafte,
not always chafte, and unaflifted by art and knowledge.
Criticifm has been exhaufted in commentaries upon
him ; yet to this day it is undecided, whether his beau-
tips or defedts be greateft. In his writings there are
admirable feenes and paifages without number; but
there is not one of his plays, which can be pronounced