The word character, when applied in this manner, denotes some person together with the assemblage of his qualities. It is improper to say "the greatest persons are the persons of rebels and traitors;" an expression to which that contained in the conclusion of the above passage is equivalent. The words those of should have been omitted.

Had the hero of his play discovered the same good qualities in the defence of his country, that he shewed for its ruin and subversion, the audience could not enough pity and admire him: but as he is now represented, we can only say of him, what the Roman historian says of Catiline, that his fall would have been glorious (si pro patria sic concidisset) had he so fallen in the service of his country.*

This, though an agreeable sentence, is not free from faults. The author speaks of the good qualities which the hero of Venice Preserved shows for the ruin of his country; but this is certainly an attempt in which good qualities were never exhibited. In this passage the words ruin and subversion are both used, though they do not serve to mark any different shades in the idea.

*Spectator, No. 39.

CHAP. XXVII.

CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF A PASSAGE IN.

THE WRITINGS OF SWIFT.

THE players having now almost done with the comedy called the Beggar's Opera for the season; it may be no unpleasant speculation, to reflect a little upon this dramatic piece, so singular in the subject and manner, so much an original, and which hath frequently given so very agreeable an entertainment.

This introductory sentence is not entitled to much commendation. The players having now almost done with the comedy, is a phrase not altogether free from vulgarity.

Although an evil taste be very apt to prevail, both here and in London; yet there is a point which whoever can rightly touch, will never fail of pleasing a very great majority; so great, that the dislikers out of dulness or affectation, will be silent, and forced to fall in with the herd: the point I mean, is what we call humour; which, in its perfection, is allowed to be much preferable to wit; if it be not rather the most useful and agreeable species of it.

This sentence, though sufficiently perspicuous, is certainly devoid of elegance. There is a point which whoever can rightly touch, is uncouth phraseology.

I agree with Sir William Temple, that the word is peculiar to our English tongue; but I differ from him in opinion, that the thing itself is peculiar to the English nation; because the contrary may be found in many Spanish, Italian, and French productions, and particularly, whoever hath a taste for true humour, will find an hundred instances of it, in those volumes printed in France, under the name of Le Theatre Italien; to say nothing of Rabelais, Ceryantes, and many others.

The word to which the author refers in the beginning of this sentence, is humour; though, as he had mentioned wit at the close of the last, a slight degree of ambiguity is introduced. It would be more perspicuous to say," the word humour is peculiar to our English tongue ;" and in this clause, the seems more proper than our. This sentence is but unskilfully constructed. The member by which it is closed, follows with a very halting pace. I shall venture to suggest a few alterations: "I agree with Sir William Temple, that the word humour is peculiar to the English tongue; but I differ from him in the opinion, that the talent which it denotes, is peculiar to the English nation. We discover abundant proofs of the contrary in many Spanish, Italian, and French productions; and whoever hath a taste for true humour, will find an hundred instances of it, in those volumes printed in France under the title of Le Theatre Italien."

Now I take the comedy, or farce, (or whatever name the critics will allow it) called the Beggar's Opera, to excel in this article of humour; and upon that merit to have met with such prodigious success, both here and in England.

This sentence is very deficient in elegance.

As to poetry, eloquence, and musick, which are said to have most power over the minds of men; it is certain that very few have a taste or judgment of the excellencies of the two former; and if a man succeed in either, it is upon the authority of those few judges, that lend their taste to the bulk of readers, who have none of their own. I am told, there are as few good judges in musick; and that among those who crowd the operas, nine in ten go thither merely out of curiosity, fashion, or affectation.

This paragraph suggests no material observation.

But a taste for humour is in some measure affixed to the very

nature of man, and generally obvious to the vulgar, except upon subjects too refined, and superior to their understanding.

"A taste for humour is obvious to the vulgar," is a very inaccurate expression. It is humour itself that is obvious to the vulgar, not a taste for humour.

And as this taste for humour is purely natural, so is humour itself; neither is it a talent confined to men of wit or learning; for we observe it sometimes among common servants, and the meanest of the people, while the very owners are often ignorant of the gift they possess.

The owners of a talent, is an expression by no means elegant.

I know very well, that this happy talent is contemptibly treated by critics under the name of low humour, or low comedy; but I know likewise, that the Spaniards and Italians, who are allowed to have the most wit of any nation in Europe, do most excel in it, and do most esteem it.

Still the author discovers a want of precision in his ideas: a talent for humour can never with any propriety be termed low comedy.

It is

By what disposition of the mind, what influence of the stars, or what situation of the climate, this endowment is bestowed upon mankind, may be a question fit for philosophers to discuss. certainly the best ingredient towards that kind of satyr, which is most useful, and gives the least offence; which, instead of lashing, laughs men out of their follies and vices; and is the character that gives Horace the preference to Juvenal.

The first of these sentences is unexceptionable, but the last cannot be commended. In the expression, "the best ingredient towards that kind of satyr," the preposition towards is used with little propriety either in or of would be preferable. The period might have closed with the word vices; for the next clause forms

a complete sentence. "It is the possession of this talent that gives Horace the preference to Juvenal."

And although some things are too serious, solemn, or sacred, to be turned into ridicule, yet the abuses of them are certainly not; since it is allowed that corruptions in religion, politicks, and law, may be proper topicks for this kind of satyr.

There are two ends that men propose in writing satyr; one of them less noble than the other, as regarding nothing farther than the private satisfaction and pleasure of the writer; but without any view towards personal malice: the other is a public spirit, prompting men of genius and virtue, to mend the world as far as they are able.

Public spirit is not an end which men propose in writing satire; it is one of the motives which impel them to write.

And as both these ends are innocent, so the latter is highly commendable. With regard to the former, I demand whether I have not as good a title to laugh, as men have to be ridiculous; and to expose vice, as another has to be vicious. If I ridicule the follies and corruptions of a court, a ministry, or a senate, are they not amply paid by pensions, titles, and power, while I expect and desire no other reward than that of laughing with a few friends in a corner? Yet, if those who take offence, think me in the wrong, I am ready to change the scene with them whenever they please.

These sentences are entitled to praise. The expression is pointed, and the arrangement accurate.

But, if my design be to make mankind better, then I think it is my duty; at least I am sure it is the interest of those very courts and ministers, whose follies or vices I ridicule, to reward my good intentions; for if it be reckoned a high point of wisdom to get the laughers on our side, it is much more easy, as well as wise, to get those on our side who can make millions laugh when they please.

My reason for mentioning courts, and ministers (whom I never think on, but with the most profound veneration) is, because an opinion obtains, that in the Beggar's Opera there appears to be