him " as a thief and a glutton, a coward and a boaster, always ready to cheat the weak, and infult the defencelefs." While I am anxious to defend a particular paffage against the objections of the Critic, let me be permitted, in the most fincere and difinterested manner, to acknowledge the general utility of that invaluable body of Critics, the English Reviewers. The light, which they diffuse over the literary world, will continue to difpel the fhade of fophiftry, the gloom of prejudice, and the night of barbarism. By their united * influence Politics will be preserved from fervility and diffatisfaction; Morality from intolerance and relaxation; and Religion from bigotry and fcepticism. They may be confidered as the Palladium of the elegancies of taste, and of the decencies of fociety. A diverticulo repetatur fabula. In my Edition of the Third Part of HENRY VI. under the title of The Roses; and particularly in that of KING JOHN, it has been an object of primary magnitude to introduce those fentiments of patriotifm, which might infpire my pupils with active zeal in the cause of their Country. The defcent of the French on the coaft of Wales during the rebellion of OWEN GLENDOWER * As error is infeparable from individual opinion, and as truth is produced by the collifion of different fentiments, a perusal of all the Reviews is recommended. The prefent fubject affords a proof of the variety of their judgment. The omiffion of the first act of the original in the Alteration of KING JOHN was applauded by one Critic, and cenfured by another. Nor are Reviewers always free from human passions. One of them treated the Poetical Chronology in a style of low invective, which almost authorized the conclufion that" an enemy had done it." Causas tanti sciat ille furoris! All the others gave a critique of strong approbation: and the public has followed the judgment of the latter; GLENDOWER was a circumstance, which was eagerly seized in the prefent Play, in order to produce this effect, at a time when an invafion of this country by the fame intriguing and powerful enemy was in contemplation. The danger is now removed: but the new and formidable means of attack, which that reftlefs nation has lately acquired, inforce the neceffity of new exertions to maintain the prosperity, and fecure the independence, of the British Empire. R. V. Dr. Valpy PROLOGUE. Written by HENRY JAMES PYE, Esq.-Spoken by MR. LORING. To-night once more our fcene from Shakespeare's page Shews the dire factions of a former age. Shews when the Noble fierce, and Prelate proud In vain fhe join'd, in vain fhe brought relief, Oh! ever may BRITANNIA's naval hoft Such ever be of ALBION's fons the pride, When fwells of ruthlefs war th' enfuriate tide! Such But lo! where radiant thro' the finking form And, the green laurel from his brow unbound, As joyful ENGLAND with exulting voice Or bade the fury of the battle cease, And reach'd the blefs'd abodes of Fame and PEACE, The favor'd EMPIRE of the BRITISH ISLES; |