a critic: and the two sciences of ethics and criticism appear to be intimately and very naturally connected. In truth, no one who is unacquainted with the human mind, or entertains improper notions of human conduct, can discern excellence in the higher species of poetical composition.

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It may be said however, in a superficial or careless manner, that in matters of this kind, laborious disquisition is unnecessary: and that we can perceive or feel at once, whether delineations of character be well or ill executed.'Persons, indeed, of such catholic and intuitive taste, require no erudition. Conscious of their high illumination, they will scorn research, and reject enquiry. Yet many of those who find amusement in fine writing, cannot boast of such exquisite and peculiar endowments. As they need some instruction before they can determine concerning the merit of those delineations that imitate external objects; so they need no inconsiderable instruction before they will trust to their own impressions concerning the display of the human mind. Now, if criticism be useful in form

ing, or in rectifying our taste for what is excellent in language, imagery, and arrangement of parts, it is surely no less useful in regulating our judgment concerning the imi, tation of human powers and propensities. Or is it an easier matter to determine whether an affection of the mind be called forth on a fit occasion, expressed with no unsuitable ardor, and combined with proper adjuncts; than to judge concerning the aptness of a comparison, or the symmetry of a sentence? Yet, in the present state of literary improvement, none, without being conscious of having cultivated their powers of taste, will decide with assurance concerning the beauties either of imagery or of language: and none, whose range of observation has been extensive, will pronounce the knowledge of human nature, of the passions and feelings of the heart, a matter of much easier attainment. If the display of character require the highest exertion of poetical talents, that species of criticism which leads us to judge concerning the poet's conduct in so arduous an enterprize, is not inferior, or unimportant.

Add to this, that the differences of opinion concerning some of Shakespeare's most distinguished characters, which the author of these imperfect essays has had occasion to remark, since they were first offered to an indulgent public, are sufficient to satisfy him, that such disquisitions may not only be amusing, but have a direct tendency to establish, on a solid foundation, the principles of sound criticism. Any thing further on this subject would be superfluous. Those who have a true relish for genuine and agreeable imitations of human nature, and whose judgments are not misled by prejudice, even though they should receive immediate enjoyment from the delineations they contemplate, and be instantaneously inclined to pronounce them just, will receive additional satisfaction, if, by the dispassionate award of reason, their feelings are justified, and their prepossessions confirmed.

APPENDIX.

A LETTER

FROM MR. BURKE TO THE AUTHOR.

SIR, I should be extremely concerned if you were to judge of the value which I set on the honour you have done me, by the lateness of my acknowledgment. I may be suspected of procrastination and negligence by those who know me, but never I trust of ingratitude. But neither the failing which I acknowledge, nor the vice which I abhor, was among the causes of my delay in answering your most obliging letter, and thanking you for your most acceptable present. My little occupations, which redoubled on me towards the close of the session, and my little private concerns, which I neglect during the time of parliamentary business, have not permitted me, until within these

few days, to go through your two volumes, although their bulk and value are so very different. I have now read both with much

pleasure and instruction. The poetry is graceful and affecting, and of a very happy turn. I could indeed wish that you had chosen to write in rhyme, as I doubt whether any poetry, except the dramatical, appears in its best form in blank verse; particularly in the lesser and lighter kinds. But in this however I shall not be very positive, as I know that I differ from the practice of great poets, and the decision of great judges.

You are certainly in the right, that the study of poetry is the study of human nature; and as this is the first object of philosophy, poetry will always rank first among human compositions. In that study you cannot have chosen a fitter object than Shakespeare. Your tracing that progress of corruption, by which the virtues of the mind are made to contribute to the completion of its depravity, is refined and deep; and tho' there are several ingenious moral criticisms on Macbeth, this seems to me quite new. In your examination of Hamlet, you have