A Sincere efteem for the Drama, ardent wishes for

the profperity of the Stage, admiration of the beauties, and concern for the defects, both in compofition and action, first dictated this work; which from many flattering inftances of approbation, has, we apprebend, been conducted with fome fhare of ability, upon commendable principles: wherefore, the fame plan will be pursued that we have hitherto adopted. Not one objection has been offered to our criticisms on the plays which have fallen under our notice; as to our ftrictures on the performers,we have been accufed by Some of too much lenity, by others, of too much severity; a few of the most inconfiderable objects mentioned, have taken great umbrage at the fuppofed injury done their imaginary merits; of their ignorant, illiberal refentment we have heard, with an equal mixture of pity and contempt; refolved neither through fear nor favour to abate the smallest particle of that critical prerogative we have affumed; however, the most abject, difcontented murderers of common fenfe in either house, may rail at the DRAMATIC CENSOR, fecure from any trace of refentment for fo doing, in this work, if as it is eagerly hoped fome of the deficiencies pointed out are reformed, the ultimate view of this and the former Volume will be fulfilled.

In the wide field of obfervation before us, feveral paffages and circumstances muft no doubt efcape, though equally deferving regard with several of those we note : however, we flatter ourselves, nothing material has

as

ADVERTISEMENT.

as yet flipped us, or will hereafter be omitted; and that a review of the work when compleated will prove, that intereft and malevolence, the two worst influences authors can write under, have been equally difiant both from our heads and hearts.

JULIUS

THE

DRAMATIC CENSOR.

I

JULIUS CESAR.

A TRAGEDY by SHAKESPEARE.

powerfully inculcating one of the nobleft principles that actuates the human mind, the love of national liberty, can stamp additional value upon works of genius, we may venture to pronounce the tragedy now before us, as to the subject of it, highly deferving of attention from an English audience; in refpect of the executive part, a review of the feveral scenes will, we hope, furnish a competent idea.'

At the commencement of this piece, the author introduces two Romans of character and public spirit reproving the mob with great energy for making holiday on Cæfar's account, in whofe ambition the freedom of their country had found a grave. The remonftrances of Marullus and FlaVOL. II.

B

vius

Julius Cafar. vius are pathetically perfuafive, and the mob reply with humorous, characteristic bluntnefs; however, we are not fond of fuch ludicrous matter in a tragedy, and wish the piece could have been faved from the intrufion of inadequate characters, without enervating several paffages, which as they stand at present discover peculiar force.

As Cæfar goes to the Course he is accosted by a Soothfayer, who warns him to beware of the Ides of March, this prediction, however, he treats with contempt, and paffes on to the games, leaving Brutus and Caffius on the stage; from the former's declining to join the public feftivity, his friend takes occasion to hint a gloominefs which feems to have hung for fome time on his difpofition; Brutus being fo touched, confeffes that paffions of fome difference cloud his mind; upon this foundation Caffius works with great fubtlety to feel the pulse of his political principles; a distant shout occafions Brutus to exprefs apprehenfion that the people are conferring royalty upon Cæfar, whom Caffius, in a long, fpirited, and picturefque fpeech endeavours to depreciate, by an unfavourable comparison with himfelf; however, there is more of oftentatious vanity than found argument in it for the strength of a very brave and good man might fail in fwimming, and his tongue, parched with feverish thirst, call for drink without any just imputation against his courage; the next fpeech of Caffius, where he accufes the Romans of enflaving themfelves, and compares Brutus with Cæfar, applies clofely to the point in view.

Brutus perceiving the drift of Caffius, replies with fenfible referve, but delivers one pofitive and

noble