ORIGINAL PAPERS... FOR THE EMERALD. THE WANDERER, rule, in too general a sense, or rather that they themselves conceive it to be limited by certain bounds, which they undertake to prescribe. This is merely assailing the fortress of Shakespeare's authority, with weapons authorised merely by their own. tend to know; but it seems clear, that Shakespeare had an equal right to compose in conformity to his judgement as they have to criticise on the authority of theirs. Some opposers of the great poet, without other arguments, and while they admit the proposition "folTHAT dispute in dramatic com-low nature," to be just, and that the position which has engaged the union of the two opposite branches attention of the greatest number of of the drama, is the nearest resemcontrovertists, is concerning the blance of nature, resort to the idea, propriety of mingling tragedy and that Shakespeare understood the comedy in one play. Shakespeare and Otway of all the English poets must be subject to the greatest censure on this account, should the practice be found to deserve it. The one mingled opposite scenes in the same piece; and the other not only did that; but employed serious and lively personages in It is asserted by Mr. Wm. Richthe same scene. Unrestrained by ardson, that by the mingled drama any laws of writing, Shakespeare the mind is pained by the succesfollowed the bent of his genius, sion of opposite feelings, even wherever it prompted him to reve. though they may be really agreeIt led him into many faults, and the able, because of the distraction it admixture of the tragic and comic produces; and that the feelings in the same composition has been themselves cannot accomplish their charged as the most glaring. Ot- full effect; for the attention being way governed by the authority of equally divided by both, the pleahis master, graduated his taste up- sure which either would yield, is on the same scale; and they both of consequence imperfect. But have been coupled as conspicuous this is surely not true. The mind examples of this defect, and as is susceptible of many sensations at marks for the arrows of criticism. once, or in great rapidity of succesBy what other rules than the sion; in common life we observe assumptions of their own opinions it, and daily occurrences which in critics pretend to judge of the in-general produce feelings intirely consistency of the taste of Shakes- different from each other, are impeare,, the Wanderer does not pre-pressed on us with sufficient force, VOL. 1. I whether their continuance be often tinue to please; "they are natural and therefore durable." It is not by disguising human nature, by concealing foibles and meannesses and magnifying virtues that any advantage is obtained for society, or any moral effect produced. Yet almost every modern tragedy is filled with characters, thus extravagantly pourtrayed. Men viewing the world in such a light, contemplate it through a false medium, which they never can have an op or seldom interrupted, and whether they have affinity to beauty or de.formity, to melancholy or mirth. Those single compositions which have been most deservedly celebrated, are often only repetitions of various passions which by turns are made to influence the mind. The ode on St. Cecilia's day by Mr. Dryden, and that on the Passions by Mr. Collins, afford repeated satisfaction, and though the transition from one feeling to another is sud-portunity to realise. With the charden and momentary, we are sensible of each as it arises. care of the gods, to whom they are allied. Some modern writers, sensible of the advantages attending the mingled drama, have copied the example of their great original, in this respect. The Mountaineers, Castle-Spectre, and Speed the Plough are instances, from a great number of dramas, formed on this idea, and their constant repetition every season with renewed success, establish acters in Shakespeare on the contrary, you feel acquainted, and enMr. Richardson is of opinion that ter warmly into all their sufferings; such ideas and sentiments only as with them you are filled with rage are serious should be introduced or despair, with terror or amazeinto tragedy, because they alone are ment; but leave the suffering perconsistent with it, and from the fit-sonages of refined tragedy to the ness of things must afford superior pleasure. But as this decision is founded on the presumed truth of the foregoing principles, a doubt may be admitted as to the correctness of in Besides, it appears evident from experience, that all plays which have the comic excluded from them, do not meet with the greatest approbation. How many exclusively tragic performances have sunk into utter neglect; and probably from this reason, that sees the strength of their foundation. rious impressions are not absolutely If criticism in its dogmas has congenial to the mind, and gloomi- taken doctrines for granted which ness often repeated soon fatigues it. are not tenable, "there is always In Jane Shore and King Lear, the an appeal from criticism to nature;" story is too distressing long to and judging from reason, propriety please; the nerve of sensibility and effect of things, it is evident, would be found too tender, to bear the mingling of comic and tragic its impression more than twice. scenes in the same composition, Whereas in the mingled drama, may without impropriety be allowthe mind being constantly exerted ed. In thus defending Shakesand urged in various directions, is peare and Otway from the cannons not easily fatigued; but as it is of angry assaillants, it is not predrawn from one sensation to a-tended that the grossness or vulnother, derives new pleasure from garity of either can be justified. every transision. Hence the plays They are blemishes; they disgust of Shakespeare, have been so long in real life, and though dramatic pleasing, and they ever will con-poetry should show nature as it is; yet its chief design is to please while it instructs. There are, at present contend. Those ladies, who are ever the god- It is in writing as in acting, the performance should "hold the mirror up to nature," and exhibit to the age its form and pressure." Shakespeare had this end in view, and his works show "the real state of sublunary things, which partake of good and evil, joy and sorrow, mingled with endless variety of proportion and innumerable modes of combination; and expressing the course of the world, in which the loss of one is the gain of another; in which at the same time many mischiefs and many benefits are done and hindered without design." It is apparent, that such a system will form the most pleasing mode of instruction, in range of the dra-expressive of the futility of her ma; by producing the catastrophe out of the mingled purposes of opposing agents, and conduct of contradictory characters; by uniting the advantages to be obtained from both comedy and tragedy; and obliging the mean and the noble to contribute to the result by unsuspected combination. In short by this mode of writing, the pleasure of variety is so much increased; the chances for instruction occur so Being in company with LESBIA, much more frequently; and the dra- with my friend Amator, he seemed mas themselves, are so much near-suddenly smitten, and desired to be er a resemblance to life, that per-introduced to her. AMATOR is a haps it would be useless to offer an youth, given more to sentiment than additional consideration, to produce gallantry; and had rather find a stronger motives for preference. good heart, and real sense in a woman, than the most shining beauty, or elegant negligence. For the Emerald. BEAUTY WITHOUT MERIT. mind, and by adding a brighter tint It not on I complied with Amator's request, and left him tete a tete with the lady......Meeting with my friend soon after, and guessing his disapTHAT Women have more tongue pointment, I requested him to give than brains, is what some men, who me without reserve, his opinion of have as much satire as judgment, Lesbia. "These lines," says he, have endeavoured to prove. How will inform you in a much shorter far they have succeeded, I shall not compass than I am able." fair! "When Lesbia first I saw-the heavenly As bold as his who snatch'd celestial fire. -And what her eyes enthrall'd, her tongue I shall not endeavour to gain the esteem of my fair readers or make them in love with my writings, by flattery; the insinuating method of a prating beau, or a camelion-like coxcomb; but like a true friend (whom few ladies, I believe, ever find but in a husband,) I shall acquaint them of their little foibles and weaknesses, wherever I find them. They are the avenues for detraction and adulation; those turbid streams which imbitter life. It MYRANDA was handsome; an hundred beaux had told her so an hundred times, and her looking glass convinced her of the truth. Her features were indeed beautiful, and her person captivating; but her actions were accompanied with that conceited, supercilious air, which conscious beauty never fails to assume. Pride and vanity were her predominant foibles. is natural to suppose that a lady of this description would make a sudden impression upon the hearts of all who were susceptible of exterior charms. Very true, but the first impression was the only one. She wounded at the first glance; but not having the good sense to hold what her eyes had caught, the wound was soon healed, and the conquest lost. ALONZO, a gentleman from the southward, saw her at the ball room. He danced with her; and it is supposed he lost his heart at that time; as he was carrying down the "Innocent Maid” with MYRANDA. ALONZO, had an independent fortune, and sprung from a great family. Here he exceeded our heroine. But love is blind, and Alonzo was just about tumbling into the gulf of matrimony; when, being bantered about his intended wedding with Myranda, it was observed in the company, that "it was advisuble not to be precipitate in matri To return. Beauty, though often the cause of love, is but a weak foundation for the support of it; for unless the beauties of the mind are united with the beauties of the person; unless merit is blended with external attractions, the love raised upon the latter will last no longer than the frail basis upon which it is founded. That woman must be weak, who places her whole .confidence in mere exterior; the graces of her person and the bat-monial affairs, for many had been tery of her eyes; while she is inattentive to the elegance of her sentiment, and the refinement of her intellectual powers. Tho' the former may attract the attention, it is the latter alone that can secure the heart. As narrative is more pleasing than sentiment, and striking ex-ble extravagancies, quite unbecom amples more convincing than dry ing Myranda. Though not less precept, I shall relate an anecdote frequent in his assiduities he knew of a young lady, which I think will by degrees more of her real charac sufficiently evince the truth of the ter. Matters began to draw near preceding observations. crisis; and in a few weeks Myran ruined by a too hasty connexion.” Whether this was only an incidental remark, or an intended hint, Alonzo was unable to discover; but he wisely resolved to turn it to his advantage. He had already observed several malapert airs and innumera will ever attract the notice; MARIT always interest our affection; but beauty and merit united, must be the perfection of human nature, and an epitome of divinity. CASTIGATOR. For the Emerald. Some account of Doctor Gall's system of Craniology, condensed from the Monthly Magazine. da thought herself sure of our hero's unalterable affections. Pleasing was the idea! The attention, the deference of Alonzo, were a convincing argument, that her conquest was certain. She wished for the triumph; to sport with the heart of her beau, before she was bound to obey him forever. I shall not trouble the reader, with the many little causes, that united themselves to part the lovers. Suffice it to say, that Myranda, in one fatal moment THE system of Craniology or lost the heart and love of Alonzo. doctrine of the brain by Doctor By her own folly convinced, and by Gall, a native of Suabia, has found experience grown wiser, she has numerous supporters in Germany determined to pay a due regard to and Prussia; and although the the improvement of her mind, which former government forbid him to has been too much neglected for the continue his lectures on the subject, adornment of her exterior. The high at the intimations of some fanatical opinion she entertained of herself, priests, yet his private pupils, by she is also convinced, was the result their publications soon spread the of her own pride, vanity, and atten- fame of his doctrine. In the bction to adulation rather than to sin-ginning of last spring, 1805, the cerity. As to Alonzo, he has been Doctor set out for Berlin; where he heard to declare, that if Myran- visited the houses of correction and da were to turn out a modern Xan-prisons in that place and Spandau, tippe, (as inall probability she would, and gave the most convincing proofs to judge from her present temper,) of his ability to discover such malehe had not the philosophy of Socra- factors, as were among the prisontes to withstand her. Thus end the ers. From Berlin he went to Dresloves of Alonzo and Myranda. den, where his lectures met with I must here acquaint Miss Talk- general approbation. On leaving ative, that, notwithstanding her fine that capital, he proceeded to Toreyes and personal attractions, the gau, on the borders of the Elbe, insipidity of her conversation, and whither the culprits of all Saxony ber vain repetitions are always dis- are taken in order to be put into a gusting. There is a kind of chit-work-house. On this journey the that or small talk, which forms the Doctor was accompanied by several common topics of common conver-learned gentlemen; and Mr. Botsation; this is what we often look tiger who was one of them has pubfor in ladies; and for my part Ilished Doctor Gall's observations. would not wish to hear any of them The following remarks are taken disputing about logic, astronomy, from the work. mathematics, or the arts of war. Orders were given to the stewBut I would have them strive to ac-ards of the bridewells in Saxony, quire that virtue and merit, which will charm mankind when beauty is faded; for beauty alone "palls upon the sense" unless understanding and good nature maintain it. BEAUTY to admit Doctor Gall for the puipose of examining the culprits; but he not being able to visit them. all contented himself with going to Torgau; where he made his obser |