proper, which Art might have corrected or lopped away; yet Genius, powerful Genius only, (wild Nature's vigour working at the root!) could have produced fuch strong and original beauties, and adapted both to the general temper and taste of the it appeared. age in which UPON UPON THE CIN NA OF CORNEIL L E. TH HOUGH itis an agreeable task, upon the whole, to attempt the vindication of an author's injured fame, the pleasure is much allayed, by its being attended with a neceffity to lay open the unfairness and errors, in the proceedings of his antagonist. To defend is pleasant, to accuse is painful; but we must prove the injuftice of the aggreffor's fentence, before we can demand to have it repealed. The editor of the late edition of Corneille's works, has given the following preface to the tragedy of Cinna: Having often heard Corneille and Shake fpear compared, I thought it proper to "' fhew |