than a drama ; rather a succession of just sentiments in elegant language, than a representation of natural affections. . . . Nothing here " excites or assuages emotion." . . . The events are expected without solicitude, and are remembered without joy or sorrow. Of the agents we have no care ; we consider not what they are doing, or what they are suffering ; we wish only to know what they have to say. ... It is unaffecting elegance, and chill philo sophy V The following speech, in the mouth of a Turk, who is supposed to have heard of the British constitution, has been often selected from the numberless beauties with which IRENE abounds :
' If there be any land, as fame reports,
Where common laws restrain the prince and subject;
A happy land, where circulating pow'r
Flows through each member of th' embodied state ;
Sure, not unconscious of the mighty blessing,
Her grateful sons shine bright with ev'ry virtue;
Untainted with the LUST OF INNOVATION 2 ;
Sure all unite to hold her league of rule
Unbroken as the sacred chain of nature,
That links the jarring elements in peace 3 .'
These are British sentiments. Above forty years ago they found an echo in the breast of applauding audiences, and to this hour they are the voice of the people, in defiance of the meta physics and the new lights of certain politicians, who would gladly find their private advantage in the disasters of their country 4 ; a race of men, quibus nulla ex honesto spes.
The Prologue to Irene is written with elegance, and, in a peculiar strain, shews the literary pride and lofty spirit of the author 5 . The Epilogue, we are told in a late publication, was written by Sir William Young. This is a new discovery, but
' Works, vii. 456. 4 Perhaps Priestley is one of these
Cato is a fine dialogue on liberty politicians. See Life, iv. 238, n. I and the love of one's country.' War- for Boswell's attack on his doctrine ton's Essay on Pope, ed. 1762, i. of Philosophical Necessity The
metaphysics and the new lights may
" For ' the fury of innovation ' from be a reference to Hudibras and his which ' Tyburn itself is not safe' see squire Ralph. ante, p. 349, n. 4. * Li f e > ' I 9 6 '
3 Irene. Act i. sc. 2.
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