will now hazard a random, but, at the ſame Time, true Reflection, which is, that the great Merit of this Dramatic Poet has been the Ruin of the Engliſh Stage. There are ſuch beautiful, ſuch noble, ſuch dreadful Scenes in this Writer's monſtrous Farces, to which the Name of Tragedy is given, that they have always been exhibited with great Succeſs. Time, which only gives Reputation to Writers, at laſt makes their very Faults venerable. Moſt of the whimſical, gigantic Images of this Poet, have, thro' Length of Time (it being an hundred and fifty Years ſince they were firſt drawn) acquir'd a Right of paſſing for ſubllme. Moſt of the modern dramatic Writers have copied him; but the Touches and Deſcriptions which are applauded in Shakeſpear, are hiſs'd at in theſe Writers; and you'll eaſily believe that the Veneration in which this Author is held, increaſes in Proportion to the Contempt which is ſhown to the Moderns. Dramatic Writers don't conſider that they ſhould not
