too unnatural, top cloſely copied from the Hebrew Writers, who abound ſo much with the Aſiatic Fuſtian, But then it muſt be alſo confeſs'd, that the Stilts of the figurative Style on which the Engliſh Tongue is lifted up, raiſes the Genius at the ſame Time very far aloft, tho' with an irregular Pace. The firſt Engliſh Writer who compos'd a regular Tragedy and infus'd a Spirit of Elegance thro' every Part of it, was the illuſtrious Mr. Addiſon. His Cato is a Maſter-piece both with regard to the Diction, and to the Beauty and Harmony of the Numbers. The Character of Cato is, in my Opinion, vaſtly ſuperiour to that of Cornelia in the Pompey of Corneille: For Cato is great without any Thing like Fuſtian, and Cornelia, who beſides is not a neceſſary Character, tends ſometimes to bombaſt. Mr. Addiſon's Cato appears to me the greateſt Character that was ever brought upon any Stage, but then the reſt of them don't correſpond to the Dignity of it: And this dramatic Piece ſo excellently
