well obſerv'd in this Play. The Engliſh Writer has corrected the only Defect that is in Moliere's Comedy, the Thinneſs of the Plot, which alſo is ſo diſpos'd that the Characters in it do not enough raiſe our Concern. The Engliſh Comedy affects us, and the Contrivance of the Plot is very ingenious, but at the ſame Time 'tis too bold for the French Manners. The Fable is this. A Captain of a Man of War, who is very brave, open-hearted, and enflam'd with a Spirit of Contempt for all Mankind, has a prudent, ſincere Friend whom he yet is ſuſpicious of, and a Miſtreſs that loves him with the utmoſt Exceſs of Paſſion. The Captain ſo far from returning her Love, will not even condeſcend to look upon her; but confides intirely in a falſe Friend, who is the moſt worthleſs Wretch living. At the ſame Time he has given his Heart to a Creature who is the greateſt Coquet, and the moſt perfidious of her Sex, and is ſo credulous as to be confident ſhe is a Penelope, and his falſe Friend a Cato.
