well. I know that this appearance is fallacious, and have tried to instil that opinion into Mr. M. that he would do nothing without precise directions from Dr. Willis. We shall go to see her together on Monday next.
An advertisement of a Life of Dr. Johnson written by himself drew attention from the Dublin critics as a probable forgery. Malone, as an authority, was appealed to by two or three of the number; and he ascertained it to be that juvenile sketch which is now admitted to be authentic.
Dr. Kearney again enters upon Shakspearian criticism, deeming the Poet, the more he read him, to rise higher and higher in mind.
When I read him (Shakspeare), I think that I find many deep and philosophical maxims which, if they were prosaically expressed and incorporated in the writings of the severest masters of reason, even in Bacon, would appear to he the profoundest and best established observations. . . . . I do not mean remarks on manners, &c, which might he expected in the writings of a man engaged in the world, but such as might offer themselves to a studious, contemplative mind, absorbed in meditation on the subjects of science.[1]
- ↑ Among numberless others, perhaps the following passages may support my notion (edition 1793):—
“The sense of death,” Measure for Measure, act iii. scene 1, p. 271.
“Nature is better made,” Winter’s Tale, act iv. scene 3, p. 125.
“Oh, vanity of sickness,” &c., King John, act v. scene 7, p. 178.
“Before the curing,” &c., King John, act iii. scene 4, p. 113.
“All things that are,” Merchant of Venice, act ii. scene 6, p. 444.
“Each substance of a grief,” Richard II., act ii. scene 2, p. 247.
“For if our virtues,” &c., Measure for Measure, act i. scene 1, p. 185.
“Too subtle,” &c., Troilus and Cressida, act iii. scene 2, p. 321.
“The heavens themselves, Troilus and Cressida, act i. scene 3, p. 252.
“Who can hold,” &c., King Richard II., act ii. scene 3, p. 222.
“Reason not the need,” &c., Lear, act ii. scene 12, p. 134.
“Impediments in Fancy’s way,” All’s Well, act v. scene 3, p. 363.
Many more will present themselves to you.
