Slow Yet, as they may affect us in a fimilar manner, it is probable they have fome common qualities: And thofe we have endeavoured to fhow, confift in the manner by which they enter the mind. founds, gentle zephyrs and murmuring ftreams, are agreeable to the afflicted lover. And the dreary whistling of the midnight wind through the crevices of a darksome cloyster, cherisheth the melancholy of the trembling nun, and disposes her to a gloomy and auftere devotion. Thus, the defire of Jaques feems perfectly fuited to his character; for the mufic he requires is agreeable to his present temper. Blow, blow, thou winter wind, As man's ingratitude; Becaufe thou art not feen, Although thy breath be rude. A$ As benefits forgot: Though thou the waters warp, Thy fting is not so sharp As friend remember'd not. Thus we have endeavoured to illuftrate, how focial difpofitions, by being exceffive, and by fuffering painful repulfe, may ren der us unfocial and morofe; how Goodness wounds itself, And sweet affection proves the fpring of woe, If these reasonings have any foundation in nature, they lead us to fame conclusions that deferve attention. To judge.concerning the conduct of others, and to indulge obfervations on the inftability of human enjoyments, may affift us in the discipline of our own minds, and in correcting our pride and exceffive appetites. But to allow reflections of this kind to become habitual, and to prefide in our fouls, is to counteract the good intentions of nature. In order, therefore, to anticipate a difposition so very painful to ourselves, and fo dif difagreeable to others, we ought to learn, before we engage in the commerce of the world, what we may expect from fociety in general, and from every individual †. But if, previous to experience, we are unable to form juft judgments of ourfelves and others, we must beware of defpondency, and of opinions injurious to human nature. Let us ever remember, that all men have peculiar interefts to pursue; that every man ought to exert himself vigorously in his own employment; and that, if we are useful and blameless, we shall have the favour of our fellowcitizens. Let us love mankind; but let our affections be duly chaftened. Be independent, if poffible; but not a Stoic. + Bruyere, SECT. IV. ON THB CHARACTER OF IMOGEN, ROUDED theatres have ap plauded IMOGEN. There is a pleafing softness and delicacy in this agreeable character, that render it peculiarly interefting. Love is the ruling paffion; but it is love ratified by wedlock, gentle, conftant, and refined. The ftrength and peculiar features of a ruling paffion, and the power of other principles to influence its motions and mo derate derate its impetuofity, are principally manifeft, when it is rendered violent by fear, hope, grief, and other emotions of a like nature, excited by the concurrence of external circumstances. When love is the governing paffion, thefe concomitant and fecondary emotions are called forth by feparation, the apprehenfion of inconftancy, and the abfolute belief of difaffection. On feparation, they'difpofe us to forrow and regret: On the apprehenfion of inconftancy, they excite jealousy or solicitude: Añd · the certainty of difaffection begets defpondency. These three fituations fhall direct the order and arrangement of the following difcourfe. I. Cymbeline, inftigated against his daughter, by the infinuations of her malicious ftep-dame, and incenfed against Posthumus Leonatus, who was fecretly married to Imogen, banifhes him from hist court and kingdom. The lovers are over whelmed |