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before us. We may compassionate the unhappy man, who beholding the distress of his mother, his wife, or his child, is impelled, like Frederick*, in a moment of desperation, to commit a robbery. But let us beware how we venture to approve it ; much more how we hold up the deed to

*In a circumstance of this kind Shakspeare has acted with his usual propriety and delicacy. I refer to the scene where ISABELLA is soliciting ANGELO, in favor of her brother, condemned to die for breach of chastity.'

"ISAB. There is a vice, that I do most abhor, "And most desire to meet the blow of justice; "For which I would not plead, but that I must; "For which I would not plead, but that I am "At war, 'twixt will and will not."

She offers no approval, nor even palliation, of her brother's offence, but suggests to the judge the consequences of human frailty.

"If he had been as you, and you as he,

"You would have slipt like him; but he, like you, "Would not have been so stern."

She then reminds Angelo.of our hopes of mercy from Heaven.

Why, all the souls that were, were forfeit once; "And He that might the vantage best have took, "Found out the remedy: How would you be, "If He which is the top of judgment, should

admiration, as the crime of Frederick is offensively offered to public view, in this dramatic composition. If the precedent be once admitted, the consequences, not merely of misfortune, but of dissipation and idleness, will for ever supply a pretext, for infringing the laws of civilized society, and for invading the peace and security of individuals.

To give another example from this play. We may weep over the unfortunate woman, who, like the mother of Frederick, betrayed by passion and vanity,

"But judge you, as you are? Oh think on that, "And mercy then will breathe within your lips, "Like man new made."

She concludes by an appeal to his conscience, in favor of her brother.

"Go to your bosom ;

"Knock there; and ask your heart, what it doth

know

"That's like my brother's fault: if it confess

"A natural guiltiness, such as is his,

"Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue,

Against my brother's life."

But in all this there is not a word of palliation, Her disapprobation of what her brother has done, is expressed clearly and distinctly in every part.

and unmindful of her duty to her benefactress, falls a sacrifice to criminal solicitation; and seeking for pleasure, wealth, and rank, finds misery, poverty, and contempt. But, unless we would increase beyond all endurance, the number of such wretched victims, we must not adorn them with the fascinating ornaments of mind and body,-we must not render them amiable and interesting, and attempt to place them in the Temple of Honour. The shrine would be profaned. Give them your tears, your pity, your protection: strive by every act of kindness and mercy, to recal them to the paths of peace and virtue. But do not honour and exalt them do not : propose them for example and imitation. Direct your praise, your respect, your admiration, to a more pure and meritorious object.

THE reserve, the restraint, and the diffidence of the female sex, are the brightest, and most irresistible ornaments and attractions of a young and beautiful

woman. The wealth of the Indies cannot supply a substitute for them. Mrs. Inchbald, in her Preface, tells us that she has divested AMELIA's love of "the indeli"cate bluntness and abruptness" which marks the original character of Kotzebue; and that she has changed "the forward "and unequivocal terms," in which she declares her passion, into something more corresponding with English manners. She has done much, and with talent. But still, I trust, the model is not so improved, nor its points so smoothed and polished, as ever to make it acceptable to female delicacy in England.

THOSE who wish to know how much Mrs. Inchbald has done, in removing and softening the native indelicacy of the German play, have only to peruse the translation of Kotzebue's original," THE "CHILD OF LOVE," from whence is taken our English comedy of Lovers' Vows. The fair translator (I should have thought that this coarse work would have been more adapted to rough and male hands) Hh

VOL. II.

but the fair translator informs the public, that "some interesting scenes, and exqui

site touches, have been omitted on the "English stage;” and pathetically laments, that we have not been favored with translations of more of these admirable productions. Upon perusal, however, of the translation, I trust the reader will not join in the same regret. The principles are liable to equal objection in both instances; but the detail and the language are infinitely more offensive in the translation. The frequent and unprovoked profanation of the name of the Deity, by making it the expletive of every idle exclamation, is gross and abominable. The language of the Baron's daughter, and her declaration of her passion, are coarse and indelicate; and the character of Frederick, the HERO of the piece, is in a high degree criminal and unjustifiable. In the first scene of the second act, he exclaims, "I will beg; and if they will

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not give me, I will rob." He accordingly begs, and receives alms of five persons; but not satisfied with the amount of what