Romeo and Juliet. merit; and we recollect some tolerable endeavours of Mr. SHERIDAN for that purpose but Mr. GARRICK appearing our author's most capable friend, we shall stick to what he has enriched the stage, and obliged the public with. Notwithstanding a quarrel among domesticks, in consequence of animosities which prevail in the several families they are employed by, is highly natural, wecan by no means countenance even that small part of the ludicrous scene with which the play now begins; nothing can be expressed in more characteristic terms; but we think it an ungracious commencement, nay unnecessary; for the enmity of the Capulets is fufficiently made known, without such mobbish scuffling; wherefore, we cannot but be of opinion, that the neceffity of fome strolling companies, which for want of number obliges them to cry, " down with the Capulets, &c." behind the fcenes, forces them to an amendment-Benvolio and Montague should certainly appear first, and their short scene, which contains many beauties, would be a delicate opening, indeed what precedes is a farcical prelude to grave events, not unlike a merry andrew skipping before a funeral. Romeo's abstracted disposition of mind is prettily introduced through Montague's affectionate concern, and Benvolio's friendly feelings, which appear so amply verified in the course of the play, not only recommend himself but the persons spoken of to favour; Capulet and Paris are only introduced to shew that the latter is encouraged as a suitor 2 ر Romeo and Juliet. a fuitor to Juliet, consequently their brief interview offers nothing worth a particular remark. Mercutio, that peculiar offspring of spirited imagination, even at his entrance strikes out the path of whim; Romeo's entrance and the questions ocсаsioned by it, show much natural ease; the breaks in that speech where he asks about the fray, and mentions his love are masterly; but we apprehend his coming to the subject thus at once, is no way consistent with that impenetrable secrecy charged against him in a former scene: indeed concealing it from his father is not surprizing; but after avoiding Benvolio when single, to communicate the point immediately before another person, and fuch an humourist too; from whom he can expect little but ridicule, rather o'ersteps, as we suppose, the bounds of natural propriety. A touch of fuperftitious weakness we find thrown into Romeo's character in the mention of a dream, but as it introduces so beautiful a description of the queen of dreams, her equipage and various influence upon various characters, we must rather be pleased than offended: transcribing Mercutio's whole speech would infringe too much on our resolution of very limited quotation, and yet we scarce know how to decline it; examining the proportions however is not dispensible, for though we may admire general beauty, it would be wrong to pass unnoticed what appear to us particular lapfes. Poetry in her descriptions should not only delight the imagination but if requisite should bear optical examination Romeo and Juliet. examination upon canvass; now let us view Queen Mab, she is described as being the size of an agatstone which, as it is for the fore finger of an alderman cannot be supposed very minute; indeed her chariot, the shell of a hazlenut, confirms this Idea; yet she, her waggoner, waggon and chariot by the by are strangely confounded, the vehicle and all are drawn by a team of little atomies; whose number by the word team is limited to fix or eight; though five hundred of these same atomies, ottomites I have heard them called-would not make up her majefty's consistence alone-the traces of small spider's web may do well enough; but how it happens that the collars, which in harness are the most substantial part, should be reduced to watry moonshine beams, we cannot fay-this may be deemed word catching, but if we confider that fancy in her most whimsical flights, may without fear of limitation take judgment to her aid, it follows that any deviation however flight, however furrounded with beauties, should be pointed out, and for that reason only the above hints have been suggested: as to Mab's operation upon the parfon, lovers &c. nothing can be more humourous or fenfible, affording the best original for dreams; thofe thoughts and wishes which most impress our waking imaginations-before I pass from this celebrated fpeech I cannot avoid mentioning an extraordinary circumstance which plainly tends to shew that men of very found understanding often do very weak things. Mr. SHERIDAN when he did, or attempted to do Romeo, an undertaking he never should have difgraced Romeo and Juliet. graced himself with; some three or four and twenty years fince in Dublin, by an amazing stroke of injudicious monopoly annexed this whimsical picture to his own fighing, lovesick part; and what carries furprize still higher is, that he should do so when it was extremely difficult to say which shewed most absurdity, his taking the speech, or his pedantic manner of speaking it. Taking Romeo to Capulet's ball by way of diverting his imagination, and that proving the means to enflame his passions, are well designed incidents towards opening and carrying on the plot. Lady Capulet and Nurse appear next; however great a favourite the loquacious old dame may be with the majority of an audience; criticism and taste unite in the wish that no such perfonage had appeared-indelicacy is very natural to nurses, but why the reformer of this play should have retained swearing by her maidenhead we cannot think-Juliet's introduction has a degree of pleasing simplicity in it, and we apprehend a very agreeable useful scene might have been struck out between the mother and daughter on the subject of marriage; far preferable to Mrs. Nurse's trifling rhapsody of circumstantial nothingness; which though extremely natural, means nothing but to raise some laughs, which we deem highly disgraceful to the nature, bent and dignity of tragic compofitions; besides the old lady's hint of Juliet's falling backwards, is only fit for the ears of a parcel of goffips who have wished decency good night and locked the door upon her. Gregory's Romeo and Juliet. Gregory's familiar low comedy message which concludes the scene, is totally inconsistent with common English decorum, much more the pride and diftance of Italian quality; Nurse from her station may claim fome liberty, but such headlong behaviour from other servants is very cenfurable. Capulet in welcoming the guests to his masquerade speaks to the ladies of their corns in a manner which may be jocular yet it is not polite; but I suppofe having their faces covered is his apology; the little difpute about time between the old fellows is well suggested; Tibalt's fiery temper shews itself properly upon diftinguishing Romeo's voice; and he is restrained from violence upon very hospitable and just principles by Capulet who manifests commendable fpirit-Romeo's address to Juliet is modeftly affectionate, and her replies cordially delicate; however with refpect to the liking she takes, we muft fuppose love flies with lightning's swifteft wings into her breast; it rather indicates feelings of forward fufceptibility-it is judicious to separate the lovers after a short interchange of words, and Juliet's method of finding out who was her new favourite very proper. At the beginning of the second act Romeo presents himself in a state of amorous pensiveness, viewing the mansion of his mistress; and upon going off is fought for by his two friends, one of whom, Mercutio, in the flow of raillery throws out some expressions highly exceptionable; we heartily with he had conjured no further than the lady's foot and leg; |