Head-piece. THIS play will not afford many subjects for engravings. The masterly hand of Shakespeare appears not in many places of this chequered performance; and it is the opinion of his best commentators that it was not altogether the entire production of his pen There are however fome fcenes, and fome paffages, that grace him in the difgrace of death-and have bought him that honour which makes him an heir of all eternity. I would propofe as the Head-piece, an half-length figure of Coftard in p. 388, when saying:-Not a word of Coftard yet-and it may either be a copy of 'I'om Wefton's performance (if it can but faintly glimmer through the memory, or imperfect atteftation of a few furviving Spectators)— -or fuch a figure as will be moft defcriptive of this shallow vaffal. His features will be entirely different from what they are in p. 389, or 390; and he well deferves to be drawn in more than one look. There are other pages where he might appear to much advantage, as at p. 499 * or 509. And I would recommend this figure of Coftard to be inclosed in the very fame frame as is given in that beautiful Vignette to Bell's last edition to this play, with an exact fac-fimile of the infignia at the top. The artist who defigned this rich embellishment, may perhaps join in opinion that Armado may appear to equal advantage in page 472, and it is for this reafon only that I have prefumed to hint a mutilation of this Vignette print, and not give it entire as a Head-piece. I Scene Edwin, with O Lord Sir: would fet the house in a roar. Scene-Prints. The first scene I would choofe, is at page 389; The figures and dreffes of Longaville, and Dumain, may be taken from a very pleasing defign by Gravelot, in Theobald's edition; or the drefs in which Biron appears, in Bell's first edition, may perhaps be preferred: their characters will be seen in page 400. These three lords may be fignificantly looking at, and enjoying the fituation of Cofiard. The King's figure in this defign by Gravelot, is a very graceful one, and in that of Bell's first edition, he is fingularly interesting-though his foftened air of melancholy may more properly become him when he has seen her, whose glory through his grief is hewn. His drefs is extremely elegant; and in this scene, he will be in the attitude of reading the letter, and juft glancing his eye on Coftard. The two remaining characters are Anthony Dull, and Coftard. I know not what performer on the stage has exhibited Anthony Dull; or whether he has had the good luck to be reprefented by a comedian of merit; but a pencil of humour will strike out a constable worthy of the author's creation. He would appear to the most advantage in faying the words which are given him in this page of:-Me, an't pleafe you; I am Anthony Dull,— but he cannot be reprefented as immediately saying them-for in the propofed print he will be a mere looker on. As for Caftard, it were to be wished that no one would attempt to draw him, who has not beheld that unparalled fon of fimplicity, Tom Wefton. The original ftrokes of fimple nature which he could throw out, cannot be conceived by those who have not feen him. And to fuch only who have feen him, fhould be configned the execution of this part of the propofed print, In Bell's first edition, he is drawn as faying-I was taken with none Sir;-probably fome may think he would appear to equal advantage in saying-With a wenchor, I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge ;-but this can only be determined by his furviving admirers. Page Page 407.** A PLEASING print might be annexed to this page, of Boyet and Maria, (who is the beautiful emprefs of Longaville's love)—and the other ladies may be left out. Maria may be faying: My lips are no common. The character or appearance which Boyet fhould make, may be feen in that admirable description in page 490. A print in the ftyle of Guercino's Woman begging water, in the drawings published by Rogers, would have a pleafing effect. Page 447. THERE are two such exquifite lines in this page, and which breathe for much the language of nature, and of Shakespeare, that it were injustice to the poet to pass them over without fome design to accompany them: Do but behold the tears that swell in me, Such lines from the pencil of a Cypriani, would produce a drawing of exquifite delicacy. It might reprefent a half length of the King (in a fancy dress perhaps) with the influence of the paffion they express, imprinted on his features. 1 2 THE sprightly Biron, and his Rosaline, cannot well appear in page 403, as she is masked. Page Page 472. THIS page gives us a happy opportunity of reprefenting to much advantage, feveral of the characters. And we have one of these characters already drawn in a masterly manner, by the pencil of M. de Loutherbourg; for in the Vignette which I have before referred to, may be seen the true and lively portraiture of that Armado hight-and the only alterations it might be proper he should undergo for this prefent page, would be, to have his arms perhaps a kimbo (as having juft pronounced his boisterous oath) and cafting a fignificant glance at the poor enraptured Coftard, who is giving his small pittance (the best he has) to his pigeon-egg of difcretion. And this little fnip fnap youth is fo well drawn in the above Vignette, that he will admit of no improvement.-(I am fure the pofition of his toes will not)-unless indeed a very little more sharp archnefs were thrown into his face for this prefent page. Coftard can no where be drawn to more advantage than in this fcene; and the figures of Holofernes, Nathaniel, and Dull, cannot but enliven the group; and they deferve to be drawn with truth and nature. Tail-piece. Ir would form no unpleafing print for this department, were we to reprefent the King in -fome forlorn and naked hermitage, Remote from all the pleafutes of the world. Until the twelve celestial figns Have brought about their annual reckoning. |