gly discovers his success in deceiving her,
is shocking; had she left him abruptly, with a wildness of horror,
that might have thrown him under the necessity of seeking an
explanation from Castalio, the scene would have ended better, would
have kept the audience more in suspence, and been an improvement of
the consequential scene between the brothers; but this remark is
submitted to superior judges.

Venice Preferred is still a greater proof of his influence over our
passions, and the faculty of mingling good and bad characters, and
involving their fortunes, seems to be the distinguished excellence of
this writer. He very well knew that nothing but distressed virtue can
strongly touch us with pity, and therefore, in this play, that we may
have a greater regard for the conspirators, he makes Pierre talk of
redressing wrongs, and repeat all the common place of male contents.

To see the sufferings of my fellow-creatures,
And own myself a man: to see our senators
Cheat the deluded people with a shew
Of Liberty, which yet they ne'er must taste of!
They say by them our hands are free from fetters,
Yet whom they please they lay in basest bonds;
Bring whom they please to infamy and sorrow;
Drive us like wrecks down the rough tide of power
Whilst no hold's left, to save us from destruction:
All that bear this are villains, and I one,
Not to rouse up at the great call of nature,
And check the growth of these domestic spoilers,
Who make us slaves, and tell us 'tis our charter.

Jaffier's wants and distresses, make him prone enough to any desperate
resolution, yet says he in the language of genuine tenderness,

But when I think what Belvidera feels,
The bitterness her tender spirit tastes of,
I own myself a coward: bear my weakness,
If throwing thus my arms about thy neck,
I play the boy, and blubber in thy bosom.

Jaffier's expostulation afterwards, is the picture of all who are
partial to their own merit, and generally think a relish of the
advantages of life is pretence enough to enjoy them.

Tell me, why good Heaven
Thou mad'st me what I am, with all the spirit,
Aspiring thoughts, and elegant desires
That fill the happiest man? ah rather why
Didst thou not form me, sordid as my fate,
Base minded, dull, and fit to carry burdens.

How dreadful is Jaffier's soliloquy, after he is engaged in the
conspiracy.

I'm here; and thus the shades of night surround me,
I l