th an
exactness uncommon to the liberties of his writing; tho' that was what, I
suppose, he valu'd himself least upon, since his excellencies were all of
another kind. I am very sensible that he do's, in this play, depart too
much from that likeness to truth which ought to be observ'd in these sort
of writings; yet he do's it so very finely, that one is easily drawn in to
have more faith for his sake, than reason does well allow of. His Magick
has something in it very solemn and very poetical: And that extravagant
character of _Caliban_ is mighty well sustain'd, shews a wonderful
invention in the Author, who could strike out such a particular wild
image, and is certainly one of the finest and most uncommon Grotesques
that was ever seen. The observation, which I have been inform'd(36) three
very great men concurr'd in making upon this part, was extremely just:
_That_ Shakespear _had not only found out a new Character in his_ Caliban,
_but had also devis'd and adapted a new manner of Language for that
Character_. Among the particular beauties of this piece, I think one may
be allow'd to point out the tale of _Prospero_ in the first Act; his
speech to _Ferdinand_ in the fourth, upon the breaking up the masque of
_Juno_ and _Ceres_; and that in the fifth, when he dissolves his charms,
and resolves to break his magick rod. This Play has been alter'd by Sir
_William D'Avenant_ and Mr. _Dryden_; and tho' I won't arraign the
judgment of those two great men, yet I think I may be allow'd to say, that
there are some things left out by them, that might, and even ought to have
been kept in. Mr. _Dryden_ was an admirer of our Author, and, indeed, he
owed him a great deal, as those who have read them both may very easily
observe. And, I think, in justice to 'em both, I should not on this
occasion omit what Mr. _Dryden_ has said of him.

_Shakespear_, who, taught by none, did first impart
To _Fletcher_ Wit, to lab'ring _Johnson_ Art:
He, monarch-like, gave those his subjects Law,
And is that Nature which they paint and draw.
_Fletcher_ reach'd that which on his heights did grow,
Whilst _Johnson_ crept and gather'd all below:
This did his Love, and this his Mirth digest,
One imitates him most, the other best.
If they have since out-writ all other men,
'Tis with the drops which fell from _Shakespear_'s pen.
The(37) Storm which vanish'd on the neighb'ring shoar,
Was taught by _Shakespear