those had their day of celebrity, as our
Lewises, Reynoldses, &c. &c. have now, but their productions have long
since been buried in oblivion, and there is reason to believe that the
world has greater cause to rejoice at, than regret their loss.

FOOTNOTES:

[A] The writer of this remembers to have had a curious illustration of
this several years ago from Dr. Colley Lucas, then surgeon general for
the East India company's establishment at Madras. Lucas was the son of
the celebrated Irish patriot, Doctor Charles Lucas. When the parliament
voted Mr. Grattan L50,000 for doing what had been done before to his
hand by Lucas and Flood, Colley speaking of it said, with some
bitterness, "Ay, my father laid the egg--Flood hatched it, but Grattan
has run away with the chicken."

[B] This reminds us of Doctor Johnson's proud observation on Lord
Chesterfield, "his lordship may be a wit among peers, but he is only a
peer among wits."

[C] Thus translated by Francis,

Whate'er disputes of ancient poets rise, In some one excellence their
merit lies; What depth of learning old Pacuvius shows! With strong
sublime the page of Accius glows; Menander's comic robe Afranius wears,
Plautus as rapid in his plots appears, As Epicharmus; Terence charms
with art And grave Coecilius sinks into the heart. These are the plays
to which our people crowd, 'Till the throng'd playhouse crack with the
dull load. These are esteemed the glories of the stage From the first
drama to the present age.

[D] See last number page 351, 352.

BIOGRAPHY.

ACCOUNT OF LE KAIN.

_The celebrated French Actor._

Henry Louis Le Kain, born at Paris in 1729, of parents employed in the
trade of a goldsmith, was himself designed for that business, after
having received a careful education. He excelled, from his earliest
youth, in the manufacture of chirurgical instruments, and was already
known as a skilful artist in that way, when his inclination for the
stage caused him to neglect his profession, in order to declaim tragedy.
He sought for an opportunity of playing in public: he had the good
fortune to be introduced to M. de Voltaire, who had at that time, in the
street of _Traversiere_, a small theatre, where this great man loved to
make a trial of the pieces he had newly composed. The celebrated tragic
poet soon discovered in Le Kain the actor who seemed formed to feel and
express the sublime beauties of his performances. He gave him frequent
lessons;