nce effectual force, joined to becoming delicacy. In this arduous
effort Mr. Murphy has evinced the most exact judgment, and the nicest
execution.

If this tragedy has not the smooth flowing verse of Otway, Thomson, or
Rowe, it possesses, in energy and fire, charms more theatrical; nor does
the heroic so wholly engross every scene, but that it yields, at times,
to melting pathos.

Another praise due to this production is, that wonderful events take
place by the most natural agency. Incidents arise progressively from
each other, till the last great incident of all, fills every mind with
enthusiasm in the cause of virtue and justice--in the joy of an empire
made free by the overthrow of its tyrant.

* * * * *

It is hardly possible to read this tragedy of the "Grecian Daughter,"
without laughing as well as crying. Some passages excite tears, whilst
certain high-sounding sentences, with meaning insignificant, are
irresistibly risible.

The popular story, from which the fable of this tragedy is produced, and
the surprising event in the last scene--where a woman performs that
which a whole army has in vain attempted--together with the powerful
acting of Mrs. Barry in the part of Euphrasia, rendered this play
greatly attractive when it was first performed; and as those causes of
attraction still remain, or rather, an improvement is introduced by Mrs.
Siddons's appearance in the Grecian Daughter, the play is still of use
to the theatre.

The men's characters have been all sacrificed by the author to the
valour of the woman--he has made his female do the deed of a man, and
his best man perform the act of a child.

Though Evander ranks as the first male character in this play, no actor
likes to appear in the part. He would rather be inferior, and less
infirm.

As Mr. Murphy had much theatrical experience as well as taste, it is
astonishing that the personage most talked of, most praised, and by far
the most perfect character in the whole drama, should never make his
appearance!

Timoleon is a great warrior and a good man; and it seems wonderful how
the audience, on the first night of the play, would quit the theatre
without seeing him. Yet it was but modesty and respect in the author,
not to bring so magnanimous a hero on the scene, to speak bad poetry.

The great tragic dramatist, Otway, wrote miserable comedies: Let it be
no disgrace to Murphy that he has written an indifferent trage