lets on her snowy neck!
Is it red--what so red as gold?--Youth warms my heart and later age I
love; this pleases by its form, that by its conduct.--Is she a slut--how
saving!--Is she delicate--how delightful!--Is she my wife--I _must_ love
her--Is she my friend's--how can I help it!--The fatter, the warmer; the
thinner, she is less subject, _perhaps_, to the frailty of the
_flesh_.--Is she lame--how domestic!--Is she deaf--'tis well.--Is she
blind--'tis better.--Is she dumb--O, 'tis too much!

* * * * *

_Humorous Epilogues after Tragedies._

The custom of introducing humorous epilogue, farce, and buffoonery,
after the mind has been agitated, softened, or sublimed by tragic
scenes, has been often objected to.

It hath been said in its favour, that five long acts is a portion of
time sufficiently long to keep the attention fixed on melancholy
objects; that human life has enough of real, without calling in the aid
of artificial distress; that it is cruel to send home an audience with
all the affecting impressions of a deep tragedy in their minds.

In reply, it has been observed, that it is degrading and untrue to
describe the human species as incapable of receiving gratification only
from comic scenes; that "_there is a luxury in wo_," independent of its
purifying the bosom and suppressing the more ignoble passions.

The supporters of this opinion have also added, that there is a species
of depravity in endeavouring by ludicrous mummery to efface the salutary
effects of pathetic, virtuous, and vigorous sentiments; that it is
sporting with the sympathies of our nature, repugnant to correct taste,
and counteracting moral utility.

This violation of the law of gentle and gradual contrasts, has been felt
and complained of by most frequenters of a modern theatre, and
well-authenticated instances have been produced of guilty men retiring
from a well-written and well-acted play to repentance and melioration.

An epilogue has been composed by Mr. Sheridan in support of these
opinions, superior in pathos, poetry and practical deduction, to any I
ever read. It was originally spoken by Mrs. Yates, after the performance
of Semiramis, a tragedy translated from the French.

Dishevell'd still, like Asia's bleeding queen,
Shall I, with jests deride the tragic scene?
No, beauteous mourners! from whose downcast eyes
The Muse has drawn her noblest sacrifice;
Whose gentle bosoms,