Essays on the Stage eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 78 pages of information about Essays on the Stage.

Essays on the Stage eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 78 pages of information about Essays on the Stage.
indeed Sancho’s Poet, my self, must be corrected for it, tho the Phrase be Moral, and no more than an honest truth:  But come, since it must be so, let me ask the doctor why he does not shew me an example for this himself, and Practice better before he Accuses; for let the Reader look into his Desertion Discuss’d (for he shall find that I have trac’d him through all his Writings), and page the 3d you will find him, I think, somewhat more guilty of this fault than I have been, for there you’ll see he insolently affirms, That the Succession cannot be interrupted by an Act of Parliament, especially when the Royal Assent is given by a King de Facto_, and not de Jure. [Footnote:  Desertion Discuss’d, Anno 1688.] And again; tho this next is hinted covertly, with the meaning disguis’d, yet Sir William Temple in his Memoirs, page 295, and the aforesaid Vindicater of the Stage, as well as my self, have observed, that the Absolver in the first Volume of his Essays, page 120, in his Chapter of the A... tells us, Whether the honesty or dishonesty are discernable in the face, is a question which admits of dispute; King Charles_ the Second thought he could depend upon these Observations, but with submission, I believe an instance might be given, in which his Rules of Physiognomy fail’d_ [Footnote:  Essays, p.120.].  Now I’m sure the first is insolently plain, and the next shews enough to let us into his meaning; which granted, I think I may say, he ought to be less bold with his Superiors too, and not give himself the liberty to treat at this rate, not only a Solemn, but a Royal Character.  Well, the next is, I, (naming me) take care to tell ye, that Sancho is a dry shrewd Countryfellow in his Character, because he blunders out Proverbs upon all occasions, tho never so far from the purpose—­and merrily drolls upon me for making blundering and talking nothing to the purpose, an argument of shrewdness—­Why truly, I must confess to the Doctor, there is no great matter in that Argument, and not much whither there be or no—­But, as unperforming as I am, I fancy I shall find as great a Blunder in his performance presently—­ We ought to be just in our Looks, as well as in our Actions, says he in his Essays, for the mind may be declar’d one way no less than the other:  A man might as good break his Word as his Face, especially upon some Critical occasions [Footnote:  Essays p. 118.].  Now what he means by a mans breaking his Face there, unless he is to run his Nose against a Post, I can’t imagine; and therefore will set it down for a Blunder—­And so there’s Tit for Tat, and the Dice in my hand still.  But poor Sancho is horribly unfortunate agen, for by and by he catches him answering the Curate, who threatens him for calling him Finisher of Fornication, and Conjunction Copulative, with Excommunication, I care not if you do, says Sancho, I shall lose
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Essays on the Stage from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.