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of it for well bred conversation. Farquhar is a light and gay writer; less correct and less brilliant than Congreve; but he has more ease, and much of the vis comica. Like Congreve he is licentious; and modesty must turn from them both with abhorrence. The French boast with justice of the superior decency of their stage, and speak of the English theatre with astonishment. Their philosophical writers ascribe the profligate manners of London to the indelicacy and corruption of English comedy.

Of late years a sensible reformation has taken place in English comedy. Onr writers of comedy now appear ashamed of the indecency of their predecessors. They may be inferior to Farquhar and Congreve in spirit, ease, and wit; but they have the merit of being far more innocent and moral.

To the French stage we are much indebted for this reformation. The introduction within a few years of a graver comedy in France, called the serious or tender comedy, has attracted the attention and approbation of our writers. Gaiety and ridicule are not excluded from this species of comedy; but it lays the chief stress on tender and interesting situations. It is sentimental, and touches the heart. It pleases not so much by the laughter it excites, as by the tears of affection and joy which it draws forth.

This form of comedy was opposed in France, as an unjustifiable innovation. It was objected by critics that it was not founded on laughter and

ridicule; but it is not necessary that all comedies be formed on one precise model. Some may be gay; some serious; and some may partake of both qualities. Serious and tender comedy has no right to exclude gaiety and ridicule from the stage. There are materials for both; and the stage is richer for the innovation. In general, it may be considered as a mark of increasing politeness and refinement, when those theatrical exhibitions become fashionable, which are free from indelicate sentiment and an immoral tendency.

QUESTIONS

ADAPTED TO

BRAIR's RHETORIC ABRIDGED.

BY

An Experienced Teacher of Youth.

FOR THE USE OF

SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES.

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT ;

DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE.

BE it remembered, that on the fourth day of June, A. D. 1814, and in the thirty-eighth year of the independence of the United States of America, Cushing and Appleton, of the said district, have deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as proprietors, in the words following, to wit:

"Questions adapted to Blair's Rhetoric Abridged. By an experienced Teacher of Youth. For the use of Schools and Academies."

In conformity to the act of the congress of the United States of America, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned," and also to an Act, entitled "An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled, An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

6

WILLIAM S. SHAW,

Clerk of the District of Massachusetts.

QUESTIONS.

WHAT is taste?

Taste.

Is it a faculty common to all?

How are the rudiments of taste discoverable in children?

In what is it discoverable among savages?
From this what may we infer?

Is taste possessed in the same degree by all men?

To what is the inequality of taste among mankind to be ascribed?

What tends to convince us that taste is an improvable faculty

Of what is a completely good taste compounded? How can we be satisfied of this?

Upon what is the pleasure we receive from such imitation founded?

How do we judge whether they be properly executed?

From what does a great part of our pleasure arise in reading the Eneid of Virgil? To what is the discovery owing?

What are the constituents of taste?
To what does delicacy of taste refer?
What does it imply?

What does correctness of taste respect?
Is taste an arbitrary principle?

Upon what is it built?

Can we prove this to be the case?

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