The other is in the same play: Acasto addresses Chamont Fine speeches are the instruments of knaves, 'Απλές ο μύθος της αληθείας έφυ, Phænissa, v. 472-475. The occurrence of two resemblances so strong as the preceding in one piece, may justify a suspicion that the Greek tragedies were not wholly unexplored by Otway. Of the family of our author, (who was never married) there is scarcely any account. From Duke's Epistle we learn, that he had a cousin tben in orders; and Gildon states, that a near relation of Otway was, in 1698, a captain in the army. A translation of Count Turpin's “ Essay on the Art of War," was published in 1761, by Captain Joseph Otway; who was probably a descendant of some part of the family. Such is the history of a writer to whom we are indebted for the most elegant species of gratification; whose eccentricities and follies were too severely punished by neglect and misery. Great part of these evils (as it happens in most cases) we must, indeed, ascribe to Otway himself; who wanted fortitude to resist, or prudence to elude, the blandishments of dissipation; as well as skill to adapt himself to the various turns and vicissitudes of fortune. Those who live under the influence of an ardent imagination, are mostly prone to this infirmity; and, even in prosperity, forget that the greatest step towards ensuring a continuance of it's smiles, is a just and temperate use of the gifts it bestows. ALCIBIADES. THIS tragedy is certainly inferior to the rest of Otway's dramatic productions. Much, indeed, of the rigour of criticism must be abated in examining the first effort of an author, before he has been taught by experience the art of shaping, and adorning to the best advantage, the rude offspring of his genius. The infancy of Otway's powers gave no extraordinary promise. The sentiments in this play are, with few exceptions, common; and the language not remarkable for beauty or elegance. It's faults, however, may be admitted to proceed in a great measure from it's being written in rhyme: an absurd and unnatural custom, which, in young writers, cramps and fetters the mind, deceives the judgment, and leads them into tedious and puerile declamation. The story of Alcibiades is so well known, that little need be said respecting the plot of the tragedy. Otway has, however, rendered his hero a much more perfect, and probably on that account, a less interesting character than he appears in history. There is little to be adınired in king Agis, who is rather injudiciously inade to discover a passion for Timandra, and thereby lessen our abhorrence of the crimes of his queen, a woman of a furious temper, strong passions, and masculine re |