...its triumph in the work of Jane Austen. The Sentimental Comedy, as Goldsmith complained, in utilising 'a Pathetic Scene or two, with a sprinkling of tender melancholy Conversation through the whole', was claiming some of the affective ground hitherto only available to tragedy. But tragedy, according...

...or humor, into their mouths, give them mighty good hearts, very fine clothes, furnish a new set of scenes, make a pathetic scene or two with a sprinkling...the ladies will cry, and all the gentlemen applaud. Humor at present seems to be departing from the stage, and it will soon happen that our comic players...

...comic poet is invading the province of the tragic muse, he leaves her lovely sister quite neglected. ...Humour at present seems to be departing from the stage, and it will soon happen that our comic players will have nothing left for it but a fine coat and a song. It depends upon the audience whether...