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THE

BRITISH THEATRE;

OR,

A COLLECTION OF PLAYS,

WHICH ARE ACTED AT

THE THEATRES ROYAL,

DRURY LANE, COVENT GARDEN, AND HAYMARKET.

PRINTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE MANAGERS

FROM THE PROMPT BOOKS.

WITH

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL REMARKS,
Elizabeth (sempler)

BY MRS, INCHBALD.

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PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME,

PATERNOSTER ROW.

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OR,

THE ROMAN MATRON;

A HISTORICAL PLAY,

IN FIVE ACTS;

BY WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE

AS PERFORMED AT THE

THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN.

PRINTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE MANAGERS

FROM THE PROMPT BOOK.

WITH REMARKS

BY MRS. INCHBALD

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME,

PATERNOSTER ROW.

1

SAVAGE AND EASINGWOOD,

PRINTERS, LONDON.

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4-25-42
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REMARKS.

This play comprehends a period of about four years; and the whole story is exactly followed, and many of the principal speeches exactly copied, from the life of Coriolanus in Plutarch.

Dr. Johnson says, "the tragedy of Coriolanus is one of the most amusing of our author's performances." To those persons, who do not prefer a love tale to every other dramatic subject, this opinion. must appear just; for the hero and heroine of the drama are both so inimitably drawn, that it is impossible not to feel the deepest interest in all their conflicts.

The vices and virtues of Coriolanus are blended, by the poet's hand, with the nicest observance of filial similitude, as well as of filial piety. He possesses, in his military character, all the fire, courage, and ambition of his mother-and, as a politician, all the woman's vanity, and petty pride. Yet no one can be offended with this spoiled child for his humours, as he retains a most grateful sense of that maternal tenderness which inspired his thirst of fame; though it possibly had impeded the philosophical strength of

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