ὁ εὐφωνίταλος τῶν ΟΝΤΩΝ, the moft eloquent of BEINGS. But' N, as used by Plato and his followers, is a word of facred import, Truth, Deity itself, that which really is Being, in contradiftinction to ever-fleeting and changing matter. A Platonist therefore, enquiring what Deity is, would never fay even of his master Plato, ὁ εὐφωνότατος τῶν ΟΝΤΩΝ. It would be compli ment fufficient to fay, ὁ εὐφωνόταλος των ΑΝΩΝ ; i. e. avguw. There is very little difference between ΟΝΤΩΝ and ΑΝΩΝ, if it be confidered how easily the ftroke over aww might be miftaken for ar by a transcriber: Plato, the most eloquent of mortals, feems the compliment intended by Maximus Tyrius.

1 In this fenfe 'tis ufed by the Platonic writer of the Wisdom of Solomon. XIII, 1. "And could not out of the good things that are know HIM THAT IS: Tov övla."

SECT. XIV.

T is not at all furprising that the perfons in the drama fhould be changed, either thro' the blunders, or wrong judgment of the tranfcribers and players.

In the Tempest, A& I.

Profpero. What is the time o' th' day?

66

Ariel. Paft the mid season.

Profp. At least two glaffes; the time twixt "fix and now

"Muft by us both be spent most preciously."

Who can imagine that Profpero would ask a question, and answer it himself? But a trifling diftinction will make all right.

"Prof. What is the time o'th' day? "Ar. Paft the mid feason,

"At least two glaffes.

Profp. The time twixt fix and now "Muft by us both be spent most preciously."

In As you like it, A& II. The Duke is speaking of the happiness of his retirement.

"And this our life, exempt from publick haunt, "Finds tongues in trees, books in the running "brooks,

1 This corrrection has been tacitly adopted by the late Editor. But I don't know whether the other reading might not be defended. Profpero has great concerns in agitation, and his mind cannot attend to minute things: wanting therefore to fet Ariel to work, he afks him the time of the day: scarcely had he asked, but he recollects himself. Perhaps by this seeming inaccuracy Shakespeare had a mind to paint ftronger Profpero's greater concern for the business in hand.

"Sermons in ftones, and good in every thing: "I would not change it.

"Am. Happy is your Grace, &c."

How much more in character is it for the Duke to fay, "I would not change it," than for Amiens?

In the second part of K. Henry IV. A& IV. "Weft. The Prince is here at hand: pleaseth your Lordship

66

"To meet his Grace, juft diftance 'tween our "armies ?

"Mowb. Your Grace of York in God's name then fet forward.

"York. Before, and greet his Grace my Lord, we come."

I believe, at firft fight, the reader must discover that it fhould be thus divided:

"Mowb. Your Grace of York in God's "name then fet forward.

"Before, and greet his Grace. York. My "Lord we come,"

In K. Henry V. A&IV.

"K. Henry. But, hark, what new alarum is...

"this fame?

"The

66 men.

"The French have reinforc'd their scatter'd

"Then every foldier kill his prisoners.

"Give the word through."

Enter Fluellen and Gower.

"Flu. Kill the poyes and the luggage! 'tis exprefsly against the law of arms, &c."

How should the King know the French had reinforc'd their men? It fhould thus be printed,

"K. Henry. But, hark, what new alarum is "this fame ?"

Enter a Messenger.

"Mell. The French have reinforc'd their "fcatter'd men.

"K. Hen. Then every foldier kill his pri

"<foners:

"Give the word through."

In Antony and Cleopatra, Act I.

66 Cleopatra. Excellent falfhood!

[Exeunt.

Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her? "I'll feem the fool, I am not. Antony

"Will be himself.

"Ant. But ftirr'd by Cleopatra.

"Now for the love of love, and his foft hours,

" &c."

I make no queftion but the author thus gave it,

"Cleo. Excellent falfhood!

"Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her ? "I'll feem the fool, I am not. Antony "Will be himself, but ftirr'd by Cleopatra.

[Afide.

"Ant. Now for the love of love, and his foft "hours, &c."

In the fame play. Act III.

"Ventid. Learn this, Silius,

"Better to leave undone, than by our deed "Acquire too high a fame, when he, we serve, 's away.

"Cæfar and Antony have ever won

"More in their officer than perfon. Soffius, "One of my place in Syria, &c."

'Tis highly out of character for Ventidius, Antony's Lieutenant, to say that Antony had ever won more in his officer than perfon: fo great an obferver of Decorum as Shakespeare would, and undoubtedly did give this reflection to Silius. Hereafter then let us thus diftinguish this place,

« Sil,