or, again, his
ignorance of the dramatic dialect and metres, which, without external
helps, may possibly be overcome by minds of superior talent while
engaged upon them; at least without some clear ideas of the usages of
the ancient stage, the Greek dramas are but partially intelligible.
The circumstances under which the representation was conducted, the
form and general arrangements of the theatre, the respective offices
and disposition of the actors, the nature and duties of the chorus,
the proprieties of the scene itself, are essential subjects of
information, yet they are generally neglected. The publication before
us is a compilation of the most useful works or parts of works on the
criticism, history, and antiquities of the drama; among which will be
found extracts from Bentley's _Dissertation on the Epistles of
Phalaris_ and from Schlegel's work on Dramatic Literature; the more
important parts of Twining's Translation of Aristotle's _Poetics_, and
critical remarks, by Dawes, Porson, Elmsley, Tate, and the writers in
the _Museum Criticum_.

If we were disposed to find fault with a useful work, we should
describe it as over-liberal of condensed critical information. Such
ample assistance is given to the student, that little is left to
exercise his own personal thought and judgement. This is a fault of
not a few publications of the present day, written for our
universities. From a false estimate of the advantages of accurate
scholarship, the reader is provided with a multitude of minute facts,
which are useful to his mind, not when barely remembered, but chiefly
when he has acquired them for himself. It is of comparatively trifling
importance, whether the scholar knows the force of [Greek: ou me] or
[Greek: alla gar]; but it may considerably improve his acumen or
taste, to have gone through a process of observation, comparison, and
induction, more or less original and independent of grammarians and
critics. It is an officious aid which renders the acquisition of a
language mechanical. Commentators are of service to stimulate the
mind, and suggest thought; and though, when we view the wide field of
criticism, it is impossible they should do more, yet, when that field
is narrowed to the limit of academical success, there is a danger of
their indulging indolence, or confirming the contracted views of
dullness. These remarks are not so much directed against a valuable
work like the present, the very perusal of which ma