ations) had he lived to return
to the stage: And the part of Brutus was what he purposed to have
appeared in.

As to Lee's works, they are in every body's hands, so that we need not
trouble the reader with a list of them.

In his tragedy of the Rival Queens, our author has shewn what he could
do on the subject of Love; he has there almost exhausted the passion,
painted it in its various forms, and delineated the workings of the
human soul, when influenced by it.

He makes Statira thus speak of Alexander.

Not the spring's mouth, nor breath of Jessamin,
Nor Vi'lets infant sweets, nor op'ning buds
Are half so sweet as Alexander's breast!
From every pore of him a perfume falls,
He kisses softer than a Southern wind
Curls like a Vine, and touches like a God!
Then he will talk! good Gods! how he will talk!
Even when the joy he sigh'd for is possess'd,
He speaks the kindest words, and looks such things,
Vows with such passion, swears with so much grace
That 'tis a kind of Heaven to be deluded by him.
If I but mention him the tears will fall,
Sure there is not a letter in his name,
But is a charm to melt a woman's eyes.

His Tragedy of Theodosius, or the Force of Love, is the only play of
Lee's that at present keeps possession of the stage, an argument, in
my opinion, not much in favour of our taste, that a Genius should be
so neglected.

It is said, that Lee died in the night, in the streets, upon a frolic,
and that his father never assisted him in his frequent and pressing
necessity, which he was able to do. It appears that tho' Lee was a
player, yet, for want of execution, he did not much succeed, though
Mr. Cibber says, that he read excellently, and that the players used
to tell him, unless they could act the part as he read it, they could
not hope success, which, it seems, was not the case with Dryden, who
could hardly read to be understood. Lee was certainly a man of great
genius; when it is considered how young he died, he performed
miracles, and had he lived 'till his fervour cooled, and his judgment
strengthened, which might have been the consequence of years, he would
have made a greater figure in poetry than some of his contemporaries,
who are now placed in superior rank.

Footnote:
1. Spectator. No. 39, vol. 1st.

* * * * *

SAMUEL BUTLER,

The celebrated author of Hudibras, was born at Stre