s
are too elevated to be natural, yet they accord with that idea of nature
which imagination conceives of such remarkable personages.

The author of "Cato" had planned other tragedies and celebrated works,
which the subsequent part of his days did not give him leisure to
execute; for, on the death of Queen Anne, the Lords Justices made him
their Secretary: he was soon after appointed principal Secretary of
State. These, and other public employments, prevented his completing
farther literary designs. Or, it may be thought, that the loss of his
domestic tranquillity, at this time, by his marriage with the Countess
Dowager of Warwick, might possibly impede every future attempt for the
favour of the Muses, to whom this, his wife, had not the slightest
affinity. It is supposed she embittered, by arrogance and discontent,
the remainder of this good man's life, which terminated on the 17th of
June, 1719, in the 47th year of his age. He died at Holland House, near
Kensington, and left an only child, a daughter, by the Countess.

Lady Warwick had also a son by her former husband, a very fine,
spirited, and accomplished youth, for whose welfare the dying Addison
showed peculiar concern; for, in the extremity of his disorder, having
dismissed his physicians, and with them all hopes of recovery, he
desired that the young Lord Warwick might be called to his bedside. He
came--but life was now fast departing from his revered father-in-law,
and he uttered not a word. After an afflicting pause, the young man
said, "Dear sir, you sent for me; I believe, and I hope, that you
have some commands; I shall hold them most sacred." Grasping his hand,
Addison softly replied, "I sent for you, that you might see in what
peace a Christian can die." He spoke with difficulty, and instantly
expired.

It is to this circumstance Mr. Tickell refers in his lines on Addison's
death, where he has this passage:

"He taught us how to live; and, oh! too high
A price for knowledge, taught us how to die."

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

_Cato_, Mr. Cooke.
_Portius_, Mr. Siddons.
_Marcus_, Mr. H. Johnston.
_Sempronius_, Mr. Cory.
_Juba_, Mr. Brunton.
_Syphax_, Mr. Murray.
_Lucius_, Mr. Claremont.
_Decius_, Mr. Williams.

_Lucia_, Miss Marriott.
_Marcia_, Mrs. Litchfield.

_Mutineers, Guards, etc._

_SCENE--The Governor's Palace in Utica._

CATO.

ACT