ABSTRACT
Although the journal was edited by Smollett, this piece differs completely from his estimates of Shakespeare. Some elements resemble the work of Arthur Murphy: the interest in ‘the gloomy way’ of poetry, especially ghost-scenes (compare above Nos 143, 161d), the analysis of different plays’ treatment of the same passion (compare the discussion of remorse in Nos 140a, 161f, g), and the contrast of the states of mind of Richard III and Macbeth (Nos 161b, g). Presumably the author of this piece also contributed the subsequent comparisons printed in this journal, between Otway and Racine, Milton and Tasso, and Shakespeare and Milton (below, No. 197).
