British theatre, comprising tragedies, comedies, operas, and farces; with biogr., critical account and notes, by an Englishman [O. Williams].

Front Cover

From inside the book

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 15 - Heaven itself, that points out an hereafter, And intimates Eternity to man. Eternity ! — thou pleasing — dreadful thought ! Through what variety of untried being, Through what new scenes and changes must we pass ! The wide, the unbounded prospect lies before me ; But shadows, clouds, and darkness, rest upon it.
Page 494 - ... friends with my back to the fire. I like to give them a hearty reception in the old style at my gate. I like to see their horses and trunks taken care of.
Page 489 - Here we live in an old rumbling mansion, that looks for all the world like an inn, but that we never see company. Our best visitors are old Mrs. Oddfish, the...
Page 493 - The Englishman's malady : but tell me, George, where could I have learned that assurance you talk of? My life has been chiefly spent in a college or an inn, in seclusion from that lovely part of the creation that chiefly teach men confidence.
Page 363 - Sunday in a new chariot, to provoke eyes and whispers, and then never to be seen there together again ; as if we were proud of one another the first week, and ashamed of one another ever after. Let us never visit together, nor go to a play together ; but let us be very strange and well bred : let us be as strange as if we had been married a great while ; and as well bred as if we were not married at all.
Page 489 - And am I to blame ? The poor boy was always too sickly to do any good. A school would be his death. When he comes to be a little stronger, who knows what a year or two's Latin may do for him ? HARD.
Page 492 - Then you were to keep straight forward, till you came to four roads. Mar. Come to where four roads meet ? Tony. Ay ; but you must be sure to take only one of them. Mar. O, sir, you're facetious. Tony. Then keeping to the right, you are to go sideways, till you come upon Crack-skull Common ; there you must look sharp for the track of the wheel, and go forward till you come to Farmer Murrain's barn. Coming to the farmer's barn, you are to turn to the right, and then to the left, and then to the right-about...
Page 4 - Coarse are his meals, the fortune of the chase, Amidst the running stream he slakes his thirst, Toils all the day, and at the approach of night On the first friendly bank he throws him down, Or rests his" head upon a rock till morn : Then rises fresh, pursues his wonted game, And if the following day he chance to find A new repast, or an untasted spring, Blesses his stars, and thinks it luxury.
Page 5 - My voice is still for war. Gods ! can a Roman senate long debate Which of the two to choose, slavery or death ? No ; let us rise at once, gird on our swords, And, at the head of our remaining troops, Attack the foe, break through the thick array Of his thronged legions, and charge home upon him.
Page 191 - Favours to none, to all she smiles extends ; Oft she rejects, but never once offends. Bright as the sun, her eyes the gazers strike, And, like the sun, they shine on all alike.

Bibliographic information