The philosophical character and design of the 'Nathan,' and the merit of the other of these dramas, as "the master-piece of Goethe," are fully set forth in the Historic Survey of German Poetry*. In their authors' fatherland, they were popular on the stage; but they have too little variety of action, to suit the theatrical audiences of this country, where they are only adapted to please in the closet as poetical dialogues of a very high order. The tendency of Lessing's poem

Beifall aufgenommen worden, habe ich Ihnen, denke ich, schon geschrieben; auch werden Sie selbst es wohl in Deutschen Journalen gelesen haben. Das mir zugesandte Exemplar für Goethe, habe ich gleich an ihn abgeschickt. Für die übersandten schönen Sachen umarme ich Sie, vorzüglich für die Schottischen Balladen und die Specimens, welche herrliche Stücke enthalten. Die Pleasures of Memory gefallen mir doch ungleich besser als der Botanic Garden, der zwar eine treffliche Versification hat, viele schöne Bilder und Gemählde, und andere poetische Schönheiten, aber auch viele Ungereimtheiten enthält, und mir in der ganzen Idee verunglückt zu seyn scheint. Die Maschinerie von Sylphen, Gnomen etc., passt, meiner Meinung nach, für diesen Gegenstand durchaus nicht, kontrastirt auf die widerlichste Art mit dem übrigen Inhalt, besonders mit den Noten, und macht durchgehends den lächerlichsten Effect. Ein Haupt-Fehler eines so langen Gedichts ist auch der gänzliche Mangel an Handlung. Es ist eine Reihe von Gemählden, deren Langweiligkeit durch allen poetischen Schmuck nicht sehr vermindert wird. Der Verfasser scheint ein Mann von vieler Gelehrsamkeit und von schöner reicher Fantasie, aber ohne ächten Geschmack und richtige Beurtheilungskraft zu seyn. Der zweite Theil ist indess bei weitem besser als der erste."

*Vols. i. p. 248, and iii. p. 389.

to inculcate religious liberality, was calculated to carry with it all William Taylor's warmest sympathies; still, in comparing the two works, the palm of translational excellence seems to be due to the Iphigenia.' The more exalted tone of its poetry is perhaps better fitted for transference into another language, than the colloquial ease of the former. The heroine's soliloquy in the third act, commencing,

Fulfilment, daughter of the Almighty Sire,"

may be cited as a very fine specimen of skilful version; and her animated appeal to Thoas, in the fifth act,

"Has man alone the privilege of daring?" &c.,

while it surpasses the original in energy and pathos, also clothes her generous resolution in language more elegant and concise. The corrections furnished by M. Benzler consist of verbal criticisms, which evince a profound knowledge of both languages, and the talent of discerning with observant skill the minutest niceties of expression in each. William Taylor recognised their justness, by incorporating them, with very few exceptions, in his translation; and it is not improbable that they tended materially to form in him the habit of carefully discriminating the proper forces of synonymous terms.

120

CHAPTER IV.

1793 to 1799.

MR. TAYLOR'S FIRST ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MONTHLY REVIEW AND MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

In

THE powers thus manifested by William Taylor were soon to be exerted in another field, where, if less of personal glory attended their display, still their influence was very widely diffused and permanently felt. Periodical works form a popular, and perhaps not the least instructive, portion of our literature. They are eagerly read, and guide the opinions of most of their readers. some instances they have been nurseries of talent, while in others they have favoured a discursive, and consequently feeble, application of abilities, which, if concentrated on one point, might have achieved a noble and deathless reputation. Amongst the most distinguished of that day, the Monthly Review occupied a prominent place. It had held a long and successful career, under the management of Dr. Griffiths, and its leading articles were for the most part supplied by intelligent and liberal-minded Dissenters. Dr. Enfield, one of the

ministers of the Octagon Chapel at Norwich, was amongst the most eminent of these contributors, and through his agency William Taylor's connection with that publication was first brought about. The primitiae artis of the latter were consecrated on the altar of friendship; the earliest trial of his skill in criticism was made on the 'Disquisitions' of Dr. Sayers, of which work his review, or rather his panegyric, was inserted in the Monthly Review for April 1793*. In the following summer, Dr. Enfield, contemplating an absence of several weeks from Norwich, transferred the books, which had been sent for his perusal and judgement, to William Taylor, who was thus formally introduced to Dr. Griffiths, and brought into direct communication with him. The manner in which he performed the task allotted to him, evinced talents so superior and original, that his future assistance was eagerly invited, and he became from that time a regular, and it may even be said, the principal writer for that periodical. Much of the correspondence to which this connection gave rise has been preserved, but as Dr. Griffiths's letters are for the greater part without date, it is impossible to arrange them in any regular order; and many of them are also too confidentially private, to allow of

* Vol. x. New Series, p. 373.

the entire collection being published. Some occasional extracts will however be found interesting. The following, which mark the commencement of this intercourse, will afford some instruction to the uninitiated, who have not been admitted into the mysterious penetralia of the temple of criticism.

Dr. Griffiths to William Taylor.

"Sir,

"Dr. Enfield having informed me, that you were so good as to undertake at my request a review of Mr. Murphy's translation of Tacitus,. I have this day sent you a copy by Marsh's waggon, which I hope you will duly receive. I doubt not, that in reporting the merits of this work, you will do perfect justice both to the author and the public. One thing I have to mention, entre nous, that Mr. M. is one of us, and that it is a rule in our society for the members to behave with due decorum toward each other, whenever they appear at their own bar as authors, out of their own critical province. If a kingdom (like poor France at present) be divided against itself, "how shall that kingdom stand?" Excuse, good Sir, this hint. You will easily at

one glance see the propriety

of it, as well as of

the conduct to which it bears reference. But