CRITICO OR A Tragedy Rehearsed. in three ACTS as it is performed at the THEATRE ROYAL in DRURY LANE CABI Richard Brinsley Sheridan Esq- LONDON. Printed for T. Becket, Adelphi, Strand, 2 MADA M, IN requesting your permiffion to address the following pages to you, which as they aim themselves to be critical, require every protection and allowance that approving taste or friendly prejudice can give them, I yet ventured to mention no other motive than the gratification of private friendship and esteem. Had I fuggefted a hope that your implied approbation would give a fanction to their defects, your particular referve, and diflike to the reputation of critical tafle, as well as of poetical talent, would have made you refufe the protection of your name to fuch a purpofe. However, I am not fo ungrateful as now to attempt to combat this difpofition in you. I shall not here prefume to argue that the prefent ftate of poetry claims and expects every affiftance that taste and example can afford it: nor endeavour to prove that a faftidious concealment of the most elegant productions of judgment and fancy is an ill return for the poffeffion of those endow A ii endowments.-Continue to deceive yourself in the idea that you are known only to be eminently admired and regarded for the valuable qualities that attach private friendships, and the graceful talents that adorn converfation. Enough of what you have written, has ftolen into full public notice to answer my purpose; and you will, perhaps, be the only perfon, converfant in elegant literature, who fhall read this addrefs and not perceive that by publishing your particular approbation of the following drama, I have a more interested object than to boast the true respect and regard with which I have the honour to be, MADAM, Your very fincere, And obedient humble fervant, R. B. SHERIDAN. |