Chapter XLII: Letter XLI: To Mr. M----4

January 4, 1777.

I HAVE read, but have found nothing of the striking kind of sentimental novelty--which I expected from its great author--the language is good in most places--but never rises above the common pitch.--In many of our inferior tragedies--I have ever found here and there a flower strewn, which has been the grace and pride of the poetic parterre, and has made me involuntarily cry out, Bravo!--From dress--scenery--action--and the rest of play-house garniture--it may shew well and go down--like insipid fish with good sauce;--the Prologue is well--the Epilogue worth the whole--such is my criticism--read--stare--and conclude your friend mad--though a more Christian supposition would be--what’s true at the same time--that my ideas are frozen, much more frigid than the play;--but allowing that--and although I confess myself exceeding cold, yet I have warmth enough to declare myself yours sincerely,

I. SANCHO.

Love and many happy new years to the ladies.

[4] On reading the Tragedy of Semiramis, _from the French of Mons.
Voltaire_.