ON

ITALIAN TRAGEDY,

FROM

THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME:

ILLUSTRATED WITH

SPECIMENS AND ANALYSES

OF THE

MOST CELEBRATED TRAGEDIES;

AND INTERSPERSED WITH

OCCASIONAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE ITALIAN THEATRES;

AND

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES

OF THE PRINCIPAL TRAGIC WRITERS

OF

ITALY.

ནམ་སར་་

BY A MEMBER OF THE ARCADIAN ACADEMY OF ROME.

Les Italiens furent les premiers qui élevèrent de grands théâtres, et qui donnèrent au monde quelque idée de cette splendeur de l'ancienne Grèce, qui attirait les nations étrangères à ses solemnités, et qui fut le modèle des peuples en tous les genres. VOLTAIRE.

IT cannot excite wonder, that the "tablet starting” into existence, and notes that "lift the soul on seraph wings,” should tempt an ardent admirer of the elegant arts to enter the bowers of Wimbledon. Let me, however, Madam, entreat your pardon for this intrusion; and, while I bend at the shrine of wit and beauty, permit me to lay this humble offering at your feet.

M DCC XC VIII.

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