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Show 144 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. rally known, it should be both clear and striking of itself, and the characters marked by such strong traits of distinction, as to make an impression on the mind at their first appearance."-MARMONTEL. A n exposition extended to too great a length, fatigues the audience and causes inattention. D o not promise too much at the opening, as it always raises a proportionate expectation. CHAPTER II. ON THE PLOT. (NCEUD.) Que tout soit lie' dans Taction principale, et que tout marche vers le meme but.-ANONYMOUS. THE poet or composer having informed the audience of the nature of the subject, he must raise interest, and, as it were, take the audience with him, by the emotion created by the incidents. A well-contrived episode, though proceeding from the action, crosses and embarrasses it, and interrupts its progress, yet at the same time its unexpected events excite curiosity, and agitate the mind: all these, aided by characters vigorously drawn, inspire an ardent desire to know what will be the end of so singular a history, without, however, being able to divine the cata- |