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Show CONCLUSION. 539 ficient qualification for a m a n to become a judge of acting. A superior writer on philosophy, morals, or history, may not have the least idea of the picturesque of those same passions, with whose influence in society he is well acquainted. T o be qualified to judge discreetly of the children of Thespis, it is necessary to have seen the world, to have examined with attention the physical expression and modulation of the passions in different physiognomies, and in the different stations of life, to have studied this expression in the tones of the voice, and to have a natural penchant for imitation. The composer of Ballets, as well as the poet, the musician, and the painter, ought to consult the taste of the public for w h o m he works. All the civilized nations of Europe admire beautiful imitations of nature, and unanimously reject whatever is grossly at variance with her; nevertheless, the genius, the characters, and the manners of different nations, give each of them a particular idea of taste on certain matters. The artist who, without forgetting that " one touch of nature makes all mankind kin," submits to this difference of natural taste will thereby give an additional proof of his talent. In fact, if we call to mind the most illustrious men of England, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and other countries, we shall find, that although they are admired for beauties which are not merely national, that they are not, in some instances " of an age, but for all time," they, nevertheless, have other merits which are not, and indeed cannot be, sufficiently felt and appreciated by readers of a different age or nation. The most ardent admirer of Shakspeare in France, even if treating the same subject, would never do so in a similar manner to the immortal bard of England ; an Italian may passionately admire Klopstock, but he will not take him for a model; the |
