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TOC
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rus is dying of the wound he received in
battle, he is examined by a Jewish priest,
a principal character in the play, as his
confessor, concerning his religious prin-
ciples, and he makes to him a profession
of faith.
This kind of spectacle has been so long
neglected in Italy, that it seems to have
been wholly lost; and now, after a second
birth, appears to be in its infancy. How-
ever, the Italian language is certainly
capable of great things; as it can support
dignity without the trammels of rhyme.
The actors too are good, as to propriety
and variety of gesture; but if my ear
does not deceive me, a monotony reigns
here with respect to voice, as well
as in the Italian pulpit. The passion for
dramas in music has ruined true tragedy
as well as comedy in this country; but
the language and genius of the people
are so rich and fertile, that when they
become heartily tired of music, which
by excess of it they will probably be
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