obligation. Although these arguments might silence cavil, they did not remove the impression that such a play would not be endured by a modern audience: and so decidedly did these critics pronounce condemnation, that the author experienced neither surprise nor disappointment, when The Honey-moon was rejected at Covent Garden theatre. At Drury Lane it was referred to future consideration: but unfortunately the author's secret had transpired. It was whispered, that he had often applied to managers, and that if he should once succeed, he would inevitably become a prolific and tenacious monopolist. Whether this surmise operated to his prejudice or not, the fate of the play was still suspended; when the author, who had too long neglected the state of his health, was constrained to remove to the country, to avoid the probable consequences. of another winter in town. From childhood he had been rather delicate than robust, and his constitution was gradually

undermined by sedentary habits and unremitted application. During the ten years in which he kept his eye constantly fixed on the stage, he scarcely allowed himself the common indulgence of sleep and recreation -of exercise and amusement. Even the summer did not always allure him to the country; and he sometimes spent the whole year in London, never quitting its smoky atmosphere but for his favourite pursuit of angling. It is remarked by all his friends, that he possessed an elasticity of temper which never permitted him to nourish chagrin, or to sink under despondence. It is, however, impossible not to suppose that success might have invigorated that frame which he had too long neglected, and which could not have been wholly inaccessible to the influence of disappointment. His increasing indisposition had long attracted the notice of his friends, before he acknowledged any cause of complaint. Wearied by their importunity, he at length consented, without ascertaining the fate of the Honey-moon, to

leave London, and spend the winter of 1804 with a relation who resided in Cornwall: of which the mild salubrious air, it was hoped, would contribute to re-establish his declining health.

In leaving London he did not immediately relinquish his long cherished pursuits; since he revised the songs of his Fisherman, and analysed several Spanish pieces, with a view to future dramatic compositions. He had long been a diligent student in Spanish literature; but having seldom extended his analysis of a Spanish play beyond the first act, it may be presumed he was wearied with the sameness, or discouraged by the intricacy, which forms a prominent feature of those romantic dramas ; he has, however, left a complete epitome of the Gitonilla di Madrid, the Gypsey of Madrid, from the celebrated Don Antonio di Solis. The latter has been inserted in this volume, partly because it illustrates the peculiar habits of Tobin's enterprising, in

defatigable mind, and partly because it affords a convincing proof that he no longer anticipated the performance of the Honeymoon, from which he proposes the transference of a scene in the fourth act, to enliven the comparatively insipid pages of the Gypsey.

From childhood Tobin had been eminently distinguished by two qualities seldom associated in the same individual - perseverance and facility; and he possessed, almost in an equal degree, the inextinguishable ardour that defies obstacles, and the spirit of accommodation that reconciles itself to disappointment. His tranquil retreat soon discovered to him new objects of interest and enjoyment: his uncle's house was furnished with an excellent library, which tempted him to revive the studies of his youth. He re-perused, with avidity, the old English dramatists; and suddenly conceived the idea of preparing for publication a new edition of Shake

speare. In the following letter, addressed to his brother, he appears to have been so completely engrossed by this undertaking, as to have abandoned the hope, and almost dismissed the recollection, of The Honey

moon.

"Dear James,

"You must get

to read this. And

first, as the Shakespeare subject, next✓ to my health, dwells most at present on my mind, I will discuss that. I can see nothing in your objections (indeed they are not great) to the plan; nor am I terrified by any gentleman's collecting materials for an edition. Of the very many who have published the works of our great poet, by far the greater number have failed altogether, and a great number partially: this has convinced me that the undertaking is serious; and that to execute it well, requires a great deal more talent than you seem to think necessary. Stevens has perhaps contributed more than all the rest put together