It is obviously from hence, that the _Character_ of Sir _Roger_ de _Coverly_ in the _Spectators_ is so extremely agreeable. His _Foibles_ are all derived from some amiable Cause.--If he believes that _one Englishman_ can conquer _two Frenchmen_, you laugh at his _Foible_, and are fond of a _Weakness_ in the Knight, which proceeds from his high Esteem of his _own Country-men_.--If he chuses you should employ a _Waterman_ or _Porter_ with _one_ Leg, you readily excuse the Inconvenience he puts you to, for his worthy regard to the Suffering of a brave _Soldier_.--In short, though he is guilty of continual Absurdities, and has little Understanding or real Abilities, you cannot but _love_ and _esteem_ him, for his _Honour_, _Hospitality_, and universal _Benevolence_. It is indeed true, that his _Dignity_, _Age_, and _Rank_ in his Country, are of constant Service in _upholding_ his Character. These are a perpetual _Guard_ to the Knight, and preserve him from _Contempt_ upon many Occasions.--All which corresponds entirely with the fore-going _Remark_. For you would be fond of Sir _Roger's_ Acquaintaince and Company in _real Life_, as he is a Gentleman of _Quality_ and _Virtue_; You love and admire him in the _Spectators_ for the _same_ Reasons; And for these also he would become, if he was rightly exhibited, a _favorite_ Character in the _Theatre_. It may be proper to observe in this Place, that the _Business_ of COMEDY is to exhibit the whimsical _unmischievous Oddities_, _Frolics,_ and _Foibles_ of _Persons_ in _real Life_; And also to _expose_ and _ridicule_ their _real Follies_, _Meanness_, and _Vices_. The _former_, it appears, is more pleasurable to the Audience, but the _latter_ has the Merit of being more instructive. The _Business_ of TRAGEDY is to exhibit the _Instability_ of _human_ Grandeur, and the unexpected _Misfortunes_ and _Distresses_ incident to the _Innocent_ and _Worthy_ in all Stations.--And also to shew the terrible Sallies and the miserable Issue and Punishment of ungovern'd Passions and Wickedness.--The _former_ softens the Heart and fills it with Compassion, Humility and Benevolence.--Compositions of this Sort are the highest, most admirable, and useful in all Nature, when they are finish'd with Propriety and Delicacy, and justly wrought up with the Sublime and Simplicity.--The _latter_ Species of _Tragedy_ terrifies and shocks us, in exhibiting both the Crimes and the Punishments. It threatens us into Moderation and Justice, by shewing the terrible Issue of their Contraries. Pieces of this Sort, conducted with Propriety, and carrying Application to ourselves, can scarcely be desireable; But as they are generally conducted, they amount only to giving us an absurd Representation of a Murther committed by some furious foaming _Basha_, or _Sultan_.