We feel that we have committed high treason in the estimation of a large part of our readers, by contesting the justice of the principles on which Shakspeare proceeded in the construction of many of his dramas; and we know that the opinions advanced are adverse to those of many, whose genius and professional success entitle their judgment on this subject to the very highest respect. But yet the weight of authority, if that is to be appealed to, is decidedly in favour of the principles of the Greek being the true ones of the drama. From the days of Aristotle to those of Addison, the greatest critics have concurred in this opinion; and he is a bold innovater on this subject who sets at nought the precepts of Horace and Quintilian, forgets the example of Sophocles and Schiller, of Euripides and Alfieri, of Corneille and Metastasio, and disregards the decided judgment of Pope[7] and Byron. The opinion of the latter poet was peculiarly strong in favour of the unities, and was repeatedly expressed in his correspondence preserved in Moore's Life; although his own noble dramas, being avowedly constructed with no view to representation, but as a vehicle for powerful declamation or impassioned poetry, often exhibit, especially in _Manfred_, the most glaring violations of them. Johnson confessed that the weight of authority in favour of the Greek rules was so great, that it required no small courage to attempt even to withstand it. But it is not by authority that this, or any other question of taste, is to be decided. The true test of the correctness of opinion on such matters is to be found in experience, and the inward feelings of persons of cultivated minds and enlarged observation. And in the preceding remarks we have only extended to the drama, principles familiar to artists in every other department of human imagination, and generally admitted in them, at least, to be correct; and appealed, we trust not in vain, to the experience gained, and the lessons learned, by those who have cultivated the sister arts in those times with the greatest success. THE MINSTREL'S CURSE. FROM UHLAND. BY A. LODGE. A castle of the olden time, o'er subject regions wide, Throned on its rocky height afar looked forth in feudal pride; And fragrant gardens decked the plain, where lakes, with crystal sheen, Mirrored the pleasant sylvan glades and lawns of living green. Here dwelt, of jealous fears the prey, in pomp of moody state, A King, by realms and cities fair, and conquest's laurels great; His glance bespoke the tyrant soul to pity ne'er subdued; His words were chains and torments--his characters were blood! Once to these lordly towers at eve approached a tuneful pair, Of reverend silvery tresses one, and one with golden hair; The old man on a palfrey sate--his harp, the Minstrel's pride, He bore--his comrade, young and blithe, tripped lightly at his side.