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 from a spirit of controversy; but from a wish to prevent the diffusion of unwholesome criticism, and out of regard for what he believes to be useful truth.

This Essay does not profess the offering of any observations on the conduct of the tragedy of Macbeth; it concerns itself strictly with the sentiments of the hero of the play: in hopes, that this grandest of its author's works may be fixed stedfastly to its purpose of benefit to mankind, if, in analysing the characters of Macbeth and Richard, it be shown, that there is no room to suppose any degrading distinction between them in the quality of personal courage. If Macbeth