REMARKS. Mr. Colman acquaints his readers, in his Preface to this play, dated 1808, that it was written near twenty years ago: then, stating, as an apology to his jocose accusers, this reason for having made Shakpeare the model for his dialogue-that plays, which exhibit incidents of former ages, should have the language of the characters conform to their dress -he adds-" To copy Shakspeare, in the general tournure of his phraseology, is a mechanical task, which may be accomplished with a common share of industry and observation:—and this I have attempted (for the reason assigned); endeavouring, at the same time, to avoid a servile quaintness, which would disgust. To aspire to a resemblance of his boundless powers, would have been the labour of a coxcomb;-and had I been vain enough to have essayed it, I should have placed myself in a situation similar to that of the strolling actor, who advertised his performance of a part-" In imitation of the inimitable Garrick." "The Battle of Hexham" has been one of the author's most popular works; and has, perhaps, to charge its present loss of influence with the public, ta |