has a great Capacity? But it is not the Interest of others who bear a Figure on the Stage that his Talents were understood; it is their Business to impose upon him what cannot become him, or keep out of his hands any thing in which he would Shine. Were
to raise a Suspicion of himself in a Man who passes upon the World for a fine Thing, in order to alarm him, one might say, if
Lord Foppington
were not on the Stage, (
Cibber
acts the false Pretensions to a genteel Behaviour so very justly), he would have in the generality of Mankind more that would admire than deride him. When we come to Characters directly Comical, it is not to be imagin'd what Effect a well-regulated Stage would have upon Men's Manners. The Craft of an Usurer, the Absurdity of a rich Fool, the awkward Roughness of a Fellow of half Courage,
ungraceful Mirth of a Creature of half Wit, might be for ever put out of Countenance by proper Parts for