58
CUSTOM AND HABIT
Ch. XIV.
their theatre, of which the Iphigenia of Euripides
is a proof. But a human lacrince, being altoge-
ther inconsistent with modern manners as produ-
cing horror instead of pity, cannot with any pro-
priety be introduced upon a modern stage. I
musf therefore condemn the Iphigenia of Racine,
which, instead of the tender and sympathetic pas-
sions, subsiitutes disgust and horror. Another ob-
jeflion occurs against every fable that deviates so
remarkably from improved notions and sentiments;
which is, that if it should even command our be-
lief by the authority of history, it appears too sic-
titious and unnatural to produce a perception of
reality 9: a human sacrifice is so unnatural, and
to us so improbable, that few will be affected with
the representation of it more than with a fairytale.
The objection firsi mentioned strikes also against
the PHedra of that author: the queen’s paslion ,
sor her stepson, transgressing the bounds of nature,
creates aversion and horror rather than compaction.
The author in his preface observes, that the queen’s
paslion, however unnatural, was the effect os de-
sliny and the wrath of the gods; and he puts the
same excuse in her own mouth. But what is the
wrath of a heathen God to us Christians? we ac-
knowledge no destiny in paslion; and if love be
unnatural, it never can be relished. A supposition
like what our author lays hold of, may possibly co-
9 See chap. 2. part I. sefte 7.
CUSTOM AND HABIT
Ch. XIV.
their theatre, of which the Iphigenia of Euripides
is a proof. But a human lacrince, being altoge-
ther inconsistent with modern manners as produ-
cing horror instead of pity, cannot with any pro-
priety be introduced upon a modern stage. I
musf therefore condemn the Iphigenia of Racine,
which, instead of the tender and sympathetic pas-
sions, subsiitutes disgust and horror. Another ob-
jeflion occurs against every fable that deviates so
remarkably from improved notions and sentiments;
which is, that if it should even command our be-
lief by the authority of history, it appears too sic-
titious and unnatural to produce a perception of
reality 9: a human sacrifice is so unnatural, and
to us so improbable, that few will be affected with
the representation of it more than with a fairytale.
The objection firsi mentioned strikes also against
the PHedra of that author: the queen’s paslion ,
sor her stepson, transgressing the bounds of nature,
creates aversion and horror rather than compaction.
The author in his preface observes, that the queen’s
paslion, however unnatural, was the effect os de-
sliny and the wrath of the gods; and he puts the
same excuse in her own mouth. But what is the
wrath of a heathen God to us Christians? we ac-
knowledge no destiny in paslion; and if love be
unnatural, it never can be relished. A supposition
like what our author lays hold of, may possibly co-
9 See chap. 2. part I. sefte 7.