075- 42 SOME ACCOUNT of the LIFE, &c. O F WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. IT Written by Mr. Ro w E, T feems to be a kind of refpect due to the memory of excellent men, especially of thofe whom their wit and learning have made famous, to deliver fome Account of themselves, as well as their works, to pofterity. For this reason, how fond do we fee fome people of difcovering any little personal story of the great men of antiquity! their families, the common accidents of their lives, and even their shape, make, and features, have been the fubject of critical enquiries. How trifling foever this curiofity may seem to be, it is certainly very natural; and we are hardly fatisfied with an account of any remarkable perfon, till we have heard him described even, to the very cloaths he wears. As for what relates to men of letters, the knowledge of an author may sometimes conduce to the better understanding his book; and though the works of Mr. Shakspeare may seem to many not to want a comment, yet I fancy fome little account A 2 24024 of |