Referring to the current criticism of his Author, we find that Dr. Samuel Johnson, in his preface to his edition of the plays, published in 1768, said: His adherence to general nature, has exposed him to the censure of critics, who form their judgments upon narrower principles. Dennis and Rymer think his Romans not sufficiently Rom an; and Voltaire censures his kings as not completely royal.8 This distinguished Editor and Commentator thus feels called upon to apologize for the Poet, with the explanation that Shakespeare always makes nature pre dominate over accident.'