Sir _Epicure Mammon_ is properly trick'd,
and goes off ridiculous and detestable. The _Puritan Elders_ suffer
for their Lust of Money, and are quite nauseous and abominable; And
his _Morose_ meets with a severe Punishment, after having sufficiently
tir'd you with his Peevishness.--But _Shakespear_, with happier
Insight, always supports his Characters in your _Favour_. His Justice
_Shallow_ withdraws before he is tedious; The _French_ Doctor, and
_Welch_ Parson, go off in full Vigour and Spirit; Ancient _Pistoll_
indeed is scurvily treated; however, he keeps up his Spirits, and
continues to threaten so well, that you are still desirous of his
Company; and it is impossible to be tir'd or dull with the gay
unfading Evergreen _Falstaff_.
But in remarking upon the Characters of _Johnson_, it would be unjust
to pass _Abel Drugger_ without notice; This is a little, mean,
sneaking, sordid Citizen, hearkening to a Couple of Sharpers, who
promise to make him rich; they can scarcely prevail upon him to resign
the least Tittle he possesses, though he is assur'd, it is in order to
get more; and your Diversion arises, from seeing him _wrung_ between
_Greediness_ to _get_ Money, and _Reluctance_ to _part_ with any for
that Purpose. His Covetousness continually prompts him to follow the
Conjurer, and puts him at the same Time upon endeavouring to stop his
Fees.
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