There is an advantage in dealing with such a subject as this, which may counterbalance the disadvantages under which a writer labours who ventures to bring forward ‘common saws and modern instances,’ in place of that serious investigation of obscure historical facts, or that review of the social questions of the past, which have honourably distinguished the last few years of the Society's labours. On such a familiar topic a brief treatment of a large matter is possible. There is no need to quote many examples, or passages at length, when the mere mention of the name of a character will commonly recall at once how he and his actions have been presented upon the stage by Shakespeare:
I only speak right on; I tell you that which you yourselves do know.