Most of those who frequent the amusements of the stage do not go there to seek the pleasures of the mind, but the keen emotions of the heart.

They do not expect to hear a fine literary work, but to see a play; and provided the author writes the language of his country correctly enough to be understood, and that his characters excite curiosity and awaken sympathy, the audience are satisfied.

They ask no more of fiction, and immediately return to real life.

Accuracy of style is therefore less required, because the attentive observance of its rules is less perceptible on the stage.

As for the probability of the plot, it is incompatible with perpetual novelty, surprise, and rapidity of invention.