initial commit of ebook 16335HEADmain

12 files changed, 8444 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/16335-8.txt b/16335-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df19c38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16335-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2668 @@
+Project Gutenberg's Essays on the Stage, by Thomas D'Urfey and Bossuet
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Essays on the Stage
+       Preface to the Campaigners (1689) and Preface to the
+       Translation of Bossuet's Maxims and Reflections on Plays
+       (1699)
+
+Author: Thomas D'Urfey and Bossuet
+
+Commentator: Joseph Wood Krutch
+
+Release Date: July 20, 2005 [EBook #16335]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON THE STAGE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                     Series Three:
+                 _Essays on the Stage_
+
+                         No. 4
+
+
+  Thomas D'Urfey, Preface to _The Campaigners_ (1698)
+
+                          and
+
+  Anonymous, Preface to the Translation of Bossuet's
+      _Maxims and Reflections upon Plays_ (1699)
+
+
+                With an Introduction by
+                   Joseph Wood Krutch
+
+
+
+
+The Augustan Reprint Society
+March, 1948
+Price: $1.00
+
+
+           *       *       *       *       *
+
+GENERAL EDITORS
+
+RICHARD C. BOYS, University of Michigan
+EDWARD NILES HOOKER, University of California, Los Angeles
+H.T. SWEDENBERG, JR., University of California, Los Angeles
+
+
+ASSISTANT EDITOR
+
+W. EARL BRITTON, University of Michigan
+
+
+ADVISORY EDITORS
+
+EMMETT L. AVERY, State College of Washington
+BENJAMIN BOYCE, University of Nebraska
+LOUIS I. BREDVOLD, University of Michigan
+CLEANTH BROOKS, Yale University
+JAMES L. CLIFFORD, Columbia University
+ARTHUR FRIEDMAN, University of Chicago
+SAMUEL H. MONK, University of Minnesota
+ERNEST MOSSNER, University of Texas
+JAMES SUTHERLAND, Queen Mary College, London
+
+
+
+
+   Lithoprinted from copy supplied by author
+                      by
+             Edwards Brothers, Inc.
+           Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.
+                     1948
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Introduction
+
+The three parts of D'Urfey's "The Comical History of Don Quixote" were
+performed between 1694 and (probably) the end of 1696. Some of the
+songs included were conspicuously "smutty"--to use a word which D'Urfey
+ridiculed--but the fact that the plays were fresh in the public mind
+was probably the most effective reason for Jeremy Collier's decision
+to include the not very highly respected author among the still living
+playwrights to be singled out for attack in "A Short View of the
+Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage", which appeared at
+Easter time 1698. In July of the same year D'Urfey replied with the
+preface to his "smutty" play "The Campaigners". It is this preface
+which is given as the first item of the present reprint.
+
+Pope's contemptuous prologue, written many years later and apparently
+for a benefit performance of one of D'Urfey's plays, is sufficient
+evidence that the playwright was not highly regarded; but he was reputed
+to be a good natured man and, by the standards of the time, his twitting
+of Collier--whom he accused of having a better nose for smut than a
+clergyman should have--is not conspicuously vituperative. Even his
+attack on the political character of the notorious Non-Juror is bitter
+without being really scurrilous. But like his betters Congreve and
+Vanbrugh, D'Urfey both missed the opportunity to grapple with the real
+issues of the controversy and misjudged the temper of the public. Had
+that public been, as all the playwrights seem to have assumed, ready to
+side with them against Collier, there might have been some justification
+in resting content as he and Congreve did with the scoring of a few
+debater's points. But the public, even "the town", was less interested
+in mere sally and rejoinder than it was in the serious question of the
+relation of comedy to morality, and hence Collier was allowed to win the
+victory almost by default.
+
+Collier's own argument was either confused or deliberately disingenuous,
+since he shifts his ground several times. On occasion he argues merely
+in the role of a moderate man who is shocked by the extravagances of the
+playwrights, and on other occasions as an ascetic to whom all worldly
+diversion, however innocent of any obvious offence, is wicked. At one
+time, moreover, he accuses the playwrights of recommending the vices
+which they should satirize and at other times denies that even the most
+sincere satiric intention can justify the lively representation of
+wickedness. But none of his opponents actually seized the opportunity
+to completely clarify the issues. Vanbrugh, it is true, makes some real
+points in his "A Short Vindication of The Relapse and The Provok'd
+Wife", and John Dennis, in his heavy handed way, showed some realization
+of what the issues were both in "The Usefulness of the Stage to the
+Happiness of Mankind, to Government and to Religion" (1698) and, much
+later, In "The Stage Defended" (1726). But, Vanbrugh is casual, Dennis
+is slow witted, and it is only by comparison with the triviality of
+D'Urfey or the contemptuous disingenuity of Congreve's "Amendments of
+Mr. Collier's False and Imperfect Citations" (1698) that they seem
+effective.
+
+At least forty books and pamphlets published between 1698 and 1725 are
+definitely part of the Collier controversy, but the fact that none of
+them really discusses adequately fundamental premises concerning the
+nature, method, and function of comedy had serious consequences for the
+English stage. The situation was further complicated by the rise of
+sentimental comedy and the fact that the theories supposed to justify
+it were expounded with all the completeness and clarity which were so
+conspicuously lacking in the case of those who undertook halfheartedly
+to defend what we call "high" or "pure", as opposed to both sentimental
+and satiric comedy. Steele's epilogue to "The Lying Lover", which
+versified Hobbes' comments on laughter and then rejected laughter itself
+as unworthy of a refined human being, is a triumphant epitaph inscribed
+over the grave of the comic spirit.
+
+The second item included in the present reprint, namely the anonymous
+preface to a translation of Bossuet's "Maxims and Reflections Upon
+Plays", belongs to a different phase of the Collier controversy. It
+serves as an illustration of the fact that Collier was soon joined by
+men who were, somewhat more frankly than he had himself admitted he was,
+open enemies of the stage as such. He had begun with arguments supported
+by citations from literary critics and he called in the support of
+ascetic religious writers after his discourse was well under way. But
+the direct approach by way of religion was soon taken up by others,
+of whom Arthur Bedford was probably the most redoubtable as he was
+certainly the most long winded, since his "Evil and Danger of Stage
+Plays" (1706) crowds into its two hundred and twenty-seven pages some
+two thousand instances of alleged profaneness and immorality with
+specific references to the texts of scripture which condemn each one.
+But Bedford had not been the first to treat the issue as one to be
+decoded by theologians rather than playwrights or critics. Somewhat
+unwisely, perhaps, Motteux had printed before his comedy "Beauty in
+Distress" a discourse "Of the Lawfulness and Unlawfulness of Plays"
+(1698), written by the Italian monk Father Caffaro, who was professor of
+divinity at the Sorbonne. Unfortunately Caffaro had, some years before
+this English translation appeared, already retracted his mild opinion
+that stage plays were not, _per se_, unlawful, and it was possible not
+only to cite his retraction but also to offer the opinions of the Bishop
+of Meux, who was better known to English readers than Father Caffaro.
+The anonymous author of the preface to "Maxims and Reflections"
+grants that dramatic poetry might, under certain circumstances, be
+theoretically permissible, but rather more frankly than Collier he makes
+it clear that his real intention is to urge the outlawing of the theater
+itself, since all efforts to reform it are foredoomed to failure. "But
+if", he writes, "the Reformation of the Stage be no longer practicable,
+reason good that the incurable Evil should be cut off". That lets the
+cat out of the bag.
+
+Both pieces reprinted here are from copies owned by the University of
+Michigan.
+
+    Joseph Wood Krutch
+    Columbia University
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+                The Campaigners:
+                    or, the
+       _Pleasant Adventures at_ Brussels.
+
+                       A
+                    COMEDY
+
+     As it is Acted at the _Theatre-Royal_.
+
+
+                    with a
+                Familiar Preface
+                     upon
+       _A Late Reformer of the STAGE._
+
+         Ending with a Satyrical Fable
+                      of
+             the DOG and the OTTOR.
+
+
+            Written by Mr. _D'urfey_.
+
+                    LONDON,
+
+
+Printed for _A. Baldwin_, near the _Oxford Arms_ Inn
+          in _Warwick lane_. MDCXCVIII.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+I Must necessarily inform the Partial, as well as Impartial Reader,
+that I had once design'd another kind of Preface to my Comedy than what
+will appear in the following sheets; but having in the interim been
+entertain'd with a Book lately Printed, full of Abuses on all our
+Antient as well as Modern Poets, call'd _A view of the Immorality and
+Prophaness of the English Stage_; and finding the Author, who, no doubt,
+extreamly values himself upon his Talent of _Stage-reforming_, not
+only (to use his own Ironical words) _particular in his Genius and
+Civilities_, but indecently, unmanner'd, and scurrilous in his unjust
+Remarks on me, and two of my Plays, _viz._ the first and second parts
+of the _Comical History of_ Don Quixote. [Footnote: Collier, p. 196.]
+I thought I cou'd not do better, first as a Diversion to the Town, and
+next to do a little Iustice to my self, than (instead of the other) to
+print a short Answer to this very Severe and Critical Gentleman; and at
+the same time give him occasion to descant upon the following Comick
+Papers, and my self the opportunity of vindicating the other; with some
+familiar Returns (_en Raillere_) upon his own Extraordinary _Integrity_,
+and Justness of the _Censure_.
+
+But first, lest I should plunge my self out of my depth, or like an
+unskilful Swimmer, endanger my self by a too precipitate Rashness, let
+me warily consider the Office and Habit of this unchristianlike Critick
+before I Attack him: He has, or had the honour to wear the Robe of a
+Clergyman of the Church of _England_: A Church, which for its Purity,
+Principles, and most Incomparable Doctrines, surpasses without objection
+all others in the world, which with a number of its pious, virtuous and
+learned Rulers and Ministers, I admire and acknowledge with all the
+faculties of my soul, heart and understanding; and on which I never
+seriously reflect, but I feel a secret shame for my remissness of duty,
+and my neglect, in not living hitherto up to its Admirable Principles.
+This reflection would indeed have been enough to awe any one in my
+circumstances from proceeding to answer his bold Censures, had I not
+Courage to consider that the rest of the worthy Gentlemen of that Robe
+are so good, that they will not excuse or defend our aforesaid Critick's
+Injustice or Mistakes in some places, tho they are pleas'd with his
+Truths in others; or be angry at me for endeavouring to gain their good
+opinion, by defending my self from most of his black Aspersions (how
+fair soever as yet they seem) and by unfolding him be judg'd by their
+impartial reason, start a question, whither he, tho a happy member of
+the aforesaid Adorable Church, does not come in for his share of
+_Immorality_, and other frailties; and consequently is not as fit to be
+detected, by the Wit of a Satyrical Poet; as the Poet by the positive
+Authority of an Angry Malecontent, tho in the garb of an humble
+Churchman.
+
+The _Vates_, or Poets in antient times were held in special veneration,
+even their Kings, and other chief Rulers, often submitted to the virtue
+of their Inspiration: Amongst which, the never enough admir'd Mr
+_Cowley_, in his noble version of the _Davideidos_, gives the _Royal
+David_ this Title, _Rex olim & Vates duo Maxima munera Coeli_; and
+numbers of others might be inserted to prove Poetical Authority, and
+the respect it bore in past Ages; which, tho I have not capacity to
+parallel, I hope I may be allow'd to imitate on another subject; and in
+this have leave to acquit my self of several heinous Accusations, which
+this Tyrannical Critick has Impos'd upon me.
+
+I am not at all Ignorant of his eminent parts, Learning, and other
+qualifications; nor am I insensible, as well as the rest of his Readers,
+that his Book has a very fair and engaging Title-page, and is no less
+Illustrated with many weighty and just censures upon the _Immorality of
+the Stage_, and our licentious Writings for many years past; and tho
+this has been proved by the late Ingenious Author of _the Vindication of
+the Stage_ to be occasion'd by the vices of the Times, and not those of
+the Poets; yet thus for we can endure the Scourge, and kiss his Rod with
+patience enough: And for my own part, I declare if I had found his
+Severity had been moral, and had ended in the good design of cleansing
+the Stage from its Impurities, and had been only a kind Instruction to
+my Brethren and my self, to reform our Immoral errors, I had, as the
+rest of us, with all humility imaginable, thank'd him for his wit and
+good reproof; and had been so far from answering in this manner, that I
+should have been proud to have my name before his Book, with a Copy of
+Verses in applause of his Admirable Design. But when, instead of this,
+I find he strikes at the root of our Dramatick Labours, and the Town's
+diversion, for some sly and selfish ends; and instead of reproving us
+with a Pastorly Mildness, Charity and Good Nature, gives us the basest
+language, and with the most scurillous expression, sometimes raging and
+even foaming at mouth, taxing the little liberty has always been us'd,
+with horrid horrid Blasphemy, Prophaneness, and Damnable Impiety; when
+Reason must inform every one we intend nothing of the matter, besides
+the poor priviledge _Poetica Licentia_: and pretending to prove this
+with false Quotations, unnatural Mistakes, and Hypocritical Hypotheses,
+I resolv'd to controvert him, and endeavour to prove that 'tis meerly
+his malice that has abus'd me and the rest, without Reason or
+Provocation; and that his own Wit and Morals are not so Infallible,
+but they lye also open to the censure of any Poetical Critick, who
+has Courage and Sense enough to attack 'em.
+
+I once more therefore address my self to the Reverend of the Gown, from
+highest to the lowest, and humbly desire that they will not appear
+Interested against me, because I defend myself against one that has
+abus'd me, and has the honour to wear one, (to what purpose the Judgment
+and Clemency of our Government knows best) I assure 'em my design is
+only to turn, like the Worm that is trod upon, complain being hurt,
+vindicate my self from abusive malice, and at the same time am heartily
+sorry that ever I had the occasion.
+
+'Tis a pleasure to me however to know that I have for many years, as
+well as now, the honour of the Conversation of several eminent men of
+the Church; and I dare say, upon occasion, I could easily gain their
+good words to prove my good behaviour. I do declare I never abus'd the
+sacred order in my life, but have always had, and still have, all the
+veneration for 'em that's possible; nor have any of my printed Writings
+contradicted this, unless when spoken in the person of Atheists,
+Libertines, and Ignorants, where 'tis natural in Comedy; nay, in my Book
+of Poems you will find a _Satyr against Atheists_, and in another Book,
+call'd _Colin's walk thro' London and Westminster_, a Moral through the
+whole, and design'd in the honour of the Church of _England_, to shew
+the stubbornness of _Romanists_, Grumblers, and other dissenting Sects;
+but this my partial Antagonist never read, nor heard of; nay, tho by his
+Book we may suppose he has read a thousand, yet amongst twenty of my
+Comedies Acted and Printed, he never heard of the _Royalist_, the
+_Boarding School_, the _Marriage Hater Match'd_, the _Richmond Heiress_,
+the _Virtuous Wife_, and others, all whose whole Plots and designs I
+dare affirm, tend to that principal instance, which he proposes, and
+which we allow, _viz._ the depression of Vice and encouragement of
+Virtue. Not he, he has not had leisure since his last _holding forth in
+the late Reign_, to do me this Justice, 'tis enough for him that he has
+encounter'd _Don Quixot_. [Footnote: Collier, p.] And truly, I must own,
+was a most proper Combatant for him; for if he had not been mad with the
+Wind-mill that was in his pate, or had ever perus'd that _Giant_ of an
+Author, upon whom I am the _Pigmy_, as he wittily observes, he would
+have found the Bockheaded Chaplain had been greazing his old Gassock
+there long before I new rigg'd him: But that's all one, I, poor I, must
+be denounc'd as Criminal; I brought him upon the Stage, I wash'd his
+Face, put on a new Crape Vest, and a clean Band, which, oh, fatal
+accident, made him look so like somebody, that I, in his opinion, and
+condemn'd by his infallibility, have been no body ever since, _vox &
+pręterea nihil_. Well, however this is determin'd, let me beg of my
+impartial Readers, to give me leave to try what I can be, I have had
+good fortune I am told by others in Lyrical Verse, which I am sure is
+one principal part of Poetry, I'll see now if I can match my Antagonist
+in Rallying Prose. Several ingenious Authors have already, I think, so
+well confuted his Assertions against the Stage, by proofs from the
+Antient Poets, the Primitive Fathers, and their Authorities, that they
+have far excell'd what I can pretend to do there; only, I could have
+wish'd one who is best able, and whose admirable Genius and Skill in
+Poetry would have been remarkably serviceable, had drawn his Pen to
+defend the Rights of the Stage, tho he had own'd the loosenesses of it,
+and had ventured the being presented for it; but since we, the forlorn,
+are not so happy to have that Aid, let my Antagonist, the Reformer, who,
+for all the gravity in some part of his Book, and the solid Piety he
+would insinuate in his Arguments, I perceive to be a Joker, and as full
+of Puns, Conundrums, Quibbles, Longinquipetites, and Tipiti-witchets, as
+the rest of us mortals, be pleas'd to take the length of my Weapon at
+that sport, for now I cannot help telling my Audience, which is the
+Town, that he has laid his reforming Cudgel upon me so severely, and it
+smarts so damnably, that I can't forbear smiting again if I were to be
+hang'd, desiring only, as the usual method is, a clear Stage, and from
+him no favour.
+
+To begin then, I shall illustrate my first Scene with a comical hint
+upon some part of his Character; and that the Jest may be worthy of
+making you laugh, you are to know, that the first view I ever had of
+this extraordinary Person, was neither better nor worse than under the
+_Gallows_. Well, but think you, I warrant, 'twas about some Charitable
+Duty that his sacred Function and Piety oblig'd him to, such as
+Exhorting the poor Souls to confess their Crimes, in order to be sav'd,
+or the like; no, faith, but quite contrary, for he was rather hardning
+them, and infusing a strong Portion of his own obstinacy, to fortifie
+'em for their dubious Journey; and in few minutes after, possess'd with
+a stronger Spirit of Priesthood than e'er, for some past Ages there has
+been Example for, pronounc'd the _Absolution_, the extremest and most
+mysterious Grace the Church can possibly give to the most repentant
+Sinner, to wretches Justly condemn'd by Law to die, for the most
+horrible Crimes in nature, _viz._ the intended Murder of the King,
+and Subversion of the Protestant Religion and Government. Now that
+such a Person should set up for a Protestant Example, and a Teacher
+of Morality, is somewhat new, for upon my veracity, this Gentleman may
+insinuate as he pleases, that our Church, and its Doctrines govern his
+heart; but as to that matter what may be in his heart I can't tell, but
+if a Pope is not crept into his belly, very near it, I am very much
+mistaken.
+
+_Pliny_ indeed, in his Natural History, _Lib._ 28, _Cap._ 10. tells ye,
+He that is bitten by a Scorpion may have relief, if immediately he go
+and whisper his grief into the Ear of an Ass. This Historian, perhaps,
+had so great credit with these Malefactors that they thought the remedy,
+by Auricular Confession, might serve too in their Concerns. But we are
+confirm'd, they were enough mistaken in the rest of their Opinions, and
+so 'tis very likely were in this. If this Parallel be found a little
+gross, I hope the Reader will excuse it, when he examines the bold
+Critick's Stile relating to the Poets. Besides, how wise soever he may
+be in other things, I'm sure all those that are so, and true Sons of
+the Church, when they reflect on that Action of his, will own that he
+deserves that, or a worse Title. And so to proceed.
+
+But before we inspect further, or touch upon the Moralist's Immorality,
+for I dare ingage it is not altogether impossible to prove, the
+_Pulpiteer_ may be tainted a little as well as the _Poetaster_, let us
+see whether we can find him guilty of the first Charge against us, which
+is _Immodesty_; and upon this subject indeed, if our Learn'd Reformer
+did not impose upon us with a Fallacy, I should (to shew my good Nature
+walk hand in hand with my resentment) once more admire him for his
+Character of Modesty in the 11th page of his Book, which is, to do him
+Justice, very fine; but then he only tells us of one kind of Modesty,
+when he knows there are two, and therein he is Falacious, in not
+exposing the other, which is decency of Speech and Behaviour; and truly,
+meerly, I believe, through a conscious reflection of his own frequent
+miscarriages in that case. If therefore, these Papers differ a little
+from that Civility which is proper, I beg the Readers pardon, and assure
+him 'tis only in imitation of his Stile to me, as all those that read
+his Book may find.
+
+For, in the first place, he does not shew his own, nor, indeed, any part
+of decent modesty, in exposing any Gentlemans Name in print, when the
+subject matter is Satyr, Reflection, Scandal, _&c._ and in which case I
+believe the Law might do Justice, if apply'd to; but if not, I am sure
+good Manners, and civil Education, ought to tie the Cassock as close as
+the Sash or Sursingle; but this our Divine helper, most Bully-like,
+disallows; for he, puff'd with his Priestly Authority, calls us boldly
+to the Bar of his Injustice by our own Names, the same minute that he is
+roaringly accusing us of Blasphemy, Smuttery, Foolery, and a thousand
+Monstrosities besides, as he'd make you believe; unless for variety, he
+picks out one amongst the rest, now and then, to abuse a little more
+civilly, and then, rubbing up his old College Wit, he Nicknames 'em,
+as you may find elegantly made out at the latter end of his Book,
+(for he shall see that I have read it quite through, and can hop over
+pages as fast as he for the life of him) where he can find no other
+Name or Character for two Gentlemen of Honour and Merit, _viz._ Mr.
+_Congreve_ and Captain _Vanbrooke_, who have written several excellent
+Plays, and who are only scandalous to our Critick, by being good Poets,
+yet these he can give no other Names or Characters, but what are Abusive
+and Ridiculous. [Footnote: Collier, p. 74] The first, for only making
+_Jeremy_, in _Love for Love_, call the Natural inclinations to eating
+and drinking, _Whorson Appetites_, he tells, That the _Manicheans,
+who made Creation the Work of the Devil, scarcely spoke any thing so
+course_. And then very modestly proceeding onwards says, _The Poet was
+_Jeremy_'s Tutor_. The t'other Gentleman he dignifies by a new Coin'd
+name of his own, _viz._ _The Relapser_, and much like an humble Son of
+the Church, a Man of Morals and Manners tells us, _This Poet is fit to
+Ride a Match with Witches: And, that _Juliana Cox_ (_a Non-juring Hag,
+I suppose, of his Acquaintance_) never switch'd a Broom-stick with more
+expedition._ [Footnote: Collier, p. 230.] Faith, such sentences as
+these, may be taking enough amongst his Party; but if this be his way of
+Reproving the Stage, and Teaching the Town Modesty, he will have fewer
+Pupils, I believe, than he imagines.
+
+But to do that Gentleman Broom-stick Rider some Justice, and because we
+shall want a Name hereafter to Christen the t'other, as he has given the
+Name of _Relapser_, so I think that of the _Absolver_ will be a very
+proper one to distinguish our Switcher, by which the Reader may observe,
+that we are civiller to him than he to us however. And first then, I
+desire all Persons to observe, that in other places of the same Chapter
+of his Book, our _Absolver_, for all his detestation of the Stage, and
+of Poetry in general, yet takes a huge deal of pains in taking to
+pieces, and mending the Comedy of the _Relapse_; nay, and to shew how
+transcendent his own Skill in these things is, he has help'd the Author
+to a better Name for his Play, and says, _The Younger Brother_, or, _The
+Fortunate Cheat_, had been much properer. [Footnote: Collier, p. 210.]
+This shews some good will he has to the Comick Trade however; and I
+doubt not, but if his Closet were Ransack'd, we might find a divertive
+Scene or two, effects of his idle Non-preaching hours, where Modesty,
+Wit, and good Behaviour, would be shewn in perfection.
+
+And yet, as to his own humour, we find it to be, by his Book, more
+fickle than even the Wind, or Feminine frailty in its highest
+Inconstancy. One while he's for Instructing our Stage, Modelling our
+Plays, Correcting the Drama, the Unity, Time and Place, and acts as very
+a Poet as ever writ an ill Play, or slept at an ill Sermon; and then,
+presently after, wheiw, in the twinkling of an Ejaculution, as Parson
+_Say-grace_ has it, he's summoning together a Convocation of old
+Fathers, to prove the Stage in past Ages exploded, and all Plays
+horrible, abominable Debauchers of youth, and not to be encourag'd in a
+Civil Government. What can we think of this, especialiy when I find him
+in this Paragraph of his Book * raving on at this rate, and quoting to
+us, That St. _Cyprian_, or the Author _de Spectaculis_, argues thus
+against those who thought the Play-House no unlawful diversion; 'tis too
+tedious to recite all, but enough of St. _Cyprian_ for my purpose runs
+thus:
+
+  What business has a Christian at such Places as these? A Christian
+  who has not the liberty so much as to think of an ill thing, why
+  does he entertain himself with lewd Representations? Has he a mind
+  to discharge his Modesty, and be flesh'd for the Practice? Yes,
+  this is the consequence, by using to see these things, he'll learn
+  to do them; what need I mention the Levities and Impertinencies in
+  Comedies, or the Ranting distractions of Tragedy, were these things
+  unconcern'd with Idolatry, Christians ought not to be at them, for
+  were they not highly Criminal, the foolery of them is Egregious,
+  and unbecoming the gravity of Believers.
+
+And then again, before he is out of breath,
+
+  A Christian has much better Sights than these to look at, he has
+  solid Satisfactions in his power, which will please and improve him
+  at the same time. Would a Christian be agreeably refresh'd, let him
+  read the Scriptures, here the Entertainment will suit his Character,
+  and be big enough for his quality. Ah, Beloved, how noble, how
+  moving, how profitable a thing is it, to be thus employ'd, to have
+  our expectations always in prospect, and be intent on the glories
+  of Heaven!
+
+Very good, and who is he so reprobated, that will not allow this
+to be devout, and admirable good Counsel? But now let us see how the
+_Absolver_, for all Pious quotation, has follow'd St. _Cyprian_'s
+Advice; that holy Father charges him not to entertain himself with such
+lewd things as Plays, and he very dutifully reads a thousand as fast as
+he can; nay, scans and weighs 'em, and, no doubt, not without tickling
+satisfaction, at the present, for all his Saturnine Remarks at last.
+Now if his Answer to this is, That it belongs to his Office, as a
+Church-man, and that he could not reprehend the Vices in 'em without
+reading the Books themselves, I must tell him, That St. _Cyprian_, nor
+the rest of the Fathers, did not allow that, neither do we find they did
+it themselves, for all their inveighing against the Stage; so that he
+makes his own Quotation altogether invalid, _He not being to do ill
+that good might come of it._
+
+And therefore, why may not a Poet now, who, perhaps, is a greater Votary
+to St. _Cyprian_ in other Matters than the _Absolver_ is in this, rally
+him thus, and turn his Quotation upon himself, Phrase by Phrase? "What
+business has a Parson with such Books as these? A Parson who has not the
+liberty so much as to think of an ill thing? Why does he entertain
+himself with lewd Comedies? Has he a mind to discharge his Priestcraft,
+and flesh himself up for a Poet? Yes, this is the consequence, by using
+to see these _smutty_ things, he'll learn to write 'em. What need I
+mention the Sham-Oaths, and looseness of Farce, or the Fustian raving
+against the Gods in Tragedy, were these things really unconcern'd with
+Idolatry, a Parson, of all Mankind, should not be known to ogle them,
+for were they not highly Criminal, the foolery of them is Egregious, and
+unbecoming the gravity of all that thump the Cushion, or intend to thump
+a true Belief into the Pates of an incorrigible Congregation."
+
+And now methinks I see the Spiritual Critick, with a certain sallow
+Male-contented Phiz, poring upon this Page, and sucking his Ring-finger,
+gives himself an unpleasurable minute to Judge whether I have
+paraphras'd right or no; well, all's one, fall back fall edge, I'm
+resolv'd to bait him with St. _Cyprian_ a little more. "A Parson has,
+or should have, much better Books than Plays to look in; he has many
+Authors of Pious and Solid Authorities to please, and improve himself
+with, at the same time. Would a Parson be agreeably refresh'd, let him
+read the Scriptures, let him find out Treatises of Morality, Meekness,
+Charity, and holy Life, there the Entertainment will suit his Character.
+Ah, Beloved, how noble, how moving, how profitable a pleasure would it
+be to us, to see a Parson thus employ'd, to let the Stage's diversions
+be too little for his grave Consideration, and be intent himself on the
+glories of Heaven!" And here now, I do not at all question but the
+_Absolver_, a little nettled at this last Parallel, will fall to biting
+of his fingers again, his Righteous Spirit being offended at my
+Insolence, in scribling the Word _Parson_ so oft, it being a Nickname,
+and only invented by some idle fellow, who resolv'd to use the Order
+with no more respect. Why truly, I confess, in this Case, Modesty is
+a little gravell'd, but then she may thank him for it, for he has
+dignify'd the Poets with so many _Hell-defying_, _deep-mouth'd
+Swearing_, _Relapsing_, _Witch-riding Titles_, that the worthy Ministry
+cannot reasonably be angry, especially when the Word is only meant to
+him, whom I shall prove has lessen'd the true Title, by his _Immorality_
+and _Hypocrisie_, more than ever the Poets did the Reputation of the
+Stage, by their Time-serving Loosenesses and Licentious Diversions.
+
+It is, no doubt, a considerable Maim to us, in some Peoples opinions,
+who never digested the benefits arising from the Stage in its Moral
+Representations, that this smarting Lash is given us by a Clergy-man of
+the Church of _England_, that is, good friends, if he be so, for some
+Judicious Heads are not resolv'd in that Affirmative--but let that be
+_discuss'd_ in another place, I'm sure, if he is, _Obedience to
+Government, in the first place, should be his principal Tenet_; and
+whether that is a part of the _Absolver_'s Character, I think has
+sufficiently appear'd. But let him be what he will, I shall now take the
+pleasure to inform those People, that but few years since, we had a Man
+of Wit and Learning, that wore the Gown, and as true a Son of the Church
+as she could possibly breed; that was intirely devoted a Champion in our
+Cause, and Asserted the Rights of the Stage with Success and Applause;
+and whoever will but look back a little, and incline his Eyes towards
+the delectable River _Cam_, may Encounter the fam'd Wit of that
+University, the Ingenious Mr. _Thomas Randolph_, who in one of his great
+many admirable Pieces, call'd the _Muses Looking-glass_, makes his whole
+Moral to be the Vindication of the Stage, and its usefulness, and by
+shewing the passions in their Kinds, contrives to confute some canting
+prejudic'd Zealots, whose ignorance and frenzy had conspir'd before to
+run it down; I will treat the Reader here with some of it.
+
+  A Country Lass, for such she was, tho here
+  In th' City may be Sluts as well as there;
+  Kept her hands clean, for those being always seen,
+  Had told her else how sluttish she had been;
+  Yet was her Face, as dirty as the Stall
+  Of a Fish-monger, or a Usurer's Hall
+  Begrim'd with filth, that you might boldly say,
+  She was a true piece of _Prometheus_'s Clay.
+  At last, within a Pail, for Country Lasses
+  Have oft you know, no other Looking-glasses,
+  She view'd her dirty Face, and doubtless would
+  Have blush'd, if through so much dirt she could.
+  At last, within that Water, that I say,
+  That shew'd the Dirt, she wash'd the Dirt away.
+    _So, Comedies, as Poets still intend 'em,_
+    _Serve first to shew your faults, and then to mend 'em._
+
+  [Footnote: _Muses Looking-Glass._]
+
+Here was a pretty Compliment to our Art now, a good Moral with good
+Manners into the bargain; and yet 'tis certain the times then were as
+Licentious as now, and the Poets took as little care of their Writings;
+but Mr _Randolph_ always made his good Nature agree with his Wit, and
+put as favourable construction upon Scenes of Diversion, as reason would
+allow, tho he perhaps had as much occasion for 50 _l._ as the Absolver
+when he writ his Book. He knew that if there was so stupid a Temper,
+that the Moral of a Play could not reform, the looseness that was in it
+could not prejudice; nor if a wild Town-Fellow, or a baffl'd Bully, or
+passionate Lover, being characters in a Play, spoke some extravagances
+proper for 'em, would he roar it out for Blasphemy, Profaneness, &_c._
+and make a malicious scrutiny, and unreasonable interpretation of words,
+which had no other intention but to make the Character natural by
+customary manner of Speech, as he has shewn examples by two of his own,
+in the extremes of Vain-glory and Hypocrisie: And yet this Gentleman
+was as Learned, as good a Critick, and as Consciencious a man, as our
+Absolver can pretend to be; and if I say, I had somewhat a better Title
+to Modesty and good Manners, I think it may be made out, he having a
+civil regard to the Poets, defended their Cause, and excus'd some
+failings for the sake of some other Merits, when this treats 'em all
+like fools, tho he has only rak'd up a few of their errors, which he
+has made a huge heap of Rubbish, by peering through his own Magnifying
+Glass, without any allowance to their qualifications, or any modest
+care to do 'em justice, which ought to have been one way as well as
+another.
+
+So much then for his _Modesty_ in one of its kinds, which is decency of
+behaviour and expression; as for the other, he has plaid such a Game at
+Hide and Seek with us, that we have been long in a Mist, not knowing how
+to discover it: But the Air clears, and 'tis time for us now to take the
+right end of the perspective, tho he would give us the Wrong, and then
+try if we cannot discern, in the midst of his Garden of Divinity, a neat
+friend of his call'd Immorality, tho he would subtly insinuate him into
+the world as a stranger, leading his darling daughter dear Hypocrisie
+into an Arbor; where, after they had been some time alone, our Critick
+knowing how to be civil to his own creature, and to give 'em time enough
+to beget a right understanding, he is very glad at last to be a third in
+the company.
+
+I should not have put him upon this warm Office, if I had not found him
+too hot and bold with our Famous Ancient Truth-telling Poet _Juvenal_,
+when in his Book he tells us, _he teaches those vices he would correct,
+and writes more like a Pimp than a Poet_ [Footnote: Collier, p. 70,
+71.]--But upon just consideration, I believe if the Absolver taught the
+Art of Rebellion no more than _Juvenal_ the Art of Pimping, the one
+would be respected in after Ages, as much as we know the other has
+in the former: But every one is Fool or Knave that is not of this
+Gentlemans kidney. A little while after, at the usual rate of his own
+accustom'd civility, he falls upon the _Renown'd Shakespear_, and says,
+he is so guilty, that he is not fit to make an Evidence. [Footnote:
+Collier, p. 50.] Why now it 'twere possible for his Complexion to blush,
+there's ne're a Robe of any Friend Cardinal the Absolver has at _Rome_,
+that can be redder than his would be for such a Position: Nor does it
+end here, but is mixt with some more foolish and insolent Remarks in
+another place, upon the admirable Tragedy of _Hamlet_. And here he has
+no other way to shew his malice, but by ridiculously quibbling upon the
+prettiest Character in it, the innocent young Virgin _Ophelia_, who,
+because the Poet makes her run mad for the death of her Father, and loss
+of her Lover, and consequently makes her sing and speak some idle
+extravagant things, as on such an occasion is natural, and at last drown
+her self, he very masterly tells us, the Poet, _since he was resolv'd to
+drown her like a Kitten, should have set her a swimming a little sooner;
+to keep her alive, only to sully her Reputation, is very cruel_.
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 10.] Yes, but I would fain ask Doctor Absolution
+in what she has sullied her Reputation, I am sure five hundred Audiences
+that have view'd her could never find it out, tho he has; but the
+Absolver can't help being positive and partial to his own humour, tho
+he were to be hang'd, as the Lady was drown'd, for he is very angry in
+another place with the aforesaid Author, for making Sir _Hugh Evens_ in
+the Merry Wives of Windsor, a silly, eating, chattering _Welch_ Priest,
+but vindicates and speaks well, of Sir _John_, Parson of _Wrotham_, in
+the History of Sir _John Oldcastle_; [Footnote: Collier, p. 125.] tho
+he swears, games, wenches, pads, tilts and drinks, and does things which
+our Reformers Guts are ready to come up at another time, only, forsooth,
+because he is stout; but 'tis indeed only _because he is a Parson_, and
+sullen, which he thinks wise, for he cannot endure that Copyhold should
+be touch'd, as you may see more plainly a little further, where he says
+in _Loves Labour Lost_, the Curate plays the fool egregiously; and so
+does the Poet too: there he clenches the Nail, there he gives
+_Shakespear_ a bold stroke, there obstinacy and malice appear in true
+colours: And yet if a parcel of the ones Plays, were set up by way of
+Auction against t'others _Sermons and Essays_; nay, tho the Loyal and
+Politick _Desertion discussd_ was thrown in to boot, I know not what the
+Grave would do, but I am sure the Wise would quickly find difference.
+And yet to Remark him nicely, this humour of railing is only where the
+Poets do not suit with his design; for in another place you'll find this
+same _Shakespear_, that was before too guilty to make an Evidence, a
+very civil person now; for the Reformer is troubl'd with Fits, you must
+know, disturbances i th' brain, which makes him forget one hour what he
+rails at another, for here now _Shakespear_'s _Falstaff_ is call'd the
+admir'd, because he is to serve his turn. And that the Poet _was not so
+partial as to let his humour compound for his lewdness_; but punishes
+him at last, tho he makes him all his life time a damnable, _smutty_
+fellow. [Footnote: ...54] And now, I think, having said enough of his
+modest behaviour, 'twon't be amiss to have a touch or two at his
+Hypocrisy. And first, concerning the word Smutt.
+
+"Smutt, Smutt"! Why does this tarmagant Correcter of our Lives and
+Manners pretend to make us believe that his Mouth or Conscience is so
+streight, that the t'other word can't get passage, or did his Mistress
+(honourable I mean) sit knotting under his Nose when he was writing,
+and so gave occasion for the changing it instead of Bawdy, that that
+odious word might not offend her, tho the Phrase was made Nonsence by
+it--hum--No faith, the case seems to me now to be quite otherwise, and
+really the effect of downright _Hypocrisy_, unless done as I said for
+the last reason; for those that have read his Book, may find sprinkling
+up and down the other words extreamly plain upon occasion, _Ribaldry_
+and _Bawdy_, and _Whores_, and _Whoring_, and _Strumpets_, and
+_Cuckoldmakers_, with as fat a signification as any of the last nam'd
+could wish for their hearts; for example, by way of Tract, first, he
+says, _Euripides_ in his _Hipolitus_, calls _Whoring_ stupidness and
+playing the fool; and secondly, does _Ribaldry_, (not Smut) and Nonsence
+become the dignity of their station. [Footnote: Collier, p 30, 32.]
+Again, _Berinthia_ incourages _Amanda_ to play the _Whore_; and then
+sowse upon _Don Quixot_, [Footnote: p. 74.] when there is not so much
+as one little tiny todpol of _Smut_, that I know of, unless he creates
+it--Yet I am Crambo'd with, _who, with low, nauseous Bawdry fills his
+Plays_. [Footnote: p. 208.] Again speaking of _Jupiter_ and _Alcmena_--
+but her Lover--_that is her Whore-master_. [Footnote: p. 178.] And at
+last with a Rowzer upon Mr _Congreeve_'s _Double Dealer_, where he
+particularly Remarks, _that there are but four Ladies in his Play, and
+three of em are Whores_; adding, withal, that 'tis _a great Compliment
+to Quality, to tell em there is but a quarter of 'em honest_. [Footnote:
+p. 12.] Why who, in the name of _Diana_, and all the rest of the Maiden
+_Goddesses_, does tell 'em so, unless it be Doctor _Crambo_ here--If any
+one calls 'em _Whores_ 'tis he, he that by an assum'd Authority thinks
+he may say any thing; the Ladies, I dare say for the Poet, were drest in
+such clean Linnen, and were so far from being Tawdry, that no Scrutineer
+but our severe Master of Art but wou'd have thought Charitably of 'em.
+Well, but huge Rampant _Whores_ they must be with him tho, and through
+that very mouth that simper'd and primm'd before, as if such a filthy
+word cou'd not possibly break through: It comes out now in sound and
+emphasis, and the modest Pen is as prone and ready to write it. So that
+I once more affirm, that if it were not done in respect to his Lady,
+who, no doubt, peruses him extreamly, it must naturally be the effect
+of _Hypcrisie_, for, to be squeamish in one place and not in another is
+Ridiculous, especially when one word is Innocent in its kind, and makes
+the sense, and the other when us'd makes it wretched Affectation, and
+almost Nonsence.
+
+Now if the _Absolver_ thought Affectation would appear a vertue in him,
+he ought to have squeamifyed the before-mention'd Ladies with some title
+that was new, and if _Smutt_ was chosen to be his fine darling word (and
+the course one of _Whores_ slipt out of his Mouth, or from his Pen, by
+misfortune or chance) he should, in my opinion, have given 'em the title
+of _Smutters_: a primming neat word extremely proper for the occasion:
+And I hope I shall live to see the Master of Art have Modesty enough to
+thank me for't; or else (for my fancy wou'd fain oblige him if it cou'd)
+to make it yet more _German_ to the matter, as _Shakespear_ has it, to
+call em _Colliers_ would be as significant as any thing; for there's
+allusion enough to _Smutt_, or the Devil's in't: For, to deal sincerely,
+and without _Hypocrisie_, I cannot imagine what this learned Gentleman
+can mean by all that Smutt, Smutt, when the other word is as decent and
+more significant, unless he banters, or dissembles, or fear'd the Ladies
+peeping, or is so full of his own name, that he goes along quibbling
+upon't through his Book, with design that way to make himself more
+famous.
+
+In another part of his Treatise too I fancy I find the _Hypocrite_ a
+great deal more than the _Moralist_, and that is, in his kecking at a
+word in one place, and gobbling it up in another. To prove this, I find
+him very like a Ghostly Father of the old _Roman_ Kidney, condemning
+even to the Inquisition: One _Carlos_ in Mr _Dryden_'s _Love
+Triumphant_, for blundring out this _horrible Expression_, as he calls
+it, _Nature has given me my portion of Sense, with a Pox to her_.
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 82.] Now pray observe, the _Absolvers_ Stomach
+is so horribly squeamish, at this he belches, turns pale, and is so very
+sick, that a quartern of Cherry is administered in vain, to set him to
+rights; he prints instead of the word only a great P---- and tells the
+gentle Reader, (that he is intending to lead by the Nose) that the
+_Hellish syllable_ may be found there at length if he pleases. Would
+not any one think now, that did not know that the Small Pox is a common
+Disease, that this word had been _Blasphemy_ in the extremity, the
+renouncing the Deity, or something beyond pardon, and would not one lay
+a Scholars Egg against a Tost and Ale, that the Doctor would ne're be
+concern'd with it as long as he was able to eat or drink either of 'em.
+Why see now how an honest man may be cheated; do but turn to the one
+hundred seventy second page of his Book, and you will find this
+horrible, this hellish, syllable, in its Pontificallibus, at length,
+sitting almost a straddle upon the top of the Page, and us'd familiarly
+and friendly, without so much as once kacking at it, or one invective
+near it, tho the sense of the Curse is as broad as t'other, and has
+rather the worse signification. [Footnote: Collier, p. 172.]
+
+And pray what can this be else but Hypocrisy; if the word were really
+terrifying and horrible to him, it would certainly be so in one place as
+well as another. No, no, these are only flights and amusements, tricks
+of his own studied Legerdemain, to make the bubbled ignorants believe
+him a Saint, and admire his Divinity, when, if they could dive to the
+bottom of the secret, 'tis solemnly believ'd by many of the dutiful Sons
+of the Church, that our Sham-reformer is a much fitter man to win Money
+by his skill at a game of Whisk and Swabbers, than as the case of
+Allegiance, and Morality, stand with him, to win Souls from Reprobation
+by the Integrity of his Principles.
+
+I must treat ye with one instance more of his _Hypocrisie_, and then I
+pass on to another Head. This instance I find Mr _Vanbrook_ has taken
+particular notice of at the latter end of his Book, where, 'tis true,
+every one may see the _Absolvers_ Foible is very plain, but that Author
+has not made the Case parallel with the others Remark upon _Mr.
+Congreve_'s Comedy the _Old Batchelor_, which shews his contradiction of
+himself, and his fallacy undeniable, for there he seems to roar at young
+_Belmour_ for his forgetfulness of Religion, at a minute when he is
+desiring _Letitia to give him leave to swear by her Lips and Eyes_, when
+he is kissing and telling her, _Eternity was in that moment_. [Footnote:
+Collier, p. 63.] In short, when he has got her fast in his Arms, and
+intends to go through stitch with the matter; for which he calls the
+Lady Strumpet, and raves at the smuttiness of the Action; and yet, a
+little while after, in another page, rallies, jokes upon, and banters
+young _Worthy_ in the _Relapse_, for letting his Lady slip through his
+fingers, and calls him a _Town-Spark_, and a _Platonick Fool_ for't.
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 127.] Hey Jingo, here's Riddling for ye! what
+would this whimsical Gentleman be at? first he rails at a Lover for
+holding a pretty Woman fast, and then he jokes upon him for letting
+her go; this runs almost parallel with the Fable of the Satyr and the
+Traveller; but if the Doctor is observ'd to have the faculty of blowing
+hot and cold thus, I believe he may keep his breath either to cool his
+Porridge, or to warm his fingers, and be much better employ'd, than by
+using it to make any Proselytes to his Doctrine; and so much for this
+Head. Now let us try if we can scratch another, and find it out under
+his Night-cap of
+
+
+    _Immorality._
+
+It is not enough to prove a Man is a Moralist, only because he is noted
+for a Regular Life; that may be one good instance indeed; but it can
+never arrive to a proof of the whole, for his living Soberly, and by
+Rule, may as well be caus'd by the defect of his Constitution, as by the
+effect of his Inclination, but 'tis the Spirit and Will, by the fire of
+whose other Virtues, this of Morality is kindled and illustrated. Now I
+will not be so byass'd by other Peoples opinions that know him, to say,
+That our devout Critick owes him seeming Piety, and good life, to his
+ill habit of Body; nor will I load him with Abuse, _right or wrong, as
+he has done me, particularly through a whole Chapter_, but leave that
+charitably to natural Conscience, or studied Artifice, which he pleases,
+and only reflect a little on the temper of his Mind, as I have found it
+blazing in this last, as well as others of his Books. In the first
+place, if Stubbornness, which causes wrong opinion of the present Regal
+Authority and Government, is an Immoral Vice, if he is not tainted,
+I know not who is; for let any one, who is not blinded with Partiality,
+but read his _Desertion Discuss'd_, with the admirable Answer to it, and
+I am satisfied he cannot help joining with me in this opinion, That what
+he would insinuate to be the effect of Right in others, and of
+Conscience in himself, is nothing but the effect of Error in one, and
+Obstinacy and Stubborn Will in t'other, a humour resolv'd to defend and
+carry on a hot Argument, tho it has been never so plain and reasonably
+confuted: the Positions and Answers on this subject I shall not insert
+here, but leave the Reader, whose curiosity obliges him, to the Papers
+themselves, only I wish the _Absolver_ had made _Newgate_ the last Scene
+of that part of his _Immorality_, and by an humble acknowledgment to his
+Patron that redeemed him, (I hope the word will bear in this place) have
+spar'd his Office of _Absolution_ in another Scene, and consequently
+given no occasion to believe that his disobedient humour, and turbulent
+nature, still proceeds daily, to cultivate his Party with the same
+Principles as far as he can.
+
+Another spice of _Immorality_ I believe I can make appear by his Pride,
+and tho' in other places it is to be found, yet is most fairly instanc'd
+in his _Book of Essays_, where, tho' we find one Chapter wholly upon
+that Vice, which, to shew his Justice, begins with a Compliment upon the
+same _Juvenal_, now he has use for him whom he call'd Pimp before, yet
+it has not bulk enough to Skreen from us his haughtiness in another,
+which he calls the _Office of a Chaplain_, for there you shall find
+he has collected the Spirit of them all, and blended them into one
+Character; I mean the ill Spirits of the ill _Chaplains_, _those that
+are good I honour_. Here you may find his Likeness in _Don Quixot_,
+_Roger_ in the _Scornful Lady_, _Bull_ in the _Relapse_, _Say-grace_,
+_Cuff-cushion_, and others, all learning their Lessons of their stubborn
+Superior our Reformer, and all tending to governing, brow-beating,
+snubbing, commanding Families, and the like, but not one word of
+_humility_ tack'd to't, for fear of spoiling the Character; there
+you may find 24 pages, one after another, all written to prove most
+gloriously, that 'tis impossible for a _Chaplain_ to be a Servant; that
+tho' you find a poor fellow in a tatter'd Excommunicated Gown with one
+sleeve, Shoes without heels, miserable Antichristian breeches, with
+some two dozen of creepers brooding in the seams; and tho' you take
+him charitably to your House, feed, clothe, and give him wages, yet
+he belongs only _to God_, and not you, and you must not think him your
+_Domestick_, but your _Superior_. Why, what a Scheme is here laid for
+Vanity and Folly, add how much more shining and beautiful does gratitude
+and humility appear in such a Depender, than such a bloated opinion as
+this? Would any honest Gentleman, that has his sences, shew his
+Indulgence and Generosity to Wit or Learning, on such terms as these?
+And does not this Chapter shew more the Spirit of Pride in our
+_Absolver_, relating to his own humour, than the veneration he has for
+the Clergy, or the Justice he would seem to do them in it? I dare
+affirm, most of them are against this Opinion, at least I'm sure all
+the modest part are, who cannot but own themselves subservient to their
+Patrons that maintain them, tho' at the same time they are Ministers of
+_Gods holy Words and Sacraments_. Yet he buffly goes on, _He is Gods
+Minister, not Mans Servant_. [Footnote: _Office of a Chaplain_, p. 178.]
+And a little way further, he clenches this admirable Notion through and
+through; therefore, says he, _for a Patron to acconnt such a Consecrated
+Person, as if he belong'd to him as a Servant, is in effect to challenge
+Divine Honours, and set himself up for a God_. [Footnote: Ib. _p._ 185.]
+Here's Ambition, here's Perfection, here's old _Bonner_ for ye. Now by
+his _Hollidame_, for I can't forbear that Oath now, what can a squeamish
+Critick, that would make _Remarks_ upon the _Remarker_ call this? But
+stay, he's at it again, _Dolopion_, says he, _was Priest to _Scamander_,
+and regarded like the God he belong'd to_. [Footnote: Collier, _p.
+113._] Pray mind him, the Priest was worshipp'd equal with the God--oh
+rare Moralist--if he were, 'twas an _Ęgyptian_ Worship, where only
+_Calves_ and _Apes_, and _Carrots_ and _Onions_, were _Gods_. But pray
+let us see a little, has not this Divine quotation a tang of _Blasphemy_
+in't? Oh fie, no; what, the _Moralist_! _Reformer_ of _Vices_! Speak
+_Blasphemy_! Impossible! he can't sure! Yes, yes, he may, when he thinks
+no body can find him out: and faith, to my sence now, this smells as
+rank of _Pandemonium_, of fire and brimstone, to the full, if not worse,
+than Mr. _Dryden_'s Verse, _Whether inspir'd with a Diviner Lust his
+father got him_, &c. [Footnote: Absalom _and_ Achit.] which is spoken
+only in the figurative Person of _David_; yet he says 'tis _downright
+defiance of the Living God, and the very Essence and Spirit of
+Blasphemy_. [Footnote: Collier _p. 184._] And here now his Stomach
+wambled more terribly than before; so that if his Friend were by, he
+must of necessity hold the Bason. Oh me! he reaches and reaches, and
+first up comes--egh--_I question whether_--egh--_the torments and
+despair of the Damn'd_--egh--_dare venture at such flights as these_.
+And now the Head being held by the same hand, at two reaches more it
+comes all up, mix'd with a Tincture of old _Bonner_ again--egh--
+_I can't forbear saying, that the next bad thing to writing these
+Impieties_--egh--_is to suffer them_. And now the Fit's over, leaving
+us to imagine what rare Church Discipline we should have, if this
+Gentleman, and his Cat with nine Tails, were in Power; I think a Couplet
+or two here, by way of Advice to him, is not improper.
+
+  Your Tribe should all be in Opinion steady,
+  Not turn or wind for Power or for Place,
+  Nor covet Wealth but in Spiritual Grace.
+  The Gifts of _Mammon_ you should ne'r implore,
+  Nor wish for Gold, unless to give the Poor;
+  It makes your Art contemptible appear,
+  Less follow'd too, and look'd into more near;
+  For if all those that preach up Paradise,
+  Will have their shares of every human Vice,
+  They shall Cant long enough e're I believe,
+  Or pin my Soul's Salvation on their sleeve.
+
+  [Footnote: Weesils, p. 11.]
+
+Here now, ten to one, but I shall make our Reformer fall into another
+fit, by pretending to Counsel him, or take his Office of Ordinary upon
+my self; for in page 138, he will not give up that leave, _What, is the
+Pulpit under the Discipline of the Stage? And are those fit to correct
+the Church, that are not fit to come into it_? [Footnote: Collier, p.
+138.] Ah! Doctor, rub your eyes a little, and see what the Vindicator
+of the Stage says, quoting Divine _Herbert_:
+
+  A Verse may find him who a Sermon flies,
+  And turn delight into a Sacrifice.
+
+Besides I do assure you, spite of your Ghostly Authority, and
+Uncharitable Position, that we are not fit, we will come in, and not
+only imbibe the Mystery of _Divinity_ from the Pulpit, but unriddle
+the Mystery of _Iniquity_, if we can find any there. _Ben Johnson_
+found out _Ananias_ and _Rabby Buisy_; _Fletcher_, _Hypocritical
+Roger_; _Shakespear_, _Sir John_ of _Wrotham_; _Congreve_, _Say-grace_;
+_Vanbrook_, _Bull_; _Shadwell_, _Smirk;_ and if _Durfey_ can find out
+a proud, stubborn, immoral _Bernard_, [Footnote: The Chaplains Name
+in _Don Quixot_.] one, that when he was a Country Curate, _would not
+let the Children be brought to Church to be Christned for some odd
+Jesuitical Reasons_ best known to himself, he shall presume to draw his
+Picture, tho the _Absolver_ drop another Chapter of Abuse upon him for
+so doing.
+
+We find, for many Ages past, Poets have enjoy'd this Priviledge; our
+Prince of Poets, _Chaucer,_ had so much to do in this kind, that we find
+him weary himself, and loth to weary others with.
+
+  Of Freers I have told before,
+    In a making of a Crede,
+  And yet I cold tell worse, or more,
+    But Men would werien it to read.
+
+  [Footnote: Chaucer]
+
+This I think is pithy, but here again I think his Counsel to them is
+much better.
+
+  Fly fro the Prease and dwell with soothfastness,
+    Suffice unto thy good, tho it be small,
+  For horde hath, and climbing tickleness,
+    Prease hath Envy, and wele is blent ore all;
+  Savour no more then thee behove shall,
+  Rede wele thy self that other folk canst rede,
+  And trouth thee shall deliver it is no drede.
+
+Now if he be Moral enough to take old _Chaucer_'s Advice I shall be
+glad; and so much for that subject. There is nothing now remains, before
+I come to vindicate _Don Quixot_, but a large Remark of his, upon the
+little or no swearing in Plays, which commonly is only a kind of an
+Interjection, as gad, I cod, oonz, _&c._ which I don't defend neither,
+and if any others have carelesly past the Press I'm sorry for't, for I
+hate them as much as he, yet because the Doctor has quoted the Statute
+Law against it and Players, to slander on one side, tho to reform on
+t'other, I will in return quote another piece of Law relating to Oaths,
+extreamly for his advantage, for there is only this quibbling difference
+between us, 'Tis a fault in us in swearing when we should not, and in
+him for not swearing when he should; but that now he may have occasion
+to say my Civilities are particular to him, I will make him do't.
+
+  I _J.C._ do sincerely promise and swear, that I will be faithful,
+  and bear true Allegiance to His Majesty King _William_: And I do
+  swear that I do, from my heart, abhor, detest and abjure, as Impious
+  and Heretical, that damnable Doctrine and Position, that Princes
+  excommunicated, or depriv'd by the Pope, or any Authority of the
+  See of _Rome_, may be Depos'd or Murther'd by their Subjects, or
+  any other whatsoever.
+
+  And I do declare that no Foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State
+  or Potentate, hath, or aught to have, any Jurisdiction, Power,
+  Superiority, Preeminence or Authority, Ecclesiastical or Spiritual,
+  within this Realm. _So help me God._
+
+This now, with a sincerity proper, and coming to Church to hear our
+Divine Service, with the _Prayer_ for the _King_ in't, would give one a
+little satisfaction as to the Doctors present opinion, for what he has
+been, if you will but examine and scan it by his Book, tho it be a
+Reforming Book, is I am sure very disputable; in one Page of it he seems
+very zealous for the Protestant Reformation, and says, being very much
+piqu'd at _Sir John Brute_'s putting on a Clergy-man's Habit in the
+_Provok'd Wife_, _that the Church of _England_, he means the Men in her,
+is the only communion in the world, that will endure such insolencies as
+these_ [Footnote: Collier, p. 108.]; and this, tho it be somewhat
+_Bonnerish_ again, and _Switcher_-like, yet however seems to leer of
+our side; but then presently in another place he's as zealous for the
+_Roman_ Sect, and Jesuitically condemns a little wholesom Satyr in the
+Character of a pamper'd hypocritical covetous _Spanish Fryer_, for
+incivility in making him a Pimp to _Lorenzo_, and is very angry at the
+Author for calling this virtuous person _a parcel of holy Guts and
+Garbidge_, and telling him _that he has room in his Belly for his
+Church-steeple_; [Footnote: Collier, p. 98.] and here his Lash is up
+again for abusing them--oh--if _Doctor Absolution_ were Inquisitor
+general, and a Satyrist against Priests came under his hand, mercy upon
+us, how that poor Rascal would be flaug'd, for I find 'tis only the
+person of the Priest that he would have reverenc'd, let his opinion be
+what it will; nay, tho he were a _Priest of Baal_, as may be prov'd a
+little further, for here his Zeal shews itself not only for Christians,
+but the very _Turks_ too; and cavils again with _Jacinta_, in the _Mock
+Astrologer_, for jesting with _Alla_, and honest _Mahomet_, for he was
+a Brother Priest too: [Footnote: Collier, p. 61.] But stay, what's worst
+of all, have but patience to walk to another Page, and here you will
+find him just sinking into a downright doze and despondency, whither he
+had best set up for any Religion at all, or at least for one very
+indifferent.
+
+_Our Poets, I suppose, would call this Preaching, and think it a dull
+business; however, I can't forbear saying, an honest Heathen is none
+of the worst men, a very indifferent Religion well believ'd, will go a
+great way._ [Footnote: Collier, p. 28.] --Will it so, pray friends de'e
+not think our hot reforming Gentleman is very Luke-warm here, or not a
+little craz'd when he writ this, or, as the vulgar have it, was not his
+mighty Wit run a Wool-gathering; for if he be for _Protestantism_, and
+_Popery_, and then whip--amongst the _Bens of the _Arabians_ for _Alla_
+and _Mahomet_,_ and at last for little or no Religion at all, I'm afraid
+I shall never bring my self to be reform'd by him. And so at him agen
+Weesil.
+
+  For who with Reason, if this be your way,
+  Will ever value what you Preach or Pray.
+
+  [Footnote: _Weesils_.]
+
+But now I think I have said enough for the Plays, whose Authors are much
+better able to speak for themselves; and therefore will fall off to
+vindicate my self a little, and my Acquaintance _Don Quixot_; in which
+I will endeavour to prove another Immoral Vice in our Stage-Reformer,
+which is
+
+
+    _Injustice and Error in Criticism._
+
+And first, his _Injustice_ appears by his ungentlemanlike exposing me
+and others by name, upon a scandalous occasion (as he endeavours to
+make it) without any Injury done by me to him, or ever giving him any
+provocation, or the Play's any way deserving it. Oh, but he'll say his
+Conscience urg'd him to do it--No--not a jot; 'twas dear darling
+Interest, in good faith, as shall hereafter appear; but in the mean
+time I am planted upon the shoulders of a Gyant, which is the Ingenious
+Author of the History of _Don Quixote_; and there indeed he guesses
+right, tho he knows nothing of him or of his History, as I will prove
+by and by, yet confidently, and Absolver-like, he ranges his objections
+under three heads, which are every one malicious and false, _viz._
+
+First, _The Prophaneness, with respect to Religion and the Holy
+Scriptures_.
+
+Secondly, _The Abuse of the Clergy_.
+
+Thirdly, _The want of Modesty, and Regard to the Audience_.
+
+Well, to prove the Prophaneness, he first instances a bold Song of mine,
+as he calls it, against Providence; four of the last lines of which he
+is only pleas'd to shew ye.
+
+  But Providence, that form'd the fair
+    In such a charming skin,
+  Their outside made its only care,
+    And never look'd within.
+
+  [Footnote: D. Quix. p. 1. p. 20.]
+
+_Here_, says he, _the Poet tells ye Providence makes Mankind by halves,
+huddles up the Soul, and takes the least care of the better Moyety; this
+is direct blaspheming the Creation, and a Satyr upon God Almighty_.
+[Footnote: Collier p. 97.] Why, now this, I confess, is enough to
+provoke some heat in a fellow of my Constitution, to hear this Religious
+Raving; but yet it looks so like _Oliver's Porter's in Bedlam_, that I
+will be calm, and patiently holding up my hand, plead _Not Guilty_--to
+all of these objections. But first, pray why does he foyst in the word
+Mankind here to express the Female Sex, when t'other word is so much
+more proper. I did intend indeed a small Satyr upon _Womankind_,
+pursuant to _Marcella_'s Character, and he has vary'd from that word,
+I suppose, to amuse the Reader--I'll give ye the whole Stanza.
+
+  Did coy _Marcella_ own a Soul
+    As beauteous as her Eyes,
+  Her Judgment wou'd her Sence controul,
+    And teach her how to prize.
+  But Providence, that form'd the fair
+    In such a charming Skin,
+  Their outside made its only care,
+    And never look'd within.
+
+I only rally a pretty coy wench here for her sullen ill nature, without
+any Satyr on the Deity, or any thing like it; for as to the _Blasphemy_,
+as he calls it, by naming the word _Providence_, 'tis generally intended
+in Lyrical Poetry for _Goddess Nature_, or _Fortune_, as Mr _Vanbrooke_
+notes; but never apply'd seriously to the true Deity, but only by Dr
+_Crambo_. How often have we this phrase in Poetry, _Nature has made her
+Body charming; see her bright Eyes, the charming gifts of Nature_, &c.
+making use still of the second cause instead of the first, which we yet
+know to be the original of all. And 'tis no more Blasphemy to say that
+Providence took more care of a perverse beautiful Womans Body than her
+Soul, than 'tis to say that the Sun made a gay Tulip flourish in a
+Garden to delight the Eye, not caring three-pence tho it never smelt
+so sweet as a Province rose.
+
+But I have a Rigid Critick and a Severe Inquisitor to deal with--He will
+have a Satyr upon the true Deity, tho I intend nothing of it. And to go
+on, my next advance he says is to Droll upon the _Resurrection_; and to
+prove it, squirts out these two lines, which are pick'd out of
+twenty--which he thinks are fit for his purpose--
+
+  Sleep and Indulge thy self with rest,
+  Nor dream thou e're shalt rise again.
+
+  [Footnote: Ibid.]
+
+Now you must know this Song was design'd a solemn piece of morality,
+and sung as a Requiem or Dirge at the Funeral of _Ambrosio_--A young
+Gentleman that dy'd for Love of the aforesaid _Marcella_--You shall have
+it all, that you may judge what Drolling is in't.
+
+      (1.)
+  Sleep, sleep, poor Youth, sleep, sleep in Peace,
+    Reliev'd from Love, and mortal care,
+  Whilst we that pine in Life's disease,
+    Uncertain blest, less happy are.
+      (2.)
+  Couch'd in the dark and silent Grave,
+    No ills of Fate thou now canst fear;
+  No more shall Tyrant Power inslave,
+    Or scornful Beauty be severe.
+      (3.)
+  Wars, that do fatal storms disperse,
+    Far from thy happy Mansion keep;
+  Earthquakes, that shake the Universe,
+    Can't rock thee into sounder sleep.
+      (4.)
+  With all the Charms of Peace possest,
+    Secur'd from Life's tormentor, Pain:
+  Sleep and indulge thy self with rest,
+    Nor dream thou e're shall rise again.
+      (5.)
+  Past are the Pangs of fear and doubt,
+    The Sun is from the Dial gone,
+  The Sands are sunk, the Glass is out,
+    The folly of the Farce is done.
+
+  [Footnote: D. Quix. p 20.]
+
+Now will I be judg'd by any reasonable Man, if these words comparatively
+are not fitter for an _Anthem_ than a Droll, but the Reformers way of
+doing me Justice, is to take bits and morsels out of things, that for
+want of the connexion, they may consequently appear ridiculous, as here
+he does. Again, in his third objection against my third Song, where he
+says-- _I_, (that is in my own person) _make a jest of the Fall, rail
+at _Adam_ and _Eve_;_ and then _Oliver's Porter_, raving again, says,
+_I burlesque the Conduct of God Almighty_; [Footnote: Ibid.] now, pray
+judge whether it ought to be Constru'd so or no. This Song is suppos'd
+to be made and sung by _Gines de Passamonte_, a most notorious
+Atheistical Villain, who, as he is going Chain'd to the Galleys, is
+redeem'd from them by _Don Quixot_ in his frantick fit; after which,
+being extreamly pleas'd at the success, he, to make his deliverer merry,
+entertains him with this Vindication of a Rogue, which is indeed a Satyr
+upon Humanity in general. I will add agen to our Criticks morsel, for he
+notes but the four first lines in a place, and give ye one whole Stanza.
+
+      When the World first knew Creation,
+      A Rogue was a Top profession;
+      When there were no more
+        In all Nature but four,
+    There were two of 'em in Transgression.
+      And the seeds are no less
+      Since that we may guess,
+    But have in all Ages bin growing apace;
+      And Lying and Thieving,
+      Craft, Pride and Deceiving,
+    Rage, Murder and Roaring,
+      Rape, Incest and Whoring,
+  Branch out from Stock, the rank Vices in vogue,
+    And make all Mankind one Gigantical Rogue.
+
+And so on: Now tho I grant this might be look'd on as prophane in it
+self, without application, yet when spoken by one of his character, whom
+I design to expose, it is no more than natural Character, and has so
+little the quality of Prophaneness, that my impartial Reader will find a
+very good Moral in it, by the odious representation of such Atheistical
+impudence; yet our good natur'd Critick makes me the Prophaner. He,
+cramm'd full of wonderful Justice, makes me the _Vice_ my self, that
+only act the true duty of a Poet, and hold up the Glass for others to
+see their _Vices_ in, but his Malice will not be Authentick with every
+one, no more than his next Addle Criticism, upon my using the word
+_Redeemer_ will bear the Test; for he that will argue that that word may
+not be innocently spoken in Temporal Matters, because it is sometimes
+us'd as a _Divine Attribute_, will prove himself rather a Coxcomb than a
+Casuist: And yet for only this poor word the Cat with Nine Tails are up
+again, and the Inquisitor in a rage cries out, _these insolencies are
+too big for the Correction of a Pen_. [Footnote: Collier, p. 198.] Very
+fine, what horrible correction this deserves, is easily judg'd, and I
+believe 'twill be own'd too, that if Doctor Absolution (when the
+charitable Prelates good Nature and Purse got him out of his Stone
+Apartment yonder, into which _his bigotted obstinacy and not his tender
+Conscience_ had thrown him) did not think him his _Redeemer_, and thank
+him as his _Redeemer_, he does not only deserve Correction for his
+wicked ingratitude, (which _especially in one of his Coat, is an immoral
+Cheat upon Heaven_) but to have the same punishment that another of
+his Coat and Kidney lately had, for a Cheat upon the Government and
+People.
+
+But to go on: In the next place he finds fault with my making sport with
+Hell, and recites six Lines, which are made of Dogril Stuff, on purpose
+by the Duke's Servants, who, for his diversion, Acting a kind of Farce
+are to fright _Sancho_ with Goblings and Furies--but to shew his own Wit
+in the first Onset here, he has notably made the two first Lines half
+nonsence.
+
+  Appear ye fat Fiends that in Limbo do groan,
+  That were, when in flesh, the same Souls as his own.
+
+Instead of-- _that wore when in flesh_, &c.
+
+  You that always in _Lucifer_'s Kitchin reside,
+  'Mongst Sea-coal and Kettles, and grease newly Try'd,
+  That pamper'd each day with the Garbidge of Souls,
+  Broil Rashers of Fools for a Break-fast on Coals.
+
+  [Footnote: Collier, p. 198.]
+
+Words adapted only to _Sancho_'s Clownship, course Breeding, and Kitchin
+Profession, and with no more intent of Impiety in them, than if one
+should put on a Devils Vizard to play with a Child, does he note again
+as horrible Prophaneness, and says he does me no wrong in't; now if he
+insists that Hell is too serious a thing to ridicule, why, perhaps, I
+think so too, in its Intense quality; but to act a Goblin, a Ghost, a
+Frog, or a Fury, and to sing to a Country Clown of such Bugbear matters,
+only to cause a little Diversion in a Noblemans House, has always been
+very customary, especially at Festivals, and far from being thought to
+ridicule the main matter. The _Absolver_, to turn back a little, affirms
+indeed, That _those that bring Devils upon the stage, can hardly
+believe them any where else_ [Footnote: Collier, p. 189.]; but I can
+give an instance, that our famous _Ben Johnson_, who I will believe had
+a Conscience as good as the Doctors, and who liv'd in as Pious an Age,
+in his Comedy call'd the _Devil's an Ass_ [Footnote: Vid. _Devil's an
+Ass_, p. 9.], makes his first Scene a Solemn Hell, where _Lucifer_ sits
+in State with all his Privy-Council about him: and when he makes an
+under Pug there beaten and fool'd by a Clod-pated Squire and his wanton
+Wife, the Audience took the Representation morally, and never keck'd at
+the matter. Nay, _Milton_, tho' upon his secred Subject, comes very near
+the same thing too; but we must not laugh at silly _Sancho_, nor put on
+a Devils face to fright him, but we must be disciplin'd; nay, more,
+Presented for it. Here, tho' I digress a little, I cannot forbear
+telling some, that were too busie in doing that Office, that 'tis more
+easie to accuse our Writings for Blasphemous, than to prove them to be
+so. To detect us indeed fairly, and prove it upon us, would deserve
+severe Chastisement; but if it be mistake, and our reputations are
+injur'd by Rashness and Injustice, or Ignorance, reflection upon it is
+at least reasonable, and just reproof I think not improper. But to go
+on; my next fault is the Ass that's brought upon the Stage in the
+Epilogue, with two lines alluding to _Balaam_'s.
+
+  And as 'tis said a Parlous Ass once spoke,
+  When Crab-tree Cudgel did his rage provoke, &c.
+
+Here he says, _I brought the Ass in only to laugh at the Miracle_:
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 199.] Not I, truly, I had no such intention upon
+my word; I brought the Ass in, and _Dogget_ upon him, only to make the
+Audience laugh at his figure at the end of the Play, as well as they had
+at the beginning; but I believe if I had put an _Absolver_ upon his
+back, giving him a Blessing, it would have been more divertive by half;
+but let him alone, the next horrible Crime is, I meddle with Churchmen,
+and there my _malice makes me_, he says, _lay about me like a Knight
+Errant_; [Footnote: Collier, p. 200.] but I believe I shall prove, for
+all the modesty he pretends to, that his malice is more in reference to
+Poets, than ever mine was to Churchmen. Well, my Second Part begins, he
+says, with _Devil's being brought upon the Stage_, who cries, _As he
+hopes to be sav'd; and _Sancho_ warrants him a good Christian._ Now this
+is a ridiculous mistake, for this Devil is only a Butler, and a Jest of
+his _Giants_, the witty Author of the History of _Don Quixot_, where one
+of the Duke's Servants acting a Devils Part to fright the Knight and
+Squire, blunders it out before he is aware, and _Sancho _hearing it, as
+foolishly replies. This would be humorously witty now with any one but
+our Critick; but he's resolv'd to see double, as he does presently again
+with my _deep-mouth'd swearing_ which he says is frequent, tho he has
+quoted none on't, and therefore the Reader is not oblig'd to believe
+him. But then I have made the _Curate _Perez_ assist at the ridiculous
+Ceremony of _Don Quixot_;_ I have so--what then?--but I have made him
+_have wit enough_, however, to know _Don Quixot_ for a Madman; but then
+_Sancho_, by way of Proverb, tells him, _Ah--Consider dear Sir, no Man
+is born wise_: to which briskly replies the Doctor, _What if he were
+born wise, he might be bred a Fool_. [Footnote: Collier, Ibid.] Faith,
+no Doctor: and to be free with ye, (_en Raillere_) as you have been with
+me, must beg leave to tell ye, If you had been born wise enough to be
+a Reformer, your Breeding could never have made ye Fool enough to be
+an Absolver; I mean in a Case like you know what; but let us proceed.
+The next is a swinger, and his Lash cuts even to the blood: for here
+_Sancho_, full of innocent simplicity, says, _A Bishop is no more than
+another Man, without Grace and good Breeding_. To which he presently
+darts out, _I must needs say, if the Poet had any share of either of
+these Qualities, he would be less bold with his Superiors, and not give
+his Clowns the liberty to Droll thus heavily upon a solemn Character_.
+[Footnote: Ibid.] Why, faith, now this is very hard, I have known a
+Country Wench name a _Bishop_ in the Burning-too of a Hasty-Pudding,
+and never heard that any of the Reverend took it ill, because it was
+a Common Saying, and below their notice. But poor _Sancbo_, or rather
+indeed _Sancho_'s Poet, my self, must be corrected for it, tho the
+Phrase be Moral, and no more than an honest truth: But come, since it
+must be so, let me ask the doctor why he does not shew me an example
+for this himself, and Practice better before he Accuses; for let the
+Reader look into his _Desertion Discuss'd_ (for he shall find that I
+have trac'd him through all his Writings), and page the 3d you will
+find him, I think, somewhat more guilty of this fault than I have been,
+for there you'll see he insolently affirms, _That the Succession cannot
+be interrupted by an Act of Parliament, especially when the Royal Assent
+is given by a King _de Facto_, and not _de Jure_. [Footnote: _Desertion
+Discuss'd_, Anno 1688.] And again; tho this next is hinted covertly,
+with the meaning disguis'd, yet Sir _William Temple_ in his Memoirs,
+page 295, and the aforesaid Vindicater of the Stage, as well as my self,
+have observed, that the _Absolver_ in the first Volume of his Essays,
+page 120, in his Chapter of the _A..._ tells us, _Whether the honesty or
+dishonesty are discernable in the face, is a question which admits of
+dispute; King _Charles_ the Second thought he could depend upon these
+Observations, but with submission, I believe an instance might be
+given, in which his Rules of Physiognomy fail'd_ [Footnote: _Essays_,
+p.120.]. Now I'm sure the first is insolently plain, and the next shews
+enough to let us into his meaning; which granted, I think I may say, he
+ought to be less bold with his Superiors too, and not give himself the
+liberty to treat at this rate, not only a Solemn, but a _Royal
+Character_. Well, the next is, I, (naming me) take care to tell ye, that
+_Sancho_ is _a dry shrewd Countryfellow_ in his Character, _because he
+blunders out Proverbs upon all occasions, tho never so far from the
+purpose_--and merrily drolls upon me for making blundering and talking
+nothing to the purpose, an argument of shrewdness--Why truly, I must
+confess to the Doctor, there is no great matter in that Argument, and
+not much whither there be or no--But, as unperforming as I am, I fancy I
+shall find as great a Blunder in his performance presently-- _We ought
+to be just in our Looks, as well as in our Actions_, says he in his
+Essays, _for the mind may be declar'd one way no less than the other:
+A man might as good break his Word as his Face, especially upon some
+Critical occasions_ [Footnote: Essays p. 118.]. Now what he means by a
+mans breaking his Face there, unless he is to run his Nose against a
+Post, I can't imagine; and therefore will set it down for a Blunder--And
+so there's Tit for Tat, and the Dice in my hand still. But poor _Sancho_
+is horribly unfortunate agen, for by and by he catches him answering the
+Curate, who threatens him for calling him Finisher of Fornication, and
+Conjunction Copulative, with Excommunication, _I care not if you do,
+says Sancho, I shall lose nothing by it but my Nap in an afternoon_
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 201.]. Why truly this might be thought a little
+sawcy from one in Trowsers, to one in a Cassock, especially as the
+Reformer would have him reverenc'd. But perhaps this Pragmatical Curate
+_Perez_ was some _Non-Juror_, and poor _Sancho_ did not think he should
+profit by his Doctrine; and then the honest fellow was much in the
+right. This puts me in mind of a passage in one of Mr _Crown_'s
+Comedies, where a surly Joyner is rallying with a Doctor of no very
+good Reputation too; _Sirrah, Sirrah, says the Doctor, I shall have
+your Ears--No, No, says _Chizzel_, never when you preach, Doctor_.
+Our Absolver may apply this now as he pleases.
+
+And here are a bundle of faults together--_Jodolet_, another Priest, is
+call'd holy Cormorant [Footnote: Ibid.], only because he eats a Turkey,
+and drinks a Bottle or two of Malaga for his Breakfast; and the Poet is
+jerk'd because a gormandizing _Romish_ Priest is call'd a Pimp agen; and
+the Duke's Steward, _Manuel_, is no _witty pleasant fellow_, because he
+calls the Chaplain, whom I mentioned in the beginning of my Preface, and
+who is, no doubt, the sole occasion of this Gentleman's Pique to me--Mr
+_Cuff-cushion_; and because having an insight into his Character, he
+tells him, _a Whore is a Pulpit be loves_ [Footnote: Ibid.]; but my hope
+is, that my Reader will think him no fool for this, tho the Carper does,
+who then tells the Chaplain _Saygrace_, _and he supposes prays to God
+to bless the entertainment of the Devil_, tho there is not a word of
+a Grace spoke at all; and after, when he grows hot, positive, and
+impertinent, which the Duke his patron being at Table, only bears with,
+to divert himself, he insolently calls _Don Quixot_, Don Coxcomb, who
+justly enrag'd, returns him in this Language:
+
+  Oh thou vile black Fox, with a Firebrand in thy Tail, thou very
+  priest, thou kindler of all Mischiefs in all Nations, de'e hear,
+  Homily, did not the reverence I bear these Nobles--I would so thrum
+  your Cassock, you Church Vermin-- [Footnote: Collier, p. 202.]
+
+Here now, to shew his Justice he slily stops and gives a dash, so
+makes it Nonsense, but I shall make bold to piece it out again. _Did
+not the reverence I bear these Nobles, tye up my hands from doing myself
+Justice, I would so thrum your Cassock you Church Vermin_--Now, because
+my Reader shall find that I have naturally pursu'd the character of this
+Chaplain, as _Don Quixot_'s Historian has presented him to me, you shall
+hear what account he gives of him. Here is, says he,
+
+  a good Character of a poor Pedant; one of them that govern great
+  men's Houses, one of those, that as they are not born Noble, so they
+  know not how to instruct those that are; one of those, that would
+  have great men's Liberality measur'd by the streightness of their
+  own Minds; one of those, that teaching those they govern to be
+  frugal, would make 'em miserable. [Footnote: Shelton's _Translation
+  of the History of _D. Quix._ Chap._ 31. p. 152.]
+
+Now this considerable person as you find him here, who was indeed for
+his senseless humour of designing to govern--us'd no otherwise than as
+the Buffoon of the Family--takes upon him to call _Don Quixot_ (whom the
+Authour imbellishes, with all manner of learning and good sense, bating
+his whimsical Chimęra of Knight Errantry,) _Goodman Dulpate_ and _Don
+Coxcomb_. Well, however the _Switcher_ here has escap'd for his usage of
+a Gentleman in or near this manner, I believe my Judges will agree, that
+my Knight was so far from injuring the sawcy Trencherfly, by the reply
+he give him, that if he had not known and practic'd good breeding,
+better than the other, he would have broke his head into the bargain. As
+for his bidding him adieu in Language too prophane and scandalous for
+our Reformer to relate, is impossible, for he has prov'd often enough
+the contrary of that in his Book already. But for the Song in the Fourth
+Act, where the Country Fellow says, _Folks never mind now what those
+black Cattle say_ [Footnote: Ibid.]: He is only suppos'd for another
+Bumpkin, that amongst the rest of the Parishioners, had found out the
+Parsons blind side, and so behind his back took occasion to put a joke
+upon him, as well as the rest in that Satyr mention'd.
+
+And now his third place is to prove my want of Modesty, and regard to
+the Audience--And here he's chewing his savoury word _Smutt_ agen, and
+says _Sancho_ and _Teresa_ talk it broad [Footnote: Collier, p. 203.];
+but since his Modesty has not quoted it, I hope my Reader will believe
+so well of mine, to think I have not written it; I assure him I don't
+know of any. And I have prov'd our Reformer can mistake, as he does of
+_Marcellas_ Epilogue, who Raves, he says, with Raptures of Indecency,
+when the poor Creature is so cold, after her hot fit, that she rather
+wants a dram of the Bottle--But now, Bounce, for a full charge of Small
+Shot; here he has gather'd up a heap of Epithets together, without any
+words between, or connexion to make 'em sense; and this he says I divert
+the Ladies with--_Snotty nose, filthy vermin in the Beard, Nitty Jerkin,
+and Louse snapper, with the Letter in the Chamber-pot, and natural
+evacuation_. Why truly this is pretty stuff indeed, as his Ingenuity
+has put it together--but I hope every one will own, that each of these
+singly, when they are tagg'd to their sensible phrases, may be proper
+enough in Farce or Low Comedy; but as he has modell'd 'em, 'tis true
+they are very frightful--And if I had nothing to sing or say to divert
+Ladies better than this, I should think my self so despicable, that I
+would e'en get into the next Plot, amongst his Brother Grumblers--then
+despairing, do some doughty thing to deserve hanging, and depend upon
+no other comfort but his Absolution.
+
+I remember, being lately at St. _James_'s, this very part of the Doctors
+Book was read or rather spelt out to me, with tickling satisfaction, by
+one whose Wit and good Manners are known to be just of the same weight,
+who, since he can be merry so easily, he shall laugh at some of the
+Reformers Hotch-potch too, as I have mingled it for him. _Jewish
+Tetragramaton, Stigian Frogs, reeking Pandęmoniums, Debauch'd
+Protagonists, Nauseous Ribaldry, Ranting Smutt, Abominable Stench_,
+Venus _and St _George_, _Juliana_, the Witch and the Parson of _Wrotham_
+[Footnote: Collier's Epithetes.], with the admirable Popish story of the
+Woman that went to the Play-House and brought home the Devil with her_
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 257.]--And the Devil's in't indeed, if this
+charming Rhetorick of his, (since he calls mine so) especially joyn'd
+with that fine story from _Tertullian_, don't divert the Ladies as well
+as t'other; for 'tis very like a Catholick miracle you must know, and
+the top wit of it is, that when the Parson is Conjuring, _he asks the
+Devil how he durst attack a Christian?_ who, like an admirable Joker as
+he was, answers, _I have done nothing but what I can justify, for I
+seiz'd her upon my own ground_. Now let the Devil be as witty as he can,
+I am sure the story, maugre _Tertullian_'s Authority, or the Doctor's
+either, is confounded silly, and downright nonsense, what credit soever
+it has with him for its likeness to Jesuiticism. And now I think I have
+prov'd too, that _a Clergy man can speak nonsense, pass it for humour
+too, and gratify his ease and his malice at once, without a Poet's
+putting his into his Mouth_. And since we have been speaking of
+quibbling, I shall digress a little to entertain the Reader on that
+subject. Our Critick rallies Mr _Dryden_'s _Sancho_ in _Love
+Triumphant_, for saying, _dont provoke me, I'm mischievously bent_,
+to which _Carlos_ a man of sense replys, _nay you are bent enough in
+conscience, but I have a bent Fist for Boxing; Here_ says he (smartly)
+_you have a brace of quibbles started in a line and a half [Footnote:
+Collier, p. 170.]_--Very true, you have so--But suppose quibbling or
+punning--but I think this is call'd punning--Is this Gentlemans
+humour--if so, being a Soldier, I don't see it calls his sense in
+question at all--but now pray let's see, how our Critick manages a
+quibble, with a blunder tack'd to the Tail on't, in the page before,
+there, in the aforesaid Play, _Celidea_ in a passion cries,
+
+  Great Nature break thy Chain that links together
+  The Fabrick of this Globe, and make a Chaos,
+  Like that within my Soul--
+
+  [Footnote: Collier, p. 68.]
+
+_Now_, says the Doctor, keen as a Razor, _if she had call'd for a Chair,
+instead of a Chaos, tripp'd off, and kept her folly to herself, the
+woman had been wiser._ Calling for a Chair instead of a Chaos is an
+extreme pretty Quibble truly--but if the Critick had let the Chair-men
+have tripp'd off with her, instead of doing it herself as she sat in a
+Chair, I'm sure the blunder had been sav'd, and I think he had exprest
+himself a little wiser than he has--And come, now my hand's in, let's
+parallel Mr _Dryden_ with our Reformer a little longer--_Church-men_
+(says _Benducar_ in _Don Sebastian_,
+
+  Tho they Itch to govern all,
+  Are silly, woful awkward Politicians,
+  They make lame mischiefs, tho they meant it well.
+
+  [Footnote: Collier, p.104.]
+
+So much the better_, says he, _for tis a sign they are not beaten to the
+trade_--Oh, that's a mistake, Doctor, they may be beaten to the Trade,
+and yet be bunglers--And proceeding:
+
+  _Their Interest is not finely drawn, and hid,_
+  _But Seams are coursely bungled up, and seen.
+
+  [Footnote: Ibid.]
+
+_These Lines_, says he, _are an Illustration taken from a Taylor._ They
+are so, but what Justice is it in him to lessen 'em, whose own flights
+are ten times more ridiculous: For example, talking just before of
+tumbling the Elements together, he says, _and since we have shewn our
+skill of Vaulting on the High Ropes, a little Tumbling on the Stage
+may not do amiss for variety_ [Footnote: Collier, p. 158.]. And now I
+will refer my self to the severest Critick of his party, whether an
+Illustration taken from a Taylor is not better than one taken from a
+Vagabond Rope-dancer, or Tumbler, forty times over; but his sense and
+way of Writing he thinks will infallibly overcome censure; not with
+me I assure him, to confirm it I must remark him once more, and then
+my digression shall end. He tells ye _Cleora_, in the Tragedy of
+_Cleomenes_, _is not very charming, her part is to tell you_, her
+Child suck'd to no purpose.
+
+  It pull'd and pull'd but now, but nothing came;
+  At last it drew so hard that the Blood follow'd,
+  And that red Milk I found upon its Lips,
+  Which made me swoon for fear.
+
+  [Footnote: Cleomenes.]
+
+There, says he, is a description of sucking for ye: And then like
+another Devil of a Joker runs on, truly _one would think the Muse on't
+were scarcely wean'd_--Very likely; and here I warrant he thinks his
+Witty Criticism, as safely hous'd now as a Thief in a Mill, as the old
+Saw has it, did not his plaguee want of Memory now and then contrive to
+disgrace him; or if you turn to the thirty fourth page of his Lampoon,
+as Mr _Vanbrooke_ calls it, after he has been comparing a fine young
+Lady to a _Setting-bitch-teacher.
+
+Lower yet--down, down_, and after he has been bringing forth a Litter
+of Mr. _Congreeves_ Epithetes, as he calls them, _soothing softness,
+sinking Ease, wafting Air, thrilling Fears, and incessant scalding Rain_
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 34.], all Crude, just as he did mine before,
+without any connexion of sense to 'em: He tells ye more plain in troth
+than wittily, that _they make the Poem look like a Bitch overstock'd
+with Puppies, and suck the sense almost to Skin and Bone_. [Footnote:
+Ibid, --.] For a Child to suck the Mother till the Blood follows,
+I think is not unreasonable, but for a Litter of Epithetes to suck
+the sense of a Poem to the Skin and Bone, is such Fustian stuff that
+nothing but a Creature, only fit for a Sucking-bottle, could be
+Author of--And now I think if he has given me any _Crocus Metallorum_,
+I am even with him with a Dose of _Jollop_, and can whisk too from one
+Play to another indifferently well, tho not so fast as he; for when I
+perus'd him first, I could compare him to nothing but an Humble Bee
+in a Meadow, Buz upon this Daizy, Hum upon that Clover, then upon that
+Butter-flower--sucking of Honey, as he is of Sense--or as if upon the
+hunt for knowledge, he could fly from hence to the Colledge at _Downy_,
+then to St. _Peter_'s at _Rome_, then to _Mahomet_ at _Mecha_, then to
+the Inquisition at _Goa_--And then buz home again to his own dormitory
+in _Shooe-lane_: And so much for his injustice, now to his errour in
+Criticism again, and to proceed in defence of _Don Quixot_.
+
+_Mary_ the Buxom, he says now swears faster 'tis false, and I deny it,
+she is so far from swearing fast, that she does not (rude as her
+character is) swear at all, unless the poor interjection I'cod--by his
+Authority can be made an Oath; and then if you'll peruse him on, here is
+a whole page and half upon this hint, That the Ladies must have left
+their Wits and Modesties behind them that came, and lik'd her Words or
+Actions; and that her Nastiness, and dirty Conversation, is a Midnight
+Cart, or a Dunghil, instead of an Ornamental Scene. [Footnote: Collier,
+p. 204.] Now you don't find out our Gentlemans malicious meaning by
+this, but I shall inform ye. He says, I'm sorry the Ladies brought their
+Wits and Modesties with them, that came to see this Character; and yet
+all the whole Town can witness, that as many of the Ladies as could get
+into the Play-House came thither, to wait upon Her late _Majesty of
+Sacred Memory_, who did me that honour only for my benefit; and who
+was of so nice a Temper, relating to Modesty, that if so much as a hint
+had been given her by those had seen it before, of such a thing as
+Immodesty, she had never came, much less had been diverted, as she was,
+when she did come; but this I take as striking at _her_ through my
+sides; and I think, to use his own words, _is above the Correction of
+the Pen_. [Footnote: Collier, p. 206.] The next is such senseless
+malice, or ignorance, that it deserves a hoot; he finds _Manuel_ in
+_Don Quixot_ (playing in his Farce for the Dukes diversion) addressing
+to the Dutchess in this manner, in a Jargon of Phrase made ridiculous
+on purpose: _Illustrious beauty, I must desire to know whether the most
+purifidiferous _Don Quixot_ of the _Manchissima_, and the Squireiferous
+_Pancha_, be in this Company or no_. To whom _Sancho_ replies,
+imitating, as he thinks this fine stile, _Why lookee, forsooth,
+without any more flourishes, the Governor _Pancha_ is here, and _Don
+Quixotissimo_ too, therefore, most Afflictedissimous Matronissima, speak
+what you Willissimus, for we are all ready to be your Servitorissimus_.
+[Footnote: Vid. Shelton's _Translation of _Don Quixot_, p._ 205.] And
+this now he inserts as my own Invention and manner of Stile, which is
+taken _verbatim_ from the History of _Don Quixot_, and is by all those
+that can judge of humour, very pleasant and fit for that purpose. Now if
+he has never read that History, his ignorance has abus'd me; and if he
+has, his impudence has, of which us perceiv'd he has Stock enough, for
+presently he worries me for saying, in my Epistle Dedicatory to the
+Duchess of _Ormond_, That _I date my good fortune from her prosperous
+influence_, and says 'tis _Astrological_. [Footnote: Collier, p. 207.] I
+don't know whether it has that sort of Learning in't or no, but 'tis as
+good sense as when he says, like a Wag as he is, that the Ladies fancy
+is just _slip-stocking high, and she seems to want sense more than her
+Break-fast_. [Footnote: Collier, p. 92.] Fancy slip-stocking high? no,
+no, the merry Grig must mean her pretty Leg was seen so high, for the
+Master of Art, I beg pardon of the rest that their Title is scandaliz'd,
+could never mean such Nonsence as t'other sure.
+
+And now drawing near to an end, his malice grows more plainly to a head,
+by endeavouring to lessen my Credit with my Patron Mr. _Montague_, whose
+generous Candor and good Nature to me, and indeed to us all, he perhaps
+has heard of, for here our modest and moral Critick, has either mistaken
+the words, or found out a slip of the Press, which because it happens to
+be Nonsence, he has very gladly exposed for mine; 'tis in my Epistle to
+my aforesaid Patron, thus:
+
+  Had your Eyes shot the haughty Austerity upon me of a right Courtier,
+  your valued minutes had never been disturbed with dilatory Trifles
+  of this nature; but my heart, on dull Consideration of your Merit,
+  had supinely wish'd you Prosperity at a distance_.
+  [Footnote: Collier, p. 207.]
+
+Mine in my Copy was written [_due Consideration_] but Doctor Crambo
+will have you believe, I consider'd so little to write the t'other; but
+now I will hold twenty Stubble Geese to the same number of Tithe Pigs,
+whenever he is preferr'd to be a Curate again, that I make my Patron
+smile more at my Entertainment of him at his own Cost, than ever he did
+at his quoting my _dull Consideration_, which no body but the _dull
+Absolver_ could imagine a Man with any Brains could write. And to prove
+I have yet a few, I will try to Paraphrase upon his Farewel to me, the
+Translation in Verse, but the Reader shall have his first.
+
+  I like an Author that Reforms the Age,
+  And keeps the right Decorum of the Stage;
+  That always pleases by Just Reason's Rule;
+  But for a tedious Droll, a quibbling Fool,
+  Who with low nauseous Bawdry fills his Plays,
+  Let him be gone, and on two Tressels raise
+  Some _Smithfield_ Stage, where he may act his Pranks,
+  And make _Jack Puddings_ speak to Mountebanks.
+
+  [Footnote: Collier,]
+
+Your humble Servant good Doctor--Well, now for me.
+
+  I like a Parson, that no Souls does Lurch,
+  And keeps the true Decorum of the Church;
+  That always preaches by Just Reason's Rule;
+  But for a Hypocrite, a Canting Fool,
+  Who, cramm'd with Malice, takes the Rebels side,
+  _And would, for Conscience, palm on us his Pride,_
+  Let him, for Stipend, to the _Gubbins*_ sail,
+  And there Hold-forth for Crusts and Juggs of Ale.
+
+  [*: A Savage kind of People in the West of _England_.]
+
+And so much by way of Prose, I shall only now give the Reformer a
+little further Advice, in return of his, in my Lyrical way, which is in
+a Fable of _A Dog and an Otter_; and to turn his own words upon him, the
+Citation may possibly be of some service to him, for if not concern'd in
+the Application, he may at least be precaution'd by the Moral. I find he
+knows I can sing to other Peoples sense, I'll try now if I can make him
+sing to mine: And when he Diverts, or is Diverted with _Vox_, then,
+_Preterea nihil_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+           _Maxims_ and _Reflections_
+
+                     upon
+
+                    PLAYS.
+
+
+ (_In Answer to a Discourse, Of the Lawfullness
+      and Unlawfullness of PLAYS. Printed
+         Before a late PLAY Entituled,
+              BEAUTY in DISTRESS_.)
+
+
+
+             Written in FRENCH by
+               the Bp. of MEAVX.
+
+             And now made ENGLISH
+
+
+
+          The PREFACE By another HAND.
+
+
+
+                   _LONDON_,
+
+Printed for R. Sare, at _Grays-Inn_ Gate, in
+               _Holborne_. 1699.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+                  THE PREFACE
+
+
+The Charge drawn up by _Mr. Collier_, against the English Stage hath
+obliged the Persons concerned in it, to use all possible methods for
+their own Vindication. But their Endeavours of this kind have been such
+as seem to have done no great Service to their Cause. The natural
+Reflection, arising upon the present State of the Controversy, is, that,
+when Persons so nearly concerned and so well qualified, to say all that
+the case will bear, have yet been able to say so little to the main
+points of the Accusation brought against them, the only effectual Reply
+would be either to write no more for the Stage, or to write for it
+after quite another manner, than of late hath been done. They that have
+attempted to answer the _View_ are in good hands already. But since
+other Succours are called in from abroad, 'tis fit the World should
+know, that this Reserve too hath been already defeated in it's own
+Countrey. And that we ought not to be imposed upon here in England, with
+an Adversary, _whose Arguments have been not only confuted and Scorned
+by Others, but also retracted by Himself, at home.
+
+That Moroseness of humour, which Some in great good manners have of late
+been pleased to fix upon the English as their peculiar Character, might
+possibly be thought to dispose us to a blameable Extreme of Rigor in
+these matters. And therefore a Forreign Authority was artificially
+enough brought in, to reproach our pretended Niceness and Austerity.
+But when the Arguments of this Reply are observed to carry the Point
+as high, as even the so much upbraided _View_ it self; All but the
+Willfully blind must see, that even the Gayeties of France could not
+endure the Corruptions of the Modern Theatres. And that the Complaints
+against such detestable Abuses are not due to any Quality of the
+Climate, or particular turn of Temper; but to the common and uniform
+Principles of Christianity and Virtue, which are the same in every
+Nation, professing to be governed by them.
+
+To give that _Discourse_ a better face, it is introduced by way of
+Letter from a _Worthy Divine_ of the Church of England; and published
+before a late Play called _Beauty in Distress_. [Footnote: P. IX. X.
+XXVI.] Tis said to be approved, and recommended by that Reverend Person,
+for the satisfying some Scruples, _whether a man may Lawfully write for
+the Stage_. For a full Resolution whereof the doubting Poet is referred
+to this _Discourse_, as that which is presumed _to come fully up to his
+purpose_. But we are not told, whether the _Divine_ or the _Poet_, or
+who else was the Translator of this Discourse: Or whether that _Worthy_
+Friend perused it in French, or in English only. Which yet in the
+present Case are Material Circumstances, and such as ought not to have
+been concealed, for Two Reasons particularly, which I hold myself
+obliged to give the Reader Intimation of.
+
+The First is, That the following Reply produces and answers some
+Passages of the French Discourse, not to be found in the English. And
+these not only Expressions or single Sentences, but entire Arguments.
+Such is that of Plays being a Diversion suitable to the Design of
+instituting the Sabbath. Such again That which justifies the Acting them
+the whole Lent throughout. Now this manner of dealing is not exactly
+agreeable with that _Impartiality_ and _Freedom_ promised in the
+beginning of the _Worthy Divines_ Letter. [Footnote: _P. IX._] And
+therefore I can very hardly be perswaded, that One of that Character
+and Function, had the Forming of the _Discourse_, in the manner it now
+appears before _Mr. M's._ Play.
+
+The other Reason, why I Suspect the _Discourse_ not to be translated,
+or indeed so throughly approved, by a _Divine of the Church of England_,
+is, that, even in what does appear there, he speaks very favourably of
+acting Plays upon Sundays. Now admitting, that all the Profession are
+not such sowr Criticks as _Mr. Collier_, yet this is a Liberty, which I
+do not remember to have heard, that any Modern Divines of that Church
+allow. And whatever the Poet's Friend may be in _His_ esteem, I shrewdly
+suspect, that He would hardly pass for a very _Worthy Divine_, who
+should so far Countenance these _Diversions_, as to let them into a
+share of that Holy day, dedicated to the Worship and more immediate
+Service of Almighty God,
+
+One would not hastily question Testimonies in matters of Fact, where
+there appears any probable Arguments to support them. And therefore
+I am far from objecting against the Knowledge and Integrity of the
+Booksellers called in to vouch for that Letter, But withall I must beg
+leave to think it strange, that a Person of Learning and Character
+should so incautiously espouse a _Discourse_, and recommend it for the
+direction of a Gentleman's Conscience, who consulted him for Advice; the
+Reasoning whereof is not only so weak and Superficiall, but grounded
+upon Misconstruction in some, and Misrepresentation in Other Authorities
+cited by it. Methinks these ought to have been well examined, before a
+man had so perfectly gone into the Consequences drawn from them: such of
+them at least as are exceeding obvious, and might have been detected by
+recurring to Books, which almost every Divine hath ready at hand.
+
+In this translated Reply the Reader will not have cause to complain of
+such Neglect. The Passages out of _Thom: Aquinas, St. Jerom_, and some
+others, have been diligently compared, and the Originals faithfully
+inserted in most material points. And I cannot but wish, that this Book,
+extant at Paris ever since _1694_, had fallen into the hands of this
+Doubting Gentleman, instead of that _Discourse_, which it was intended
+to confute: That neither the Translator, nor his Friend the _Worthy
+Divine_, might have given themselves the Trouble of a Vindication of
+Plays; so reproachfully treated, and so substantially answered, that
+one would wonder it should have the confidence to appear in English
+afterwards, to tempt the same Scorn here, when followed cross the Seas
+by the Bishop of Meaux.
+
+By some expressions, I confess one might be apt to think, that the
+Author of the Discourse was not perfectly known. But of that no
+reasonable Doubt can remain, when we find the Replyer to have retracted:
+and Submitted to the Censure of the Church, Why the Author expresses
+himself in Terms so soft and general I undertake not to determine. He
+might in Tenderness forbear his Adversarys Name; He might be content to
+look upon him as an unwary Publisher, rather than the Writer; and, after
+Submission made, might charitably desire, as far as might be, to cover
+his Reproach. It Suffices, that the Opinions in the Book be confuted,
+and exposed to shame; and when this is done in the Punishment of the
+Reputed Author, the matter is not great, if the Name from thenceforth
+be forgotten. If Mons'r _Caffaro_ had the Hardiness to assert a Tract
+so unworthy his Character, his Answerer would not add perhaps to the
+Scandall, when that Shame had been taken to himself, with a Remorse
+becoming the Fact. But be this how it will, Censures, we know, are not
+inflicted upon _Indefinite Some-bodies_; that such were inflicted, and a
+Retractation made, the very first period is peremptory: And I hope the
+Bp. of Meaux, and his manner of writing, are at least as credible an
+Evidence of this, as the Booksellers can be Allowed to be, of that
+Letter being genuine, which refers _Mr. M's_ Conscience to the
+_Discourse_ for Satisfaction.
+
+I am heartily glad, if the Plays written by that ingenious Gentleman are
+so chast and inoffensive, as he declares them to be. The rather, because
+the Success he mentions overthrows that frivolous Pretence, of the Poets
+lying under a Necessity of writing lewdly in order to please the Town.
+And if this Gentleman do yet retain the same tenderness of doing nothing
+for Gain or Glory, which does not strictly become him: If he be still as
+desirous to be satisfied what does, or does not, become him to do, with
+regard to the matter in hand, as I ought to presume he was, when he
+consulted his Friend, I would make it my request, that this Reply may be
+Seriously and impartially considered. And I cannot but hope, that it may
+disabuse him of the Errours the _Discourse_ might lead him into, and I
+am much mistaken, if, upon these Terms, he ever writes for the Stage
+any more. Prejudice and Passion, Vainglory and Profit, not Reason, and
+Virtue, and the Common Good, seem but too plainly, to support this
+Practice, and the Defence of it, as the matter is at present managed
+among us. And a Person of _Mr. M's_ Parts and Attainments cannot be
+at a loss, for much nobler subjects to employ them upon.
+
+A Popular one perhaps it may be, but sure a wilder Suggestion, never
+was offered to men of Common sense, than, that _if the Stage be damned_,
+the _Art used_ by _Moses, and David, and Solomon, must be no more_.
+[Footnote: _See Mr. D's. verses before Beauty, in Distress._] Are we
+fallen into an Age so incapable of of distinguishing, that there should
+be no visible difference left between, the Excellencies and the Abuse of
+any Art? No. _Mr: Dryden_ himself hath taught us better. We will have
+all due regard for the Author of _Absalom_ and _Achitophel_, and several
+other pieces of just renown, and should admire him for a rich Vein of
+Poetry, though he had never written a Play in his whole Life. Nor shall
+we think our selves obliged to burn the Translation of _Virgil_ by
+vertue of that sentence, which seems here to be pronounced upon that of
+the Fourth Book of _Lucretius_. The World, I Suppose, are not all
+agreed, that then is but _One_ Sort of Poetry, and as far from allowing,
+that the _Dramatick_, is that One. They who write after those_ Divine,
+Patterns of Moses &c_: will be no whit the less Poets, though there were
+not a Theatre left upon the Face of the Earth; Their Honours will be
+more deserved, Their Laurells more verdant and lasting, when blemished
+with none of those Reproaches from Others, or their own breasts, which
+are due to the Corrupters of Mankind, And such are all They, who soften
+men's abhorrence of Vice, and cherish their dangerous Passions. To tell
+us then, that All, even Divine, Poetry must be silenced and for ever
+lost, when the Play-houses are once shut up, is to impose too grossely
+upon our Understandings. And their Sophistry bears hard, methinks, upon
+Profaneness, which insinuates the Hymns dictated by the Holy Spirit, of
+God, to be so nearly related to the Modern Compositions for the Stage,
+that both must of necessity stand and fall together.
+
+If Poetry have of late sunk in its credit, that misfortune is owing to
+the degenerate and Mercenary Pens, of some who have set up for the great
+Masters of it. No man I presume, is for exterminating that noble Art,
+no not even in the _Dramatick_ part; provided it can be effectually
+reformed. But if the Reformation of the Stage be no longer practicable,
+reason good that the incurable Evil should be cut off: If it be
+practicable, let the Persons concerned give Evidence of it to the World,
+by tempering their Wit so, as to render it Serviceable to Virtuous
+purposes, without giving just offence to wise, and Good men. For it is
+not the Pretence of a good Design which can free the Undertakers from
+Blame, unless the Goodness of the end and Intention be Seconded with a
+Prudent Management of the Means. And if Matters once should come to that
+Extremity, better and much more becoming of the Two, no doubt it were,
+that our _Maker's Praises should be sunk into Prose_ (as this Ingenious
+Person phrases it) than that in the midst of a Christan City, that
+_Maker_ should be six days in seven publickly insulted and blasphemed
+in poetry.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+         THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY
+
+                 Announces Its
+
+  _Publications for the Third Year (1948-1949)_
+
+
+_At least two_ items will be printed from each of the _three_
+following groups:
+
+[Transcriber's Note:
+Many of the listed titles are or will be available from Project
+Gutenberg. Where possible, the e-text number is given in brackets.]
+
+Series IV: Men, Manners, and Critics
+
+Sir John Falstaff (pseud.), _The Theatre _(1720).
+Aaron Hill, Preface to _The Creation_; and Thomas Brereton, Preface
+  to _Esther_. [#15870]
+Ned Ward, Selected Tracts.
+
+
+Series V: Drama
+
+Edward Moore, _The Gamester_ (1753). [#16267]
+Nevil Payne, _Fatal Jealousy_ (1673).
+Mrs. Centlivre, _The Busie Body_ (1709).
+Charles Macklin, _Man of the World_ (1781).
+
+
+Series VI: Poetry and Language
+
+John Oldmixon, _Reflections on Dr. Swifts Letter to Harley_ (1712);
+  and Arthur Mainwaring, _The British Academy_ (1712).
+Pierre Nicole, _De Epigrammate_.
+Andre Dacier, Essay on Lyric Poetry.
+
+
+Issues will appear, as usual, in May, July, September, November,
+January, and March. In spite of rising costs, membership fees will
+be kept at the present annual rate of $2.50 in the United States
+and Canada; $2.75 in Great Britain and the continent. British and
+continental subscriptions should be sent to B.H. Blackwell, Broad
+Street, Oxford, England. American and Canadian subscriptions may
+be sent to any one of the General Editors.
+
+
+NOTE: All income received by the Society is devoted to defraying cost
+of printing and mailing.
+
+      *       *       *       *       *
+
+       _THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY_
+
+               Makes Available
+
+
+   _Inexpensive Reprints of Rare Materials_
+
+
+                    from
+
+           ENGLISH LITERATURE OF THE
+
+      SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES
+
+
+Students, scholars, and bibliographers of literature, history, and
+philology will find the publications valuable. _The Johnsonian News
+Letter_ has said of them: "Excellent facsimiles, and cheap in price,
+these represent the triumph of modern scientific reproduction. Be sure
+to become a subscriber; and take it upon yourself to see that your
+college library is on the mailing list."
+
+The Augustan Reprint Society is a non-profit, scholarly organization,
+run without overhead expense. By careful management it is able to
+offer at least six publications each year at the unusually low
+membership fee of $2.50 per year in the United States and Canada, and
+$2.75 in Great Britain and the continent.
+
+Libraries as well as individuals are eligible for membership. Since
+the publications are issued without profit, however, no discount can
+be allowed to libraries, agents, or booksellers.
+
+New members may still obtain a complete run of the first year's
+publications for $2.50, the annual membership fee.
+
+During the first two years the publications are issued in three
+series: I. Essays on Wit; II. Essays on Poetry and Language; and III.
+Essays on the Stage.
+
+      *       *       *       *       *
+
+PUBLICATIONS FOR THE FIRST YEAR (1946-1947)
+
+MAY, 1946: Series I, No. 1--Richard Blackmore's _Essay upon Wit_
+(1716), and Addison's _Freeholder_ No. 45 (1716). [#13484]
+
+JULY, 1946: Series II, No. 1--Samuel Cobb's _Of Poetry_ and
+_Discourse on Criticism_ (1707) [#14528]
+
+SEPT., 1946: Series III, No. 1--Anon., _Letter to A.H. Esq.;
+concerning the Stage_ (1698), and Richard Willis' _Occasional Paper_
+No. IX (1698).
+
+NOV., 1946: Series I, No. 2--Anon., _Essay on Wit_ (1748), together
+with Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton's _Adventurer_ Nos. 127
+and 133. [#14973]
+
+JAN., 1947: Series II, No. 2--Samuel Wesley's _Epistle to a Friend
+Concerning Poetry_ (1700) and _Essay on Heroic Poetry_ (1693).
+
+MARCH, 1947: Series III, No. 2--Anon., _Representation of the Impiety
+and Immorality of the Stage_ (1704) and anon., _Some Thoughts
+Concerning the Stage_ (1704). [#15656]
+
+
+PUBLICATIONS FOR THE SECOND YEAR (1947-1948)
+
+MAY, 1947: Series I, No. 3--John Gay's _The Present State of Wit_;
+and a section on Wit from _The English Theophrastus_. With an
+Introduction by Donald Bond. [#14800]
+
+JULY, 1947: Series II, No. 3--Rapin's _De Carmine Pastorali_,
+translated by Creech. With an Introduction by J. E. Congleton. [#14495]
+
+SEPT., 1947: Series III, No. 3--T. Hanmer's (?) _Some Remarks on the
+Tragedy of Hamlet_. With an Introduction by Clarence D. Thorpe. [#14899]
+
+NOV., 1947: Series I, No. 4--Corbyn Morris' _Essay towards Fixing the
+True Standards of Wit_, etc. With an Introduction by James L. Clifford.
+[#16233]
+
+JAN., 1948: Series II, No. 4--Thomas Purney's _Discourse on the
+Pastoral_. With an Introduction by Earl Wasserman. [#15313]
+
+MARCH, 1948: Series III, No. 4--Essays on the Stage, selected, with
+an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch.
+
+
+The list of publications is subject to modification in response to
+requests by members. From time to time Bibliographical Notes will be
+included in the issues. Each issue contains an Introduction by a
+scholar of special competence in the field represented.
+
+The Augustan Reprints are available only to members. They will never
+be offered at "remainder" prices.
+
+
+
+GENERAL EDITORS
+
+RICHARD C. BOYS, University of Michigan
+EDWARD NILES HOOKER, University of California, Los Angeles
+H.T. SWEDENBERG, JR., University of California, Los Angeles
+
+
+ADVISORY EDITORS
+
+EMMETT L. AVERY, State College of Washington
+LOUIS I. BREDVOLD, University of Michigan
+BENJAMIN BOYCE, University of Nebraska
+CLEANTH BROOKS, Yale University
+JAMES L. CLIFFORD, Columbia University
+ARTHUR FRIEDMAN, University of Chicago
+SAMUEL H. MONK, University of Minnesota
+JAMES SUTHERLAND, Queen Mary College, London
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Errors, Problems and Anomalies
+(all in _The Campaigners_ unless otherwise noted):
+
+J. W. Krutch Introduction (1948)
+  good natured, heavy handed, slow witted, long winded
+    _no hyphens in original_
+
+title page
+  the DOG and the OTTOR
+    spelling as in the original
+
+p. 2
+  horrid horrid Blasphemy
+    _duplication in original_
+
+p. 3
+  [Footnote: Collier, p.]
+    _number missing in original_
+
+p. 3
+  the Blockheaded Chaplain had been greazing his old Cassock
+    _original reads_ Bockheaded ... Gassock
+
+p. 6
+  in the twinkling of an Ejaculation, as Parson _Say-grace_ has it
+    _original reads_ Ejaculution
+    (source is Congreve, _The Double-Dealer_:
+      all texts consulted have _a_)
+  when I find him in this Paragraph of his Book * raving on at this rate
+    _asterisk in original_
+
+p. 8
+  contrives to confute some canting prejudic'd Zealots
+    _original reads_ coutrives
+  would he roar it out for Blasphemy, Profaneness, &_c._
+    _original reads_ Balsphemy
+
+p. 10
+  [Footnote: ...54]
+    _5 or 6 letters missing_
+  Again speaking of _Jupiter_ and _Alcmena_
+    _original reads_ Aclmena
+
+p. 13
+  Yet he buffly goes on,
+    _so in original, possibly error for_ busily
+    (printed text uses long _s_ but reading is unambiguous)
+
+p. 14
+  _Ben Johnson_ found out _Ananias_ and _Rabby Buisy_
+    _spellings as in original_
+
+p. 16
+  yet however seems to leer of our side
+    _reading uncertain, possibly_ loer
+
+p. 17
+  [Footnote: D. Quix. p. 1. p. 20.]
+    _? part 1, page 20_
+
+p. 19
+  and has so little the quality of Prophaneness
+    _original reads_ Prohaneness
+
+p. 20
+  those that bring Devils upon the Stage
+    _conjectural reading: entire word "Stage" is illegible_
+
+p. 21
+  But then I have made the Curate _Perez_ assist
+    _original reads_ Per..
+    (character's name in _Don Quixote_ is Pero Perez)
+
+  let me ask the doctor why he does not shew me an example for this
+  himself, and Practice better before he Accuses; for let the Reader
+  look into his _Desertion Discuss'd_ (for he shall find that I have
+  trac'd him through all his Writings) and
+    _original reads_
+    let me ask the ..ctor why he does not shew me an example for this
+    himself, and Pract... better before he Accuses; for let the Reader
+    look into his _Desertion Discuss'd_ (for he shall find that I have
+    trac'd him through all his Writing.....d
+
+  that the _Absolver_ in the first Volume of his Essays, page 120,
+  in his Chapter of the _A..._ tells us, _Whether the honesty or
+  dishonesty are discernable in the face, is a question which
+  admits of dispute
+    _original reads_
+    that the _Ab......_ in the first Volume of his Essays, page 120,
+    in his Chapter of the _A...._ tells us, _Whether the honesty or
+    dishonesty are discernable in the face, .. . .uestion which
+    admits of dispute
+
+  I believe an instance might be given
+    _original reads_
+    an instan.. .ight be
+
+p. 23
+  here has escap'd for his usage of a Gentleman
+    _original reads_ Gentlemen
+
+p. 24
+  as she sat in a Chair
+    _original reads_ Chiar
+
+p. 25
+  he thinks will infallibly overcome censure
+    _original reads_ iufallibly
+
+  There, says he, is a description of sucking for ye
+    _original reads_
+    There, says he, .. . description of sucking for ye
+
+  And then like another Devil of a Joker runs on
+    _original reads_ ruus
+
+  did not his plaguee want of Memory
+    _so in original_
+
+  after he has been bringing forth a Litter of Mr. _Congreeves_
+  Epithetes, as he calls them
+    _original reads_
+    Epithetes, [blank] calls them
+
+  and incessant scalding Rain
+    _original reads_ incess...
+
+  He tells ye more plain in troth than wittily
+    _original reads_
+    He tells ye more plain in trot. ..an wittily
+
+  they make the Poem look like a Bitch overstock'd with Puppies, and
+  suck the sense almost to Skin and Bone. For a Child to suck the
+  Mother till the Blood follows, I think is not unreasonable, but
+  for a Litter of Epithetes to suck the sense of a Poem to the Skin
+  and Bone, is such Fustian stuff that
+    _original reads_
+    they make the Poem look like a Bitch overstock'd with Pup...s, and
+    suck ... sense almost to Skin and Bone. For a C.ild to suck t..
+    Mother t... ... Blood follows, I think is not unrea...able, but
+    fo. . ..tter of Ep....... .o suck the sense of a Poem to the Skin
+    and Bone, is such Fustian ..... that
+
+  I am even with him with a Dose of _Jollop_
+    _capital J uncertain_
+
+  And then buz home again to his own dormitory in _Shooe-lane_
+    _original reads_ Sho.e-lane
+
+p. 27
+  [Footnote: Collier,]
+    _page reference missing in original_
+
+p. A2v (_Maxims_ ...)
+  might possibly be thought
+    _original reads_ possibly ]
+
+
+[_Supplementary Note_:
+
+Neither of the verse passages quoted on pg. 15 is by Chaucer. The first
+is from _The Plowman's Tale_, written about 1380 and traditionally
+attributed to Chaucer:
+
+  Of freres I have tolde before,
+    In a makynge of a Crede.
+  And yet I coulde tell worse and more,
+    But men wolde weryen it to rede.
+
+The second was printed in Tottel's Miscellany ("Songes and Sonettes
+written by the ryght honorable Lorde Henry Haward late Earle of Surrey,
+and other", 1557):
+
+  Flee frõ the prese & dwell with sothfastnes
+  Suffise to thee thy good though it be small,
+  For horde hath hate and climyng ticklenesse
+  Praise hath enuy, and weall is blinde in all
+  Fauour no more, then thee behoue shall.
+  Rede well thy self that others well canst rede,
+  And trouth shall the deliuer it is no drede. ]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Essays on the Stage, by Thomas D'Urfey and Bossuet
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON THE STAGE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 16335-8.txt or 16335-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/3/3/16335/
+
+Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/16335-8.zip b/16335-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..469e169
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16335-8.zip
diff --git a/16335-h.zip b/16335-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..926cd65
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16335-h.zip
diff --git a/16335-h/16335-h.htm b/16335-h/16335-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e38abe1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16335-h/16335-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,3092 @@
+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<html>
+<head>
+<title>Preface to the Campaigners</title>
+<meta http-equiv = "Content-Type" content = "text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
+
+<style type = "text/css">
+body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 25%;}
+
+hr {width: 80%;}
+hr.small {width: 50%;}
+sup {font-size: 85%}
+
+h1 {text-align: center; font-size: 250%; font-weight: normal;}
+h2 {text-align: center; font-size: 175%; font-weight: normal;
+font-style: italic; letter-spacing: .1em;}
+h3 {text-align: center; font-size: 150%; font-weight: normal;}
+
+blockquote {margin-left: 1.5em; margin-right: 1.5em; margin-top: .5em;
+margin-bottom: .5em;}
+td {vertical-align: top;}
+td.ARS {vertical-align: top; font-size: 90%;}
+
+.verse {margin-left: 2em; margin-top: .1em; margin-bottom: .1em;}
+.verse2 {margin-left: 3em; margin-top: .1em; margin-bottom: .1em;}
+.verse3 {margin-left: 4em; margin-top: .1em; margin-bottom: .1em;}
+.verse4 {margin-left: 5em; margin-top: .1em; margin-bottom: .1em;}
+.versepair {margin-left: 3em; text-indent: -1em; margin-top: .1em;
+margin-bottom: .1em;}
+.versenum {margin-left: 10em; margin-top: .1em; margin-bottom: .1em;}
+
+.indent {text-indent: 40%;}
+
+.pagenum {position: absolute; right: 94%; font-size: 95%;
+font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: right;}
+.folionum {position: absolute; left: 94%; font-size: 95%;
+font-style: normal; text-align: left;}
+
+.mynote {font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;}
+.contents {font-family: sans-serif;}
+ins.correction {text-decoration: none; border-bottom: thin dotted red;}
+
+.sidenote {position: absolute; left: 77%; right: 10%; padding-left: 1em;
+padding-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0.5em; font-size: 90%;
+font-style: normal;}
+.picture {float: left; clear: both; margin: 1em;}
+.firstletter {float: left; padding-right: 0.2em; font-size: 300%;}
+
+.smallcaps {font-variant: small-caps;}
+.extended {letter-spacing: 0.3em;}
+.flag {border-bottom: thin dotted #666666;}
+
+</style>
+</head>
+
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's Essays on the Stage, by Thomas D'Urfey and Bossuet
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Essays on the Stage
+       Preface to the Campaigners (1689) and Preface to the
+              Translation of Bossuet's Maxims and Reflections on Plays
+              (1699)
+
+Author: Thomas D'Urfey and Bossuet
+
+Commentator: Joseph Wood Krutch
+
+Release Date: July 20, 2005 [EBook #16335]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON THE STAGE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class = "mynote">
+Transcriber's Note:<br>
+A few typographical errors have been corrected. They have been
+marked with <ins class = "correction" title = "like this">popups</ins>.
+Conjectural readings have been <span class = "flag">underlined</span>.<br>
+Both original texts labeled the recto (odd) pages of the first leaves of
+each signature.
+These will appear in the right margin as A, A2, A3...
+</div>
+
+<hr>
+<br>
+<p align = "center"><font size = "+2">Series Three:<br>
+<i>Essays on the Stage</i></font><br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<font size = "+1">No. 4</font><br>
+<br>
+Thomas D'Urfey, Preface to <i>The Campaigners</i> (1698)<br>
+and<br>
+Anonymous, Preface to the Translation of Bossuet's<br>
+<i>Maxims and Reflections upon Plays</i> (1699)<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<font size = "-1">With an Introduction by</font><br>
+Joseph Wood Krutch<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+The Augustan Reprint Society<br>
+<font size = "-1">March, 1948<br>
+<i>Price</i>: $1.00</font></p>
+<br>
+<hr>
+<br>
+<table align = "center">
+<tr><td>
+<div class = "contents">
+<a href = "#intro">Editor's Introduction</a><br>
+<a href = "#campaigners">D'Urfey, Preface to <i>The Campaigners</i></a><br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href = "#chaucer">Transcriber's Footnote: "Chaucer"</a><br>
+<a href = "#maxims">Preface to the Translation of Bossuet's
+<i>Maxims...</i></a><br>
+<a href = "#ARSpubs">ARS Publications</a>
+</div>
+</td></tr>
+</table>
+<br>
+<hr>
+<p align = "center"><i>GENERAL EDITORS</i><br>
+<br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Richard C. Boys</span>, <i>University of
+Michigan</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Edward Niles Hooker</span>, <i>University of
+California, Los Angeles</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">H. T. Swedenberg, Jr.</span>, <i>University
+of California, Los Angeles</i><br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<i>ASSISTANT EDITOR</i><br>
+<br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">W. Earl Britton</span>, <i>University of
+Michigan</i><br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<i>ADVISORY EDITORS</i><br>
+<br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Emmett L. Avery</span>, <i>State College of
+Washington</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Benjamin Boyce</span>, <i>University of
+Nebraska</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Louis I. Bredvold</span>, <i>University of
+Michigan</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Cleanth Brooks</span>, <i>Yale
+University</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">James L. Clifford</span>, <i>Columbia
+University</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Arthur Friedman</span>, <i>University of
+Chicago</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Samuel H. Monk</span>, <i>University of
+Minnesota</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Ernest Mossner</span>, <i>University of
+Texas</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">James Sutherland</span>, <i>Queen Mary
+College, London</i>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<font size = "-1">Lithoprinted from copy supplied by author<br>
+by<br>
+Edwards Brothers, Inc.<br>
+Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.<br>
+1948</font></p>
+<hr>
+<span class = "pagenum">1</span>
+
+<p align = "center"><a name = "intro"><tt>Introduction</tt></a></p>
+
+<p><tt>The three parts of D'Urfey's "The Comical History of Don
+Quixote" were performed between 1694 and (probably) the end of
+1696. Some of the songs included were conspicuously "smutty"--to
+use a word which D'Urfey ridiculed--but the fact that the
+plays were fresh in the public mind was probably the most effective
+reason for Jeremy Collier's decision to include the not
+very highly respected author among the still living playwrights
+to be singled out for attack in "A Short View of the Immorality
+and Profaneness of the English Stage", which appeared at Easter
+time 1698. In July of the same year D'Urfey replied with the
+preface to his "smutty" play "The Campaigners". It is this preface
+which is given as the first item of the present reprint.</tt></p>
+
+<p><tt>Pope's contemptuous prologue, written many years later and
+apparently for a benefit performance of one of D'Urfey's plays, is
+sufficient evidence that the playwright was not highly regarded;
+but he was reputed to be a good natured man and, by the standards
+of the time, his twitting of Collier--whom he accused of having
+a better nose for smut than a clergyman should have--is not
+conspicuously vituperative. Even his attack on the political
+character of the notorious Non-Juror is bitter without being really
+scurrilous. But like his betters Congreve and Vanbrugh, D'Urfey
+both missed the opportunity to grapple with the real issues of
+the controversy and misjudged the temper of the public. Had that
+public been, as all the playwrights seem to have assumed, ready
+to side with them against Collier, there might have been some
+<span class = "pagenum">2</span>
+justification in resting content as he and Congreve did with
+the scoring of a few debater's points. But the public, even
+"the town", was less interested in mere sally and rejoinder
+than it was in the serious question of the relation of comedy
+to morality, and hence Collier was allowed to win the victory
+almost by default.</tt></p>
+
+<p><tt>Collier's own argument was either confused or deliberately
+disingenuous, since he shifts his ground several times. On occasion
+he argues merely in the role of a moderate man who is
+shocked by the extravagances of the playwrights, and on other
+occasions as an ascetic to whom all worldly diversion, however
+innocent of any obvious offence, is wicked. At one time, moreover,
+he accuses the playwrights of recommending the vices which
+they should satirize and at other times denies that even the
+most sincere satiric intention can justify the lively representation
+of wickedness. But none of his opponents actually seized
+the opportunity to completely clarify the issues. Vanbrugh, it
+is true, makes some real points in his "A Short Vindication of
+The Relapse and The Provok'd Wife", and John Dennis, in his
+heavy handed way, showed some realization of what the issues were
+both in "The Usefulness of the Stage to the Happiness of Mankind,
+to Government and to Religion" (1698) and, much later, In "The
+Stage Defended" (1726). But, Vanbrugh is casual, Dennis is slow
+witted, and it is only by comparison with the triviality of
+D'Urfey or the contemptuous disingenuity of Congreve's "Amendments
+of Mr. Collier's False and Imperfect Citations" (1698) that
+they seem effective.</tt></p>
+
+<span class = "pagenum">3</span>
+<p><tt>At least forty books and pamphlets published between 1698
+and 1725 are definitely part of the Collier controversy, but the
+fact that none of them really discusses adequately fundamental
+premises concerning the nature, method, and function of comedy
+had serious consequences for the English stage. The situation
+was further complicated by the rise of sentimental comedy and
+the fact that the theories supposed to justify it were expounded
+with all the completeness and clarity which were so conspicuously
+lacking in the case of those who undertook halfheartedly to
+defend what we call "high" or "pure", as opposed to both sentimental
+and satiric comedy. Steele's epilogue to "The Lying Lover",
+which versified Hobbes' comments on laughter and then rejected
+laughter itself as unworthy of a refined human being, is a triumphant
+epitaph inscribed over the grave of the comic spirit.</tt></p>
+
+<p><tt>The second item included in the present reprint, namely the
+anonymous preface to a translation of Bossuet's "Maxims and Reflections
+Upon Plays", belongs to a different phase of the Collier
+controversy. It serves as an illustration of the fact that
+Collier was soon joined by men who were, somewhat more frankly
+than he had himself admitted he was, open enemies of the stage
+as such. He had begun with arguments supported by citations
+from literary critics and he called in the support of ascetic religious
+writers after his discourse was well under way. But the
+direct approach by way of religion was soon taken up by others,
+of whom Arthur Bedford was probably the most redoubtable as he was
+certainly the most long winded, since his "Evil and Danger of
+Stage Plays" (1706) crowds into its two hundred and twenty-seven
+<span class = "pagenum">4</span>
+pages some two thousand instances of alleged profaneness and immorality
+with specific references to the texts of scripture which
+condemn each one. But Bedford had not been the first to treat
+the issue as one to be decoded by theologians rather than playwrights
+or critics. Somewhat unwisely, perhaps, Motteux had printed
+before his comedy "Beauty in Distress" a discourse "Of the Lawfulness
+and Unlawfulness of Plays" (1698), written by the Italian
+monk Father Caffaro, who was professor of divinity at the Sorbonne.
+Unfortunately Caffaro had, some years before this English translation
+appeared, already retracted his mild opinion that stage plays
+were not, <i>per</i> <i>se</i>, unlawful, and it was
+possible not only to cite
+his retraction but also to offer the opinions of the Bishop of Meux,
+who was better known to English readers than Father Caffaro. The
+anonymous author of the preface to "Maxims and Reflections" grants
+that dramatic poetry might, under certain circumstances, be theoretically
+permissible, but rather more frankly than Collier he makes
+it clear that his real intention is to urge the outlawing of the
+theater itself, since all efforts to reform it are foredoomed to
+failure. "But if", he writes, "the Reformation of the Stage be
+no longer practicable, reason good that the incurable Evil should
+be cut off". That lets the cat out of the bag.</tt></p>
+
+<p><tt>Both pieces reprinted here are from copies owned by the University
+of Michigan.</tt></p>
+
+<div class = "indent">
+<tt>Joseph Wood Krutch</tt>
+</div>
+<div class = "indent">
+<tt>Columbia University</tt>
+</div>
+<br>
+<hr>
+<a name = "campaigners"> </a><br>
+<p align = "center"><font size = "+3">The Campaigners:</font><br>
+<br>
+OR, THE<br>
+<br>
+<font size = "+2"><i>Pleasant Adventures at</i>
+Brussels.</font><br>
+<br>
+<font size = "+1">A</font><br>
+<br>
+<font size = "+3"><span class = "extended">COMEDY</span></font><br>
+<br>
+As it is Acted at the <i>Theatre-Royal</i>.<br>
+<br>
+WITH A<br>
+<font size = "+2">FAMILIAR PREFACE</font><br>
+<br>
+UPON<br>
+<font size = "+1"><i>A Late Reformer of the STAGE.</i></font><br>
+<br>
+Ending with a Satyrical Fable<br>
+<br>
+OF<br>
+<font size = "+1"><i>the </i>DOG<i> and the</i> OTTOR.</font></p>
+<hr class = "small">
+<p align = "center">Written by Mr. <i>D'urfey</i>.</p>
+<hr class = "small">
+<p align = "center"><font size = "-1"><i>LONDON</i>,<br>
+Printed for <i>A. Baldwin</i>, near the <i>Oxford Arms</i> Inn<br>
+in <i>Warwick lane</i>.&nbsp;&nbsp;MDCXCVIII.</font></p>
+<hr>
+<span class = "pagenum">1</span>
+<span class = "folionum">a</span>
+<h1>PREFACE.</h1>
+
+<p><span class= "firstletter">I</span>Must necessarily inform the
+Partial, as well as Impartial Reader, that I had once design'd another
+kind of Preface to my Comedy than what will appear in the following
+sheets; but having in the interim been entertain'd with a Book lately
+Printed, full of Abuses on all our Antient as well as Modern Poets, call'd
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 196.</span>
+<i>A view of the Immorality and Prophaness of the English Stage</i>; and
+finding the Author, who, no doubt, extreamly values himself upon his
+Talent of <i>Stage-reforming</i>, not only (to use his own Ironical
+words) <i>particular in his Genius and Civilities</i>, but indecently,
+unmanner'd, and scurrilous in his unjust Remarks on me, and two of my
+Plays, <i>viz.</i> the first and second parts of the <i>Comical History
+of</i> Don Quixote; I thought I cou'd not do better, first as a
+Diversion to the Town, and next to do a little Iustice to my self, than
+(instead of the other) to print a short Answer to this very Severe and
+Critical Gentleman; and at the same time give him occasion to descant
+upon the following Comick Papers, and my self the opportunity of
+vindicating the other; with some familiar Returns (<i>en Raillere</i>)
+upon his own Extraordinary <i>Integrity</i>, and Justness of the
+<i>Censure</i>.</p>
+
+<p>But first, lest I should plunge my self out of my depth, or like an
+unskilful Swimmer, endanger my self by a too precipitate Rashness, let
+me warily consider the Office and Habit of this unchristianlike Critick
+before I Attack him: He has, or had the honour to wear the Robe of a
+Clergyman of the Church of <i>England</i>: A Church, which for its
+Purity, Principles, and most Incomparable Doctrines, surpasses without
+objection all others in the world, which with a number of its pious,
+virtuous and learned Rulers and Ministers, I admire and acknowledge with
+all the faculties of my soul, heart and understanding; and on which I
+never seriously reflect, but I feel a secret shame for my remissness of
+duty, and my neglect, in not living hitherto up to its Admirable
+Principles. This reflection would indeed have been enough to awe any one
+in my circumstances from proceeding to answer his bold Censures, had I
+not Courage to consider that the rest of the worthy Gentlemen of that
+Robe are so good, that they will not excuse or defend our aforesaid
+Critick's Injustice or Mistakes in some places, tho they are pleas'd
+with his Truths in others; or be angry at me for endeavouring to gain
+their good opinion, by defending my self from most of his black
+Aspersions (how fair soever as yet they seem) and by unfolding him be
+judg'd by their impartial reason, start a question, whither he, tho a
+happy member of the aforesaid Adorable Church, does not come in for his
+share of <i>Immorality</i>,
+<span class = "pagenum">2</span>
+and other frailties; and consequently is not as fit to be detected, by
+the Wit of a Satyrical Poet; as the Poet by the positive Authority of an
+Angry Malecontent, tho in the garb of an humble Churchman.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Vates</i>, or Poets in antient times were held in special
+veneration, even their Kings, and other chief Rulers, often submitted to
+the virtue of their Inspiration: Amongst which, the never enough admir'd
+Mr <i>Cowley</i>, in his noble version of the <i>Davideidos</i>, gives
+the <i>Royal David</i> this Title, <i>Rex olim &amp;
+Vates duo Maxima munera
+Coeli</i>; and numbers of others might be inserted to prove Poetical
+Authority, and the respect it bore in past Ages; which, tho I have not
+capacity to parallel, I hope I may be allow'd to imitate on another
+subject; and in this have leave to acquit my self of several heinous
+Accusations, which this Tyrannical Critick has Impos'd upon me.</p>
+
+<p>I am not at all Ignorant of his eminent parts, Learning, and other
+qualifications; nor am I insensible, as well as the rest of his Readers,
+that his Book has a very fair and engaging Title-page, and is no less
+Illustrated with many weighty and just censures upon the <i>Immorality of
+the Stage</i>, and our licentious Writings for many years past; and tho
+this has been proved by the late Ingenious Author of <i>the Vindication
+of the Stage</i> to be occasion'd by the vices of the Times, and not
+those of the Poets; yet thus for we can endure the Scourge, and kiss his
+Rod with patience enough: And for my own part, I declare if I had found
+his Severity had been moral, and had ended in the good design of
+cleansing the Stage from its Impurities, and had been only a kind
+Instruction to my Brethren and my self, to reform our Immoral errors, I
+had, as the rest of us, with all humility imaginable, thank'd him for
+his wit and good reproof; and had been so far from answering in this
+manner, that I should have been proud to have my name before his Book,
+with a Copy of Verses in applause of his Admirable Design. But when,
+instead of this, I find he strikes at the root of our Dramatick Labours,
+and the Town's diversion, for some sly and selfish ends; and instead of
+reproving us with a Pastorly Mildness, Charity and Good Nature, gives us
+the basest language, and with the most scurillous expression, sometimes
+raging and even foaming at mouth, taxing the little liberty has always
+been us'd, with <ins class = "correction"
+title = "duplication in original">horrid horrid</ins>
+Blasphemy, Prophaneness, and Damnable
+Impiety; when Reason must inform every one we intend nothing of the
+matter, besides the poor priviledge <i>Poetica Licentia</i>: and
+pretending to prove this with false Quotations, unnatural Mistakes, and
+Hypocritical Hypotheses, I resolv'd to controvert him, and endeavour to
+prove that 'tis meerly his malice that has abus'd me and the rest,
+without Reason or Provocation; and that his own Wit and Morals are not
+so Infallible, but they lye also open to the censure of any Poetical
+Critick, who has Courage and Sense enough to attack 'em.</p>
+
+<p>I once more therefore address my self to the Reverend of the Gown,
+from highest to the lowest, and humbly desire that they will not appear
+Interested against me, because I defend myself against one that has
+abus'd me, and has the honour to wear one, (to what purpose the Judgment
+and Clemency of our Government knows best) I assure 'em my design is
+only to turn, like the Worm that is trod upon, complain being hurt,
+vindicate my self from abusive malice, and at the same time am heartily
+sorry that ever I had the occasion.</p>
+
+<span class = "pagenum">3</span>
+<span class = "folionum">a2</span>
+<p>
+'Tis a pleasure to me however to know that I have for many years, as
+well as now, the honour of the Conversation of several eminent men of
+the Church; and I dare say, upon occasion, I could easily gain their
+good words to prove my good behaviour. I do declare I never abus'd the
+sacred order in my life, but have always had, and still have, all the
+veneration for 'em that's possible; nor have any of my printed Writings
+contradicted this, unless when spoken in the person of Atheists,
+Libertines, and Ignorants, where 'tis natural in Comedy; nay, in my Book
+of Poems you will find a <i>Satyr against Atheists</i>, and in another
+Book, call'd <i>Colin's walk thro' London and Westminster</i>, a Moral
+through the whole, and design'd in the honour of the Church of
+<i>England</i>, to shew the stubbornness of <i>Romanists</i>, Grumblers,
+and other dissenting Sects; but this my partial Antagonist never read,
+nor heard of; nay, tho by his Book we may suppose he has read a
+thousand, yet amongst twenty of my Comedies Acted and Printed, he never
+heard of the <i>Royalist</i>, the <i>Boarding School</i>, the
+<i>Marriage Hater Match'd</i>, the <i>Richmond Heiress</i>, the
+<i>Virtuous Wife</i>, and others, all whose whole Plots and designs I
+dare affirm, tend to that principal instance, which he proposes, and
+which we allow, <i>viz.</i> the depression of Vice and encouragement of
+Virtue. Not he, he has not had leisure since his last <i>holding forth
+in the late Reign</i>, to do me this Justice, 'tis enough for him that
+he has encounter'd <i>Don Quixot</i>:
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, <ins class = "correction" title =
+"page number missing">p.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</ins></span>
+And truly, I must own, was a most proper Combatant for him; for if he
+had not been mad with the Wind-mill that was in his pate, or had ever
+perus'd that <i>Giant</i> of an Author, upon whom I am the <i>Pigmy</i>,
+as he wittily observes, he would have found the <ins class =
+"correction" title = "original reads 'Bockheaded'">Blockheaded</ins>
+Chaplain had been greazing his old <ins class = "correction" title =
+"original reads 'Gassock'">Cassock</ins> there long before I new rigg'd
+him: But that's all one, I, poor I, must be denounc'd as Criminal; I
+brought him upon the Stage, I wash'd his Face, put on a new Crape Vest,
+and a clean Band, which, oh, fatal accident, made him look so like
+somebody, that I, in his opinion, and condemn'd by his infallibility,
+have been no body ever since, <i>vox &amp; pręterea nihil</i>. Well, however
+this is determin'd, let me beg of my impartial Readers, to give me leave
+to try what I can be, I have had good fortune I am told by others in
+Lyrical Verse, which I am sure is one principal part of Poetry, I'll see
+now if I can match my Antagonist in Rallying Prose. Several ingenious
+Authors have already, I think, so well confuted his Assertions against
+the Stage, by proofs from the Antient Poets, the Primitive Fathers, and
+their Authorities, that they have far excell'd what I can pretend to do
+there; only, I could have wish'd one who is best able, and whose
+admirable Genius and Skill in Poetry would have been remarkably
+serviceable, had drawn his Pen to defend the Rights of the Stage, tho he
+had own'd the loosenesses of it, and had ventured the being presented
+for it; but since we, the forlorn, are not so happy to have that Aid,
+let my Antagonist, the Reformer, who, for all the gravity in some part
+of his Book, and the solid Piety he would insinuate in his Arguments, I
+perceive to be a Joker, and as full of Puns, Conundrums, Quibbles,
+Longinquipetites, and Tipiti-witchets, as the rest of us mortals, be
+pleas'd to take the length of my Weapon at that sport, for now I cannot
+help telling my Audience, which is the Town, that he has laid his
+reforming
+<span class = "pagenum">4</span>
+Cudgel upon me so severely, and it smarts so damnably, that I can't
+forbear smiting again if I were to be hang'd, desiring only, as the
+usual method is, a clear Stage, and from him no favour.</p>
+
+<p>To begin then, I shall illustrate my first Scene with a comical hint
+upon some part of his Character; and that the Jest may be worthy of
+making you laugh, you are to know, that the first view I ever had of
+this extraordinary Person, was neither better nor worse than under the
+<i>Gallows</i>. Well, but think you, I warrant, 'twas about some
+Charitable Duty that his sacred Function and Piety oblig'd him to, such
+as Exhorting the poor Souls to confess their Crimes, in order to be
+sav'd, or the like; no, faith, but quite contrary, for he was rather
+hardning them, and infusing a strong Portion of his own obstinacy, to
+fortifie 'em for their dubious Journey; and in few minutes after,
+possess'd with a stronger Spirit of Priesthood than e'er, for some past
+Ages there has been Example for, pronounc'd the <i>Absolution</i>, the
+extremest and most mysterious Grace the Church can possibly give to the
+most repentant Sinner, to wretches Justly condemn'd by Law to die, for
+the most horrible Crimes in nature, <i>viz.</i> the intended Murder of
+the King, and Subversion of the Protestant Religion and Government. Now
+that such a Person should set up for a Protestant Example, and a Teacher
+of Morality, is somewhat new, for upon my veracity, this Gentleman may
+insinuate as he pleases, that our Church, and its Doctrines govern his
+heart; but as to that matter what may be in his heart I can't tell, but
+if a Pope is not crept into his belly, very near it, I am very much
+mistaken.</p>
+
+<p><i>Pliny</i> indeed, in his Natural History, <i>Lib.</i> 28,
+<i>Cap.</i> 10. tells ye, He that is bitten by a Scorpion may have
+relief, if immediately he go and whisper his grief into the Ear of an
+Ass. This Historian, perhaps, had so great credit with these Malefactors
+that they thought the remedy, by Auricular Confession, might serve too
+in their Concerns. But we are confirm'd, they were enough mistaken in
+the rest of their Opinions, and so 'tis very likely were in this. If
+this Parallel be found a little gross, I hope the Reader will excuse it,
+when he examines the bold Critick's Stile relating to the Poets.
+Besides, how wise soever he may be in other things, I'm sure all those
+that are so, and true Sons of the Church, when they reflect on that
+Action of his, will own that he deserves that, or a worse Title. And so
+to proceed.</p>
+
+<p>But before we inspect further, or touch upon the Moralist's
+Immorality, for I dare ingage it is not altogether impossible to prove,
+the <i>Pulpiteer</i> may be tainted a little as well as the
+<i>Poetaster</i>, let us see whether we can find him guilty of the first
+Charge against us, which is <i>Immodesty</i>; and upon this subject
+indeed, if our Learn'd Reformer did not impose upon us with a Fallacy, I
+should (to shew my good Nature walk hand in hand with my resentment)
+once more admire him for his Character of Modesty in the 11th page of
+his Book, which is, to do him Justice, very fine; but then he only tells
+us of one kind of Modesty, when he knows there are two, and therein he
+is Falacious, in not exposing the other, which is decency of Speech and
+Behaviour; and truly, meerly, I believe, through a conscious reflection
+of his own frequent miscarriages in that case. If therefore, these
+Papers differ a little from that Civility which is proper, I beg the
+Readers pardon, and assure him 'tis only in
+<span class = "pagenum">5</span>
+imitation of his Stile to me, as all those that read his Book may
+find.</p>
+
+<p>
+For, in the first place, he does not shew his own, nor, indeed, any part
+of decent modesty, in exposing any Gentlemans Name in print, when the
+subject matter is Satyr, Reflection, Scandal, &amp;<i>c.</i> and in
+which case I believe the Law might do Justice, if apply'd to; but if
+not, I am sure good Manners, and civil Education, ought to tie the
+Cassock as close as the Sash or Sursingle; but this our Divine helper,
+most Bully-like, disallows; for he, puff'd with his Priestly Authority,
+calls us boldly to the Bar of his Injustice by our own Names, the same
+minute that he is roaringly accusing us of Blasphemy, Smuttery, Foolery,
+and a thousand Monstrosities besides, as he'd make you believe; unless
+for variety, he picks out one amongst the rest, now and then, to abuse a
+little more civilly, and then, rubbing up his old College Wit, he
+Nicknames 'em, as you may find elegantly made out at
+the latter end of his Book,
+(for he shall see that I have read it quite through, and can hop over
+pages as fast as he for the life of him) where he can find no other Name
+or Character for two Gentlemen of Honour and Merit, <i>viz.</i> Mr.
+<i>Congreve</i> and Captain <i>Vanbrooke</i>, who have written several
+excellent Plays, and who are only scandalous to our Critick, by being
+good Poets, yet these he can give no other Names or Characters, but what
+are Abusive and Ridiculous.
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, <i>p.</i> 74.</span>
+The first, for only making <i>Jeremy</i>, in <i>Love for Love</i>, call
+the Natural inclinations to eating and drinking, <i>Whorson
+Appetites</i>, he tells, That the <i>Manicheans, who made Creation the
+Work of the Devil, scarcely spoke any thing so course</i>. And then very
+modestly proceeding onwards says, <i>The Poet was </i>Jeremy<i>'s
+Tutor</i>. The t'other Gentleman he dignifies by a new Coin'd name of
+his own, <i>viz.</i> <i>The Relapser</i>, and much like an humble Son of
+the Church, a Man of Morals and Manners tells us, <i>This Poet is fit to
+Ride a Match with Witches:</i>
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, <i>p.</i> 230.</span>
+<i>And, that </i>Juliana Cox<i> </i>(a Non-juring Hag, I suppose, of his
+Acquaintance)<i> never switch'd a Broom-stick with more expedition.</i>
+Faith, such sentences as these, may be taking enough amongst his Party;
+but if this be his way of Reproving the Stage, and Teaching the Town
+Modesty, he will have fewer Pupils, I believe, than he
+imagines.</p>
+
+<p>
+But to do that Gentleman Broom-stick Rider some Justice, and because we
+shall want a Name hereafter to Christen the t'other, as he has given the
+Name of <i>Relapser</i>, so I think that of the <i>Absolver</i> will be
+a very proper one to distinguish our Switcher, by which the Reader may
+observe, that we are civiller to him than he to us however. And first
+then, I desire all Persons to observe, that in other places of the same
+Chapter of his Book, our <i>Absolver</i>, for all his detestation of the
+Stage, and of Poetry in general, yet takes a huge deal of pains in
+taking to pieces, and mending the Comedy of the <i>Relapse</i>; nay, and
+to shew how transcendent his own Skill in these things is, he has help'd
+the Author to a better Name for his Play, and says,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, <i>p.</i> 210.</span>
+<i>The Younger Brother</i>, or, <i>The Fortunate Cheat</i>, had been
+much properer. This shews some good will he has to the Comick Trade
+however; and I doubt not, but if his Closet were Ransack'd, we might
+find a divertive Scene or two, effects of his idle Non-preaching hours,
+where Modesty, Wit, and good Behaviour, would be shewn in
+perfection.<p>
+
+<span class = "pagenum">6</span>
+<p>And yet, as to his own humour, we find it to be, by his Book, more
+fickle than even the Wind, or Feminine frailty in its highest
+Inconstancy. One while he's for Instructing our Stage, Modelling our
+Plays, Correcting the Drama, the Unity, Time and Place, and acts as very
+a Poet as ever writ an ill Play, or slept at an ill Sermon; and then,
+presently after, wheiw, in the twinkling of an
+<ins class = "correction" title =
+"original reads 'Ejaculution', Congreve has 'ejaculation'">Ejaculation</ins>,
+as Parson <i>Say-grace</i> has it, he's summoning together a Convocation
+of old Fathers, to prove the Stage in past Ages exploded, and all Plays
+horrible, abominable Debauchers of youth, and not to be encourag'd in a
+Civil Government. What can we think of this, especialiy when I find him
+in this Paragraph of his Book<ins class = "correction"
+title = "asterisk in original"> * </ins>raving on at this rate,
+and quoting to us, That
+St. <i>Cyprian</i>, or the Author <i>de Spectaculis</i>, argues thus
+against those who thought the Play-House no unlawful diversion; 'tis too
+tedious to recite all, but enough of St. <i>Cyprian</i> for my purpose
+runs thus: <i>What business has a Christian at such Places as these? A
+Christian who has not the liberty so much as to think of an ill thing,
+why does he entertain himself with lewd Representations? Has he a mind
+to discharge his Modesty, and be flesh'd for the Practice? Yes, this is
+the consequence, by using to see these things, he'll learn to do them;
+what need I mention the Levities and Impertinencies in Comedies, or the
+Ranting distractions of Tragedy, were these things unconcern'd with
+Idolatry, Christians ought not to be at them, for were they not highly
+Criminal, the foolery of them is Egregious, and unbecoming the gravity
+of Believers.</i> And then again, before he is out of breath, <i>A
+Christian has much better Sights than these to look at, he has solid
+Satisfactions in his power, which will please and improve him at the
+same time. Would a Christian be agreeably refresh'd, let him read the
+Scriptures, here the Entertainment will suit his Character, and be big
+enough for his quality. Ah, Beloved, how noble, how moving, how
+profitable a thing is it, to be thus employ'd, to have our expectations
+always in prospect, and be intent on the glories of Heaven!</i> Very
+good, and who is he so reprobated, that will not allow this to be
+devout, and admirable good Counsel? But now let us see how the
+<i>Absolver</i>, for all Pious quotation, has follow'd St.
+<i>Cyprian</i>'s Advice; that holy Father charges him not to entertain
+himself with such lewd things as Plays, and he very dutifully reads a
+thousand as fast as he can; nay, scans and weighs 'em, and, no doubt,
+not without tickling satisfaction, at the present, for all his Saturnine
+Remarks at last. Now if his Answer to this is, That it belongs to his
+Office, as a Church-man, and that he could not reprehend the Vices in
+'em without reading the Books themselves, I must tell him, That St.
+<i>Cyprian</i>, nor the rest of the Fathers, did not allow that, neither
+do we find they did it themselves, for all their inveighing against the
+Stage; so that he makes his own Quotation altogether invalid, <i>He not
+being to do ill that good might come of it.</i></p>
+
+<p>And therefore, why may not a Poet now, who, perhaps, is a greater
+Votary to St. <i>Cyprian</i> in other Matters than the <i>Absolver</i>
+is in this, rally him thus, and turn his Quotation upon himself, Phrase
+by Phrase? "What business has a Parson with such Books as these? A
+Parson who has not the liberty so much as to think of an ill thing? Why
+does he entertain himself with lewd Comedies? Has he a mind to discharge
+his Priestcraft, and flesh himself up for a Poet? Yes, this is the
+consequence, by using to see these <i>smutty</i> things, he'll learn to
+write 'em.
+<span class = "pagenum">7</span>
+What need I mention the Sham-Oaths, and looseness of Farce, or the
+Fustian raving against the Gods in Tragedy, were these things really
+unconcern'd with Idolatry, a Parson, of all Mankind, should not be known
+to ogle them, for were they not highly Criminal, the foolery of them is
+Egregious, and unbecoming the gravity of all that thump the Cushion, or
+intend to thump a true Belief into the Pates of an incorrigible
+Congregation."</p>
+
+<p>And now methinks I see the Spiritual Critick, with a certain sallow
+Male-contented Phiz, poring upon this Page, and sucking his Ring-finger,
+gives himself an unpleasurable minute to Judge whether I have
+paraphras'd right or no; well, all's one, fall back fall edge, I'm
+resolv'd to bait him with St. <i>Cyprian</i> a little more. "A Parson
+has, or should have, much better Books than Plays to look in; he has
+many Authors of Pious and Solid Authorities to please, and improve
+himself with, at the same time. Would a Parson be agreeably refresh'd,
+let him read the Scriptures, let him find out Treatises of Morality,
+Meekness, Charity, and holy Life, there the Entertainment will suit his
+Character. Ah, Beloved, how noble, how moving, how profitable a pleasure
+would it be to us, to see a Parson thus employ'd, to let the Stage's
+diversions be too little for his grave Consideration, and be intent
+himself on the glories of Heaven!" And here now, I do not at all
+question but the <i>Absolver</i>, a little nettled at this last
+Parallel, will fall to biting of his fingers again, his Righteous Spirit
+being offended at my Insolence, in scribling the Word <i>Parson</i> so
+oft, it being a Nickname, and only invented by some idle fellow, who
+resolv'd to use the Order with no more respect. Why truly, I confess, in
+this Case, Modesty is a little gravell'd, but then she may thank him for
+it, for he has dignify'd the Poets with so many <i>Hell-defying</i>,
+<i>deep-mouth'd Swearing</i>, <i>Relapsing</i>, <i>Witch-riding
+Titles</i>, that the worthy Ministry cannot reasonably be angry,
+especially when the Word is only meant to him, whom I shall prove has
+lessen'd the true Title, by his <i>Immorality</i> and
+<i>Hypocrisie</i>, more than ever the Poets did the Reputation of the
+Stage, by their Time-serving Loosenesses and Licentious
+Diversions.</p>
+
+<p>It is, no doubt, a considerable Maim to us, in some Peoples opinions,
+who never digested the benefits arising from the Stage in its Moral
+Representations, that this smarting Lash is given us by a Clergy-man of
+the Church of <i>England</i>, that is, good friends, if he be so, for
+some Judicious Heads are not resolv'd in that Affirmative&mdash;but let
+that be <i>discuss'd</i> in another place, I'm sure, if he is,
+<i>Obedience to Government, in the first place, should be his principal
+Tenet</i>; and whether that is a part of the <i>Absolver</i>'s
+Character, I think has sufficiently appear'd. But let him be what he
+will, I shall now take the pleasure to inform those People, that but few
+years since, we had a Man of Wit and Learning, that wore the Gown, and
+as true a Son of the Church as she could possibly breed; that was
+intirely devoted a Champion in our Cause, and Asserted the Rights of the
+Stage with Success and Applause; and whoever will but look back a
+little, and incline his Eyes towards the delectable River <i>Cam</i>,
+may Encounter the fam'd Wit of that University, the Ingenious Mr.
+<i>Thomas Randolph</i>, who in one of his great many admirable Pieces,
+call'd the <i>Muses Looking-glass</i>, makes his whole Moral to be the
+Vindication
+<span class = "pagenum">8</span>
+of the Stage, and its usefulness, and by shewing the passions in their
+Kinds, <ins class = "correction"
+title = "original reads 'coutrives'">contrives</ins>
+to confute some canting prejudic'd Zealots,
+whose ignorance and frenzy had conspir'd before to run it down; I will
+treat the Reader here with some of it.</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>Muses Looking-Glass.</i></span>
+A Country Lass, for such she was, tho here<br>
+In th' City may be Sluts as well as there;<br>
+Kept her hands clean, for those being always seen,<br>
+Had told her else how sluttish she had been;<br>
+Yet was her Face, as dirty as the Stall<br>
+Of a Fish-monger, or a Usurer's Hall<br>
+Begrim'd with filth, that you might boldly say,<br>
+She was a true piece of <i>Prometheus</i>'s Clay.<br>
+At last, within a Pail, for Country Lasses<br>
+Have oft you know, no other Looking-glasses,<br>
+She view'd her dirty Face, and doubtless would<br>
+Have blush'd, if through so much dirt she could.<br>
+At last, within that Water, that I say,<br>
+That shew'd the Dirt, she wash'd the Dirt away.
+</div>
+<div class = "verse2">
+<i>So, Comedies, as Poets still intend 'em,</i><br>
+<i>Serve first to shew your faults, and then to mend
+'em.</i>
+</div>
+
+<p>Here was a pretty Compliment to our Art now, a good Moral with good
+Manners into the bargain; and yet 'tis certain the times then were as
+Licentious as now, and the Poets took as little care of their Writings;
+but Mr <i>Randolph</i> always made his good Nature agree with his Wit,
+and put as favourable construction upon Scenes of Diversion, as reason
+would allow, tho he perhaps had as much occasion for 50 <i>l.</i> as the
+Absolver when he writ his Book. He knew that if there was so stupid a
+Temper, that the Moral of a Play could not reform, the looseness that
+was in it could not prejudice; nor if a wild Town-Fellow, or a baffl'd
+Bully, or passionate Lover, being characters in a Play, spoke some
+extravagances proper for 'em, would he roar it out for <ins class =
+"correction" title = "original reads 'Balsphemy'">Blasphemy</ins>,
+Profaneness, &amp;<i>c.</i> and make a malicious scrutiny, and unreasonable
+interpretation of words, which had no other intention but to make the
+Character natural by customary manner of Speech, as he has shewn
+examples by two of his own, in the extremes of Vain-glory and
+Hypocrisie: And yet this Gentleman was as Learned, as good a Critick,
+and as Consciencious a man, as our Absolver can pretend to be; and if I
+say, I had somewhat a better Title to Modesty and good Manners, I think
+it may be made out, he having a civil regard to the Poets, defended
+their Cause, and excus'd some failings for the sake of some other
+Merits, when this treats 'em all like fools, tho he has only rak'd up a
+few of their errors, which he has made a huge heap of Rubbish, by
+peering through his own Magnifying Glass, without any allowance to their
+qualifications, or any modest care to do 'em justice, which ought to
+have been one way as well as another.</p>
+
+<p>So much then for his <i>Modesty</i> in one of its kinds, which is
+decency of behaviour and expression; as for the other, he has plaid such
+a Game at Hide and Seek with us, that we have been long in a Mist, not
+knowing how to discover it: But the Air clears, and 'tis time for us now
+to take the right end of the perspective, tho he would give
+us
+<span class = "pagenum">9</span>
+<span class = "folionum">b</span>
+the Wrong, and then try if we cannot discern, in the midst of his Garden
+of Divinity, a neat friend of his call'd Immorality, tho he would subtly
+insinuate him into the world as a stranger, leading his darling daughter
+dear Hypocrisie into an Arbor; where, after they had been some time
+alone, our Critick knowing how to be civil to his own creature, and to
+give 'em time enough to beget a right understanding, he is very glad at
+last to be a third in the company.</p>
+
+<p>I should not have put him upon this warm Office, if I had not found
+him too hot and bold with our Famous Ancient Truth-telling Poet
+<i>Juvenal</i>, when in his Book he tells us,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 70, 71.</span>
+<i>he teaches those vices he would correct, and writes more like a Pimp
+than a Poet</i>&mdash;But upon just consideration, I believe if the
+Absolver taught the Art of Rebellion no more than <i>Juvenal</i> the Art
+of Pimping, the one would be respected in after Ages, as much as we know
+the other has in the former: But every one is Fool or Knave that is not
+of this Gentlemans kidney. A little while after, at the usual rate of
+his own accustom'd civility, he falls upon the <i>Renown'd
+Shakespear</i>, and says,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 50.</span>
+he is so guilty, that he is not fit to make an Evidence. Why now it
+'twere possible for his Complexion to blush, there's ne're a Robe of any
+Friend Cardinal the Absolver has at <i>Rome</i>, that can be redder than
+his would be for such a Position: Nor does it end here, but is mixt with
+some more foolish and insolent Remarks in another place, upon the
+admirable Tragedy of <i>Hamlet</i>. And here he has no other way to shew
+his malice, but by ridiculously quibbling upon the prettiest Character
+in it,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 10.</span>
+the innocent young Virgin <i>Ophelia</i>, who, because the Poet makes
+her run mad for the death of her Father, and loss of her Lover, and
+consequently makes her sing and speak some idle extravagant things, as
+on such an occasion is natural, and at last drown her self, he very
+masterly tells us, the Poet, <i>since he was resolv'd to drown her like
+a Kitten, should have set her a swimming a little sooner; to keep her
+alive, only to sully her Reputation, is very cruel</i>. Yes, but I would
+fain ask Doctor Absolution in what she has sullied her Reputation, I am
+sure five hundred Audiences that have view'd her could never find it
+out, tho he has; but the Absolver can't help being positive and partial
+to his own humour, tho he were to be hang'd, as the Lady was drown'd,
+for he is very angry in another place with the aforesaid Author, for
+making
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 125.</span>
+<i>Sir </i>Hugh Evens<i> in the Merry Wives of Windsor</i>, a silly,
+eating, chattering <i>Welch</i> Priest, but vindicates and speaks well,
+of <i>Sir </i>John<i>, Parson of </i>Wrotham<i>, in the History of Sir
+</i>John Oldcastle; tho he swears, games, wenches, pads, tilts and
+drinks, and does things which our Reformers Guts are ready to come up at
+another time, only, forsooth, because he is stout; but 'tis indeed only
+<i>because he is a Parson</i>, and sullen, which he thinks wise, for he
+cannot endure that Copyhold should be touch'd, as you may see more
+plainly a little further, where he says in <i>Loves Labour Lost</i>, the
+Curate plays the fool egregiously; and so does the Poet too: there he
+clenches the Nail, there he gives <i>Shakespear</i> a bold stroke, there
+obstinacy and malice appear in true colours: And yet if a parcel of the
+ones Plays, were set up by way of Auction against t'others <i>Sermons
+and Essays</i>; nay, tho the Loyal and Politick <i>Desertion
+discussd</i> was thrown in to boot, I know not what the Grave would do,
+but I am sure the Wise would quickly find difference. And yet
+to
+<span class = "pagenum">10</span>
+Remark him nicely, this humour of railing is only where the Poets do not
+suit with his design; for in another place you'll find this same
+<i>Shakespear</i>, that was before too guilty to make an Evidence, a
+very civil person now; for the Reformer is troubl'd with Fits, you must
+know, disturbances i th' brain, which makes him forget one hour what he
+rails at another, for here now
+<span class = "sidenote"><ins class = "correction" title =
+"text missing">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</ins>54</span>
+<i>Shakespear</i>'s <i>Falstaff</i> is call'd the admir'd, because he is
+to serve his turn. And that the Poet <i>was not so partial as to let his
+humour compound for his lewdness</i>; but punishes him at last, tho he
+makes him all his life time a damnable, <i>smutty</i> fellow. And now, I
+think, having said enough of his modest behaviour, 'twon't be amiss to
+have a touch or two at his Hypocrisy. And first, concerning the word
+Smutt.</p>
+
+<p>"Smutt, Smutt"! Why does this tarmagant Correcter of our Lives and
+Manners pretend to make us believe that his Mouth or Conscience is so
+streight, that the t'other word can't get passage, or did his Mistress
+(honourable I mean) sit knotting under his Nose when he was writing, and
+so gave occasion for the changing it instead of Bawdy, that that odious
+word might not offend her, tho the Phrase was made Nonsence by
+it&mdash;hum&mdash;No faith, the case seems to me now to be quite
+otherwise, and really the effect of downright <i>Hypocrisy</i>, unless
+done as I said for the last reason; for those that have read his Book,
+may find sprinkling up and down the other words extreamly plain upon
+occasion, <i>Ribaldry</i> and <i>Bawdy</i>, and <i>Whores</i>, and
+<i>Whoring</i>, and <i>Strumpets</i>, and <i>Cuckoldmakers</i>, with as
+fat a signification as any of the last nam'd could wish for their
+hearts; for example, by way of Tract, first, he says,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 30, 32.</span>
+<i>Euripides</i> in his <i>Hipolitus</i>, calls <i>Whoring</i>
+stupidness and playing the fool; and secondly, does <i>Ribaldry</i>,
+(not Smut) and Nonsence become the dignity of their station.
+Again,
+<span class = "sidenote">p. 74.</span>
+<i>Berinthia</i> incourages <i>Amanda</i> to play the <i>Whore</i>; and
+then sowse upon <i>Don Quixot</i>, when there is not so much as one
+little tiny todpol of <i>Smut</i>, that I know of, unless he creates
+it&mdash;Yet I am Crambo'd with,
+<span class = "sidenote">p. 208.<br>
+p. 178.</span>
+<i>who, with low, nauseous Bawdry fills his Plays</i>. Again speaking of
+<i>Jupiter</i> and <i><ins class = "correction"
+title = "original reads 'Aclmena'">Alcmena</ins></i>&mdash;but her
+Lover&mdash;<i>that is her Whore-master</i>. And at last with a
+Rowzer upon Mr <i>Congreeve</i>'s <i>Double Dealer</i>, where he
+particularly Remarks,
+<span class = "sidenote">p. 12.</span>
+<i>that there are but four Ladies in his Play, and three of em are
+Whores</i>; adding, withal, that 'tis <i>a great Compliment to Quality,
+to tell em there is but a quarter of 'em honest</i>. Why who, in the
+name of <i>Diana</i>, and all the rest of the Maiden <i>Goddesses</i>,
+does tell 'em so, unless it be Doctor <i>Crambo</i> here&mdash;If any
+one calls
+'em <i>Whores</i> 'tis he, he that by an assum'd Authority thinks he may
+say any thing; the Ladies, I dare say for the Poet, were drest in such
+clean Linnen, and were so far from being Tawdry, that no Scrutineer but
+our severe Master of Art but wou'd have thought Charitably of 'em. Well,
+but huge Rampant <i>Whores</i> they must be with him tho, and through
+that very mouth that simper'd and primm'd before, as if such a filthy
+word cou'd not possibly break through: It comes out now in sound and
+emphasis, and the modest Pen is as prone and ready to write it. So that
+I once more affirm, that if it were not done in respect to his Lady,
+who, no doubt, peruses him extreamly, it must naturally be the effect of
+<i>Hypcrisie</i>, for, to be squeamish in one place and not in another
+is Ridiculous, especially when one word is Innocent in its kind, and
+makes the sense, and the other when us'd makes it wretched Affectation,
+and almost Nonsence.</p>
+
+<span class = "pagenum">11</span>
+<span class = "folionum">b2</span>
+<p>Now if the <i>Absolver</i> thought Affectation would appear a vertue
+in him, he ought to have squeamifyed the before-mention'd Ladies with
+some title that was new, and if <i>Smutt</i> was chosen to be his fine
+darling word (and the course one of <i>Whores</i> slipt out of his
+Mouth, or from his Pen, by misfortune or chance) he should, in my
+opinion, have given 'em the title of <i>Smutters</i>: a primming neat
+word extremely proper for the occasion: And I hope I shall live to see
+the Master of Art have Modesty enough to thank me for't; or else (for my
+fancy wou'd fain oblige him if it cou'd) to make it yet more
+<i>German</i> to the matter, as <i>Shakespear</i> has it, to call em
+<i>Colliers</i> would be as significant as any thing; for there's
+allusion enough to <i>Smutt</i>, or the Devil's in't: For, to deal
+sincerely, and without <i>Hypocrisie</i>, I cannot imagine what this
+learned Gentleman can mean by all that Smutt, Smutt, when the other word
+is as decent and more significant, unless he banters, or dissembles, or
+fear'd the Ladies peeping, or is so full of his own name, that he goes
+along quibbling upon't through his Book, with design that way to make
+himself more famous.</p>
+
+<p>In another part of his Treatise too I fancy I find the
+<i>Hypocrite</i> a great deal more than the <i>Moralist</i>, and that
+is, in his kecking at a word in one place, and gobbling it up in
+another. To prove this, I find him very like a Ghostly Father of the old
+<i>Roman</i> Kidney, condemning even to the Inquisition: One
+<i>Carlos</i> in Mr <i>Dryden</i>'s <i>Love Triumphant</i>, for
+blundring out this <i>horrible Expression</i>, as he calls
+it,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 82.</span>
+<i>Nature has given me my portion of Sense, with a Pox to her</i>. Now
+pray observe, the <i>Absolvers</i> Stomach is so horribly squeamish, at
+this he belches, turns pale, and is so very sick, that a quartern of
+Cherry is administered in vain, to set him to rights; he prints instead
+of the word only a great P&mdash;&mdash; and tells the gentle Reader,
+(that he is intending to lead by the Nose) that the <i>Hellish
+syllable</i> may be found there at length if he pleases. Would not any
+one think now, that did not know that the Small Pox is a common Disease,
+that this word had been <i>Blasphemy</i> in the extremity, the
+renouncing the Deity, or something beyond pardon, and would not one lay
+a Scholars Egg against a Tost and Ale, that the Doctor would ne're be
+concern'd with it as long as he was able to eat or drink either of 'em.
+Why see now how an honest man may be cheated; do but turn to the one
+hundred seventy second page of his Book, and you will find this
+horrible, this hellish, syllable, in its Pontificallibus, at length,
+sitting almost a straddle upon the top of the Page, and
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 172.</span>
+us'd familiarly and friendly, without so much as once kacking at it, or
+one invective near it, tho the sense of the Curse is as broad as
+t'other, and has rather the worse signification.</p>
+
+<p>And pray what can this be else but Hypocrisy; if the word were really
+terrifying and horrible to him, it would certainly be so in one place as
+well as another. No, no, these are only flights and amusements, tricks
+of his own studied Legerdemain, to make the bubbled ignorants believe
+him a Saint, and admire his Divinity, when, if they could dive to the
+bottom of the secret, 'tis solemnly believ'd by many of the dutiful Sons
+of the Church, that our Sham-reformer is a much fitter man to win Money
+by his skill at a game of Whisk and Swabbers, than as the case of
+Allegiance, and Morality, stand with
+<span class = "pagenum">12</span>
+him, to win Souls from Reprobation by the Integrity of his
+Principles.</p>
+
+<p>I must treat ye with one instance more of his <i>Hypocrisie</i>, and
+then I pass on to another Head. This instance I find Mr <i>Vanbrook</i>
+has taken particular notice of at the latter end of his Book, where,
+'tis true, every one may see the <i>Absolvers</i> Foible is very plain,
+but that Author has not made the Case parallel with the others Remark
+upon <i>Mr.Congreve</i>'s Comedy the <i>Old Batchelor</i>, which shews
+his contradiction of himself, and his fallacy undeniable,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 63.</span>
+for there he seems to roar at young <i>Belmour</i> for his forgetfulness
+of Religion, at a minute when he is desiring <i>Letitia to give him
+leave to swear by her Lips and Eyes</i>, when he is kissing and telling
+her, <i>Eternity was in that moment</i>. In short, when he has got her
+fast in his Arms, and intends to go through stitch with the matter; for
+which he calls the Lady Strumpet, and raves at the smuttiness of the
+Action; and yet, a little while after, in another page, rallies, jokes
+upon, and banters young <i>Worthy</i> in the <i>Relapse</i>, for letting
+his Lady slip through his fingers, and
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 127.</span>
+calls him a <i>Town-Spark</i>, and a <i>Platonick Fool</i> for't. Hey
+Jingo, here's Riddling for ye! what would this whimsical Gentleman be
+at? first he rails at a Lover for holding a pretty Woman fast, and then
+he jokes upon him for letting her go; this runs almost parallel with the
+Fable of the Satyr and the Traveller; but if the Doctor is observ'd to
+have the faculty of blowing hot and cold thus, I believe he may keep his
+breath either to cool his Porridge, or to warm his fingers, and be much
+better employ'd, than by using it to make any Proselytes to his
+Doctrine; and so much for this Head. Now let us try if we can scratch
+another, and find it out under his Night-cap of</p>
+
+
+<h2>IMMORALITY.</h2>
+
+<p>It is not enough to prove a Man is a Moralist, only because he is
+noted for a Regular Life; that may be one good instance indeed; but it
+can never arrive to a proof of the whole, for his living Soberly, and by
+Rule, may as well be caus'd by the defect of his Constitution, as by the
+effect of his Inclination, but 'tis the Spirit and Will, by the fire of
+whose other Virtues, this of Morality is kindled and illustrated. Now I
+will not be so byass'd by other Peoples opinions that know him, to say,
+That our devout Critick owes him seeming Piety, and good life, to his
+ill habit of Body; nor will I load him with Abuse, <i>right or wrong, as
+he has done me, particularly through a whole Chapter</i>, but leave that
+charitably to natural Conscience, or studied Artifice, which he pleases,
+and only reflect a little on the temper of his Mind, as I have found it
+blazing in this last, as well as others of his Books. In the first
+place, if Stubbornness, which causes wrong opinion of the present Regal
+Authority and Government, is an Immoral Vice, if he is not tainted, I
+know not who is; for let any one, who is not blinded with Partiality,
+but read his <i>Desertion Discuss'd</i>, with the admirable Answer to
+it, and I am satisfied he cannot help joining with me in this opinion,
+That what he would insinuate to be the effect of Right in others, and of
+Conscience in himself, is nothing but the effect of Error in one, and
+Obstinacy and Stubborn
+<span class = "pagenum">13</span>
+Will in t'other, a humour resolv'd to defend and carry on a hot
+Argument, tho it has been never so plain and reasonably confuted: the
+Positions and Answers on this subject I shall not insert here, but leave
+the Reader, whose curiosity obliges him, to the Papers themselves, only
+I wish the <i>Absolver</i> had made <i>Newgate</i> the last Scene of
+that part of his <i>Immorality</i>, and by an humble acknowledgment to
+his Patron that redeemed him, (I hope the word will bear in this place)
+have spar'd his Office of <i>Absolution</i> in another Scene, and
+consequently given no occasion to believe that his disobedient humour,
+and turbulent nature, still proceeds daily, to cultivate his Party with
+the same Principles as far as he can.</p>
+
+<p>Another spice of <i>Immorality</i> I believe I can make appear by his
+Pride, and tho' in other places it is to be found, yet is most fairly
+instanc'd in his <i>Book of Essays</i>, where, tho' we find one Chapter
+wholly upon that Vice, which, to shew his Justice, begins with a
+Compliment upon the same <i>Juvenal</i>, now he has use for him whom he
+call'd Pimp before, yet it has not bulk enough to Skreen from us his
+haughtiness in another, which he calls the <i>Office of a Chaplain</i>,
+for there you shall find he has collected the Spirit of them all, and
+blended them into one Character; I mean the ill Spirits of the ill
+<i>Chaplains</i>, <i>those that are good I honour</i>. Here you may find
+his Likeness in <i>Don Quixot</i>, <i>Roger</i> in the <i>Scornful
+Lady</i>, <i>Bull</i> in the <i>Relapse</i>, <i>Say-grace</i>,
+<i>Cuff-cushion</i>, and others, all learning their Lessons of their
+stubborn Superior our Reformer, and all tending to governing,
+brow-beating, snubbing, commanding Families, and the like, but not one
+word of <i>humility</i> tack'd to't, for fear of spoiling the Character;
+there you may find 24 pages, one after another, all written to prove
+most gloriously, that 'tis impossible for a <i>Chaplain</i> to be a
+Servant; that tho' you find a poor fellow in a tatter'd Excommunicated
+Gown with one sleeve, Shoes without heels, miserable Antichristian
+breeches, with some two dozen of creepers brooding in the seams; and
+tho' you take him charitably to your House, feed, clothe, and give him
+wages, yet he belongs only <i>to God</i>, and not you, and you must not
+think him your <i>Domestick</i>, but your <i>Superior</i>. Why, what a
+Scheme is here laid for Vanity and Folly, add how much more shining and
+beautiful does gratitude and humility appear in such a Depender, than
+such a bloated opinion as this? Would any honest Gentleman, that has his
+sences, shew his Indulgence and Generosity to Wit or Learning, on such
+terms as these? And does not this Chapter shew more the Spirit of Pride
+in our <i>Absolver</i>, relating to his own humour, than the veneration
+he has for the Clergy, or the Justice he would seem to do them in it? I
+dare affirm, most of them are against this Opinion, at least I'm sure
+all the modest part are, who cannot but own themselves subservient to
+their Patrons that maintain them, tho' at the same time they are
+Ministers of <i>Gods holy Words and Sacraments</i>. Yet he <ins class =
+"correction" title = "possible error for 'busily'">buffly</ins> goes
+on,
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>Office of a Chaplain</i>, p.
+178.<br>
+<br>
+Ib. <i>p.</i> 185.</span>
+<i>He is Gods Minister, not Mans Servant</i>. And a little way further,
+he clenches this admirable Notion through and through; therefore, says
+he,
+<i>for a Patron to acconnt such a Consecrated Person, as if he belong'd
+to him as a Servant, is in effect to challenge Divine Honours, and set
+himself up for a God</i>. Here's Ambition, here's Perfection, here's old
+<i>Bonner</i> for ye. Now by his <i>Hollidame</i>, for I can't forbear
+that Oath now, what can a squeamish Critick,
+<span class = "pagenum">14</span>
+that would make <i>Remarks</i> upon the <i>Remarker</i> call this? But
+stay, he's at it again,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, <i>p.</i> 113.</span>
+<i>Dolopion</i>, says he, <i>was Priest to </i>Scamander<i>, and
+regarded like the God he belong'd to</i>. Pray mind him, the Priest was
+worshipp'd equal with the God&mdash;oh rare Moralist&mdash;if he were,
+'twas an <i>Ęgyptian</i> Worship, where only <i>Calves</i> and
+<i>Apes</i>, and <i>Carrots</i> and <i>Onions</i>, were <i>Gods</i>. But
+pray let us see a little, has not this Divine quotation a tang of
+<i>Blasphemy</i> in't? Oh fie, no; what, the <i>Moralist</i>!
+<i>Reformer</i> of <i>Vices</i>! Speak <i>Blasphemy</i>! Impossible! he
+can't sure! Yes, yes, he may, when he thinks no body can find him out:
+and faith, to my sence now, this smells as rank of <i>Pandemonium</i>,
+of fire and brimstone, to the full, if not worse, than Mr.
+<i>Dryden</i>'s Verse,
+<span class = "sidenote">Absalom <i>and</i> Achit.<br>
+<br>
+Collier <i>p.</i> 184.</span>
+<i>Whether inspir'd with a Diviner Lust his father got him</i>, &amp;c.
+which is spoken only in the figurative Person of <i>David</i>; yet he
+says 'tis <i>downright defiance of the Living God, and the very Essence
+and Spirit of Blasphemy</i>. And here now his Stomach wambled more
+terribly than before; so that if his Friend were by, he must of
+necessity hold the Bason. Oh me! he reaches and reaches, and first up
+comes&mdash;egh&mdash;<i>I question whether</i>&mdash;egh&mdash;<i>the
+torments and despair of the Damn'd</i>&mdash;egh&mdash;<i>dare venture
+at such flights as these</i>. And now the Head being held by the same
+hand, at two reaches more it comes all up, mix'd with a Tincture of old
+<i>Bonner</i> again&mdash;egh&mdash;<i>I can't forbear saying, that the
+next bad thing to writing these Impieties</i>&mdash;egh&mdash;<i>is to
+suffer them</i>. And now the Fit's over, leaving us to imagine what rare
+Church Discipline we should have, if this Gentleman, and his Cat with
+nine Tails, were in Power; I think a Couplet or two here, by way of
+Advice to him, is not improper.
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>Weesils</i>, p. 11.</span>
+Your Tribe should all be in Opinion steady,<br>
+Not turn or wind for Power or for Place,<br>
+Nor covet Wealth but in Spiritual Grace.<br>
+The Gifts of <i>Mammon</i> you should ne'r implore,<br>
+Nor wish for Gold, unless to give the Poor;<br>
+It makes your Art contemptible appear,<br>
+Less follow'd too, and look'd into more near;<br>
+For if all those that preach up Paradise,<br>
+Will have their shares of every human Vice,<br>
+They shall Cant long enough e're I believe,<br>
+Or pin my Soul's Salvation on their sleeve.
+</div>
+
+<p>Here now, ten to one, but I shall make our Reformer fall into another
+fit, by pretending to Counsel him, or take his Office of Ordinary upon
+my self; for in page 138, he will not give up that leave,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, <i>p.</i> 138.</span>
+<i>What, is the Pulpit under the Discipline of the Stage? And are those
+fit to correct the Church, that are not fit to come into it</i>? Ah!
+Doctor, rub your eyes a little, and see what the Vindicator of the Stage
+says, quoting Divine <i>Herbert</i>:</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<i>A Verse may find him who a Sermon flies,</i><br>
+<i>And turn delight into a Sacrifice</i>.
+</div>
+
+<p>Besides I do assure you, spite of your Ghostly Authority, and
+Uncharitable Position, that we are not fit, we will come in, and not
+only imbibe the Mystery of <i>Divinity</i> from the Pulpit, but unriddle
+the Mystery of <i>Iniquity</i>, if we can find any there. <i>Ben
+Johnson</i> found out <i>Ananias</i> and <i>Rabby <ins class =
+"correction" title = "spelling as in original">Buisy</ins></i>;
+<i>Fletcher</i>, <i>Hypocritical Roger</i>; <i>Shakespear</i>,
+<i>Sir</i>
+<span class = "pagenum">15</span>
+<i>John</i> of <i>Wrotham</i>; <i>Congreve</i>, <i>Say-grace</i>;
+<i>Vanbrook</i>, <i>Bull</i>; <i>Shadwell</i>, <i>Smirk;</i> and if
+<i>Durfey</i> can find out a proud, stubborn, immoral
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>The Chaplains Name in </i>Don
+Quixot<i>.</i></span>
+<i>Bernard</i>, one, that when he was a Country Curate, <i>would not let
+the Children be brought to Church to be Christned for some odd
+Jesuitical Reasons</i> best known to himself, he shall presume to draw
+his Picture, tho the <i>Absolver</i> drop another Chapter of Abuse upon
+him for so doing.</p>
+
+<p>We find, for many Ages past, Poets have enjoy'd this Priviledge; our
+Prince of Poets, <i>Chaucer,</i> had so much to do in this kind, that we
+find him weary himself, and loth to weary others with.</p>
+
+<span class = "sidenote">Chaucer<a href = "#chaucer" name =
+"notetag">&nbsp;*</a></span>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Of Freers I have told before,<br>
+In a making of a Crede,</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+And yet I cold tell worse, or more,<br>
+But Men would werien it to read.
+</div>
+
+<p>This I think is pithy, but here again I think his Counsel to them is
+much better.</p>
+
+<div class = "versepair">
+Fly fro the Prease and dwell with soothfastness,<br>
+Suffice unto thy good, tho it be small,</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+For horde <ins class = "correction" title = "so in original">hath,
+and</ins> climbing tickleness,<br>
+Prease hath Envy, and wele is blent ore all;</div>
+<div class = "verse">
+<ins class = "correction" title = "so in original">Savour</ins> no more
+then thee behove shall,<br>
+Rede wele thy self that other folk canst rede,<br>
+And trouth thee shall deliver it is no drede.
+</div>
+
+<p>Now if he be Moral enough to take old <i>Chaucer</i>'s Advice I shall
+be glad; and so much for that subject. There is nothing now remains,
+before I come to vindicate <i>Don Quixot</i>, but a large Remark of his,
+upon the little or no swearing in Plays, which commonly is only a kind
+of an Interjection, as gad, I cod, oonz, &amp;<i>c.</i> which I don't
+defend neither, and if any others have carelesly past the Press I'm
+sorry for't, for I hate them as much as he, yet because the Doctor has
+quoted the Statute Law against it and Players, to slander on one side,
+tho to reform on t'other, I will in return quote another piece of Law
+relating to Oaths, extreamly for his advantage, for there is only this
+quibbling difference between us, 'Tis a fault in us in swearing when we
+should not, and in him for not swearing when he should; but that now he
+may have occasion to say my Civilities are particular to him, I will
+make him do't.</p>
+
+<p><i>I </i>J.C.<i> do sincerely promise and swear, that I will be
+faithful, and bear true Allegiance to His Majesty King </i>William<i>:
+And I do swear that I do, from my heart, abhor, detest and abjure, as
+Impious and Heretical, that damnable Doctrine and Position, that Princes
+excommunicated, or depriv'd by the Pope, or any Authority of the See of
+</i>Rome<i>, may be Depos'd or Murther'd by their Subjects, or any other
+whatsoever.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>And I do declare that no Foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State or
+Potentate, hath, or aught to have, any Jurisdiction, Power, Superiority,
+Preeminence or Authority, Ecclesiastical or Spiritual, within this
+Realm.</i> So help me God.</p>
+
+<span class = "pagenum">16</span>
+<p>This now, with a sincerity proper, and coming to Church to hear our
+Divine Service, with the <i>Prayer</i> for the <i>King</i> in't, would
+give one a little satisfaction as to the Doctors present opinion, for
+what he has been, if you will but examine and scan it by his Book, tho
+it be a Reforming Book, is I am sure very disputable; in one Page of it
+he seems very zealous for the Protestant Reformation, and
+says,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 108.</span>
+being very much piqu'd at <i>Sir John Brute</i>'s putting on a
+Clergy-man's Habit in the <i>Provok'd Wife</i>, <i>that the Church of
+</i>England<i>, he means the Men in her, is the only communion in the
+world, that will endure such insolencies as these</i>; and this, tho it
+be somewhat <i>Bonnerish</i> again, and <i>Switcher</i>-like, yet
+however seems to <ins class = "correction"
+title = "reading uncertain, perhaps 'loer'">leer</ins>
+of our side; but then presently in another
+place he's as zealous for the <i>Roman</i> Sect, and Jesuitically
+condemns a little wholesom Satyr in the Character of a pamper'd
+hypocritical covetous <i>Spanish Fryer</i>,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 98.</span>
+for incivility in making him a Pimp to <i>Lorenzo</i>, and is very angry
+at the Author for calling this virtuous person <i>a parcel of holy Guts
+and Garbidge</i>, and telling him <i>that he has room in his Belly for
+his Church-steeple</i>; and here his Lash is up again for abusing
+them&mdash;oh&mdash;if <i>Doctor Absolution</i> were Inquisitor general,
+and a Satyrist against Priests came under his hand, mercy upon us, how
+that poor Rascal would be flaug'd, for I find 'tis only the person of
+the Priest that he would have reverenc'd, let his opinion be what it
+will; nay, tho he were a <i>Priest of Baal</i>, as may be prov'd a
+little further, for here his Zeal shews itself not only for Christians,
+but the very <i>Turks</i> too;
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 61.</span>
+and cavils again with <i>Jacinta</i>, in the <i>Mock Astrologer</i>, for
+jesting with <i>Alla</i>, and honest <i>Mahomet</i>, for he was a
+Brother Priest too: But stay, what's worst of all, have but patience to
+walk to another Page, and here you will find him just sinking into a
+downright doze and despondency, whither he had best set up for any
+Religion at all, or at least for one very indifferent.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 28.</span>
+<i>Our Poets, I suppose, would call this Preaching, and think it a dull
+business; however, I can't forbear saying, an honest Heathen is none of
+the worst men, a very indifferent Religion well believ'd, will go a
+great way</i>&mdash;Will it so, pray friends de'e not think our hot
+reforming Gentleman is very Luke-warm here, or not a little craz'd when
+he writ this, or, as the vulgar have it, was not his mighty Wit run a
+Wool-gathering; for if he be for <i>Protestantism</i>, and
+<i>Popery</i>, and then whip&mdash;amongst the <i>Bens of the
+</i>Arabians<i> for </i>Alla<i> and </i>Mahomet<i>,</i> and at last for
+little or no Religion at all, I'm afraid I shall never bring my self to
+be reform'd by him. And so at him agen Weesil.</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>Weesils</i>.</span>
+For who with Reason, if this be your way,<br>
+Will ever value what you Preach or Pray.
+</div>
+
+<p>But now I think I have said enough for the Plays, whose Authors are
+much better able to speak for themselves; and therefore will fall off to
+vindicate my self a little, and my Acquaintance <i>Don Quixot</i>; in
+which I will endeavour to prove another Immoral Vice in our
+Stage-Reformer, which is</p>
+
+<h2>Injustice and Error in Criticism.</h2>
+
+<p>And first, his <i>Injustice</i> appears by his ungentlemanlike
+exposing me and others by name, upon a scandalous occasion (as he
+endeavours to
+<span class = "pagenum">17</span>
+<span class = "folionum">c</span>
+make it) without any Injury done by me to him, or ever giving him any
+provocation, or the Play's any way deserving it. Oh, but he'll say his
+Conscience urg'd him to do it&mdash;No&mdash;not a jot; 'twas dear
+darling Interest, in good faith, as shall hereafter appear; but in the
+mean time I am planted upon the shoulders of a Gyant, which is the
+Ingenious Author of the History of <i>Don Quixote</i>; and there indeed
+he guesses right, tho he knows nothing of him or of his History, as I
+will prove by and by, yet confidently, and Absolver-like, he ranges his
+objections under three heads, which are every one malicious and false,
+<i>viz.</i></p>
+
+<p>First, <i>The Prophaneness, with respect to Religion and the Holy
+Scriptures</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly, <i>The Abuse of the Clergy</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Thirdly, <i>The want of Modesty, and Regard to the
+Audience</i>.</p>
+
+<p>
+Well, to prove the Prophaneness, he first instances a bold Song of mine,
+as he calls it, against Providence; four of the last lines of which he
+is only pleas'd to shew ye.
+
+<div class = "versepair">
+<span class = "sidenote">D. Quix. <ins class = "correction"
+title = "? part 1, page 20">p.&nbsp;1. p.&nbsp;20.</ins></span>
+<i>But Providence, that form'd the fair<br>
+In such a charming skin,</i></div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+<i>Their outside made its only care,<br>
+And never look'd within.</i>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier p. 97.</span>
+<i>Here</i>, says he, <i>the Poet tells ye Providence makes Mankind by
+halves, huddles up the Soul, and takes the least care of the better
+Moyety; this is direct blaspheming the Creation, and a Satyr upon God
+Almighty</i>. Why, now this, I confess, is enough to provoke some heat
+in a fellow of my Constitution, to hear this Religious Raving; but yet
+it looks so like <i>Oliver's Porter's in Bedlam</i>, that I will be
+calm, and patiently holding up my hand, plead <i>Not Guilty</i>&mdash;to
+all of these objections. But first, pray why does he foyst in the word
+Mankind here to express the Female Sex, when t'other word is so much
+more proper. I did intend indeed a small Satyr upon <i>Womankind</i>,
+pursuant to <i>Marcella</i>'s Character, and he has vary'd from that
+word, I suppose, to amuse the Reader&mdash;I'll give ye the whole
+Stanza.</p>
+
+<div class = "versepair">
+Did coy <i>Marcella</i> own a Soul<br>
+As beauteous as her Eyes,</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Her Judgment wou'd her Sence controul,<br>
+And teach her how to prize.</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+But Providence, that form'd the fair<br>
+In such a charming Skin,</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Their outside made its only care,<br>
+And never look'd within.
+</div>
+
+<p>I only rally a pretty coy wench here for her sullen ill nature,
+without any Satyr on the Deity, or any thing like it; for as to the
+<i>Blasphemy</i>, as he calls it, by naming the word <i>Providence</i>,
+'tis generally intended in Lyrical Poetry for <i>Goddess Nature</i>, or
+<i>Fortune</i>, as Mr <i>Vanbrooke</i> notes; but never apply'd
+seriously to the true Deity, but only by Dr <i>Crambo</i>. How often
+have we this phrase in Poetry, <i>Nature has made her Body charming; see
+her bright Eyes, the charming gifts of Nature</i>, &amp;c. making use
+still of the second cause instead of the first, which we yet know to be
+the original of all. And 'tis no more Blasphemy to say that Providence
+took more care of a perverse beautiful Womans Body than her Soul, than
+'tis to say that the Sun made a gay Tulip flourish in a
+Garden
+<span class = "pagenum">18</span>
+to delight the Eye, not caring three-pence tho it never smelt so sweet
+as a Province rose.</p>
+
+<p>But I have a Rigid Critick and a Severe Inquisitor to deal
+with&mdash;He will have a Satyr upon the true Deity, tho I intend
+nothing of it. And to go on, my next advance he says is to Droll upon
+the <i>Resurrection</i>; and to prove it, squirts out these two lines,
+which are pick'd out of twenty&mdash;which he thinks are fit for his
+purpose&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<span class = "sidenote">Ibid.</span>
+<i>Sleep and Indulge thy self with rest,</i><br>
+<i>Nor dream thou e're shalt rise again.</i>
+</div>
+
+<p>Now you must know this Song was design'd a solemn piece of morality,
+and sung as a Requiem or Dirge at the Funeral of <i>Ambrosio</i>&mdash;A
+young Gentleman that dy'd for Love of the aforesaid
+<i>Marcella</i>&mdash;You shall have it all, that you may judge what
+Drolling is in't.</p>
+
+<span class = "sidenote">D. Quix. p 20.</span>
+<div class = "versenum">(1.)</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Sleep, sleep, poor Youth, sleep, sleep in Peace,<br>
+Reliev'd from Love, and mortal care,</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Whilst we that pine in Life's disease,<br>
+Uncertain blest, less happy are.
+</div>
+<div class = "versenum">(2.)</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Couch'd in the dark and silent Grave,<br>
+No ills of Fate thou now canst fear;</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+No more shall Tyrant Power inslave,<br>
+Or scornful Beauty be severe.
+</div>
+<div class = "versenum">(3.)</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Wars, that do fatal storms disperse,<br>
+Far from thy happy Mansion keep;</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Earthquakes, that shake the Universe,<br>
+Can't rock thee into sounder sleep.
+</div>
+<div class = "versenum">(4.)</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+With all the Charms of Peace possest,<br>
+Secur'd from Life's tormentor, Pain:</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Sleep and indulge thy self with rest,<br>
+Nor dream thou e're shall rise again.
+</div>
+<div class = "versenum">(5.)</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Past are the Pangs of fear and doubt,<br>
+The Sun is from the Dial gone,</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+The Sands are sunk, the Glass is out,<br>
+The folly of the Farce is done.
+</div>
+
+<p>Now will I be judg'd by any reasonable Man, if these words
+comparatively are not fitter for an <i>Anthem</i> than a Droll, but the
+Reformers way of doing me Justice, is to take bits and morsels out of
+things, that for want of the connexion, they may consequently appear
+ridiculous, as here he does. Again, in his third objection against my
+third Song, where he says&mdash;
+<span class = "sidenote">Ibid.</span>
+<i>I</i>, (that is in my own person) <i>make a jest of the Fall, rail at
+</i>Adam<i> and </i>Eve<i>;</i> and then <i>Oliver's Porter</i>, raving
+again, says, <i>I burlesque the Conduct of God Almighty</i>; now, pray
+judge whether it ought to be Constru'd so or no. This Song is suppos'd
+to be made and sung by <i>Gines de Passamonte</i>, a most notorious
+Atheistical Villain, who, as he is going Chain'd to the Galleys, is
+redeem'd from them by <i>Don Quixot</i> in his frantick fit; after
+which, being extreamly pleas'd at
+<span class = "pagenum">19</span>
+<span class = "folionum">c2</span>
+the success, he, to make his deliverer merry, entertains him with this
+Vindication of a Rogue, which is indeed a Satyr upon Humanity in
+general. I will add agen to our Criticks morsel, for he notes but the
+four first lines in a place, and give ye one whole Stanza.</p>
+
+<div class = "verse3">
+When the World first knew Creation,<br>
+A Rogue was a Top profession;<br>
+When there were no more</div>
+<div class = "verse4">
+In all Nature but four,</div>
+<div class = "verse2">
+There were two of 'em in Transgression.</div>
+<div class = "verse3">
+And the seeds are no less<br>
+Since that we may guess,</div>
+<div class = "verse2">
+But have in all Ages bin growing apace;</div>
+<div class = "verse3">
+And Lying and Thieving,<br>
+Craft, Pride and Deceiving,</div>
+<div class = "verse2">
+Rage, Murder and Roaring,</div>
+<div class = "verse3">
+Rape, Incest and Whoring,</div>
+<div class = "verse">
+Branch out from Stock, the rank Vices in vogue,</div>
+<div class = "verse2">
+And make all Mankind one Gigantical Rogue.
+</div>
+
+<p>And so on: Now tho I grant this might be look'd on as prophane in it
+self, without application, yet when spoken by one of his character, whom
+I design to expose, it is no more than natural Character, and has so
+little the quality of <ins class = "correction" title = "original reads
+'Prohaneness'">Prophaneness</ins>, that my impartial Reader will find a
+very good Moral in it, by the odious representation of such Atheistical
+impudence; yet our good natur'd Critick makes me the Prophaner. He,
+cramm'd full of wonderful Justice, makes me the <i>Vice</i> my self,
+that only act the true duty of a Poet, and hold up the Glass for others
+to see their <i>Vices</i> in, but his Malice will not be Authentick with
+every one, no more than his next Addle Criticism, upon my using the word
+<i>Redeemer</i> will bear the Test; for he that will argue that that
+word may not be innocently spoken in Temporal Matters, because it is
+sometimes us'd as a <i>Divine Attribute</i>, will prove himself rather a
+Coxcomb than a Casuist: And yet for only this poor word the Cat with
+Nine Tails are up again, and the Inquisitor in a rage cries
+out,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 198.</span>
+<i>these insolencies are too big for the Correction of a Pen</i>. Very
+fine, what horrible correction this deserves, is easily judg'd, and I
+believe 'twill be own'd too, that if Doctor Absolution (when the
+charitable Prelates good Nature and Purse got him out of his Stone
+Apartment yonder, into which <i>his bigotted obstinacy and not his
+tender Conscience</i> had thrown him) did not think him his
+<i>Redeemer</i>, and thank him as his <i>Redeemer</i>, he does not only
+deserve Correction for his wicked ingratitude, (which <i>especially in
+one of his Coat, is an immoral Cheat upon Heaven</i>) but to have the
+same punishment that another of his Coat and Kidney lately had, for a
+Cheat upon the Government and People.</p>
+
+<p>But to go on: In the next place he finds fault with my making sport
+with Hell, and recites six Lines, which are made of Dogril Stuff, on
+purpose by the Duke's Servants, who, for his diversion, Acting a kind of
+Farce are to fright <i>Sancho</i> with Goblings and Furies&mdash;but to
+shew his own Wit in the first Onset here, he has notably made the two
+first Lines half nonsence.</p>
+<span class = "pagenum">20</span>
+
+<div class = "verse2">
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 198.</span>
+<i>Appear ye fat Fiends that in Limbo do groan,</i><br>
+<i>That were, when in flesh, the same Souls as his own.</i></div>
+<div class = "verse">
+Instead of &mdash;&mdash;<i>that wore when in flesh</i>,
+&amp;c.</div>
+<div class = "verse2">
+<i>You that always in </i>Lucifer<i>'s Kitchin reside,</i><br>
+<i>'Mongst Sea-coal and Kettles, and grease newly Try'd,</i><br>
+<i>That pamper'd each day with the Garbidge of Souls,</i><br>
+<i>Broil Rashers of Fools for a Break-fast on Coals.</i>
+</div>
+
+<p>Words adapted only to <i>Sancho</i>'s Clownship, course Breeding, and
+Kitchin Profession, and with no more intent of Impiety in them, than if
+one should put on a Devils Vizard to play with a Child, does he note
+again as horrible Prophaneness, and says he does me no wrong in't; now
+if he insists that Hell is too serious a thing to ridicule, why,
+perhaps, I think so too, in its Intense quality; but to act a Goblin, a
+Ghost, a Frog, or a Fury, and to sing to a Country Clown of such Bugbear
+matters, only to cause a little Diversion in a Noblemans House, has
+always been very customary, especially at Festivals, and far from being
+thought to ridicule the main matter. The <i>Absolver</i>, to turn back a
+little, affirms indeed, That
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 189.</span>
+<i>those that bring Devils upon the <span class = "flag">stage</span>,
+can hardly believe them any where else</i>; but I can give an instance,
+that our famous <i>Ben Johnson</i>, who I will believe had a Conscience
+as good as the Doctors, and who liv'd in as Pious an Age, in his Comedy
+call'd the
+<span class = "sidenote">Vid. <i>Devil's an Ass</i>, p.
+9.</span>
+<i>Devil's an Ass</i>, makes his first Scene a Solemn Hell, where
+<i>Lucifer</i> sits in State with all his Privy-Council about him: and
+when he makes an under Pug there beaten and fool'd by a Clod-pated
+Squire and his wanton Wife, the Audience took the Representation
+morally, and never keck'd at the matter. Nay, <i>Milton</i>, tho' upon
+his secred Subject, comes very near the same thing too; but we must not
+laugh at silly <i>Sancho</i>, nor put on a Devils face to fright him,
+but we must be disciplin'd; nay, more, Presented for it. Here, tho' I
+digress a little, I cannot forbear telling some, that were too busie in
+doing that Office, that 'tis more easie to accuse our Writings for
+Blasphemous, than to prove them to be so. To detect us indeed fairly,
+and prove it upon us, would deserve severe Chastisement; but if it be
+mistake, and our reputations are injur'd by Rashness and Injustice, or
+Ignorance, reflection upon it is at least reasonable, and just reproof I
+think not improper. But to go on; my next fault is the Ass that's
+brought upon the Stage in the Epilogue, with two lines alluding to
+<i>Balaam</i>'s.</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<i>And as 'tis said a Parlous Ass once spoke,</i><br>
+<i>When Crab-tree Cudgel did his rage provoke, &amp;c.</i>
+</div>
+
+<p>Here he says,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 199.</span>
+<i>I brought the Ass in only to laugh at the Miracle</i>: Not I, truly,
+I had no such intention upon my word; I brought the Ass in, and
+<i>Dogget</i> upon him, only to make the Audience laugh at his figure at
+the end of the Play, as well as they had at the beginning; but I believe
+if I had put an <i>Absolver</i> upon his back, giving him a Blessing, it
+would have been more divertive by half; but let him alone, the next
+horrible Crime is, I meddle with Churchmen, and there
+my
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 200.</span>
+<i>malice makes me</i>, he says, <i>lay about me like a Knight
+Errant</i>; but I believe I shall prove, for all the modesty he pretends
+to, that his malice is more in reference to Poets, than ever mine was to
+Churchmen. Well, my Second Part begins, he says, with <i>Devil's being
+brought upon the Stage</i>, who cries,
+<span class = "pagenum">21</span>
+<i>As he hopes to be sav'd; and </i>Sancho<i> warrants him a good
+Christian.</i> Now this is a ridiculous mistake, for this Devil is only
+a Butler, and a Jest of his <i>Giants</i>, the witty Author of the
+History of <i>Don Quixot</i>, where one of the Duke's Servants acting a
+Devils Part to fright the Knight and Squire, blunders it out before he
+is aware, and <i>Sancho</i> hearing it, as foolishly replies. This would
+be humorously witty now with any one but our Critick; but he's resolv'd
+to see double, as he does presently again with my <i>deep-mouth'd
+swearing</i> which he says is frequent, tho he has quoted none on't, and
+therefore the Reader is not oblig'd to believe him. But then I have made
+the <i>Curate </i><ins class = "correction"
+title = "unclear: character's name is Pero Perez">Perez</ins><i>
+assist at the ridiculous
+Ceremony of </i>Don Quixot<i>;</i> I have so&mdash;what then?&mdash;but
+I have made him <i>have wit enough</i>, however, to know <i>Don
+Quixot</i> for a Madman; but then <i>Sancho</i>, by way of Proverb,
+tells him, <i>Ah&mdash;Consider dear Sir, no Man is born wise</i>: to
+which briskly replies the Doctor,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, Ibid.</span>
+<i>What if he were born wise, he might be bred a Fool</i>. Faith, no
+Doctor: and to be free with ye, (<i>en Raillere</i>) as you have been
+with me, must beg leave to tell ye, If you had been born wise enough to
+be a Reformer, your Breeding could never have made ye Fool enough to be
+an Absolver; I mean in a Case like you know what; but let us proceed.
+The next is a swinger, and his Lash cuts even to the blood: for here
+<i>Sancho</i>, full of innocent simplicity, says, <i>A Bishop is no more
+than another Man, without Grace and good Breeding</i>. To which he
+presently darts out,
+<span class = "sidenote">Ibid.</span>
+<i>I must needs say, if the Poet had any share of either of these
+Qualities, he would be less bold with his Superiors, and not give his
+Clowns the liberty to Droll thus heavily upon a solemn Character</i>.
+Why, faith, now this is very hard, I have known a Country Wench name a
+<i>Bishop</i> in the Burning-too of a Hasty-Pudding, and never heard
+that any of the Reverend took it ill, because it was a Common Saying,
+and below their notice. But poor <i>Sancbo</i>, or rather indeed
+<i>Sancho</i>'s Poet, my self, must be corrected for it, tho the Phrase
+be Moral, and no more than an honest truth: But come, since it must be
+so, let me ask the <span class = "flag">doctor</span> why he does not
+shew me an example for this himself, and <span class =
+"flag">Practice</span> better before he Accuses; for let the Reader look
+into his <i>Desertion Discuss'd</i> (for he shall find that I have
+trac'd him through all his <span class = "flag">Writings) and</span>
+page the 3d you will find him, I think, somewhat more guilty of this
+fault than I have been, for there you'll
+<span class = "picture">
+<a href = "images/pg21upper.png"><img src = "images/pg21upper.png" width
+= "425" height = "76" alt = "page image"></a>
+</span>
+see he insolently affirms,
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>Desertion Discuss'd</i>, Anno
+1688.</span>
+<i>That the Succession cannot be interrupted by an Act of Parliament,
+especially when the Royal Assent is given by a King </i>de Facto<i>, and
+not </i>de Jure<i>.</i> And again; tho this next is hinted covertly,
+with the meaning disguis'd, yet Sir <i>William Temple</i> in his
+Memoirs, page 295, and the aforesaid Vindicater of the Stage, as well as
+my self, have observed, that the <span class = "flag"><i>Absolver</i></span>
+in the first Volume of his Essays, page 120, in his Chapter of the
+<i><ins class = "correction" title =
+"word unreadable">A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</ins></i> tells us,
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>Essays</i>, p.120.</span>
+<i>Whether the honesty or dishonesty are discernable in the face, <span
+class = "flag">is a question</span> which admits of dispute; King
+</i>Charles<i> the Second thought he could depend upon these
+Observations, but with submission, I believe an <span class =
+"flag">instance</span> might be given, in which his Rules of Physiognomy
+fail'd.</i>
+<span class = "picture">
+<a href = "images/pg21lower.png"><img src = "images/pg21lower.png" width
+= "427" height = "76" alt = "page image"></a>
+</span>
+Now I'm sure the first is insolently plain, and the next shews enough to
+let us into his meaning; which granted, I think I may say, he ought to
+be less bold with his Superiors too, and not give himself the liberty to
+treat at this rate, not only a Solemn, but a <i>Royal Character</i>.
+Well, the next is, I, (naming me) take care to tell ye,
+that
+<span class = "pagenum">22</span>
+<i>Sancho</i> is <i>a dry shrewd Countryfellow</i> in his Character,
+<i>because he blunders out Proverbs upon all occasions, tho never so far
+from the purpose</i>&mdash;and merrily drolls upon me for making
+blundering and talking nothing to the purpose, an argument of
+shrewdness&mdash;Why truly, I must confess to the Doctor, there is no
+great matter in that Argument, and not much whither there be or
+no&mdash;But, as unperforming as I am, I fancy I shall find as great a
+Blunder in his performance presently&mdash;
+<span class = "sidenote">Essays p. 118.</span>
+<i>We ought to be just in our Looks, as well as in our Actions</i>, says
+he in his Essays, <i>for the mind may be declar'd one way no less than
+the other: A man might as good break his Word as his Face, especially
+upon some Critical occasions</i>. Now what he means by a mans breaking
+his Face there, unless he is to run his Nose against a Post, I can't
+imagine; and therefore will set it down for a Blunder&mdash;And so
+there's Tit for Tat, and the Dice in my hand still. But poor
+<i>Sancho</i> is horribly unfortunate agen, for by and by he catches him
+answering the Curate, who threatens him for calling him Finisher of
+Fornication, and Conjunction Copulative, with Excommunication,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 201.</span>
+<i>I care not if you do, says Sancho, I shall lose nothing by it but my
+Nap in an afternoon</i>. Why truly this might be thought a little sawcy
+from one in Trowsers, to one in a Cassock, especially as the Reformer
+would have him reverenc'd. But perhaps this Pragmatical Curate
+<i>Perez</i> was some <i>Non-Juror</i>, and poor <i>Sancho</i> did not
+think he should profit by his Doctrine; and then the honest fellow was
+much in the right. This puts me in mind of a passage in one of Mr
+<i>Crown</i>'s Comedies, where a surly Joyner is rallying with a Doctor
+of no very good Reputation too; <i>Sirrah, Sirrah, says the Doctor, I
+shall have your Ears&mdash;No, No, says </i>Chizzel<i>, never when you
+preach, Doctor</i>. Our Absolver may apply this now as he
+pleases.</p>
+
+<p>And here are a bundle of faults together&mdash;<i>Jodolet</i>,
+another Priest, is call'd
+<span class = "sidenote">Ibid.</span>
+holy Cormorant, only because he eats a Turkey, and drinks a Bottle or
+two of Malaga for his Breakfast; and the Poet is jerk'd because a
+gormandizing <i>Romish</i> Priest is call'd a Pimp agen; and the Duke's
+Steward, <i>Manuel</i>, is no <i>witty pleasant fellow</i>, because he
+calls the Chaplain, whom I mentioned in the beginning of my Preface, and
+who is, no doubt, the sole occasion of this Gentleman's Pique to
+me&mdash;Mr <i>Cuff-cushion</i>; and because having an insight into his
+Character, he tells him,
+<span class = "sidenote">Ibid.</span>
+<i>a Whore is a Pulpit be loves</i>; but my hope is, that my Reader will
+think him no fool for this, tho the Carper does, who then tells the
+Chaplain <i>Saygrace</i>, <i>and he supposes prays to God to bless the
+entertainment of the Devil</i>, tho there is not a word of a Grace spoke
+at all; and after, when he grows hot, positive, and impertinent, which
+the Duke his patron being at Table, only bears with, to divert himself,
+he insolently calls <i>Don Quixot</i>, Don Coxcomb, who justly enrag'd,
+returns him in this Language:
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 202.</span>
+<i>Oh thou vile black Fox, with a Firebrand in thy Tail, thou very
+priest, thou kindler of all Mischiefs in all Nations, de'e hear, Homily,
+did not the reverence I bear these Nobles&mdash;I would so thrum your
+Cassock, you Church Vermin</i>&mdash;Here now, to shew his Justice he
+slily stops and gives a dash, so makes it Nonsense, but I shall make
+bold to piece it out again. <i>Did not the reverence I bear these
+Nobles, tye up my hands from doing myself Justice, I would so thrum your
+Cassock you Church Vermin</i>&mdash;Now, because my Reader shall find
+that I have naturally pursu'd
+<span class = "pagenum">23</span>
+the character of this Chaplain, as <i>Don Quixot</i>'s Historian has
+presented him to me, you shall hear what account he gives of him. Here
+is, says he,
+<span class = "sidenote">Shelton's <i>Translation of the History of
+</i>D. Quix.<i> Chap.</i> 31. p. 152.</span>
+<i>a good Character of a poor Pedant; one of them that govern great
+men's Houses, one of those, that as they are not born Noble, so they
+know not how to instruct those that are; one of those, that would have
+great men's Liberality measur'd by the streightness of their own Minds;
+one of those, that teaching those they govern to be frugal, would make
+'em miserable.</i> Now this considerable person as you find him here,
+who was indeed for his senseless humour of designing to
+govern&mdash;us'd no otherwise than as the Buffoon of the
+Family&mdash;takes upon him to call <i>Don Quixot</i> (whom the Authour
+imbellishes, with all manner of learning and good sense, bating his
+whimsical Chimęra of Knight Errantry,) <i>Goodman Dulpate</i> and <i>Don
+Coxcomb</i>. Well, however the <i>Switcher</i> here has escap'd for his
+usage of a <ins class = "correction"
+title = "original reads 'Gentlemen'">Gentleman</ins>
+in or near this manner, I believe my Judges
+will agree, that my Knight was so far from injuring the sawcy
+Trencherfly, by the reply he give him, that if he had not known and
+practic'd good breeding, better than the other, he would have broke his
+head into the bargain. As for his bidding him adieu in Language too
+prophane and scandalous for our Reformer to relate, is impossible, for
+he has prov'd often enough the contrary of that in his Book already. But
+for the Song in the Fourth Act, where the Country Fellow says, <i>Folks
+never mind now what those black Cattle say</i>:
+<span class = "sidenote">Ibid.</span>
+He is only suppos'd for another Bumpkin, that amongst the rest of the
+Parishioners, had found out the Parsons blind side, and so behind his
+back took occasion to put a joke upon him, as well as the rest in that
+Satyr mention'd.</p>
+
+<p>And now his third place is to prove my want of Modesty, and regard to
+the Audience&mdash;And here he's chewing his savoury word <i>Smutt</i>
+agen, and says
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 203.</span>
+<i>Sancho</i> and <i>Teresa</i> talk it broad; but since his Modesty has
+not quoted it, I hope my Reader will believe so well of mine, to think I
+have not written it; I assure him I don't know of any. And I have prov'd
+our Reformer can mistake, as he does of <i>Marcellas</i> Epilogue, who
+Raves, he says, with Raptures of Indecency, when the poor Creature is so
+cold, after her hot fit, that she rather wants a dram of the
+Bottle&mdash;But now, Bounce, for a full charge of Small Shot; here he
+has gather'd up a heap of Epithets together, without any words between,
+or connexion to make 'em sense; and this he says I divert the Ladies
+with&mdash;<i>Snotty nose, filthy vermin in the Beard, Nitty Jerkin, and
+Louse snapper, with the Letter in the Chamber-pot, and natural
+evacuation</i>. Why truly this is pretty stuff indeed, as his Ingenuity
+has put it together&mdash;but I hope every one will own, that each of
+these singly, when they are tagg'd to their sensible phrases, may be
+proper enough in Farce or Low Comedy; but as he has modell'd 'em, 'tis
+true they are very frightful&mdash;And if I had nothing to sing or say
+to divert Ladies better than this, I should think my self so despicable,
+that I would e'en get into the next Plot, amongst his Brother
+Grumblers&mdash;then despairing, do some doughty thing to deserve
+hanging, and depend upon no other comfort but his Absolution.</p>
+
+<p>I remember, being lately at St. <i>James</i>'s, this very part of the
+Doctors Book was read or rather spelt out to me, with tickling
+satisfaction, by one whose Wit and good Manners are known to be just of
+the same
+<span class = "pagenum">24</span>
+weight, who, since he can be merry so easily, he shall laugh at some of
+the Reformers Hotch-potch too, as I have mingled it for
+him.
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier's Epithetes.<br>
+<br>
+Collier, p. 257.</span>
+<i>Jewish Tetragramaton, Stigian Frogs, reeking Pandęmoniums, Debauch'd
+Protagonists, Nauseous Ribaldry, Ranting Smutt, Abominable Stench</i>,
+Venus <i>and St </i>George Juliana<i>, the Witch and the Parson of
+</i>Wrotham,
+<i>with the admirable Popish story of the Woman that went to the
+Play-House and brought home the Devil with her</i>&mdash;And the Devil's
+in't indeed, if this charming Rhetorick of his, (since he calls mine so)
+especially joyn'd with that fine story from <i>Tertullian</i>, don't
+divert the Ladies as well as t'other; for 'tis very like a Catholick
+miracle you must know, and the top wit of it is, that when the Parson is
+Conjuring, <i>he asks the Devil how he durst attack a Christian?</i>
+who, like an admirable Joker as he was, answers, <i>I have done nothing
+but what I can justify, for I seiz'd her upon my own ground</i>. Now let
+the Devil be as witty as he can, I am sure the story, maugre
+<i>Tertullian</i>'s Authority, or the Doctor's either, is confounded
+silly, and downright nonsense, what credit soever it has with him for
+its likeness to Jesuiticism. And now I think I have prov'd too, that
+<i>a Clergy man can speak nonsense, pass it for humour too, and gratify
+his ease and his malice at once, without a Poet's putting his into his
+Mouth</i>. And since we have been speaking of quibbling, I shall digress
+a little to entertain the Reader on that subject. Our Critick rallies Mr
+<i>Dryden</i>'s <i>Sancho</i> in <i>Love Triumphant</i>, for saying,
+<i>dont provoke me, I'm mischievously bent</i>, to which <i>Carlos</i> a
+man of sense replys,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 170.</span>
+<i>nay you are bent enough in conscience, but I have a bent Fist for
+Boxing; Here</i> says he (smartly) <i>you have a brace of quibbles
+started in a line and a half</i>&mdash;Very true, you have so&mdash;But
+suppose quibbling or punning&mdash;but I think this is call'd
+punning&mdash;Is this Gentlemans humour&mdash;if so, being a Soldier, I
+don't see it calls his sense in question at all&mdash;but now pray let's
+see, how our Critick manages a quibble, with a blunder tack'd to the
+Tail on't, in the page before, there, in the aforesaid Play,
+<i>Celidea</i> in a passion cries,</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 68.</span>
+<i>Great Nature break thy Chain that links together<br>
+The Fabrick of this Globe, and make a Chaos,<br>
+Like that within my Soul</i>&mdash;
+</div>
+
+<p><i>Now</i>, says the Doctor, keen as a Razor, <i>if she had call'd
+for a Chair, instead of a Chaos, tripp'd off, and kept her folly to
+herself, the woman had been wiser.</i> Calling for a Chair instead of a
+Chaos is an extreme pretty Quibble truly&mdash;but if the Critick had
+let the Chair-men have tripp'd off with her, instead of doing it herself
+as she sat in a <ins class = "correction"
+title = "original reads 'Chiar'">Chair</ins>,
+I'm sure the blunder had been sav'd, and I think
+he had exprest himself a little wiser than he has&mdash;And come, now my
+hand's in, let's parallel Mr <i>Dryden</i> with our Reformer a little
+longer&mdash;<i>Church-men</i> (says <i>Benducar</i> in <i>Don
+Sebastian</i>,</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p.104.</span>
+<i>Tho they Itch to govern all,</i><br>
+<i>Are silly, woful awkward Politicians,</i><br>
+<i>They make lame mischiefs, tho they meant it well.</i>
+</div>
+
+<p><i>So much the better</i>, says he, <i>for tis a sign they are not
+beaten to the trade</i>&mdash;Oh, that's a mistake, Doctor, they may be
+beaten to the Trade, and yet be bunglers&mdash;And proceeding:</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<span class = "sidenote">Ibid.</span>
+<i>Their Interest is not finely drawn, and hid,</i><br>
+<i>But Seams are coursely bungled up, and seen.</i>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+<span class = "pagenum">25</span>
+<span class = "folionum">d</span>
+<i>These Lines</i>, says he, <i>are an Illustration taken from a
+Taylor.</i> They are so, but what Justice is it in him to lessen 'em,
+whose own flights are ten times more ridiculous: For example, talking
+just before of tumbling the Elements together, he says,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 158.</span>
+<i>and since we have shewn our skill of Vaulting on the High Ropes, a
+little Tumbling on the Stage may not do amiss for variety</i>. And now I
+will refer my self to the severest Critick of his party, whether an
+Illustration taken from a Taylor is not better than one taken from a
+Vagabond Rope-dancer, or Tumbler, forty times over; but his sense and
+way of Writing he thinks will <ins class = "correction" title =
+"original reads 'iufallibly'">infallibly</ins> overcome censure; not
+with me I assure him, to confirm it I must remark him once more, and
+then my digression shall end. He tells ye <i>Cleora</i>, in the Tragedy
+of <i>Cleomenes</i>, <i>is not very charming, her part is to tell
+you</i>, her Child suck'd to no purpose.</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<span class = "sidenote">Cleomenes.</span>
+<i>It pull'd and pull'd but now, but nothing came;</i><br>
+<i>At last it drew so hard that the Blood follow'd,</i><br>
+<i>And that red Milk I found upon its Lips,</i><br>
+<i>Which made me swoon for fear.</i>
+</div>
+
+<p>There, says he, <span class = "flag">is</span> a description of
+sucking for ye: And then like another Devil of a Joker <ins class =
+"correction" title = "original reads 'ruus'">runs</ins> on, truly <i>one
+would think the Muse on't were scarcely wean'd</i>&mdash;Very likely;
+and here I warrant he thinks his Witty Criticism, as safely hous'd now
+as a Thief in a Mill, as the old Saw has it, did not his <ins class =
+"correction" title = "so in original">plaguee</ins> want of Memory now
+and then contrive to disgrace him; or if you turn to the thirty fourth
+page of his Lampoon, as Mr <i>Vanbrooke</i> calls it, after he has been
+comparing a fine young Lady to a <i>Setting-bitch-teacher.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>Lower yet&mdash;down, down</i>, and after he has been bringing
+forth a Litter of Mr. <i>Congreeves</i> Epithetes, <span class =
+"flag">as he</span> calls them,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 34.</span>
+<i>soothing softness, sinking Ease, wafting Air, thrilling Fears, and
+<span class = "flag">incessant</span> scalding Rain</i>, all Crude, just
+as he did mine before, without any connexion of sense
+to
+'em: He tells ye more plain in <span class = "flag">troth than</span>
+wittily, that
+<span class = "sidenote">Ibid,<ins class = "correction"
+title = "page number missing">&nbsp;&nbsp;</ins>.</span>
+<i>they make the Poem look like a Bitch overstock'd with <span class =
+"flag">Puppies</span>, and suck <span class = "flag">the</span> sense
+almost to Skin and Bone</i>. For a <span class = "flag">Child</span> to
+suck <span class = "flag">the</span> Mother <span class = "flag">till
+the</span> Blood follows, I think is not <span class =
+"flag">unreasonable</span>, but for a <span class = "flag">Litter</span>
+of <span class = "flag">Epithetes</span> to suck the sense of a Poem to
+the Skin and Bone, is such Fustian <span class = "flag">stuff</span>
+that nothing but a Creature, only fit for a Sucking-bottle, could be
+<span class = "flag">Author</span> of&mdash;And now I think if he has
+given me any <i>Crocus Metallorum</i>, I am even with him with a Dose of
+<ins class = "correction"
+title = "first letter uncertain"><i>Jollop</i></ins>,
+and can whisk too from one Play to another
+<span class = "picture">
+<a href = "images/pg25.png"><img src = "images/pg25.png" width = "469"
+height = "174" alt = "page image"></a>
+</span>
+indifferently well, tho not so fast as he; for when I perus'd him first,
+I could compare him to nothing but an Humble Bee in a Meadow, Buz upon
+this Daizy, Hum upon that Clover, then upon that Butter-flower&mdash;sucking
+of Honey, as he is of Sense&mdash;or as if upon the hunt for knowledge,
+he could fly from hence to the Colledge at <i>Downy</i>, then to St.
+<i>Peter</i>'s at <i>Rome</i>, then to <i>Mahomet</i> at <i>Mecha</i>,
+then to the Inquisition at <i>Goa</i>&mdash;And then buz home again to
+his own dormitory in <i><span class = "flag">Shooe</span>-lane</i>: And
+so much for his injustice, now to his errour in Criticism again, and to
+proceed in defence of <i>Don Quixot</i>.</p>
+
+<p><i>Mary</i> the Buxom, he says now swears faster 'tis false, and I
+deny it, she is so far from swearing fast, that she does not (rude as
+her character is) swear at all, unless the poor interjection
+I'cod&mdash;by his Authority can be made an Oath; and then if you'll
+peruse him on, here
+<span class = "pagenum">26</span>
+is a whole page and half upon this hint,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 204.</span>
+That the Ladies must have left their Wits and Modesties behind them that
+came, and lik'd her Words or Actions; and that her Nastiness, and dirty
+Conversation, is a Midnight Cart, or a Dunghil, instead of an Ornamental
+Scene. Now you don't find out our Gentlemans malicious meaning by this,
+but I shall inform ye. He says, I'm sorry the Ladies brought their Wits
+and Modesties with them, that came to see this Character; and yet all
+the whole Town can witness, that as many of the Ladies as could get into
+the Play-House came thither, to wait upon Her late <i>Majesty of Sacred
+Memory</i>, who did me that honour only for my benefit; and who was of
+so nice a Temper, relating to Modesty, that if so much as a hint had
+been given her by those had seen it before, of such a thing as
+Immodesty, she had never came, much less had been diverted, as she was,
+when she did come; but this I take as striking at <i>her</i> through my
+sides; and I think, to use his own words,
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 206.</span>
+<i>is above the Correction of the Pen</i>. The next is such senseless
+malice, or ignorance, that it deserves a hoot; he finds <i>Manuel</i> in
+<i>Don Quixot</i> (playing in his Farce for the Dukes diversion)
+addressing to the Dutchess in this manner, in a Jargon of Phrase made
+ridiculous on purpose:
+<span class = "sidenote">Vid. Shelton's <i>Translation of </i>Don
+Quixot<i>, p.</i> 205.</span>
+<i>Illustrious beauty, I must desire to know whether the most
+purifidiferous </i>Don Quixot<i> of the </i>Manchissima<i>, and the
+Squireiferous </i>Pancha<i>, be in this Company or no</i>. To whom
+<i>Sancho</i> replies, imitating, as he thinks this fine stile, <i>Why
+lookee, forsooth, without any more flourishes, the Governor
+</i>Pancha<i> is here, and </i>Don Quixotissimo<i> too, therefore, most
+Afflictedissimous Matronissima, speak what you Willissimus, for we are
+all ready to be your Servitorissimus</i>. And this now he inserts as my
+own Invention and manner of Stile, which is taken <i>verbatim</i> from
+the History of <i>Don Quixot</i>, and is by all those that can judge of
+humour, very pleasant and fit for that purpose. Now if he has never read
+that History, his ignorance has abus'd me; and if he has, his impudence
+has, of which us perceiv'd he has Stock enough, for presently he worries
+me for saying, in my Epistle Dedicatory to the Duchess of <i>Ormond</i>,
+That
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 207.</span>
+<i>I date my good fortune from her prosperous influence</i>, and says
+'tis <i>Astrological</i>. I don't know whether it has that sort of
+Learning in't or no, but 'tis as good sense as when he says, like a Wag
+as he is, that the Ladies fancy is just
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 92.</span>
+<i>slip-stocking high, and she seems to want sense more than her
+Break-fast</i>. Fancy slip-stocking high? no, no, the merry Grig must
+mean her pretty Leg was seen so high, for the Master of Art, I beg
+pardon of the rest that their Title is scandaliz'd, could never mean
+such Nonsence as t'other sure.</p>
+
+<p>And now drawing near to an end, his malice grows more plainly to a
+head, by endeavouring to lessen my Credit with my Patron Mr.
+<i>Montague</i>, whose generous Candor and good Nature to me, and indeed
+to us all, he perhaps has heard of, for here our modest and moral
+Critick, has either mistaken the words, or found out a slip of the
+Press, which because it happens to be Nonsence, he has very gladly
+exposed for mine; 'tis in my Epistle to my aforesaid Patron,
+thus:
+<span class = "sidenote">Collier, p. 207.</span>
+<i>Had your Eyes shot the haughty Austerity upon me of a right Courtier,
+your valued minutes had never been disturbed with dilatory Trifles of
+this nature; but my heart, on dull Consideration of your Merit, had
+supinely wish'd you Prosperity at a distance</i>. Mine in my Copy was
+written [<i>due Consideration</i>] but Doctor Crambo will have you
+believe, I consider'd so little to write the t'other;
+but
+<span class = "pagenum">27</span>
+<span class = "folionum">d2</span>
+now I will hold twenty Stubble Geese to the same number of Tithe Pigs,
+whenever he is preferr'd to be a Curate again, that I make my Patron
+smile more at my Entertainment of him at his own Cost, than ever he did
+at his quoting my <i>dull Consideration</i>, which no body but the
+<i>dull Absolver</i> could imagine a Man with any Brains could write.
+And to prove I have yet a few, I will try to Paraphrase upon his Farewel
+to me, the Translation in Verse, but the Reader shall have his
+first.</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+<span class = "sidenote"><ins class = "correction" title =
+"page reference missing">Collier,</ins></span>
+<i>I like an Author that Reforms the Age,<br>
+And keeps the right Decorum of the Stage;<br>
+That always pleases by Just Reason's Rule;<br>
+But for a tedious Droll, a quibbling Fool,<br>
+Who with low nauseous Bawdry fills his Plays,<br>
+Let him be gone, and on two Tressels raise<br>
+Some </i>Smithfield<i> Stage, where he may act his Pranks,<br>
+And make </i>Jack Puddings<i> speak to Mountebanks.</i>
+</div>
+
+<p>Your humble Servant good Doctor&mdash;Well, now for
+me.</p>
+
+<div class = "verse">
+I like a Parson, that no Souls does Lurch,<br>
+And keeps the true Decorum of the Church;<br>
+That always preaches by Just Reason's Rule;<br>
+But for a Hypocrite, a Canting Fool,<br>
+Who, cramm'd with Malice, takes the Rebels side,<br>
+<i>And would, for Conscience, palm on us his Pride,</i><br>
+<span class = "sidenote">* <i>A Savage kind of People in the West of</i>
+England.</span>
+Let him, for Stipend, to the *<i>Gubbins</i> sail,<br>
+And there Hold-forth for Crusts and Juggs of Ale.
+</div>
+
+<p>And so much by way of Prose, I shall only now give the Reformer a
+little further Advice, in return of his, in my Lyrical way, which is in
+a Fable of <i>A Dog and an Otter</i>; and to turn his own words upon
+him, the Citation may possibly be of some service to him, for if not
+concern'd in the Application, he may at least be precaution'd by the
+Moral. I find he knows I can sing to other Peoples sense, I'll try now
+if I can make him sing to mine: And when he Diverts, or is Diverted with
+<i>Vox</i>, then, <i>Preterea nihil</i>.</p>
+<hr>
+<br>
+<div class = "mynote">
+<a name = "chaucer" href = "#notetag">* </a>Transcriber's Footnote:
+"Chaucer"<br>
+<br>
+Neither of the quoted passages is by Chaucer. The first is from <i>The
+Plowman's Tale</i>, written about 1380 and traditionally attributed to
+Chaucer:<br>
+<div class = "versepair">
+Of freres I have tolde before,<br>
+In a makynge of a Crede.
+</div>
+<div class = "versepair">
+And yet I coulde tell worse and more,<br>
+But men wolde weryen it to rede.
+</div>
+The second was printed in "Tottel's Miscellany" (Richard Tottel,
+<i>Songes and Sonettes...</i>), 1557:<br>
+<div class = "verse">
+Flee frõ the prese &amp; dwell with sothfastnes<br>
+Suffise to thee thy good though it be small,<br>
+For horde hath hate and climyng ticklenesse<br>
+Praise hath enuy, and weall is blinde in all<br>
+Fauour no more, then thee behoue shall.<br>
+Rede well thy self that others well canst rede,<br>
+And trouth shall the deliuer it is no drede.
+</div>
+</div>
+<br>
+<hr>
+<a name = "maxims"> </a><br>
+<p align = "center"><font size = "+3"><i>Maxims</i> and
+<i>Reflections</i></font></p>
+
+<p align = "center">UPON</p>
+
+<p align = "center"><font size = "+4"><span class =
+"extended">&nbsp;PLAYS</span></font></p>
+
+<p align = "center">(<i>In Answer to a Discourse,</i> Of <i>the
+Lawfullness<br>
+and Vnlawfullness of PLAYS. Printed<br>
+Before a late <span class = "extended">PLAY</span> Entituled,<br>
+BEAVTY</i> in <i>DISTRESS</i>.)</p>
+<hr class = "small">
+<p align = "center"><font size = "+1">Written in
+<span class = "extended"><i>FRENCH</i></span> by<br>
+the Bp. of <span class = "extended"><i>MEAVX</i></span>.</font></p>
+
+<p align = "center">And now made <i>ENGLISH</i>.</p>
+<hr class = "small">
+<p align = "center">The PREFACE By another <i>HAND</i>.</p>
+<hr class = "small">
+<p align = "center"><i>LONDON</i>,<br>
+Printed for <b>R. Sare</b>, at <i>Grays-Inn</i> Gate, in<br>
+<i>Holborne</i>. 1699.</p>
+<br>
+<hr>
+
+<span class = "pagenum">|</span>
+<span class = "folionum">A2</span>
+
+<h1>THE PREFACE</h1>
+
+<p><i>The Charge drawn up by </i>Mr. Collier<i>,
+against the English Stage hath obliged
+the Persons concerned in it, to use all
+possible methods for their own Vindication. But
+their Endeavours of this kind have been such as
+seem to have done no great Service to their Cause.
+The natural Reflection, arising upon the present
+State of the Controversy, is, that, when Persons so
+nearly concerned and so well qualified, to say all that
+the case will bear, have yet been able to say so little
+to the main points of the Accusation brought against
+them, the only effectual Reply would be either to
+write no more for the Stage, or to write for it after
+quite another manner, than of late hath been done.
+They that have attempted to answer the </i>View<i> are in
+good hands already. But since other Succours are
+called in from abroad, 'tis fit the World should
+know, that this Reserve too hath been already defeated
+in it's own Countrey. And that we ought not
+to be imposed upon here in England, with an Adversary,</i>
+<span class = "pagenum">|</span>
+<i>whose Arguments have been not only confuted
+and Scorned by Others, but also retracted by Himself, at home.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>That Moroseness of humour, which Some in great
+good manners have of late been pleased to fix upon
+the English as their peculiar Character, might
+<ins class = "correction" title =
+"original reads 'possiby'">possibly</ins>
+be thought to dispose us to a blameable Extreme
+of Rigor in these matters. And therefore a Forreign
+Authority was artificially enough brought in, to
+reproach our pretended Niceness and Austerity.
+But when the Arguments of this Reply are observed
+to carry the Point as high, as even the so much
+upbraided </i>View<i> it self; All but the Willfully blind
+must see, that even the Gayeties of France could not
+endure the Corruptions of the Modern Theatres.
+And that the Complaints against such detestable
+Abuses are not due to any Quality of the Climate,
+or particular turn of Temper; but to the common
+and uniform Principles of Christianity and Virtue,
+which are the same in every Nation, professing to be
+governed by them.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>To give that </i>Discourse<i> a better face, it is introduced
+by way of Letter from a </i>Worthy Divine<i>
+of the Church of England; and published
+before a late Play called </i>Beauty in Distress.
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>P. IX. X. XXVI.</i></span>
+<i>Tis said to be approved, and recommended by that Reverend
+Person, for the satisfying some Scruples,
+</i>whether a man may Lawfully write for the
+Stage<i>. For a full Resolution whereof the doubting
+Poet is referred to this </i>Discourse<i>, as that which
+is presumed </i>to come fully up to his purpose<i>.
+But we are not told, whether the </i>Divine<i> or the </i>Poet<i>,
+or who else was the Translator of this Discourse: Or
+whether that </i>Worthy<i> Friend perused it in French,
+or in English only. Which yet in the present Case</i>
+<span class = "pagenum">|</span>
+<span class = "folionum">A3</span>
+<i>are Material Circumstances, and such as ought not
+to have been concealed, for Two Reasons particularly,
+which I hold myself obliged to give the Reader
+Intimation of.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>The First is, That the following Reply produces
+and answers some Passages of the French Discourse,
+not to be found in the English. And these not only
+Expressions or single Sentences, but entire Arguments.
+Such is that of Plays being a Diversion
+suitable to the Design of instituting the Sabbath.
+Such again That which justifies the Acting them
+the whole Lent throughout. Now this manner of
+dealing is not exactly agreeable with that</i>
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>P. IX.</i></span>
+Impartiality<i> and </i>Freedom<i> promised
+in the beginning of the </i>Worthy Divines<i> Letter.
+And therefore I can
+very hardly be perswaded, that One of that Character
+and Function, had the Forming of the </i>Discourse<i>,
+in the manner it now appears before </i>Mr. M's.<i>
+Play.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>The other Reason, why I Suspect the </i>Discourse<i>
+not to be translated, or indeed so throughly approved,
+by a </i>Divine of the Church of England<i>, is,
+that, even in what does appear there, he speaks very
+favourably of acting Plays upon Sundays. Now
+admitting, that all the Profession are not such
+sowr Criticks as </i>Mr. Collier<i>, yet this is a Liberty,
+which I do not remember to have heard, that any
+Modern Divines of that Church allow. And
+whatever the Poet's Friend may be in </i>His<i>
+esteem, I shrewdly suspect, that He would hardly
+pass for a very </i>Worthy Divine<i>, who should so far
+Countenance these </i>Diversions<i>, as to let them into
+a share of that Holy day, dedicated to the Worship
+and more immediate Service of Almighty
+God,</i></p>
+
+<span class = "pagenum">|</span>
+<p><i>One would not hastily question Testimonies
+in matters of Fact, where there appears any probable
+Arguments to support them. And therefore
+I am far from objecting against the Knowledge and
+Integrity of the Booksellers called in to vouch for
+that Letter, But withall I must beg leave to
+think it strange, that a Person of Learning and
+Character should so incautiously espouse a </i>Discourse<i>,
+and recommend it for the direction of a Gentleman's
+Conscience, who consulted him for Advice; the Reasoning
+whereof is not only so weak and Superficiall,
+but grounded upon Misconstruction in some, and
+Misrepresentation in Other Authorities cited by it.
+Methinks these ought to have been well examined,
+before a man had so perfectly gone into the Consequences
+drawn from them: such of them at least as
+are exceeding obvious, and might have been detected
+by recurring to Books, which almost every
+Divine hath ready at hand.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>In this translated Reply the Reader will not have
+cause to complain of such Neglect. The Passages
+out of </i>Thom: Aquinas, St. Jerom<i>, and some
+others, have been diligently compared, and the Originals
+faithfully inserted in most material points.
+And I cannot but wish, that this Book, extant at
+Paris ever since </i>1694<i>, had fallen into the hands
+of this Doubting Gentleman, instead of that </i>Discourse<i>,
+which it was intended to confute: That neither
+the Translator, nor his Friend the </i>Worthy
+Divine<i>, might have given themselves the Trouble
+of a Vindication of Plays; so reproachfully treated,
+and so substantially answered, that one would wonder
+it should have the confidence to appear in English afterwards,
+to tempt the same Scorn here, when followed
+cross the Seas by the Bishop of Meaux.</i></p>
+
+<span class = "pagenum">|</span>
+<span class = "folionum">A4</span>
+<p><i>By some expressions, I confess one might
+be apt to think, that the Author of the Discourse
+was not perfectly known. But of that no
+reasonable Doubt can remain, when we find
+the Replyer to have retracted: and Submitted
+to the Censure of the Church, Why the Author
+expresses himself in Terms so soft and general
+I undertake not to determine. He
+might in Tenderness forbear his Adversarys
+Name; He might be content to look upon him
+as an unwary Publisher, rather than the
+Writer; and, after Submission made, might
+charitably desire, as far as might be, to cover
+his Reproach. It Suffices, that the Opinions
+in the Book be confuted, and exposed to shame;
+and when this is done in the Punishment of
+the Reputed Author, the matter is not great, if
+the Name from thenceforth be forgotten. If
+Mons'r </i>Caffaro<i> had the Hardiness to assert
+a Tract so unworthy his Character, his Answerer
+would not add perhaps to the Scandall,
+when that Shame had been taken to himself,
+with a Remorse becoming the Fact. But be
+this how it will, Censures, we know, are not inflicted
+upon </i>Indefinite Some-bodies<i>; that
+such were inflicted, and a Retractation made,
+the very first period is peremptory: And I
+hope the Bp. of Meaux, and his manner of
+writing, are at least as credible an Evidence
+of this, as the Booksellers can be Allowed to</i>
+<span class = "pagenum">|</span>
+<i>be, of that Letter being genuine, which refers
+</i>Mr. M's<i> Conscience to the </i>Discourse<i> for
+Satisfaction.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>I am heartily glad, if the Plays written by
+that ingenious Gentleman are so chast and
+inoffensive, as he declares them to be. The
+rather, because the Success he mentions overthrows
+that frivolous Pretence, of the Poets
+lying under a Necessity of writing lewdly in
+order to please the Town. And if this Gentleman
+do yet retain the same tenderness of
+doing nothing for Gain or Glory, which does
+not strictly become him: If he be still as
+desirous to be satisfied what does, or does not,
+become him to do, with regard to the matter in
+hand, as I ought to presume he was, when he
+consulted his Friend, I would make it my
+request, that this Reply may be Seriously and
+impartially considered. And I cannot but
+hope, that it may disabuse him of the Errours
+the </i>Discourse<i> might lead him into, and I am
+much mistaken, if, upon these Terms, he ever
+writes for the Stage any more. Prejudice and
+Passion, Vainglory and Profit, not Reason,
+and Virtue, and the Common Good, seem but
+too plainly, to support this Practice, and the
+Defence of it, as the matter is at present
+managed among us. And a Person of </i>Mr. M's<i>
+Parts and Attainments cannot be at a loss, for
+much nobler subjects to employ them upon.</i></p>
+
+<span class = "pagenum">|</span>
+<p><i>A Popular one perhaps it may be, but
+sure a wilder Suggestion, never was offered to
+men of Common sense, than, that </i>if the Stage
+be damned<i>, the </i>Art used<i> by </i>Moses, and
+David, and Solomon, must be no more.
+<span class = "sidenote"><i>See Mr. D's. verses before Beauty,
+in Distress.</i></span>
+<i>Are we fallen into an Age so incapable of of
+distinguishing, that there should be no visible
+difference left between, the Excellencies and the
+Abuse of any Art? No. </i>Mr: Dryden<i> himself
+hath taught us better. We will have all
+due regard for the Author of </i>Absalom<i> and
+</i>Achitophel<i>, and several other pieces of just
+renown, and should admire him for a rich Vein of
+Poetry, though he had never written a Play
+in his whole Life. Nor shall we think our selves
+obliged to burn the Translation of </i>Virgil<i> by
+vertue of that sentence, which seems here to be
+pronounced upon that of the Fourth Book of
+</i>Lucretius<i>. The World, I Suppose, are not
+all agreed, that then is but </i>One<i> Sort of Poetry,
+and as far from allowing, that the </i>Dramatick<i>, is
+that One. They who write after those</i> Divine,
+Patterns of Moses &amp;c<i>: will be no whit the less
+Poets, though there were not a Theatre left
+upon the Face of the Earth; Their Honours
+will be more deserved, Their Laurells more verdant
+and lasting, when blemished with none of
+those Reproaches from Others, or their own
+breasts, which are due to the Corrupters of
+Mankind, And such are all They, who soften</i>
+<span class = "pagenum">|</span>
+<i>men's abhorrence of Vice, and cherish their
+dangerous Passions. To tell us then, that All,
+even Divine, Poetry must be silenced and
+for ever lost, when the Play-houses are once
+shut up, is to impose too grossely upon our
+Understandings. And their Sophistry bears
+hard, methinks, upon Profaneness, which insinuates
+the Hymns dictated by the Holy Spirit,
+of God, to be so nearly related to the Modern
+Compositions for the Stage, that both must of
+necessity stand and fall together.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>If Poetry have of late sunk in its credit,
+that misfortune is owing to the degenerate and
+Mercenary Pens, of some who have set up for
+the great Masters of it. No man I presume,
+is for exterminating that noble Art, no not
+even in the </i>Dramatick<i> part; provided it can
+be effectually reformed. But if the Reformation
+of the Stage be no longer practicable, reason
+good that the incurable Evil should be cut
+off: If it be practicable, let the Persons concerned
+give Evidence of it to the World, by
+tempering their Wit so, as to render it Serviceable
+to Virtuous purposes, without giving
+just offence to wise, and Good men. For
+it is not the Pretence of a good Design which
+can free the Undertakers from Blame, unless
+the Goodness of the end and Intention be Seconded
+with a Prudent Management of the
+Means. And if Matters once should come to</i>
+<span class = "pagenum">|</span>
+<i>that Extremity, better and much more becoming
+of the Two, no doubt it were, that our
+</i>Maker's Praises should be sunk into Prose<i>
+(as this Ingenious Person phrases it) than that
+in the midst of a Christan City, that </i>Maker<i>
+should be six days in seven publickly insulted
+and blasphemed in poetry.</i></p>
+<br>
+<hr>
+<br>
+<p align = "center"><a name = "ARSpubs"><font size = "+1">THE AUGUSTAN
+REPRINT SOCIETY</font></a><br>
+<br>
+ANNOUNCES ITS<br>
+<br>
+<i><font size = "+2">Publications for the Third Year (1948-1949)</font></i></p>
+
+<!--PG hyperlinks begin here-->
+
+<div class = "mynote">
+[Transcriber's Note:<br>
+Most of the listed titles are or will be available from Project
+Gutenberg. Where possible, a link to the e-text is given.]
+</div>
+<br>
+<table>
+<tr>
+<td></td>
+<td class = "ARS">
+<i>At least two</i> items will be printed from each of the
+<i>three</i> following groups:<br>
+<br>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">Series&nbsp;IV:</td>
+<td class = "ARS">
+Men, Manners, and Critics<br>
+Sir John Falstaff (pseud.), <i>The Theatre </i>(1720).<br>
+Aaron Hill, <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/15870">Preface to
+<i>The Creation</i></a>; and Thomas Brereton, Preface to <i>Esther</i>.<br>
+Ned Ward, Selected Tracts.<br>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">Series V:</td>
+<td class = "ARS">
+Drama<br>
+Edward Moore, <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/16267"><i>The
+Gamester</i></a> (1753).<br>
+Nevil Payne, <i>Fatal Jealousy </i>(1673).<br>
+Mrs. Centlivre, <i>The Busie Body </i>(1709).<br>
+Charles Macklin, <i>Man of the World </i>(1781).<br>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">Series&nbsp;VI:</td>
+<td class = "ARS">
+Poetry and Language<br>
+John Oldmixon, <i>Reflections on Dr. Swift's Letter to Harley </i>(1712);
+and Arthur Mainwaring, <i>The British Academy </i>(1712).<br>
+Pierre Nicole, <i>De Epigrammate</i>.<br>
+Andre Dacier, Essay on Lyric Poetry.
+</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+<br>
+<hr>
+<br>
+<p align = "center"><font size = "+1"><i>THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT
+SOCIETY</i></font><br>
+<br>
+MAKES AVAILABLE<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<font size = "+2"><i>Inexpensive Reprints of Rare Materials</i></font><br>
+<br>
+<br>
+FROM<br>
+<br>
+ENGLISH LITERATURE OF THE<br>
+SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES</p>
+
+<div class = "indent">Students, scholars, and bibliographers
+of literature, history, and
+philology will find the publications valuable. <i>The Johnsonian News
+Letter</i> has said of them: "Excellent facsimiles, and cheap in
+price, these represent the triumph of modern scientific reproduction.
+Be sure to become a subscriber; and take it upon yourself to see that
+your college library is on the mailing list."</div>
+
+<div class = "indent">The Augustan Reprint Society is a
+non-profit, scholarly
+organization, run without overhead expense. By careful management it
+is able to offer at least six publications each year at the unusually
+low membership fee of $2.50 per year in the United States and Canada,
+and $2.75 in Great Britain and the continent.</div>
+
+<div class = "indent">Libraries as well as individuals are
+eligible for membership. Since
+the publications are issued without profit, however, no discount can
+be allowed to libraries, agents, or booksellers.</div>
+
+<div class = "indent">New members may still obtain a complete
+run of the first year's
+publications for $2.50, the annual membership fee.</div>
+
+<div class = "indent">During the first two years the publications
+are issued in three
+series: I. Essays on Wit; II. Essays on Poetry and Language; and III.
+Essays on the Stage.</div>
+<br>
+<br>
+<table>
+<tr align = "center"><td colspan = "2"><i><b>PUBLICATIONS FOR THE
+FIRST YEAR (1946-1947)</b></i><br>
+<br>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width = "25%" class = "ARS">MAY, 1946:</td>
+<td class = "ARS"><a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/13484">Series
+I, No. 1</a>&mdash;Richard Blackmore's <i>Essay upon Wit</i> (1716), and
+Addison's <i>Freeholder</i> No. 45 (1716).</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">JULY, 1946: </td>
+<td class = "ARS"><a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14528">Series
+II, No. 1</a>&mdash;Samuel Cobb's <i>Of Poetry</i> and <i>Discourse on
+Criticism</i> (1707)</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">SEPT.,&nbsp;1946:</td>
+<td class = "ARS">Series III, No. 1&mdash;Anon., <i>Letter to A.H.
+Esq.; concerning the Stage</i> (1698), and Richard Willis' <i>Occasional
+Paper</i> No. IX (1698).</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">NOV., 1946:</td>
+<td class = "ARS"><a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14973">Series
+I, No. 2</a>&mdash;Anon., <i>Essay on Wit</i> (1748), together with
+Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton's <i>Adventurer</i> Nos. 127
+and 133.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">JAN., 1947:</td>
+<td class = "ARS">Series II, No. 2&mdash;Samuel Wesley's <i>Epistle to a
+Friend Concerning Poetry</i> (1700) and <i>Essay on Heroic Poetry</i> (1693).</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">MARCH,&nbsp;1947:</td>
+<td class = "ARS"><a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/15656">Series
+III, No. 2</a>&mdash;Anon., <i>Representation of the Impiety and
+Immorality of the Stage</i> (1704) and anon., <i>Some Thoughts Concerning
+the Stage</i> (1704).</td>
+</tr>
+<tr align = "center"><td colspan = "2">
+&nbsp;<br>
+&nbsp;<br>
+<i><b>PUBLICATIONS FOR THE SECOND YEAR (1947-1948)</b></i><br>
+<br>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">MAY, 1947:</td>
+<td class = "ARS"><a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14800">Series
+I, No. 3</a>&mdash;John Gay's <i>The Present State of Wit</i>; and a
+section on Wit from <i>The English Theophrastus</i>. With an
+Introduction by Donald Bond.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">JULY, 1947:</td>
+<td class = "ARS"><a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14495">Series
+II, No. 3</a>&mdash;Rapin's <i>De Carmine Pastorali,</i> translated
+by Creech. With an Introduction by J. E. Congleton.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">SEPT., 1947:</td>
+<td class = "ARS"><a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14899">Series
+III, No. 3</a>&mdash;T. Hanmer's (?) <i>Some Remarks on the Tragedy
+of Hamlet</i>. With an Introduction by Clarence D. Thorpe.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">NOV., 1947:</td>
+<td class = "ARS"><a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/16233">Series
+I, No. 4</a>&mdash;Corbyn Morris' <i>Essay towards Fixing the True
+Standards of Wit,</i> etc. With an Introduction by James L. Clifford.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">JAN., 1948:</td>
+<td class = "ARS"><a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/15313">Series
+II, No. 4</a>&mdash;Thomas Purney's <i>Discourse on the
+Pastoral</i>. With an Introduction by Earl Wasserman.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class = "ARS">MARCH,&nbsp;1948:</td>
+<td class = "ARS">Series III, No. 4&mdash;Essays on the Stage, selected,
+with an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch.</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+<br>
+<br>
+<div class = "indent">The list of publications is subject to modification
+in response to requests by members. From time to time Bibliographical
+Notes will be included in the issues. Each issue contains an Introduction
+by a scholar of special competence in the field represented.</div>
+
+<div class = "indent">The Augustan Reprints are available only to
+members. They will never be offered at "remainder" prices.</div>
+<br>
+<p align = "center"><i>GENERAL EDITORS</i><br>
+<br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Richard C. Boys</span>, <i>University of
+Michigan</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Edward Niles Hooker</span>, <i>University of
+California, Los Angeles</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">H. T. Swedenberg, Jr.</span>, <i>University
+of California, Los Angeles</i><br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<i>ADVISORY EDITORS</i><br>
+<br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Emmett L. Avery</span>, <i>State College of
+Washington</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Louis I. Bredvold</span>, <i>University of
+Michigan</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Benjamin Boyce</span>, <i>University of
+Nebraska</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Cleanth Brooks</span>, <i>Louisiana State
+University</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">James L. Clifford</span>, <i>Columbia
+University</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Arthur Friedman</span>, <i>University of
+Chicago</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">Samuel H. Monk</span>, <i>University of
+Minnesota</i><br>
+<span class = "smallcaps">James Sutherland</span>, <i>Queen Mary
+College, London</i></p>
+<br>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Essays on the Stage, by Thomas D'Urfey and Bossuet
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON THE STAGE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 16335-h.htm or 16335-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/3/3/16335/
+
+Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/16335-h/images/pg21lower.png b/16335-h/images/pg21lower.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..573746f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16335-h/images/pg21lower.png
diff --git a/16335-h/images/pg21upper.png b/16335-h/images/pg21upper.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9106980
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16335-h/images/pg21upper.png
diff --git a/16335-h/images/pg25.png b/16335-h/images/pg25.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d65f0eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16335-h/images/pg25.png
diff --git a/16335.txt b/16335.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d64581
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16335.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2668 @@
+Project Gutenberg's Essays on the Stage, by Thomas D'Urfey and Bossuet
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Essays on the Stage
+       Preface to the Campaigners (1689) and Preface to the
+       Translation of Bossuet's Maxims and Reflections on Plays
+       (1699)
+
+Author: Thomas D'Urfey and Bossuet
+
+Commentator: Joseph Wood Krutch
+
+Release Date: July 20, 2005 [EBook #16335]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON THE STAGE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                     Series Three:
+                 _Essays on the Stage_
+
+                         No. 4
+
+
+  Thomas D'Urfey, Preface to _The Campaigners_ (1698)
+
+                          and
+
+  Anonymous, Preface to the Translation of Bossuet's
+      _Maxims and Reflections upon Plays_ (1699)
+
+
+                With an Introduction by
+                   Joseph Wood Krutch
+
+
+
+
+The Augustan Reprint Society
+March, 1948
+Price: $1.00
+
+
+           *       *       *       *       *
+
+GENERAL EDITORS
+
+RICHARD C. BOYS, University of Michigan
+EDWARD NILES HOOKER, University of California, Los Angeles
+H.T. SWEDENBERG, JR., University of California, Los Angeles
+
+
+ASSISTANT EDITOR
+
+W. EARL BRITTON, University of Michigan
+
+
+ADVISORY EDITORS
+
+EMMETT L. AVERY, State College of Washington
+BENJAMIN BOYCE, University of Nebraska
+LOUIS I. BREDVOLD, University of Michigan
+CLEANTH BROOKS, Yale University
+JAMES L. CLIFFORD, Columbia University
+ARTHUR FRIEDMAN, University of Chicago
+SAMUEL H. MONK, University of Minnesota
+ERNEST MOSSNER, University of Texas
+JAMES SUTHERLAND, Queen Mary College, London
+
+
+
+
+   Lithoprinted from copy supplied by author
+                      by
+             Edwards Brothers, Inc.
+           Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.
+                     1948
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Introduction
+
+The three parts of D'Urfey's "The Comical History of Don Quixote" were
+performed between 1694 and (probably) the end of 1696. Some of the
+songs included were conspicuously "smutty"--to use a word which D'Urfey
+ridiculed--but the fact that the plays were fresh in the public mind
+was probably the most effective reason for Jeremy Collier's decision
+to include the not very highly respected author among the still living
+playwrights to be singled out for attack in "A Short View of the
+Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage", which appeared at
+Easter time 1698. In July of the same year D'Urfey replied with the
+preface to his "smutty" play "The Campaigners". It is this preface
+which is given as the first item of the present reprint.
+
+Pope's contemptuous prologue, written many years later and apparently
+for a benefit performance of one of D'Urfey's plays, is sufficient
+evidence that the playwright was not highly regarded; but he was reputed
+to be a good natured man and, by the standards of the time, his twitting
+of Collier--whom he accused of having a better nose for smut than a
+clergyman should have--is not conspicuously vituperative. Even his
+attack on the political character of the notorious Non-Juror is bitter
+without being really scurrilous. But like his betters Congreve and
+Vanbrugh, D'Urfey both missed the opportunity to grapple with the real
+issues of the controversy and misjudged the temper of the public. Had
+that public been, as all the playwrights seem to have assumed, ready to
+side with them against Collier, there might have been some justification
+in resting content as he and Congreve did with the scoring of a few
+debater's points. But the public, even "the town", was less interested
+in mere sally and rejoinder than it was in the serious question of the
+relation of comedy to morality, and hence Collier was allowed to win the
+victory almost by default.
+
+Collier's own argument was either confused or deliberately disingenuous,
+since he shifts his ground several times. On occasion he argues merely
+in the role of a moderate man who is shocked by the extravagances of the
+playwrights, and on other occasions as an ascetic to whom all worldly
+diversion, however innocent of any obvious offence, is wicked. At one
+time, moreover, he accuses the playwrights of recommending the vices
+which they should satirize and at other times denies that even the most
+sincere satiric intention can justify the lively representation of
+wickedness. But none of his opponents actually seized the opportunity
+to completely clarify the issues. Vanbrugh, it is true, makes some real
+points in his "A Short Vindication of The Relapse and The Provok'd
+Wife", and John Dennis, in his heavy handed way, showed some realization
+of what the issues were both in "The Usefulness of the Stage to the
+Happiness of Mankind, to Government and to Religion" (1698) and, much
+later, In "The Stage Defended" (1726). But, Vanbrugh is casual, Dennis
+is slow witted, and it is only by comparison with the triviality of
+D'Urfey or the contemptuous disingenuity of Congreve's "Amendments of
+Mr. Collier's False and Imperfect Citations" (1698) that they seem
+effective.
+
+At least forty books and pamphlets published between 1698 and 1725 are
+definitely part of the Collier controversy, but the fact that none of
+them really discusses adequately fundamental premises concerning the
+nature, method, and function of comedy had serious consequences for the
+English stage. The situation was further complicated by the rise of
+sentimental comedy and the fact that the theories supposed to justify
+it were expounded with all the completeness and clarity which were so
+conspicuously lacking in the case of those who undertook halfheartedly
+to defend what we call "high" or "pure", as opposed to both sentimental
+and satiric comedy. Steele's epilogue to "The Lying Lover", which
+versified Hobbes' comments on laughter and then rejected laughter itself
+as unworthy of a refined human being, is a triumphant epitaph inscribed
+over the grave of the comic spirit.
+
+The second item included in the present reprint, namely the anonymous
+preface to a translation of Bossuet's "Maxims and Reflections Upon
+Plays", belongs to a different phase of the Collier controversy. It
+serves as an illustration of the fact that Collier was soon joined by
+men who were, somewhat more frankly than he had himself admitted he was,
+open enemies of the stage as such. He had begun with arguments supported
+by citations from literary critics and he called in the support of
+ascetic religious writers after his discourse was well under way. But
+the direct approach by way of religion was soon taken up by others,
+of whom Arthur Bedford was probably the most redoubtable as he was
+certainly the most long winded, since his "Evil and Danger of Stage
+Plays" (1706) crowds into its two hundred and twenty-seven pages some
+two thousand instances of alleged profaneness and immorality with
+specific references to the texts of scripture which condemn each one.
+But Bedford had not been the first to treat the issue as one to be
+decoded by theologians rather than playwrights or critics. Somewhat
+unwisely, perhaps, Motteux had printed before his comedy "Beauty in
+Distress" a discourse "Of the Lawfulness and Unlawfulness of Plays"
+(1698), written by the Italian monk Father Caffaro, who was professor of
+divinity at the Sorbonne. Unfortunately Caffaro had, some years before
+this English translation appeared, already retracted his mild opinion
+that stage plays were not, _per se_, unlawful, and it was possible not
+only to cite his retraction but also to offer the opinions of the Bishop
+of Meux, who was better known to English readers than Father Caffaro.
+The anonymous author of the preface to "Maxims and Reflections"
+grants that dramatic poetry might, under certain circumstances, be
+theoretically permissible, but rather more frankly than Collier he makes
+it clear that his real intention is to urge the outlawing of the theater
+itself, since all efforts to reform it are foredoomed to failure. "But
+if", he writes, "the Reformation of the Stage be no longer practicable,
+reason good that the incurable Evil should be cut off". That lets the
+cat out of the bag.
+
+Both pieces reprinted here are from copies owned by the University of
+Michigan.
+
+    Joseph Wood Krutch
+    Columbia University
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+                The Campaigners:
+                    or, the
+       _Pleasant Adventures at_ Brussels.
+
+                       A
+                    COMEDY
+
+     As it is Acted at the _Theatre-Royal_.
+
+
+                    with a
+                Familiar Preface
+                     upon
+       _A Late Reformer of the STAGE._
+
+         Ending with a Satyrical Fable
+                      of
+             the DOG and the OTTOR.
+
+
+            Written by Mr. _D'urfey_.
+
+                    LONDON,
+
+
+Printed for _A. Baldwin_, near the _Oxford Arms_ Inn
+          in _Warwick lane_. MDCXCVIII.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+I Must necessarily inform the Partial, as well as Impartial Reader,
+that I had once design'd another kind of Preface to my Comedy than what
+will appear in the following sheets; but having in the interim been
+entertain'd with a Book lately Printed, full of Abuses on all our
+Antient as well as Modern Poets, call'd _A view of the Immorality and
+Prophaness of the English Stage_; and finding the Author, who, no doubt,
+extreamly values himself upon his Talent of _Stage-reforming_, not
+only (to use his own Ironical words) _particular in his Genius and
+Civilities_, but indecently, unmanner'd, and scurrilous in his unjust
+Remarks on me, and two of my Plays, _viz._ the first and second parts
+of the _Comical History of_ Don Quixote. [Footnote: Collier, p. 196.]
+I thought I cou'd not do better, first as a Diversion to the Town, and
+next to do a little Iustice to my self, than (instead of the other) to
+print a short Answer to this very Severe and Critical Gentleman; and at
+the same time give him occasion to descant upon the following Comick
+Papers, and my self the opportunity of vindicating the other; with some
+familiar Returns (_en Raillere_) upon his own Extraordinary _Integrity_,
+and Justness of the _Censure_.
+
+But first, lest I should plunge my self out of my depth, or like an
+unskilful Swimmer, endanger my self by a too precipitate Rashness, let
+me warily consider the Office and Habit of this unchristianlike Critick
+before I Attack him: He has, or had the honour to wear the Robe of a
+Clergyman of the Church of _England_: A Church, which for its Purity,
+Principles, and most Incomparable Doctrines, surpasses without objection
+all others in the world, which with a number of its pious, virtuous and
+learned Rulers and Ministers, I admire and acknowledge with all the
+faculties of my soul, heart and understanding; and on which I never
+seriously reflect, but I feel a secret shame for my remissness of duty,
+and my neglect, in not living hitherto up to its Admirable Principles.
+This reflection would indeed have been enough to awe any one in my
+circumstances from proceeding to answer his bold Censures, had I not
+Courage to consider that the rest of the worthy Gentlemen of that Robe
+are so good, that they will not excuse or defend our aforesaid Critick's
+Injustice or Mistakes in some places, tho they are pleas'd with his
+Truths in others; or be angry at me for endeavouring to gain their good
+opinion, by defending my self from most of his black Aspersions (how
+fair soever as yet they seem) and by unfolding him be judg'd by their
+impartial reason, start a question, whither he, tho a happy member of
+the aforesaid Adorable Church, does not come in for his share of
+_Immorality_, and other frailties; and consequently is not as fit to be
+detected, by the Wit of a Satyrical Poet; as the Poet by the positive
+Authority of an Angry Malecontent, tho in the garb of an humble
+Churchman.
+
+The _Vates_, or Poets in antient times were held in special veneration,
+even their Kings, and other chief Rulers, often submitted to the virtue
+of their Inspiration: Amongst which, the never enough admir'd Mr
+_Cowley_, in his noble version of the _Davideidos_, gives the _Royal
+David_ this Title, _Rex olim & Vates duo Maxima munera Coeli_; and
+numbers of others might be inserted to prove Poetical Authority, and
+the respect it bore in past Ages; which, tho I have not capacity to
+parallel, I hope I may be allow'd to imitate on another subject; and in
+this have leave to acquit my self of several heinous Accusations, which
+this Tyrannical Critick has Impos'd upon me.
+
+I am not at all Ignorant of his eminent parts, Learning, and other
+qualifications; nor am I insensible, as well as the rest of his Readers,
+that his Book has a very fair and engaging Title-page, and is no less
+Illustrated with many weighty and just censures upon the _Immorality of
+the Stage_, and our licentious Writings for many years past; and tho
+this has been proved by the late Ingenious Author of _the Vindication of
+the Stage_ to be occasion'd by the vices of the Times, and not those of
+the Poets; yet thus for we can endure the Scourge, and kiss his Rod with
+patience enough: And for my own part, I declare if I had found his
+Severity had been moral, and had ended in the good design of cleansing
+the Stage from its Impurities, and had been only a kind Instruction to
+my Brethren and my self, to reform our Immoral errors, I had, as the
+rest of us, with all humility imaginable, thank'd him for his wit and
+good reproof; and had been so far from answering in this manner, that I
+should have been proud to have my name before his Book, with a Copy of
+Verses in applause of his Admirable Design. But when, instead of this,
+I find he strikes at the root of our Dramatick Labours, and the Town's
+diversion, for some sly and selfish ends; and instead of reproving us
+with a Pastorly Mildness, Charity and Good Nature, gives us the basest
+language, and with the most scurillous expression, sometimes raging and
+even foaming at mouth, taxing the little liberty has always been us'd,
+with horrid horrid Blasphemy, Prophaneness, and Damnable Impiety; when
+Reason must inform every one we intend nothing of the matter, besides
+the poor priviledge _Poetica Licentia_: and pretending to prove this
+with false Quotations, unnatural Mistakes, and Hypocritical Hypotheses,
+I resolv'd to controvert him, and endeavour to prove that 'tis meerly
+his malice that has abus'd me and the rest, without Reason or
+Provocation; and that his own Wit and Morals are not so Infallible,
+but they lye also open to the censure of any Poetical Critick, who
+has Courage and Sense enough to attack 'em.
+
+I once more therefore address my self to the Reverend of the Gown, from
+highest to the lowest, and humbly desire that they will not appear
+Interested against me, because I defend myself against one that has
+abus'd me, and has the honour to wear one, (to what purpose the Judgment
+and Clemency of our Government knows best) I assure 'em my design is
+only to turn, like the Worm that is trod upon, complain being hurt,
+vindicate my self from abusive malice, and at the same time am heartily
+sorry that ever I had the occasion.
+
+'Tis a pleasure to me however to know that I have for many years, as
+well as now, the honour of the Conversation of several eminent men of
+the Church; and I dare say, upon occasion, I could easily gain their
+good words to prove my good behaviour. I do declare I never abus'd the
+sacred order in my life, but have always had, and still have, all the
+veneration for 'em that's possible; nor have any of my printed Writings
+contradicted this, unless when spoken in the person of Atheists,
+Libertines, and Ignorants, where 'tis natural in Comedy; nay, in my Book
+of Poems you will find a _Satyr against Atheists_, and in another Book,
+call'd _Colin's walk thro' London and Westminster_, a Moral through the
+whole, and design'd in the honour of the Church of _England_, to shew
+the stubbornness of _Romanists_, Grumblers, and other dissenting Sects;
+but this my partial Antagonist never read, nor heard of; nay, tho by his
+Book we may suppose he has read a thousand, yet amongst twenty of my
+Comedies Acted and Printed, he never heard of the _Royalist_, the
+_Boarding School_, the _Marriage Hater Match'd_, the _Richmond Heiress_,
+the _Virtuous Wife_, and others, all whose whole Plots and designs I
+dare affirm, tend to that principal instance, which he proposes, and
+which we allow, _viz._ the depression of Vice and encouragement of
+Virtue. Not he, he has not had leisure since his last _holding forth in
+the late Reign_, to do me this Justice, 'tis enough for him that he has
+encounter'd _Don Quixot_. [Footnote: Collier, p.] And truly, I must own,
+was a most proper Combatant for him; for if he had not been mad with the
+Wind-mill that was in his pate, or had ever perus'd that _Giant_ of an
+Author, upon whom I am the _Pigmy_, as he wittily observes, he would
+have found the Bockheaded Chaplain had been greazing his old Gassock
+there long before I new rigg'd him: But that's all one, I, poor I, must
+be denounc'd as Criminal; I brought him upon the Stage, I wash'd his
+Face, put on a new Crape Vest, and a clean Band, which, oh, fatal
+accident, made him look so like somebody, that I, in his opinion, and
+condemn'd by his infallibility, have been no body ever since, _vox &
+praeterea nihil_. Well, however this is determin'd, let me beg of my
+impartial Readers, to give me leave to try what I can be, I have had
+good fortune I am told by others in Lyrical Verse, which I am sure is
+one principal part of Poetry, I'll see now if I can match my Antagonist
+in Rallying Prose. Several ingenious Authors have already, I think, so
+well confuted his Assertions against the Stage, by proofs from the
+Antient Poets, the Primitive Fathers, and their Authorities, that they
+have far excell'd what I can pretend to do there; only, I could have
+wish'd one who is best able, and whose admirable Genius and Skill in
+Poetry would have been remarkably serviceable, had drawn his Pen to
+defend the Rights of the Stage, tho he had own'd the loosenesses of it,
+and had ventured the being presented for it; but since we, the forlorn,
+are not so happy to have that Aid, let my Antagonist, the Reformer, who,
+for all the gravity in some part of his Book, and the solid Piety he
+would insinuate in his Arguments, I perceive to be a Joker, and as full
+of Puns, Conundrums, Quibbles, Longinquipetites, and Tipiti-witchets, as
+the rest of us mortals, be pleas'd to take the length of my Weapon at
+that sport, for now I cannot help telling my Audience, which is the
+Town, that he has laid his reforming Cudgel upon me so severely, and it
+smarts so damnably, that I can't forbear smiting again if I were to be
+hang'd, desiring only, as the usual method is, a clear Stage, and from
+him no favour.
+
+To begin then, I shall illustrate my first Scene with a comical hint
+upon some part of his Character; and that the Jest may be worthy of
+making you laugh, you are to know, that the first view I ever had of
+this extraordinary Person, was neither better nor worse than under the
+_Gallows_. Well, but think you, I warrant, 'twas about some Charitable
+Duty that his sacred Function and Piety oblig'd him to, such as
+Exhorting the poor Souls to confess their Crimes, in order to be sav'd,
+or the like; no, faith, but quite contrary, for he was rather hardning
+them, and infusing a strong Portion of his own obstinacy, to fortifie
+'em for their dubious Journey; and in few minutes after, possess'd with
+a stronger Spirit of Priesthood than e'er, for some past Ages there has
+been Example for, pronounc'd the _Absolution_, the extremest and most
+mysterious Grace the Church can possibly give to the most repentant
+Sinner, to wretches Justly condemn'd by Law to die, for the most
+horrible Crimes in nature, _viz._ the intended Murder of the King,
+and Subversion of the Protestant Religion and Government. Now that
+such a Person should set up for a Protestant Example, and a Teacher
+of Morality, is somewhat new, for upon my veracity, this Gentleman may
+insinuate as he pleases, that our Church, and its Doctrines govern his
+heart; but as to that matter what may be in his heart I can't tell, but
+if a Pope is not crept into his belly, very near it, I am very much
+mistaken.
+
+_Pliny_ indeed, in his Natural History, _Lib._ 28, _Cap._ 10. tells ye,
+He that is bitten by a Scorpion may have relief, if immediately he go
+and whisper his grief into the Ear of an Ass. This Historian, perhaps,
+had so great credit with these Malefactors that they thought the remedy,
+by Auricular Confession, might serve too in their Concerns. But we are
+confirm'd, they were enough mistaken in the rest of their Opinions, and
+so 'tis very likely were in this. If this Parallel be found a little
+gross, I hope the Reader will excuse it, when he examines the bold
+Critick's Stile relating to the Poets. Besides, how wise soever he may
+be in other things, I'm sure all those that are so, and true Sons of
+the Church, when they reflect on that Action of his, will own that he
+deserves that, or a worse Title. And so to proceed.
+
+But before we inspect further, or touch upon the Moralist's Immorality,
+for I dare ingage it is not altogether impossible to prove, the
+_Pulpiteer_ may be tainted a little as well as the _Poetaster_, let us
+see whether we can find him guilty of the first Charge against us, which
+is _Immodesty_; and upon this subject indeed, if our Learn'd Reformer
+did not impose upon us with a Fallacy, I should (to shew my good Nature
+walk hand in hand with my resentment) once more admire him for his
+Character of Modesty in the 11th page of his Book, which is, to do him
+Justice, very fine; but then he only tells us of one kind of Modesty,
+when he knows there are two, and therein he is Falacious, in not
+exposing the other, which is decency of Speech and Behaviour; and truly,
+meerly, I believe, through a conscious reflection of his own frequent
+miscarriages in that case. If therefore, these Papers differ a little
+from that Civility which is proper, I beg the Readers pardon, and assure
+him 'tis only in imitation of his Stile to me, as all those that read
+his Book may find.
+
+For, in the first place, he does not shew his own, nor, indeed, any part
+of decent modesty, in exposing any Gentlemans Name in print, when the
+subject matter is Satyr, Reflection, Scandal, _&c._ and in which case I
+believe the Law might do Justice, if apply'd to; but if not, I am sure
+good Manners, and civil Education, ought to tie the Cassock as close as
+the Sash or Sursingle; but this our Divine helper, most Bully-like,
+disallows; for he, puff'd with his Priestly Authority, calls us boldly
+to the Bar of his Injustice by our own Names, the same minute that he is
+roaringly accusing us of Blasphemy, Smuttery, Foolery, and a thousand
+Monstrosities besides, as he'd make you believe; unless for variety, he
+picks out one amongst the rest, now and then, to abuse a little more
+civilly, and then, rubbing up his old College Wit, he Nicknames 'em,
+as you may find elegantly made out at the latter end of his Book,
+(for he shall see that I have read it quite through, and can hop over
+pages as fast as he for the life of him) where he can find no other
+Name or Character for two Gentlemen of Honour and Merit, _viz._ Mr.
+_Congreve_ and Captain _Vanbrooke_, who have written several excellent
+Plays, and who are only scandalous to our Critick, by being good Poets,
+yet these he can give no other Names or Characters, but what are Abusive
+and Ridiculous. [Footnote: Collier, p. 74] The first, for only making
+_Jeremy_, in _Love for Love_, call the Natural inclinations to eating
+and drinking, _Whorson Appetites_, he tells, That the _Manicheans,
+who made Creation the Work of the Devil, scarcely spoke any thing so
+course_. And then very modestly proceeding onwards says, _The Poet was
+_Jeremy_'s Tutor_. The t'other Gentleman he dignifies by a new Coin'd
+name of his own, _viz._ _The Relapser_, and much like an humble Son of
+the Church, a Man of Morals and Manners tells us, _This Poet is fit to
+Ride a Match with Witches: And, that _Juliana Cox_ (_a Non-juring Hag,
+I suppose, of his Acquaintance_) never switch'd a Broom-stick with more
+expedition._ [Footnote: Collier, p. 230.] Faith, such sentences as
+these, may be taking enough amongst his Party; but if this be his way of
+Reproving the Stage, and Teaching the Town Modesty, he will have fewer
+Pupils, I believe, than he imagines.
+
+But to do that Gentleman Broom-stick Rider some Justice, and because we
+shall want a Name hereafter to Christen the t'other, as he has given the
+Name of _Relapser_, so I think that of the _Absolver_ will be a very
+proper one to distinguish our Switcher, by which the Reader may observe,
+that we are civiller to him than he to us however. And first then, I
+desire all Persons to observe, that in other places of the same Chapter
+of his Book, our _Absolver_, for all his detestation of the Stage, and
+of Poetry in general, yet takes a huge deal of pains in taking to
+pieces, and mending the Comedy of the _Relapse_; nay, and to shew how
+transcendent his own Skill in these things is, he has help'd the Author
+to a better Name for his Play, and says, _The Younger Brother_, or, _The
+Fortunate Cheat_, had been much properer. [Footnote: Collier, p. 210.]
+This shews some good will he has to the Comick Trade however; and I
+doubt not, but if his Closet were Ransack'd, we might find a divertive
+Scene or two, effects of his idle Non-preaching hours, where Modesty,
+Wit, and good Behaviour, would be shewn in perfection.
+
+And yet, as to his own humour, we find it to be, by his Book, more
+fickle than even the Wind, or Feminine frailty in its highest
+Inconstancy. One while he's for Instructing our Stage, Modelling our
+Plays, Correcting the Drama, the Unity, Time and Place, and acts as very
+a Poet as ever writ an ill Play, or slept at an ill Sermon; and then,
+presently after, wheiw, in the twinkling of an Ejaculution, as Parson
+_Say-grace_ has it, he's summoning together a Convocation of old
+Fathers, to prove the Stage in past Ages exploded, and all Plays
+horrible, abominable Debauchers of youth, and not to be encourag'd in a
+Civil Government. What can we think of this, especialiy when I find him
+in this Paragraph of his Book * raving on at this rate, and quoting to
+us, That St. _Cyprian_, or the Author _de Spectaculis_, argues thus
+against those who thought the Play-House no unlawful diversion; 'tis too
+tedious to recite all, but enough of St. _Cyprian_ for my purpose runs
+thus:
+
+  What business has a Christian at such Places as these? A Christian
+  who has not the liberty so much as to think of an ill thing, why
+  does he entertain himself with lewd Representations? Has he a mind
+  to discharge his Modesty, and be flesh'd for the Practice? Yes,
+  this is the consequence, by using to see these things, he'll learn
+  to do them; what need I mention the Levities and Impertinencies in
+  Comedies, or the Ranting distractions of Tragedy, were these things
+  unconcern'd with Idolatry, Christians ought not to be at them, for
+  were they not highly Criminal, the foolery of them is Egregious,
+  and unbecoming the gravity of Believers.
+
+And then again, before he is out of breath,
+
+  A Christian has much better Sights than these to look at, he has
+  solid Satisfactions in his power, which will please and improve him
+  at the same time. Would a Christian be agreeably refresh'd, let him
+  read the Scriptures, here the Entertainment will suit his Character,
+  and be big enough for his quality. Ah, Beloved, how noble, how
+  moving, how profitable a thing is it, to be thus employ'd, to have
+  our expectations always in prospect, and be intent on the glories
+  of Heaven!
+
+Very good, and who is he so reprobated, that will not allow this
+to be devout, and admirable good Counsel? But now let us see how the
+_Absolver_, for all Pious quotation, has follow'd St. _Cyprian_'s
+Advice; that holy Father charges him not to entertain himself with such
+lewd things as Plays, and he very dutifully reads a thousand as fast as
+he can; nay, scans and weighs 'em, and, no doubt, not without tickling
+satisfaction, at the present, for all his Saturnine Remarks at last.
+Now if his Answer to this is, That it belongs to his Office, as a
+Church-man, and that he could not reprehend the Vices in 'em without
+reading the Books themselves, I must tell him, That St. _Cyprian_, nor
+the rest of the Fathers, did not allow that, neither do we find they did
+it themselves, for all their inveighing against the Stage; so that he
+makes his own Quotation altogether invalid, _He not being to do ill
+that good might come of it._
+
+And therefore, why may not a Poet now, who, perhaps, is a greater Votary
+to St. _Cyprian_ in other Matters than the _Absolver_ is in this, rally
+him thus, and turn his Quotation upon himself, Phrase by Phrase? "What
+business has a Parson with such Books as these? A Parson who has not the
+liberty so much as to think of an ill thing? Why does he entertain
+himself with lewd Comedies? Has he a mind to discharge his Priestcraft,
+and flesh himself up for a Poet? Yes, this is the consequence, by using
+to see these _smutty_ things, he'll learn to write 'em. What need I
+mention the Sham-Oaths, and looseness of Farce, or the Fustian raving
+against the Gods in Tragedy, were these things really unconcern'd with
+Idolatry, a Parson, of all Mankind, should not be known to ogle them,
+for were they not highly Criminal, the foolery of them is Egregious, and
+unbecoming the gravity of all that thump the Cushion, or intend to thump
+a true Belief into the Pates of an incorrigible Congregation."
+
+And now methinks I see the Spiritual Critick, with a certain sallow
+Male-contented Phiz, poring upon this Page, and sucking his Ring-finger,
+gives himself an unpleasurable minute to Judge whether I have
+paraphras'd right or no; well, all's one, fall back fall edge, I'm
+resolv'd to bait him with St. _Cyprian_ a little more. "A Parson has,
+or should have, much better Books than Plays to look in; he has many
+Authors of Pious and Solid Authorities to please, and improve himself
+with, at the same time. Would a Parson be agreeably refresh'd, let him
+read the Scriptures, let him find out Treatises of Morality, Meekness,
+Charity, and holy Life, there the Entertainment will suit his Character.
+Ah, Beloved, how noble, how moving, how profitable a pleasure would it
+be to us, to see a Parson thus employ'd, to let the Stage's diversions
+be too little for his grave Consideration, and be intent himself on the
+glories of Heaven!" And here now, I do not at all question but the
+_Absolver_, a little nettled at this last Parallel, will fall to biting
+of his fingers again, his Righteous Spirit being offended at my
+Insolence, in scribling the Word _Parson_ so oft, it being a Nickname,
+and only invented by some idle fellow, who resolv'd to use the Order
+with no more respect. Why truly, I confess, in this Case, Modesty is
+a little gravell'd, but then she may thank him for it, for he has
+dignify'd the Poets with so many _Hell-defying_, _deep-mouth'd
+Swearing_, _Relapsing_, _Witch-riding Titles_, that the worthy Ministry
+cannot reasonably be angry, especially when the Word is only meant to
+him, whom I shall prove has lessen'd the true Title, by his _Immorality_
+and _Hypocrisie_, more than ever the Poets did the Reputation of the
+Stage, by their Time-serving Loosenesses and Licentious Diversions.
+
+It is, no doubt, a considerable Maim to us, in some Peoples opinions,
+who never digested the benefits arising from the Stage in its Moral
+Representations, that this smarting Lash is given us by a Clergy-man of
+the Church of _England_, that is, good friends, if he be so, for some
+Judicious Heads are not resolv'd in that Affirmative--but let that be
+_discuss'd_ in another place, I'm sure, if he is, _Obedience to
+Government, in the first place, should be his principal Tenet_; and
+whether that is a part of the _Absolver_'s Character, I think has
+sufficiently appear'd. But let him be what he will, I shall now take the
+pleasure to inform those People, that but few years since, we had a Man
+of Wit and Learning, that wore the Gown, and as true a Son of the Church
+as she could possibly breed; that was intirely devoted a Champion in our
+Cause, and Asserted the Rights of the Stage with Success and Applause;
+and whoever will but look back a little, and incline his Eyes towards
+the delectable River _Cam_, may Encounter the fam'd Wit of that
+University, the Ingenious Mr. _Thomas Randolph_, who in one of his great
+many admirable Pieces, call'd the _Muses Looking-glass_, makes his whole
+Moral to be the Vindication of the Stage, and its usefulness, and by
+shewing the passions in their Kinds, contrives to confute some canting
+prejudic'd Zealots, whose ignorance and frenzy had conspir'd before to
+run it down; I will treat the Reader here with some of it.
+
+  A Country Lass, for such she was, tho here
+  In th' City may be Sluts as well as there;
+  Kept her hands clean, for those being always seen,
+  Had told her else how sluttish she had been;
+  Yet was her Face, as dirty as the Stall
+  Of a Fish-monger, or a Usurer's Hall
+  Begrim'd with filth, that you might boldly say,
+  She was a true piece of _Prometheus_'s Clay.
+  At last, within a Pail, for Country Lasses
+  Have oft you know, no other Looking-glasses,
+  She view'd her dirty Face, and doubtless would
+  Have blush'd, if through so much dirt she could.
+  At last, within that Water, that I say,
+  That shew'd the Dirt, she wash'd the Dirt away.
+    _So, Comedies, as Poets still intend 'em,_
+    _Serve first to shew your faults, and then to mend 'em._
+
+  [Footnote: _Muses Looking-Glass._]
+
+Here was a pretty Compliment to our Art now, a good Moral with good
+Manners into the bargain; and yet 'tis certain the times then were as
+Licentious as now, and the Poets took as little care of their Writings;
+but Mr _Randolph_ always made his good Nature agree with his Wit, and
+put as favourable construction upon Scenes of Diversion, as reason would
+allow, tho he perhaps had as much occasion for 50 _l._ as the Absolver
+when he writ his Book. He knew that if there was so stupid a Temper,
+that the Moral of a Play could not reform, the looseness that was in it
+could not prejudice; nor if a wild Town-Fellow, or a baffl'd Bully, or
+passionate Lover, being characters in a Play, spoke some extravagances
+proper for 'em, would he roar it out for Blasphemy, Profaneness, &_c._
+and make a malicious scrutiny, and unreasonable interpretation of words,
+which had no other intention but to make the Character natural by
+customary manner of Speech, as he has shewn examples by two of his own,
+in the extremes of Vain-glory and Hypocrisie: And yet this Gentleman
+was as Learned, as good a Critick, and as Consciencious a man, as our
+Absolver can pretend to be; and if I say, I had somewhat a better Title
+to Modesty and good Manners, I think it may be made out, he having a
+civil regard to the Poets, defended their Cause, and excus'd some
+failings for the sake of some other Merits, when this treats 'em all
+like fools, tho he has only rak'd up a few of their errors, which he
+has made a huge heap of Rubbish, by peering through his own Magnifying
+Glass, without any allowance to their qualifications, or any modest
+care to do 'em justice, which ought to have been one way as well as
+another.
+
+So much then for his _Modesty_ in one of its kinds, which is decency of
+behaviour and expression; as for the other, he has plaid such a Game at
+Hide and Seek with us, that we have been long in a Mist, not knowing how
+to discover it: But the Air clears, and 'tis time for us now to take the
+right end of the perspective, tho he would give us the Wrong, and then
+try if we cannot discern, in the midst of his Garden of Divinity, a neat
+friend of his call'd Immorality, tho he would subtly insinuate him into
+the world as a stranger, leading his darling daughter dear Hypocrisie
+into an Arbor; where, after they had been some time alone, our Critick
+knowing how to be civil to his own creature, and to give 'em time enough
+to beget a right understanding, he is very glad at last to be a third in
+the company.
+
+I should not have put him upon this warm Office, if I had not found him
+too hot and bold with our Famous Ancient Truth-telling Poet _Juvenal_,
+when in his Book he tells us, _he teaches those vices he would correct,
+and writes more like a Pimp than a Poet_ [Footnote: Collier, p. 70,
+71.]--But upon just consideration, I believe if the Absolver taught the
+Art of Rebellion no more than _Juvenal_ the Art of Pimping, the one
+would be respected in after Ages, as much as we know the other has
+in the former: But every one is Fool or Knave that is not of this
+Gentlemans kidney. A little while after, at the usual rate of his own
+accustom'd civility, he falls upon the _Renown'd Shakespear_, and says,
+he is so guilty, that he is not fit to make an Evidence. [Footnote:
+Collier, p. 50.] Why now it 'twere possible for his Complexion to blush,
+there's ne're a Robe of any Friend Cardinal the Absolver has at _Rome_,
+that can be redder than his would be for such a Position: Nor does it
+end here, but is mixt with some more foolish and insolent Remarks in
+another place, upon the admirable Tragedy of _Hamlet_. And here he has
+no other way to shew his malice, but by ridiculously quibbling upon the
+prettiest Character in it, the innocent young Virgin _Ophelia_, who,
+because the Poet makes her run mad for the death of her Father, and loss
+of her Lover, and consequently makes her sing and speak some idle
+extravagant things, as on such an occasion is natural, and at last drown
+her self, he very masterly tells us, the Poet, _since he was resolv'd to
+drown her like a Kitten, should have set her a swimming a little sooner;
+to keep her alive, only to sully her Reputation, is very cruel_.
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 10.] Yes, but I would fain ask Doctor Absolution
+in what she has sullied her Reputation, I am sure five hundred Audiences
+that have view'd her could never find it out, tho he has; but the
+Absolver can't help being positive and partial to his own humour, tho
+he were to be hang'd, as the Lady was drown'd, for he is very angry in
+another place with the aforesaid Author, for making Sir _Hugh Evens_ in
+the Merry Wives of Windsor, a silly, eating, chattering _Welch_ Priest,
+but vindicates and speaks well, of Sir _John_, Parson of _Wrotham_, in
+the History of Sir _John Oldcastle_; [Footnote: Collier, p. 125.] tho
+he swears, games, wenches, pads, tilts and drinks, and does things which
+our Reformers Guts are ready to come up at another time, only, forsooth,
+because he is stout; but 'tis indeed only _because he is a Parson_, and
+sullen, which he thinks wise, for he cannot endure that Copyhold should
+be touch'd, as you may see more plainly a little further, where he says
+in _Loves Labour Lost_, the Curate plays the fool egregiously; and so
+does the Poet too: there he clenches the Nail, there he gives
+_Shakespear_ a bold stroke, there obstinacy and malice appear in true
+colours: And yet if a parcel of the ones Plays, were set up by way of
+Auction against t'others _Sermons and Essays_; nay, tho the Loyal and
+Politick _Desertion discussd_ was thrown in to boot, I know not what the
+Grave would do, but I am sure the Wise would quickly find difference.
+And yet to Remark him nicely, this humour of railing is only where the
+Poets do not suit with his design; for in another place you'll find this
+same _Shakespear_, that was before too guilty to make an Evidence, a
+very civil person now; for the Reformer is troubl'd with Fits, you must
+know, disturbances i th' brain, which makes him forget one hour what he
+rails at another, for here now _Shakespear_'s _Falstaff_ is call'd the
+admir'd, because he is to serve his turn. And that the Poet _was not so
+partial as to let his humour compound for his lewdness_; but punishes
+him at last, tho he makes him all his life time a damnable, _smutty_
+fellow. [Footnote: ...54] And now, I think, having said enough of his
+modest behaviour, 'twon't be amiss to have a touch or two at his
+Hypocrisy. And first, concerning the word Smutt.
+
+"Smutt, Smutt"! Why does this tarmagant Correcter of our Lives and
+Manners pretend to make us believe that his Mouth or Conscience is so
+streight, that the t'other word can't get passage, or did his Mistress
+(honourable I mean) sit knotting under his Nose when he was writing,
+and so gave occasion for the changing it instead of Bawdy, that that
+odious word might not offend her, tho the Phrase was made Nonsence by
+it--hum--No faith, the case seems to me now to be quite otherwise, and
+really the effect of downright _Hypocrisy_, unless done as I said for
+the last reason; for those that have read his Book, may find sprinkling
+up and down the other words extreamly plain upon occasion, _Ribaldry_
+and _Bawdy_, and _Whores_, and _Whoring_, and _Strumpets_, and
+_Cuckoldmakers_, with as fat a signification as any of the last nam'd
+could wish for their hearts; for example, by way of Tract, first, he
+says, _Euripides_ in his _Hipolitus_, calls _Whoring_ stupidness and
+playing the fool; and secondly, does _Ribaldry_, (not Smut) and Nonsence
+become the dignity of their station. [Footnote: Collier, p 30, 32.]
+Again, _Berinthia_ incourages _Amanda_ to play the _Whore_; and then
+sowse upon _Don Quixot_, [Footnote: p. 74.] when there is not so much
+as one little tiny todpol of _Smut_, that I know of, unless he creates
+it--Yet I am Crambo'd with, _who, with low, nauseous Bawdry fills his
+Plays_. [Footnote: p. 208.] Again speaking of _Jupiter_ and _Alcmena_--
+but her Lover--_that is her Whore-master_. [Footnote: p. 178.] And at
+last with a Rowzer upon Mr _Congreeve_'s _Double Dealer_, where he
+particularly Remarks, _that there are but four Ladies in his Play, and
+three of em are Whores_; adding, withal, that 'tis _a great Compliment
+to Quality, to tell em there is but a quarter of 'em honest_. [Footnote:
+p. 12.] Why who, in the name of _Diana_, and all the rest of the Maiden
+_Goddesses_, does tell 'em so, unless it be Doctor _Crambo_ here--If any
+one calls 'em _Whores_ 'tis he, he that by an assum'd Authority thinks
+he may say any thing; the Ladies, I dare say for the Poet, were drest in
+such clean Linnen, and were so far from being Tawdry, that no Scrutineer
+but our severe Master of Art but wou'd have thought Charitably of 'em.
+Well, but huge Rampant _Whores_ they must be with him tho, and through
+that very mouth that simper'd and primm'd before, as if such a filthy
+word cou'd not possibly break through: It comes out now in sound and
+emphasis, and the modest Pen is as prone and ready to write it. So that
+I once more affirm, that if it were not done in respect to his Lady,
+who, no doubt, peruses him extreamly, it must naturally be the effect
+of _Hypcrisie_, for, to be squeamish in one place and not in another is
+Ridiculous, especially when one word is Innocent in its kind, and makes
+the sense, and the other when us'd makes it wretched Affectation, and
+almost Nonsence.
+
+Now if the _Absolver_ thought Affectation would appear a vertue in him,
+he ought to have squeamifyed the before-mention'd Ladies with some title
+that was new, and if _Smutt_ was chosen to be his fine darling word (and
+the course one of _Whores_ slipt out of his Mouth, or from his Pen, by
+misfortune or chance) he should, in my opinion, have given 'em the title
+of _Smutters_: a primming neat word extremely proper for the occasion:
+And I hope I shall live to see the Master of Art have Modesty enough to
+thank me for't; or else (for my fancy wou'd fain oblige him if it cou'd)
+to make it yet more _German_ to the matter, as _Shakespear_ has it, to
+call em _Colliers_ would be as significant as any thing; for there's
+allusion enough to _Smutt_, or the Devil's in't: For, to deal sincerely,
+and without _Hypocrisie_, I cannot imagine what this learned Gentleman
+can mean by all that Smutt, Smutt, when the other word is as decent and
+more significant, unless he banters, or dissembles, or fear'd the Ladies
+peeping, or is so full of his own name, that he goes along quibbling
+upon't through his Book, with design that way to make himself more
+famous.
+
+In another part of his Treatise too I fancy I find the _Hypocrite_ a
+great deal more than the _Moralist_, and that is, in his kecking at a
+word in one place, and gobbling it up in another. To prove this, I find
+him very like a Ghostly Father of the old _Roman_ Kidney, condemning
+even to the Inquisition: One _Carlos_ in Mr _Dryden_'s _Love
+Triumphant_, for blundring out this _horrible Expression_, as he calls
+it, _Nature has given me my portion of Sense, with a Pox to her_.
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 82.] Now pray observe, the _Absolvers_ Stomach
+is so horribly squeamish, at this he belches, turns pale, and is so very
+sick, that a quartern of Cherry is administered in vain, to set him to
+rights; he prints instead of the word only a great P---- and tells the
+gentle Reader, (that he is intending to lead by the Nose) that the
+_Hellish syllable_ may be found there at length if he pleases. Would
+not any one think now, that did not know that the Small Pox is a common
+Disease, that this word had been _Blasphemy_ in the extremity, the
+renouncing the Deity, or something beyond pardon, and would not one lay
+a Scholars Egg against a Tost and Ale, that the Doctor would ne're be
+concern'd with it as long as he was able to eat or drink either of 'em.
+Why see now how an honest man may be cheated; do but turn to the one
+hundred seventy second page of his Book, and you will find this
+horrible, this hellish, syllable, in its Pontificallibus, at length,
+sitting almost a straddle upon the top of the Page, and us'd familiarly
+and friendly, without so much as once kacking at it, or one invective
+near it, tho the sense of the Curse is as broad as t'other, and has
+rather the worse signification. [Footnote: Collier, p. 172.]
+
+And pray what can this be else but Hypocrisy; if the word were really
+terrifying and horrible to him, it would certainly be so in one place as
+well as another. No, no, these are only flights and amusements, tricks
+of his own studied Legerdemain, to make the bubbled ignorants believe
+him a Saint, and admire his Divinity, when, if they could dive to the
+bottom of the secret, 'tis solemnly believ'd by many of the dutiful Sons
+of the Church, that our Sham-reformer is a much fitter man to win Money
+by his skill at a game of Whisk and Swabbers, than as the case of
+Allegiance, and Morality, stand with him, to win Souls from Reprobation
+by the Integrity of his Principles.
+
+I must treat ye with one instance more of his _Hypocrisie_, and then I
+pass on to another Head. This instance I find Mr _Vanbrook_ has taken
+particular notice of at the latter end of his Book, where, 'tis true,
+every one may see the _Absolvers_ Foible is very plain, but that Author
+has not made the Case parallel with the others Remark upon _Mr.
+Congreve_'s Comedy the _Old Batchelor_, which shews his contradiction of
+himself, and his fallacy undeniable, for there he seems to roar at young
+_Belmour_ for his forgetfulness of Religion, at a minute when he is
+desiring _Letitia to give him leave to swear by her Lips and Eyes_, when
+he is kissing and telling her, _Eternity was in that moment_. [Footnote:
+Collier, p. 63.] In short, when he has got her fast in his Arms, and
+intends to go through stitch with the matter; for which he calls the
+Lady Strumpet, and raves at the smuttiness of the Action; and yet, a
+little while after, in another page, rallies, jokes upon, and banters
+young _Worthy_ in the _Relapse_, for letting his Lady slip through his
+fingers, and calls him a _Town-Spark_, and a _Platonick Fool_ for't.
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 127.] Hey Jingo, here's Riddling for ye! what
+would this whimsical Gentleman be at? first he rails at a Lover for
+holding a pretty Woman fast, and then he jokes upon him for letting
+her go; this runs almost parallel with the Fable of the Satyr and the
+Traveller; but if the Doctor is observ'd to have the faculty of blowing
+hot and cold thus, I believe he may keep his breath either to cool his
+Porridge, or to warm his fingers, and be much better employ'd, than by
+using it to make any Proselytes to his Doctrine; and so much for this
+Head. Now let us try if we can scratch another, and find it out under
+his Night-cap of
+
+
+    _Immorality._
+
+It is not enough to prove a Man is a Moralist, only because he is noted
+for a Regular Life; that may be one good instance indeed; but it can
+never arrive to a proof of the whole, for his living Soberly, and by
+Rule, may as well be caus'd by the defect of his Constitution, as by the
+effect of his Inclination, but 'tis the Spirit and Will, by the fire of
+whose other Virtues, this of Morality is kindled and illustrated. Now I
+will not be so byass'd by other Peoples opinions that know him, to say,
+That our devout Critick owes him seeming Piety, and good life, to his
+ill habit of Body; nor will I load him with Abuse, _right or wrong, as
+he has done me, particularly through a whole Chapter_, but leave that
+charitably to natural Conscience, or studied Artifice, which he pleases,
+and only reflect a little on the temper of his Mind, as I have found it
+blazing in this last, as well as others of his Books. In the first
+place, if Stubbornness, which causes wrong opinion of the present Regal
+Authority and Government, is an Immoral Vice, if he is not tainted,
+I know not who is; for let any one, who is not blinded with Partiality,
+but read his _Desertion Discuss'd_, with the admirable Answer to it, and
+I am satisfied he cannot help joining with me in this opinion, That what
+he would insinuate to be the effect of Right in others, and of
+Conscience in himself, is nothing but the effect of Error in one, and
+Obstinacy and Stubborn Will in t'other, a humour resolv'd to defend and
+carry on a hot Argument, tho it has been never so plain and reasonably
+confuted: the Positions and Answers on this subject I shall not insert
+here, but leave the Reader, whose curiosity obliges him, to the Papers
+themselves, only I wish the _Absolver_ had made _Newgate_ the last Scene
+of that part of his _Immorality_, and by an humble acknowledgment to his
+Patron that redeemed him, (I hope the word will bear in this place) have
+spar'd his Office of _Absolution_ in another Scene, and consequently
+given no occasion to believe that his disobedient humour, and turbulent
+nature, still proceeds daily, to cultivate his Party with the same
+Principles as far as he can.
+
+Another spice of _Immorality_ I believe I can make appear by his Pride,
+and tho' in other places it is to be found, yet is most fairly instanc'd
+in his _Book of Essays_, where, tho' we find one Chapter wholly upon
+that Vice, which, to shew his Justice, begins with a Compliment upon the
+same _Juvenal_, now he has use for him whom he call'd Pimp before, yet
+it has not bulk enough to Skreen from us his haughtiness in another,
+which he calls the _Office of a Chaplain_, for there you shall find
+he has collected the Spirit of them all, and blended them into one
+Character; I mean the ill Spirits of the ill _Chaplains_, _those that
+are good I honour_. Here you may find his Likeness in _Don Quixot_,
+_Roger_ in the _Scornful Lady_, _Bull_ in the _Relapse_, _Say-grace_,
+_Cuff-cushion_, and others, all learning their Lessons of their stubborn
+Superior our Reformer, and all tending to governing, brow-beating,
+snubbing, commanding Families, and the like, but not one word of
+_humility_ tack'd to't, for fear of spoiling the Character; there
+you may find 24 pages, one after another, all written to prove most
+gloriously, that 'tis impossible for a _Chaplain_ to be a Servant; that
+tho' you find a poor fellow in a tatter'd Excommunicated Gown with one
+sleeve, Shoes without heels, miserable Antichristian breeches, with
+some two dozen of creepers brooding in the seams; and tho' you take
+him charitably to your House, feed, clothe, and give him wages, yet
+he belongs only _to God_, and not you, and you must not think him your
+_Domestick_, but your _Superior_. Why, what a Scheme is here laid for
+Vanity and Folly, add how much more shining and beautiful does gratitude
+and humility appear in such a Depender, than such a bloated opinion as
+this? Would any honest Gentleman, that has his sences, shew his
+Indulgence and Generosity to Wit or Learning, on such terms as these?
+And does not this Chapter shew more the Spirit of Pride in our
+_Absolver_, relating to his own humour, than the veneration he has for
+the Clergy, or the Justice he would seem to do them in it? I dare
+affirm, most of them are against this Opinion, at least I'm sure all
+the modest part are, who cannot but own themselves subservient to their
+Patrons that maintain them, tho' at the same time they are Ministers of
+_Gods holy Words and Sacraments_. Yet he buffly goes on, _He is Gods
+Minister, not Mans Servant_. [Footnote: _Office of a Chaplain_, p. 178.]
+And a little way further, he clenches this admirable Notion through and
+through; therefore, says he, _for a Patron to acconnt such a Consecrated
+Person, as if he belong'd to him as a Servant, is in effect to challenge
+Divine Honours, and set himself up for a God_. [Footnote: Ib. _p._ 185.]
+Here's Ambition, here's Perfection, here's old _Bonner_ for ye. Now by
+his _Hollidame_, for I can't forbear that Oath now, what can a squeamish
+Critick, that would make _Remarks_ upon the _Remarker_ call this? But
+stay, he's at it again, _Dolopion_, says he, _was Priest to _Scamander_,
+and regarded like the God he belong'd to_. [Footnote: Collier, _p.
+113._] Pray mind him, the Priest was worshipp'd equal with the God--oh
+rare Moralist--if he were, 'twas an _AEgyptian_ Worship, where only
+_Calves_ and _Apes_, and _Carrots_ and _Onions_, were _Gods_. But pray
+let us see a little, has not this Divine quotation a tang of _Blasphemy_
+in't? Oh fie, no; what, the _Moralist_! _Reformer_ of _Vices_! Speak
+_Blasphemy_! Impossible! he can't sure! Yes, yes, he may, when he thinks
+no body can find him out: and faith, to my sence now, this smells as
+rank of _Pandemonium_, of fire and brimstone, to the full, if not worse,
+than Mr. _Dryden_'s Verse, _Whether inspir'd with a Diviner Lust his
+father got him_, &c. [Footnote: Absalom _and_ Achit.] which is spoken
+only in the figurative Person of _David_; yet he says 'tis _downright
+defiance of the Living God, and the very Essence and Spirit of
+Blasphemy_. [Footnote: Collier _p. 184._] And here now his Stomach
+wambled more terribly than before; so that if his Friend were by, he
+must of necessity hold the Bason. Oh me! he reaches and reaches, and
+first up comes--egh--_I question whether_--egh--_the torments and
+despair of the Damn'd_--egh--_dare venture at such flights as these_.
+And now the Head being held by the same hand, at two reaches more it
+comes all up, mix'd with a Tincture of old _Bonner_ again--egh--
+_I can't forbear saying, that the next bad thing to writing these
+Impieties_--egh--_is to suffer them_. And now the Fit's over, leaving
+us to imagine what rare Church Discipline we should have, if this
+Gentleman, and his Cat with nine Tails, were in Power; I think a Couplet
+or two here, by way of Advice to him, is not improper.
+
+  Your Tribe should all be in Opinion steady,
+  Not turn or wind for Power or for Place,
+  Nor covet Wealth but in Spiritual Grace.
+  The Gifts of _Mammon_ you should ne'r implore,
+  Nor wish for Gold, unless to give the Poor;
+  It makes your Art contemptible appear,
+  Less follow'd too, and look'd into more near;
+  For if all those that preach up Paradise,
+  Will have their shares of every human Vice,
+  They shall Cant long enough e're I believe,
+  Or pin my Soul's Salvation on their sleeve.
+
+  [Footnote: Weesils, p. 11.]
+
+Here now, ten to one, but I shall make our Reformer fall into another
+fit, by pretending to Counsel him, or take his Office of Ordinary upon
+my self; for in page 138, he will not give up that leave, _What, is the
+Pulpit under the Discipline of the Stage? And are those fit to correct
+the Church, that are not fit to come into it_? [Footnote: Collier, p.
+138.] Ah! Doctor, rub your eyes a little, and see what the Vindicator
+of the Stage says, quoting Divine _Herbert_:
+
+  A Verse may find him who a Sermon flies,
+  And turn delight into a Sacrifice.
+
+Besides I do assure you, spite of your Ghostly Authority, and
+Uncharitable Position, that we are not fit, we will come in, and not
+only imbibe the Mystery of _Divinity_ from the Pulpit, but unriddle
+the Mystery of _Iniquity_, if we can find any there. _Ben Johnson_
+found out _Ananias_ and _Rabby Buisy_; _Fletcher_, _Hypocritical
+Roger_; _Shakespear_, _Sir John_ of _Wrotham_; _Congreve_, _Say-grace_;
+_Vanbrook_, _Bull_; _Shadwell_, _Smirk;_ and if _Durfey_ can find out
+a proud, stubborn, immoral _Bernard_, [Footnote: The Chaplains Name
+in _Don Quixot_.] one, that when he was a Country Curate, _would not
+let the Children be brought to Church to be Christned for some odd
+Jesuitical Reasons_ best known to himself, he shall presume to draw his
+Picture, tho the _Absolver_ drop another Chapter of Abuse upon him for
+so doing.
+
+We find, for many Ages past, Poets have enjoy'd this Priviledge; our
+Prince of Poets, _Chaucer,_ had so much to do in this kind, that we find
+him weary himself, and loth to weary others with.
+
+  Of Freers I have told before,
+    In a making of a Crede,
+  And yet I cold tell worse, or more,
+    But Men would werien it to read.
+
+  [Footnote: Chaucer]
+
+This I think is pithy, but here again I think his Counsel to them is
+much better.
+
+  Fly fro the Prease and dwell with soothfastness,
+    Suffice unto thy good, tho it be small,
+  For horde hath, and climbing tickleness,
+    Prease hath Envy, and wele is blent ore all;
+  Savour no more then thee behove shall,
+  Rede wele thy self that other folk canst rede,
+  And trouth thee shall deliver it is no drede.
+
+Now if he be Moral enough to take old _Chaucer_'s Advice I shall be
+glad; and so much for that subject. There is nothing now remains, before
+I come to vindicate _Don Quixot_, but a large Remark of his, upon the
+little or no swearing in Plays, which commonly is only a kind of an
+Interjection, as gad, I cod, oonz, _&c._ which I don't defend neither,
+and if any others have carelesly past the Press I'm sorry for't, for I
+hate them as much as he, yet because the Doctor has quoted the Statute
+Law against it and Players, to slander on one side, tho to reform on
+t'other, I will in return quote another piece of Law relating to Oaths,
+extreamly for his advantage, for there is only this quibbling difference
+between us, 'Tis a fault in us in swearing when we should not, and in
+him for not swearing when he should; but that now he may have occasion
+to say my Civilities are particular to him, I will make him do't.
+
+  I _J.C._ do sincerely promise and swear, that I will be faithful,
+  and bear true Allegiance to His Majesty King _William_: And I do
+  swear that I do, from my heart, abhor, detest and abjure, as Impious
+  and Heretical, that damnable Doctrine and Position, that Princes
+  excommunicated, or depriv'd by the Pope, or any Authority of the
+  See of _Rome_, may be Depos'd or Murther'd by their Subjects, or
+  any other whatsoever.
+
+  And I do declare that no Foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State
+  or Potentate, hath, or aught to have, any Jurisdiction, Power,
+  Superiority, Preeminence or Authority, Ecclesiastical or Spiritual,
+  within this Realm. _So help me God._
+
+This now, with a sincerity proper, and coming to Church to hear our
+Divine Service, with the _Prayer_ for the _King_ in't, would give one a
+little satisfaction as to the Doctors present opinion, for what he has
+been, if you will but examine and scan it by his Book, tho it be a
+Reforming Book, is I am sure very disputable; in one Page of it he seems
+very zealous for the Protestant Reformation, and says, being very much
+piqu'd at _Sir John Brute_'s putting on a Clergy-man's Habit in the
+_Provok'd Wife_, _that the Church of _England_, he means the Men in her,
+is the only communion in the world, that will endure such insolencies as
+these_ [Footnote: Collier, p. 108.]; and this, tho it be somewhat
+_Bonnerish_ again, and _Switcher_-like, yet however seems to leer of
+our side; but then presently in another place he's as zealous for the
+_Roman_ Sect, and Jesuitically condemns a little wholesom Satyr in the
+Character of a pamper'd hypocritical covetous _Spanish Fryer_, for
+incivility in making him a Pimp to _Lorenzo_, and is very angry at the
+Author for calling this virtuous person _a parcel of holy Guts and
+Garbidge_, and telling him _that he has room in his Belly for his
+Church-steeple_; [Footnote: Collier, p. 98.] and here his Lash is up
+again for abusing them--oh--if _Doctor Absolution_ were Inquisitor
+general, and a Satyrist against Priests came under his hand, mercy upon
+us, how that poor Rascal would be flaug'd, for I find 'tis only the
+person of the Priest that he would have reverenc'd, let his opinion be
+what it will; nay, tho he were a _Priest of Baal_, as may be prov'd a
+little further, for here his Zeal shews itself not only for Christians,
+but the very _Turks_ too; and cavils again with _Jacinta_, in the _Mock
+Astrologer_, for jesting with _Alla_, and honest _Mahomet_, for he was
+a Brother Priest too: [Footnote: Collier, p. 61.] But stay, what's worst
+of all, have but patience to walk to another Page, and here you will
+find him just sinking into a downright doze and despondency, whither he
+had best set up for any Religion at all, or at least for one very
+indifferent.
+
+_Our Poets, I suppose, would call this Preaching, and think it a dull
+business; however, I can't forbear saying, an honest Heathen is none
+of the worst men, a very indifferent Religion well believ'd, will go a
+great way._ [Footnote: Collier, p. 28.] --Will it so, pray friends de'e
+not think our hot reforming Gentleman is very Luke-warm here, or not a
+little craz'd when he writ this, or, as the vulgar have it, was not his
+mighty Wit run a Wool-gathering; for if he be for _Protestantism_, and
+_Popery_, and then whip--amongst the _Bens of the _Arabians_ for _Alla_
+and _Mahomet_,_ and at last for little or no Religion at all, I'm afraid
+I shall never bring my self to be reform'd by him. And so at him agen
+Weesil.
+
+  For who with Reason, if this be your way,
+  Will ever value what you Preach or Pray.
+
+  [Footnote: _Weesils_.]
+
+But now I think I have said enough for the Plays, whose Authors are much
+better able to speak for themselves; and therefore will fall off to
+vindicate my self a little, and my Acquaintance _Don Quixot_; in which
+I will endeavour to prove another Immoral Vice in our Stage-Reformer,
+which is
+
+
+    _Injustice and Error in Criticism._
+
+And first, his _Injustice_ appears by his ungentlemanlike exposing me
+and others by name, upon a scandalous occasion (as he endeavours to
+make it) without any Injury done by me to him, or ever giving him any
+provocation, or the Play's any way deserving it. Oh, but he'll say his
+Conscience urg'd him to do it--No--not a jot; 'twas dear darling
+Interest, in good faith, as shall hereafter appear; but in the mean
+time I am planted upon the shoulders of a Gyant, which is the Ingenious
+Author of the History of _Don Quixote_; and there indeed he guesses
+right, tho he knows nothing of him or of his History, as I will prove
+by and by, yet confidently, and Absolver-like, he ranges his objections
+under three heads, which are every one malicious and false, _viz._
+
+First, _The Prophaneness, with respect to Religion and the Holy
+Scriptures_.
+
+Secondly, _The Abuse of the Clergy_.
+
+Thirdly, _The want of Modesty, and Regard to the Audience_.
+
+Well, to prove the Prophaneness, he first instances a bold Song of mine,
+as he calls it, against Providence; four of the last lines of which he
+is only pleas'd to shew ye.
+
+  But Providence, that form'd the fair
+    In such a charming skin,
+  Their outside made its only care,
+    And never look'd within.
+
+  [Footnote: D. Quix. p. 1. p. 20.]
+
+_Here_, says he, _the Poet tells ye Providence makes Mankind by halves,
+huddles up the Soul, and takes the least care of the better Moyety; this
+is direct blaspheming the Creation, and a Satyr upon God Almighty_.
+[Footnote: Collier p. 97.] Why, now this, I confess, is enough to
+provoke some heat in a fellow of my Constitution, to hear this Religious
+Raving; but yet it looks so like _Oliver's Porter's in Bedlam_, that I
+will be calm, and patiently holding up my hand, plead _Not Guilty_--to
+all of these objections. But first, pray why does he foyst in the word
+Mankind here to express the Female Sex, when t'other word is so much
+more proper. I did intend indeed a small Satyr upon _Womankind_,
+pursuant to _Marcella_'s Character, and he has vary'd from that word,
+I suppose, to amuse the Reader--I'll give ye the whole Stanza.
+
+  Did coy _Marcella_ own a Soul
+    As beauteous as her Eyes,
+  Her Judgment wou'd her Sence controul,
+    And teach her how to prize.
+  But Providence, that form'd the fair
+    In such a charming Skin,
+  Their outside made its only care,
+    And never look'd within.
+
+I only rally a pretty coy wench here for her sullen ill nature, without
+any Satyr on the Deity, or any thing like it; for as to the _Blasphemy_,
+as he calls it, by naming the word _Providence_, 'tis generally intended
+in Lyrical Poetry for _Goddess Nature_, or _Fortune_, as Mr _Vanbrooke_
+notes; but never apply'd seriously to the true Deity, but only by Dr
+_Crambo_. How often have we this phrase in Poetry, _Nature has made her
+Body charming; see her bright Eyes, the charming gifts of Nature_, &c.
+making use still of the second cause instead of the first, which we yet
+know to be the original of all. And 'tis no more Blasphemy to say that
+Providence took more care of a perverse beautiful Womans Body than her
+Soul, than 'tis to say that the Sun made a gay Tulip flourish in a
+Garden to delight the Eye, not caring three-pence tho it never smelt
+so sweet as a Province rose.
+
+But I have a Rigid Critick and a Severe Inquisitor to deal with--He will
+have a Satyr upon the true Deity, tho I intend nothing of it. And to go
+on, my next advance he says is to Droll upon the _Resurrection_; and to
+prove it, squirts out these two lines, which are pick'd out of
+twenty--which he thinks are fit for his purpose--
+
+  Sleep and Indulge thy self with rest,
+  Nor dream thou e're shalt rise again.
+
+  [Footnote: Ibid.]
+
+Now you must know this Song was design'd a solemn piece of morality,
+and sung as a Requiem or Dirge at the Funeral of _Ambrosio_--A young
+Gentleman that dy'd for Love of the aforesaid _Marcella_--You shall have
+it all, that you may judge what Drolling is in't.
+
+      (1.)
+  Sleep, sleep, poor Youth, sleep, sleep in Peace,
+    Reliev'd from Love, and mortal care,
+  Whilst we that pine in Life's disease,
+    Uncertain blest, less happy are.
+      (2.)
+  Couch'd in the dark and silent Grave,
+    No ills of Fate thou now canst fear;
+  No more shall Tyrant Power inslave,
+    Or scornful Beauty be severe.
+      (3.)
+  Wars, that do fatal storms disperse,
+    Far from thy happy Mansion keep;
+  Earthquakes, that shake the Universe,
+    Can't rock thee into sounder sleep.
+      (4.)
+  With all the Charms of Peace possest,
+    Secur'd from Life's tormentor, Pain:
+  Sleep and indulge thy self with rest,
+    Nor dream thou e're shall rise again.
+      (5.)
+  Past are the Pangs of fear and doubt,
+    The Sun is from the Dial gone,
+  The Sands are sunk, the Glass is out,
+    The folly of the Farce is done.
+
+  [Footnote: D. Quix. p 20.]
+
+Now will I be judg'd by any reasonable Man, if these words comparatively
+are not fitter for an _Anthem_ than a Droll, but the Reformers way of
+doing me Justice, is to take bits and morsels out of things, that for
+want of the connexion, they may consequently appear ridiculous, as here
+he does. Again, in his third objection against my third Song, where he
+says-- _I_, (that is in my own person) _make a jest of the Fall, rail
+at _Adam_ and _Eve_;_ and then _Oliver's Porter_, raving again, says,
+_I burlesque the Conduct of God Almighty_; [Footnote: Ibid.] now, pray
+judge whether it ought to be Constru'd so or no. This Song is suppos'd
+to be made and sung by _Gines de Passamonte_, a most notorious
+Atheistical Villain, who, as he is going Chain'd to the Galleys, is
+redeem'd from them by _Don Quixot_ in his frantick fit; after which,
+being extreamly pleas'd at the success, he, to make his deliverer merry,
+entertains him with this Vindication of a Rogue, which is indeed a Satyr
+upon Humanity in general. I will add agen to our Criticks morsel, for he
+notes but the four first lines in a place, and give ye one whole Stanza.
+
+      When the World first knew Creation,
+      A Rogue was a Top profession;
+      When there were no more
+        In all Nature but four,
+    There were two of 'em in Transgression.
+      And the seeds are no less
+      Since that we may guess,
+    But have in all Ages bin growing apace;
+      And Lying and Thieving,
+      Craft, Pride and Deceiving,
+    Rage, Murder and Roaring,
+      Rape, Incest and Whoring,
+  Branch out from Stock, the rank Vices in vogue,
+    And make all Mankind one Gigantical Rogue.
+
+And so on: Now tho I grant this might be look'd on as prophane in it
+self, without application, yet when spoken by one of his character, whom
+I design to expose, it is no more than natural Character, and has so
+little the quality of Prophaneness, that my impartial Reader will find a
+very good Moral in it, by the odious representation of such Atheistical
+impudence; yet our good natur'd Critick makes me the Prophaner. He,
+cramm'd full of wonderful Justice, makes me the _Vice_ my self, that
+only act the true duty of a Poet, and hold up the Glass for others to
+see their _Vices_ in, but his Malice will not be Authentick with every
+one, no more than his next Addle Criticism, upon my using the word
+_Redeemer_ will bear the Test; for he that will argue that that word may
+not be innocently spoken in Temporal Matters, because it is sometimes
+us'd as a _Divine Attribute_, will prove himself rather a Coxcomb than a
+Casuist: And yet for only this poor word the Cat with Nine Tails are up
+again, and the Inquisitor in a rage cries out, _these insolencies are
+too big for the Correction of a Pen_. [Footnote: Collier, p. 198.] Very
+fine, what horrible correction this deserves, is easily judg'd, and I
+believe 'twill be own'd too, that if Doctor Absolution (when the
+charitable Prelates good Nature and Purse got him out of his Stone
+Apartment yonder, into which _his bigotted obstinacy and not his tender
+Conscience_ had thrown him) did not think him his _Redeemer_, and thank
+him as his _Redeemer_, he does not only deserve Correction for his
+wicked ingratitude, (which _especially in one of his Coat, is an immoral
+Cheat upon Heaven_) but to have the same punishment that another of
+his Coat and Kidney lately had, for a Cheat upon the Government and
+People.
+
+But to go on: In the next place he finds fault with my making sport with
+Hell, and recites six Lines, which are made of Dogril Stuff, on purpose
+by the Duke's Servants, who, for his diversion, Acting a kind of Farce
+are to fright _Sancho_ with Goblings and Furies--but to shew his own Wit
+in the first Onset here, he has notably made the two first Lines half
+nonsence.
+
+  Appear ye fat Fiends that in Limbo do groan,
+  That were, when in flesh, the same Souls as his own.
+
+Instead of-- _that wore when in flesh_, &c.
+
+  You that always in _Lucifer_'s Kitchin reside,
+  'Mongst Sea-coal and Kettles, and grease newly Try'd,
+  That pamper'd each day with the Garbidge of Souls,
+  Broil Rashers of Fools for a Break-fast on Coals.
+
+  [Footnote: Collier, p. 198.]
+
+Words adapted only to _Sancho_'s Clownship, course Breeding, and Kitchin
+Profession, and with no more intent of Impiety in them, than if one
+should put on a Devils Vizard to play with a Child, does he note again
+as horrible Prophaneness, and says he does me no wrong in't; now if he
+insists that Hell is too serious a thing to ridicule, why, perhaps, I
+think so too, in its Intense quality; but to act a Goblin, a Ghost, a
+Frog, or a Fury, and to sing to a Country Clown of such Bugbear matters,
+only to cause a little Diversion in a Noblemans House, has always been
+very customary, especially at Festivals, and far from being thought to
+ridicule the main matter. The _Absolver_, to turn back a little, affirms
+indeed, That _those that bring Devils upon the stage, can hardly
+believe them any where else_ [Footnote: Collier, p. 189.]; but I can
+give an instance, that our famous _Ben Johnson_, who I will believe had
+a Conscience as good as the Doctors, and who liv'd in as Pious an Age,
+in his Comedy call'd the _Devil's an Ass_ [Footnote: Vid. _Devil's an
+Ass_, p. 9.], makes his first Scene a Solemn Hell, where _Lucifer_ sits
+in State with all his Privy-Council about him: and when he makes an
+under Pug there beaten and fool'd by a Clod-pated Squire and his wanton
+Wife, the Audience took the Representation morally, and never keck'd at
+the matter. Nay, _Milton_, tho' upon his secred Subject, comes very near
+the same thing too; but we must not laugh at silly _Sancho_, nor put on
+a Devils face to fright him, but we must be disciplin'd; nay, more,
+Presented for it. Here, tho' I digress a little, I cannot forbear
+telling some, that were too busie in doing that Office, that 'tis more
+easie to accuse our Writings for Blasphemous, than to prove them to be
+so. To detect us indeed fairly, and prove it upon us, would deserve
+severe Chastisement; but if it be mistake, and our reputations are
+injur'd by Rashness and Injustice, or Ignorance, reflection upon it is
+at least reasonable, and just reproof I think not improper. But to go
+on; my next fault is the Ass that's brought upon the Stage in the
+Epilogue, with two lines alluding to _Balaam_'s.
+
+  And as 'tis said a Parlous Ass once spoke,
+  When Crab-tree Cudgel did his rage provoke, &c.
+
+Here he says, _I brought the Ass in only to laugh at the Miracle_:
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 199.] Not I, truly, I had no such intention upon
+my word; I brought the Ass in, and _Dogget_ upon him, only to make the
+Audience laugh at his figure at the end of the Play, as well as they had
+at the beginning; but I believe if I had put an _Absolver_ upon his
+back, giving him a Blessing, it would have been more divertive by half;
+but let him alone, the next horrible Crime is, I meddle with Churchmen,
+and there my _malice makes me_, he says, _lay about me like a Knight
+Errant_; [Footnote: Collier, p. 200.] but I believe I shall prove, for
+all the modesty he pretends to, that his malice is more in reference to
+Poets, than ever mine was to Churchmen. Well, my Second Part begins, he
+says, with _Devil's being brought upon the Stage_, who cries, _As he
+hopes to be sav'd; and _Sancho_ warrants him a good Christian._ Now this
+is a ridiculous mistake, for this Devil is only a Butler, and a Jest of
+his _Giants_, the witty Author of the History of _Don Quixot_, where one
+of the Duke's Servants acting a Devils Part to fright the Knight and
+Squire, blunders it out before he is aware, and _Sancho _hearing it, as
+foolishly replies. This would be humorously witty now with any one but
+our Critick; but he's resolv'd to see double, as he does presently again
+with my _deep-mouth'd swearing_ which he says is frequent, tho he has
+quoted none on't, and therefore the Reader is not oblig'd to believe
+him. But then I have made the _Curate _Perez_ assist at the ridiculous
+Ceremony of _Don Quixot_;_ I have so--what then?--but I have made him
+_have wit enough_, however, to know _Don Quixot_ for a Madman; but then
+_Sancho_, by way of Proverb, tells him, _Ah--Consider dear Sir, no Man
+is born wise_: to which briskly replies the Doctor, _What if he were
+born wise, he might be bred a Fool_. [Footnote: Collier, Ibid.] Faith,
+no Doctor: and to be free with ye, (_en Raillere_) as you have been with
+me, must beg leave to tell ye, If you had been born wise enough to be
+a Reformer, your Breeding could never have made ye Fool enough to be
+an Absolver; I mean in a Case like you know what; but let us proceed.
+The next is a swinger, and his Lash cuts even to the blood: for here
+_Sancho_, full of innocent simplicity, says, _A Bishop is no more than
+another Man, without Grace and good Breeding_. To which he presently
+darts out, _I must needs say, if the Poet had any share of either of
+these Qualities, he would be less bold with his Superiors, and not give
+his Clowns the liberty to Droll thus heavily upon a solemn Character_.
+[Footnote: Ibid.] Why, faith, now this is very hard, I have known a
+Country Wench name a _Bishop_ in the Burning-too of a Hasty-Pudding,
+and never heard that any of the Reverend took it ill, because it was
+a Common Saying, and below their notice. But poor _Sancbo_, or rather
+indeed _Sancho_'s Poet, my self, must be corrected for it, tho the
+Phrase be Moral, and no more than an honest truth: But come, since it
+must be so, let me ask the doctor why he does not shew me an example
+for this himself, and Practice better before he Accuses; for let the
+Reader look into his _Desertion Discuss'd_ (for he shall find that I
+have trac'd him through all his Writings), and page the 3d you will
+find him, I think, somewhat more guilty of this fault than I have been,
+for there you'll see he insolently affirms, _That the Succession cannot
+be interrupted by an Act of Parliament, especially when the Royal Assent
+is given by a King _de Facto_, and not _de Jure_. [Footnote: _Desertion
+Discuss'd_, Anno 1688.] And again; tho this next is hinted covertly,
+with the meaning disguis'd, yet Sir _William Temple_ in his Memoirs,
+page 295, and the aforesaid Vindicater of the Stage, as well as my self,
+have observed, that the _Absolver_ in the first Volume of his Essays,
+page 120, in his Chapter of the _A..._ tells us, _Whether the honesty or
+dishonesty are discernable in the face, is a question which admits of
+dispute; King _Charles_ the Second thought he could depend upon these
+Observations, but with submission, I believe an instance might be
+given, in which his Rules of Physiognomy fail'd_ [Footnote: _Essays_,
+p.120.]. Now I'm sure the first is insolently plain, and the next shews
+enough to let us into his meaning; which granted, I think I may say, he
+ought to be less bold with his Superiors too, and not give himself the
+liberty to treat at this rate, not only a Solemn, but a _Royal
+Character_. Well, the next is, I, (naming me) take care to tell ye, that
+_Sancho_ is _a dry shrewd Countryfellow_ in his Character, _because he
+blunders out Proverbs upon all occasions, tho never so far from the
+purpose_--and merrily drolls upon me for making blundering and talking
+nothing to the purpose, an argument of shrewdness--Why truly, I must
+confess to the Doctor, there is no great matter in that Argument, and
+not much whither there be or no--But, as unperforming as I am, I fancy I
+shall find as great a Blunder in his performance presently-- _We ought
+to be just in our Looks, as well as in our Actions_, says he in his
+Essays, _for the mind may be declar'd one way no less than the other:
+A man might as good break his Word as his Face, especially upon some
+Critical occasions_ [Footnote: Essays p. 118.]. Now what he means by a
+mans breaking his Face there, unless he is to run his Nose against a
+Post, I can't imagine; and therefore will set it down for a Blunder--And
+so there's Tit for Tat, and the Dice in my hand still. But poor _Sancho_
+is horribly unfortunate agen, for by and by he catches him answering the
+Curate, who threatens him for calling him Finisher of Fornication, and
+Conjunction Copulative, with Excommunication, _I care not if you do,
+says Sancho, I shall lose nothing by it but my Nap in an afternoon_
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 201.]. Why truly this might be thought a little
+sawcy from one in Trowsers, to one in a Cassock, especially as the
+Reformer would have him reverenc'd. But perhaps this Pragmatical Curate
+_Perez_ was some _Non-Juror_, and poor _Sancho_ did not think he should
+profit by his Doctrine; and then the honest fellow was much in the
+right. This puts me in mind of a passage in one of Mr _Crown_'s
+Comedies, where a surly Joyner is rallying with a Doctor of no very
+good Reputation too; _Sirrah, Sirrah, says the Doctor, I shall have
+your Ears--No, No, says _Chizzel_, never when you preach, Doctor_.
+Our Absolver may apply this now as he pleases.
+
+And here are a bundle of faults together--_Jodolet_, another Priest, is
+call'd holy Cormorant [Footnote: Ibid.], only because he eats a Turkey,
+and drinks a Bottle or two of Malaga for his Breakfast; and the Poet is
+jerk'd because a gormandizing _Romish_ Priest is call'd a Pimp agen; and
+the Duke's Steward, _Manuel_, is no _witty pleasant fellow_, because he
+calls the Chaplain, whom I mentioned in the beginning of my Preface, and
+who is, no doubt, the sole occasion of this Gentleman's Pique to me--Mr
+_Cuff-cushion_; and because having an insight into his Character, he
+tells him, _a Whore is a Pulpit be loves_ [Footnote: Ibid.]; but my hope
+is, that my Reader will think him no fool for this, tho the Carper does,
+who then tells the Chaplain _Saygrace_, _and he supposes prays to God
+to bless the entertainment of the Devil_, tho there is not a word of
+a Grace spoke at all; and after, when he grows hot, positive, and
+impertinent, which the Duke his patron being at Table, only bears with,
+to divert himself, he insolently calls _Don Quixot_, Don Coxcomb, who
+justly enrag'd, returns him in this Language:
+
+  Oh thou vile black Fox, with a Firebrand in thy Tail, thou very
+  priest, thou kindler of all Mischiefs in all Nations, de'e hear,
+  Homily, did not the reverence I bear these Nobles--I would so thrum
+  your Cassock, you Church Vermin-- [Footnote: Collier, p. 202.]
+
+Here now, to shew his Justice he slily stops and gives a dash, so
+makes it Nonsense, but I shall make bold to piece it out again. _Did
+not the reverence I bear these Nobles, tye up my hands from doing myself
+Justice, I would so thrum your Cassock you Church Vermin_--Now, because
+my Reader shall find that I have naturally pursu'd the character of this
+Chaplain, as _Don Quixot_'s Historian has presented him to me, you shall
+hear what account he gives of him. Here is, says he,
+
+  a good Character of a poor Pedant; one of them that govern great
+  men's Houses, one of those, that as they are not born Noble, so they
+  know not how to instruct those that are; one of those, that would
+  have great men's Liberality measur'd by the streightness of their
+  own Minds; one of those, that teaching those they govern to be
+  frugal, would make 'em miserable. [Footnote: Shelton's _Translation
+  of the History of _D. Quix._ Chap._ 31. p. 152.]
+
+Now this considerable person as you find him here, who was indeed for
+his senseless humour of designing to govern--us'd no otherwise than as
+the Buffoon of the Family--takes upon him to call _Don Quixot_ (whom the
+Authour imbellishes, with all manner of learning and good sense, bating
+his whimsical Chimaera of Knight Errantry,) _Goodman Dulpate_ and _Don
+Coxcomb_. Well, however the _Switcher_ here has escap'd for his usage of
+a Gentleman in or near this manner, I believe my Judges will agree, that
+my Knight was so far from injuring the sawcy Trencherfly, by the reply
+he give him, that if he had not known and practic'd good breeding,
+better than the other, he would have broke his head into the bargain. As
+for his bidding him adieu in Language too prophane and scandalous for
+our Reformer to relate, is impossible, for he has prov'd often enough
+the contrary of that in his Book already. But for the Song in the Fourth
+Act, where the Country Fellow says, _Folks never mind now what those
+black Cattle say_ [Footnote: Ibid.]: He is only suppos'd for another
+Bumpkin, that amongst the rest of the Parishioners, had found out the
+Parsons blind side, and so behind his back took occasion to put a joke
+upon him, as well as the rest in that Satyr mention'd.
+
+And now his third place is to prove my want of Modesty, and regard to
+the Audience--And here he's chewing his savoury word _Smutt_ agen, and
+says _Sancho_ and _Teresa_ talk it broad [Footnote: Collier, p. 203.];
+but since his Modesty has not quoted it, I hope my Reader will believe
+so well of mine, to think I have not written it; I assure him I don't
+know of any. And I have prov'd our Reformer can mistake, as he does of
+_Marcellas_ Epilogue, who Raves, he says, with Raptures of Indecency,
+when the poor Creature is so cold, after her hot fit, that she rather
+wants a dram of the Bottle--But now, Bounce, for a full charge of Small
+Shot; here he has gather'd up a heap of Epithets together, without any
+words between, or connexion to make 'em sense; and this he says I divert
+the Ladies with--_Snotty nose, filthy vermin in the Beard, Nitty Jerkin,
+and Louse snapper, with the Letter in the Chamber-pot, and natural
+evacuation_. Why truly this is pretty stuff indeed, as his Ingenuity
+has put it together--but I hope every one will own, that each of these
+singly, when they are tagg'd to their sensible phrases, may be proper
+enough in Farce or Low Comedy; but as he has modell'd 'em, 'tis true
+they are very frightful--And if I had nothing to sing or say to divert
+Ladies better than this, I should think my self so despicable, that I
+would e'en get into the next Plot, amongst his Brother Grumblers--then
+despairing, do some doughty thing to deserve hanging, and depend upon
+no other comfort but his Absolution.
+
+I remember, being lately at St. _James_'s, this very part of the Doctors
+Book was read or rather spelt out to me, with tickling satisfaction, by
+one whose Wit and good Manners are known to be just of the same weight,
+who, since he can be merry so easily, he shall laugh at some of the
+Reformers Hotch-potch too, as I have mingled it for him. _Jewish
+Tetragramaton, Stigian Frogs, reeking Pandaemoniums, Debauch'd
+Protagonists, Nauseous Ribaldry, Ranting Smutt, Abominable Stench_,
+Venus _and St _George_, _Juliana_, the Witch and the Parson of _Wrotham_
+[Footnote: Collier's Epithetes.], with the admirable Popish story of the
+Woman that went to the Play-House and brought home the Devil with her_
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 257.]--And the Devil's in't indeed, if this
+charming Rhetorick of his, (since he calls mine so) especially joyn'd
+with that fine story from _Tertullian_, don't divert the Ladies as well
+as t'other; for 'tis very like a Catholick miracle you must know, and
+the top wit of it is, that when the Parson is Conjuring, _he asks the
+Devil how he durst attack a Christian?_ who, like an admirable Joker as
+he was, answers, _I have done nothing but what I can justify, for I
+seiz'd her upon my own ground_. Now let the Devil be as witty as he can,
+I am sure the story, maugre _Tertullian_'s Authority, or the Doctor's
+either, is confounded silly, and downright nonsense, what credit soever
+it has with him for its likeness to Jesuiticism. And now I think I have
+prov'd too, that _a Clergy man can speak nonsense, pass it for humour
+too, and gratify his ease and his malice at once, without a Poet's
+putting his into his Mouth_. And since we have been speaking of
+quibbling, I shall digress a little to entertain the Reader on that
+subject. Our Critick rallies Mr _Dryden_'s _Sancho_ in _Love
+Triumphant_, for saying, _dont provoke me, I'm mischievously bent_,
+to which _Carlos_ a man of sense replys, _nay you are bent enough in
+conscience, but I have a bent Fist for Boxing; Here_ says he (smartly)
+_you have a brace of quibbles started in a line and a half [Footnote:
+Collier, p. 170.]_--Very true, you have so--But suppose quibbling or
+punning--but I think this is call'd punning--Is this Gentlemans
+humour--if so, being a Soldier, I don't see it calls his sense in
+question at all--but now pray let's see, how our Critick manages a
+quibble, with a blunder tack'd to the Tail on't, in the page before,
+there, in the aforesaid Play, _Celidea_ in a passion cries,
+
+  Great Nature break thy Chain that links together
+  The Fabrick of this Globe, and make a Chaos,
+  Like that within my Soul--
+
+  [Footnote: Collier, p. 68.]
+
+_Now_, says the Doctor, keen as a Razor, _if she had call'd for a Chair,
+instead of a Chaos, tripp'd off, and kept her folly to herself, the
+woman had been wiser._ Calling for a Chair instead of a Chaos is an
+extreme pretty Quibble truly--but if the Critick had let the Chair-men
+have tripp'd off with her, instead of doing it herself as she sat in a
+Chair, I'm sure the blunder had been sav'd, and I think he had exprest
+himself a little wiser than he has--And come, now my hand's in, let's
+parallel Mr _Dryden_ with our Reformer a little longer--_Church-men_
+(says _Benducar_ in _Don Sebastian_,
+
+  Tho they Itch to govern all,
+  Are silly, woful awkward Politicians,
+  They make lame mischiefs, tho they meant it well.
+
+  [Footnote: Collier, p.104.]
+
+So much the better_, says he, _for tis a sign they are not beaten to the
+trade_--Oh, that's a mistake, Doctor, they may be beaten to the Trade,
+and yet be bunglers--And proceeding:
+
+  _Their Interest is not finely drawn, and hid,_
+  _But Seams are coursely bungled up, and seen.
+
+  [Footnote: Ibid.]
+
+_These Lines_, says he, _are an Illustration taken from a Taylor._ They
+are so, but what Justice is it in him to lessen 'em, whose own flights
+are ten times more ridiculous: For example, talking just before of
+tumbling the Elements together, he says, _and since we have shewn our
+skill of Vaulting on the High Ropes, a little Tumbling on the Stage
+may not do amiss for variety_ [Footnote: Collier, p. 158.]. And now I
+will refer my self to the severest Critick of his party, whether an
+Illustration taken from a Taylor is not better than one taken from a
+Vagabond Rope-dancer, or Tumbler, forty times over; but his sense and
+way of Writing he thinks will infallibly overcome censure; not with
+me I assure him, to confirm it I must remark him once more, and then
+my digression shall end. He tells ye _Cleora_, in the Tragedy of
+_Cleomenes_, _is not very charming, her part is to tell you_, her
+Child suck'd to no purpose.
+
+  It pull'd and pull'd but now, but nothing came;
+  At last it drew so hard that the Blood follow'd,
+  And that red Milk I found upon its Lips,
+  Which made me swoon for fear.
+
+  [Footnote: Cleomenes.]
+
+There, says he, is a description of sucking for ye: And then like
+another Devil of a Joker runs on, truly _one would think the Muse on't
+were scarcely wean'd_--Very likely; and here I warrant he thinks his
+Witty Criticism, as safely hous'd now as a Thief in a Mill, as the old
+Saw has it, did not his plaguee want of Memory now and then contrive to
+disgrace him; or if you turn to the thirty fourth page of his Lampoon,
+as Mr _Vanbrooke_ calls it, after he has been comparing a fine young
+Lady to a _Setting-bitch-teacher.
+
+Lower yet--down, down_, and after he has been bringing forth a Litter
+of Mr. _Congreeves_ Epithetes, as he calls them, _soothing softness,
+sinking Ease, wafting Air, thrilling Fears, and incessant scalding Rain_
+[Footnote: Collier, p. 34.], all Crude, just as he did mine before,
+without any connexion of sense to 'em: He tells ye more plain in troth
+than wittily, that _they make the Poem look like a Bitch overstock'd
+with Puppies, and suck the sense almost to Skin and Bone_. [Footnote:
+Ibid, --.] For a Child to suck the Mother till the Blood follows,
+I think is not unreasonable, but for a Litter of Epithetes to suck
+the sense of a Poem to the Skin and Bone, is such Fustian stuff that
+nothing but a Creature, only fit for a Sucking-bottle, could be
+Author of--And now I think if he has given me any _Crocus Metallorum_,
+I am even with him with a Dose of _Jollop_, and can whisk too from one
+Play to another indifferently well, tho not so fast as he; for when I
+perus'd him first, I could compare him to nothing but an Humble Bee
+in a Meadow, Buz upon this Daizy, Hum upon that Clover, then upon that
+Butter-flower--sucking of Honey, as he is of Sense--or as if upon the
+hunt for knowledge, he could fly from hence to the Colledge at _Downy_,
+then to St. _Peter_'s at _Rome_, then to _Mahomet_ at _Mecha_, then to
+the Inquisition at _Goa_--And then buz home again to his own dormitory
+in _Shooe-lane_: And so much for his injustice, now to his errour in
+Criticism again, and to proceed in defence of _Don Quixot_.
+
+_Mary_ the Buxom, he says now swears faster 'tis false, and I deny it,
+she is so far from swearing fast, that she does not (rude as her
+character is) swear at all, unless the poor interjection I'cod--by his
+Authority can be made an Oath; and then if you'll peruse him on, here is
+a whole page and half upon this hint, That the Ladies must have left
+their Wits and Modesties behind them that came, and lik'd her Words or
+Actions; and that her Nastiness, and dirty Conversation, is a Midnight
+Cart, or a Dunghil, instead of an Ornamental Scene. [Footnote: Collier,
+p. 204.] Now you don't find out our Gentlemans malicious meaning by
+this, but I shall inform ye. He says, I'm sorry the Ladies brought their
+Wits and Modesties with them, that came to see this Character; and yet
+all the whole Town can witness, that as many of the Ladies as could get
+into the Play-House came thither, to wait upon Her late _Majesty of
+Sacred Memory_, who did me that honour only for my benefit; and who
+was of so nice a Temper, relating to Modesty, that if so much as a hint
+had been given her by those had seen it before, of such a thing as
+Immodesty, she had never came, much less had been diverted, as she was,
+when she did come; but this I take as striking at _her_ through my
+sides; and I think, to use his own words, _is above the Correction of
+the Pen_. [Footnote: Collier, p. 206.] The next is such senseless
+malice, or ignorance, that it deserves a hoot; he finds _Manuel_ in
+_Don Quixot_ (playing in his Farce for the Dukes diversion) addressing
+to the Dutchess in this manner, in a Jargon of Phrase made ridiculous
+on purpose: _Illustrious beauty, I must desire to know whether the most
+purifidiferous _Don Quixot_ of the _Manchissima_, and the Squireiferous
+_Pancha_, be in this Company or no_. To whom _Sancho_ replies,
+imitating, as he thinks this fine stile, _Why lookee, forsooth,
+without any more flourishes, the Governor _Pancha_ is here, and _Don
+Quixotissimo_ too, therefore, most Afflictedissimous Matronissima, speak
+what you Willissimus, for we are all ready to be your Servitorissimus_.
+[Footnote: Vid. Shelton's _Translation of _Don Quixot_, p._ 205.] And
+this now he inserts as my own Invention and manner of Stile, which is
+taken _verbatim_ from the History of _Don Quixot_, and is by all those
+that can judge of humour, very pleasant and fit for that purpose. Now if
+he has never read that History, his ignorance has abus'd me; and if he
+has, his impudence has, of which us perceiv'd he has Stock enough, for
+presently he worries me for saying, in my Epistle Dedicatory to the
+Duchess of _Ormond_, That _I date my good fortune from her prosperous
+influence_, and says 'tis _Astrological_. [Footnote: Collier, p. 207.] I
+don't know whether it has that sort of Learning in't or no, but 'tis as
+good sense as when he says, like a Wag as he is, that the Ladies fancy
+is just _slip-stocking high, and she seems to want sense more than her
+Break-fast_. [Footnote: Collier, p. 92.] Fancy slip-stocking high? no,
+no, the merry Grig must mean her pretty Leg was seen so high, for the
+Master of Art, I beg pardon of the rest that their Title is scandaliz'd,
+could never mean such Nonsence as t'other sure.
+
+And now drawing near to an end, his malice grows more plainly to a head,
+by endeavouring to lessen my Credit with my Patron Mr. _Montague_, whose
+generous Candor and good Nature to me, and indeed to us all, he perhaps
+has heard of, for here our modest and moral Critick, has either mistaken
+the words, or found out a slip of the Press, which because it happens to
+be Nonsence, he has very gladly exposed for mine; 'tis in my Epistle to
+my aforesaid Patron, thus:
+
+  Had your Eyes shot the haughty Austerity upon me of a right Courtier,
+  your valued minutes had never been disturbed with dilatory Trifles
+  of this nature; but my heart, on dull Consideration of your Merit,
+  had supinely wish'd you Prosperity at a distance_.
+  [Footnote: Collier, p. 207.]
+
+Mine in my Copy was written [_due Consideration_] but Doctor Crambo
+will have you believe, I consider'd so little to write the t'other; but
+now I will hold twenty Stubble Geese to the same number of Tithe Pigs,
+whenever he is preferr'd to be a Curate again, that I make my Patron
+smile more at my Entertainment of him at his own Cost, than ever he did
+at his quoting my _dull Consideration_, which no body but the _dull
+Absolver_ could imagine a Man with any Brains could write. And to prove
+I have yet a few, I will try to Paraphrase upon his Farewel to me, the
+Translation in Verse, but the Reader shall have his first.
+
+  I like an Author that Reforms the Age,
+  And keeps the right Decorum of the Stage;
+  That always pleases by Just Reason's Rule;
+  But for a tedious Droll, a quibbling Fool,
+  Who with low nauseous Bawdry fills his Plays,
+  Let him be gone, and on two Tressels raise
+  Some _Smithfield_ Stage, where he may act his Pranks,
+  And make _Jack Puddings_ speak to Mountebanks.
+
+  [Footnote: Collier,]
+
+Your humble Servant good Doctor--Well, now for me.
+
+  I like a Parson, that no Souls does Lurch,
+  And keeps the true Decorum of the Church;
+  That always preaches by Just Reason's Rule;
+  But for a Hypocrite, a Canting Fool,
+  Who, cramm'd with Malice, takes the Rebels side,
+  _And would, for Conscience, palm on us his Pride,_
+  Let him, for Stipend, to the _Gubbins*_ sail,
+  And there Hold-forth for Crusts and Juggs of Ale.
+
+  [*: A Savage kind of People in the West of _England_.]
+
+And so much by way of Prose, I shall only now give the Reformer a
+little further Advice, in return of his, in my Lyrical way, which is in
+a Fable of _A Dog and an Otter_; and to turn his own words upon him, the
+Citation may possibly be of some service to him, for if not concern'd in
+the Application, he may at least be precaution'd by the Moral. I find he
+knows I can sing to other Peoples sense, I'll try now if I can make him
+sing to mine: And when he Diverts, or is Diverted with _Vox_, then,
+_Preterea nihil_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+           _Maxims_ and _Reflections_
+
+                     upon
+
+                    PLAYS.
+
+
+ (_In Answer to a Discourse, Of the Lawfullness
+      and Unlawfullness of PLAYS. Printed
+         Before a late PLAY Entituled,
+              BEAUTY in DISTRESS_.)
+
+
+
+             Written in FRENCH by
+               the Bp. of MEAVX.
+
+             And now made ENGLISH
+
+
+
+          The PREFACE By another HAND.
+
+
+
+                   _LONDON_,
+
+Printed for R. Sare, at _Grays-Inn_ Gate, in
+               _Holborne_. 1699.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+                  THE PREFACE
+
+
+The Charge drawn up by _Mr. Collier_, against the English Stage hath
+obliged the Persons concerned in it, to use all possible methods for
+their own Vindication. But their Endeavours of this kind have been such
+as seem to have done no great Service to their Cause. The natural
+Reflection, arising upon the present State of the Controversy, is, that,
+when Persons so nearly concerned and so well qualified, to say all that
+the case will bear, have yet been able to say so little to the main
+points of the Accusation brought against them, the only effectual Reply
+would be either to write no more for the Stage, or to write for it
+after quite another manner, than of late hath been done. They that have
+attempted to answer the _View_ are in good hands already. But since
+other Succours are called in from abroad, 'tis fit the World should
+know, that this Reserve too hath been already defeated in it's own
+Countrey. And that we ought not to be imposed upon here in England, with
+an Adversary, _whose Arguments have been not only confuted and Scorned
+by Others, but also retracted by Himself, at home.
+
+That Moroseness of humour, which Some in great good manners have of late
+been pleased to fix upon the English as their peculiar Character, might
+possibly be thought to dispose us to a blameable Extreme of Rigor in
+these matters. And therefore a Forreign Authority was artificially
+enough brought in, to reproach our pretended Niceness and Austerity.
+But when the Arguments of this Reply are observed to carry the Point
+as high, as even the so much upbraided _View_ it self; All but the
+Willfully blind must see, that even the Gayeties of France could not
+endure the Corruptions of the Modern Theatres. And that the Complaints
+against such detestable Abuses are not due to any Quality of the
+Climate, or particular turn of Temper; but to the common and uniform
+Principles of Christianity and Virtue, which are the same in every
+Nation, professing to be governed by them.
+
+To give that _Discourse_ a better face, it is introduced by way of
+Letter from a _Worthy Divine_ of the Church of England; and published
+before a late Play called _Beauty in Distress_. [Footnote: P. IX. X.
+XXVI.] Tis said to be approved, and recommended by that Reverend Person,
+for the satisfying some Scruples, _whether a man may Lawfully write for
+the Stage_. For a full Resolution whereof the doubting Poet is referred
+to this _Discourse_, as that which is presumed _to come fully up to his
+purpose_. But we are not told, whether the _Divine_ or the _Poet_, or
+who else was the Translator of this Discourse: Or whether that _Worthy_
+Friend perused it in French, or in English only. Which yet in the
+present Case are Material Circumstances, and such as ought not to have
+been concealed, for Two Reasons particularly, which I hold myself
+obliged to give the Reader Intimation of.
+
+The First is, That the following Reply produces and answers some
+Passages of the French Discourse, not to be found in the English. And
+these not only Expressions or single Sentences, but entire Arguments.
+Such is that of Plays being a Diversion suitable to the Design of
+instituting the Sabbath. Such again That which justifies the Acting them
+the whole Lent throughout. Now this manner of dealing is not exactly
+agreeable with that _Impartiality_ and _Freedom_ promised in the
+beginning of the _Worthy Divines_ Letter. [Footnote: _P. IX._] And
+therefore I can very hardly be perswaded, that One of that Character
+and Function, had the Forming of the _Discourse_, in the manner it now
+appears before _Mr. M's._ Play.
+
+The other Reason, why I Suspect the _Discourse_ not to be translated,
+or indeed so throughly approved, by a _Divine of the Church of England_,
+is, that, even in what does appear there, he speaks very favourably of
+acting Plays upon Sundays. Now admitting, that all the Profession are
+not such sowr Criticks as _Mr. Collier_, yet this is a Liberty, which I
+do not remember to have heard, that any Modern Divines of that Church
+allow. And whatever the Poet's Friend may be in _His_ esteem, I shrewdly
+suspect, that He would hardly pass for a very _Worthy Divine_, who
+should so far Countenance these _Diversions_, as to let them into a
+share of that Holy day, dedicated to the Worship and more immediate
+Service of Almighty God,
+
+One would not hastily question Testimonies in matters of Fact, where
+there appears any probable Arguments to support them. And therefore
+I am far from objecting against the Knowledge and Integrity of the
+Booksellers called in to vouch for that Letter, But withall I must beg
+leave to think it strange, that a Person of Learning and Character
+should so incautiously espouse a _Discourse_, and recommend it for the
+direction of a Gentleman's Conscience, who consulted him for Advice; the
+Reasoning whereof is not only so weak and Superficiall, but grounded
+upon Misconstruction in some, and Misrepresentation in Other Authorities
+cited by it. Methinks these ought to have been well examined, before a
+man had so perfectly gone into the Consequences drawn from them: such of
+them at least as are exceeding obvious, and might have been detected by
+recurring to Books, which almost every Divine hath ready at hand.
+
+In this translated Reply the Reader will not have cause to complain of
+such Neglect. The Passages out of _Thom: Aquinas, St. Jerom_, and some
+others, have been diligently compared, and the Originals faithfully
+inserted in most material points. And I cannot but wish, that this Book,
+extant at Paris ever since _1694_, had fallen into the hands of this
+Doubting Gentleman, instead of that _Discourse_, which it was intended
+to confute: That neither the Translator, nor his Friend the _Worthy
+Divine_, might have given themselves the Trouble of a Vindication of
+Plays; so reproachfully treated, and so substantially answered, that
+one would wonder it should have the confidence to appear in English
+afterwards, to tempt the same Scorn here, when followed cross the Seas
+by the Bishop of Meaux.
+
+By some expressions, I confess one might be apt to think, that the
+Author of the Discourse was not perfectly known. But of that no
+reasonable Doubt can remain, when we find the Replyer to have retracted:
+and Submitted to the Censure of the Church, Why the Author expresses
+himself in Terms so soft and general I undertake not to determine. He
+might in Tenderness forbear his Adversarys Name; He might be content to
+look upon him as an unwary Publisher, rather than the Writer; and, after
+Submission made, might charitably desire, as far as might be, to cover
+his Reproach. It Suffices, that the Opinions in the Book be confuted,
+and exposed to shame; and when this is done in the Punishment of the
+Reputed Author, the matter is not great, if the Name from thenceforth
+be forgotten. If Mons'r _Caffaro_ had the Hardiness to assert a Tract
+so unworthy his Character, his Answerer would not add perhaps to the
+Scandall, when that Shame had been taken to himself, with a Remorse
+becoming the Fact. But be this how it will, Censures, we know, are not
+inflicted upon _Indefinite Some-bodies_; that such were inflicted, and a
+Retractation made, the very first period is peremptory: And I hope the
+Bp. of Meaux, and his manner of writing, are at least as credible an
+Evidence of this, as the Booksellers can be Allowed to be, of that
+Letter being genuine, which refers _Mr. M's_ Conscience to the
+_Discourse_ for Satisfaction.
+
+I am heartily glad, if the Plays written by that ingenious Gentleman are
+so chast and inoffensive, as he declares them to be. The rather, because
+the Success he mentions overthrows that frivolous Pretence, of the Poets
+lying under a Necessity of writing lewdly in order to please the Town.
+And if this Gentleman do yet retain the same tenderness of doing nothing
+for Gain or Glory, which does not strictly become him: If he be still as
+desirous to be satisfied what does, or does not, become him to do, with
+regard to the matter in hand, as I ought to presume he was, when he
+consulted his Friend, I would make it my request, that this Reply may be
+Seriously and impartially considered. And I cannot but hope, that it may
+disabuse him of the Errours the _Discourse_ might lead him into, and I
+am much mistaken, if, upon these Terms, he ever writes for the Stage
+any more. Prejudice and Passion, Vainglory and Profit, not Reason, and
+Virtue, and the Common Good, seem but too plainly, to support this
+Practice, and the Defence of it, as the matter is at present managed
+among us. And a Person of _Mr. M's_ Parts and Attainments cannot be
+at a loss, for much nobler subjects to employ them upon.
+
+A Popular one perhaps it may be, but sure a wilder Suggestion, never
+was offered to men of Common sense, than, that _if the Stage be damned_,
+the _Art used_ by _Moses, and David, and Solomon, must be no more_.
+[Footnote: _See Mr. D's. verses before Beauty, in Distress._] Are we
+fallen into an Age so incapable of of distinguishing, that there should
+be no visible difference left between, the Excellencies and the Abuse of
+any Art? No. _Mr: Dryden_ himself hath taught us better. We will have
+all due regard for the Author of _Absalom_ and _Achitophel_, and several
+other pieces of just renown, and should admire him for a rich Vein of
+Poetry, though he had never written a Play in his whole Life. Nor shall
+we think our selves obliged to burn the Translation of _Virgil_ by
+vertue of that sentence, which seems here to be pronounced upon that of
+the Fourth Book of _Lucretius_. The World, I Suppose, are not all
+agreed, that then is but _One_ Sort of Poetry, and as far from allowing,
+that the _Dramatick_, is that One. They who write after those_ Divine,
+Patterns of Moses &c_: will be no whit the less Poets, though there were
+not a Theatre left upon the Face of the Earth; Their Honours will be
+more deserved, Their Laurells more verdant and lasting, when blemished
+with none of those Reproaches from Others, or their own breasts, which
+are due to the Corrupters of Mankind, And such are all They, who soften
+men's abhorrence of Vice, and cherish their dangerous Passions. To tell
+us then, that All, even Divine, Poetry must be silenced and for ever
+lost, when the Play-houses are once shut up, is to impose too grossely
+upon our Understandings. And their Sophistry bears hard, methinks, upon
+Profaneness, which insinuates the Hymns dictated by the Holy Spirit, of
+God, to be so nearly related to the Modern Compositions for the Stage,
+that both must of necessity stand and fall together.
+
+If Poetry have of late sunk in its credit, that misfortune is owing to
+the degenerate and Mercenary Pens, of some who have set up for the great
+Masters of it. No man I presume, is for exterminating that noble Art,
+no not even in the _Dramatick_ part; provided it can be effectually
+reformed. But if the Reformation of the Stage be no longer practicable,
+reason good that the incurable Evil should be cut off: If it be
+practicable, let the Persons concerned give Evidence of it to the World,
+by tempering their Wit so, as to render it Serviceable to Virtuous
+purposes, without giving just offence to wise, and Good men. For it is
+not the Pretence of a good Design which can free the Undertakers from
+Blame, unless the Goodness of the end and Intention be Seconded with a
+Prudent Management of the Means. And if Matters once should come to that
+Extremity, better and much more becoming of the Two, no doubt it were,
+that our _Maker's Praises should be sunk into Prose_ (as this Ingenious
+Person phrases it) than that in the midst of a Christan City, that
+_Maker_ should be six days in seven publickly insulted and blasphemed
+in poetry.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+         THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY
+
+                 Announces Its
+
+  _Publications for the Third Year (1948-1949)_
+
+
+_At least two_ items will be printed from each of the _three_
+following groups:
+
+[Transcriber's Note:
+Many of the listed titles are or will be available from Project
+Gutenberg. Where possible, the e-text number is given in brackets.]
+
+Series IV: Men, Manners, and Critics
+
+Sir John Falstaff (pseud.), _The Theatre _(1720).
+Aaron Hill, Preface to _The Creation_; and Thomas Brereton, Preface
+  to _Esther_. [#15870]
+Ned Ward, Selected Tracts.
+
+
+Series V: Drama
+
+Edward Moore, _The Gamester_ (1753). [#16267]
+Nevil Payne, _Fatal Jealousy_ (1673).
+Mrs. Centlivre, _The Busie Body_ (1709).
+Charles Macklin, _Man of the World_ (1781).
+
+
+Series VI: Poetry and Language
+
+John Oldmixon, _Reflections on Dr. Swifts Letter to Harley_ (1712);
+  and Arthur Mainwaring, _The British Academy_ (1712).
+Pierre Nicole, _De Epigrammate_.
+Andre Dacier, Essay on Lyric Poetry.
+
+
+Issues will appear, as usual, in May, July, September, November,
+January, and March. In spite of rising costs, membership fees will
+be kept at the present annual rate of $2.50 in the United States
+and Canada; $2.75 in Great Britain and the continent. British and
+continental subscriptions should be sent to B.H. Blackwell, Broad
+Street, Oxford, England. American and Canadian subscriptions may
+be sent to any one of the General Editors.
+
+
+NOTE: All income received by the Society is devoted to defraying cost
+of printing and mailing.
+
+      *       *       *       *       *
+
+       _THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY_
+
+               Makes Available
+
+
+   _Inexpensive Reprints of Rare Materials_
+
+
+                    from
+
+           ENGLISH LITERATURE OF THE
+
+      SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES
+
+
+Students, scholars, and bibliographers of literature, history, and
+philology will find the publications valuable. _The Johnsonian News
+Letter_ has said of them: "Excellent facsimiles, and cheap in price,
+these represent the triumph of modern scientific reproduction. Be sure
+to become a subscriber; and take it upon yourself to see that your
+college library is on the mailing list."
+
+The Augustan Reprint Society is a non-profit, scholarly organization,
+run without overhead expense. By careful management it is able to
+offer at least six publications each year at the unusually low
+membership fee of $2.50 per year in the United States and Canada, and
+$2.75 in Great Britain and the continent.
+
+Libraries as well as individuals are eligible for membership. Since
+the publications are issued without profit, however, no discount can
+be allowed to libraries, agents, or booksellers.
+
+New members may still obtain a complete run of the first year's
+publications for $2.50, the annual membership fee.
+
+During the first two years the publications are issued in three
+series: I. Essays on Wit; II. Essays on Poetry and Language; and III.
+Essays on the Stage.
+
+      *       *       *       *       *
+
+PUBLICATIONS FOR THE FIRST YEAR (1946-1947)
+
+MAY, 1946: Series I, No. 1--Richard Blackmore's _Essay upon Wit_
+(1716), and Addison's _Freeholder_ No. 45 (1716). [#13484]
+
+JULY, 1946: Series II, No. 1--Samuel Cobb's _Of Poetry_ and
+_Discourse on Criticism_ (1707) [#14528]
+
+SEPT., 1946: Series III, No. 1--Anon., _Letter to A.H. Esq.;
+concerning the Stage_ (1698), and Richard Willis' _Occasional Paper_
+No. IX (1698).
+
+NOV., 1946: Series I, No. 2--Anon., _Essay on Wit_ (1748), together
+with Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton's _Adventurer_ Nos. 127
+and 133. [#14973]
+
+JAN., 1947: Series II, No. 2--Samuel Wesley's _Epistle to a Friend
+Concerning Poetry_ (1700) and _Essay on Heroic Poetry_ (1693).
+
+MARCH, 1947: Series III, No. 2--Anon., _Representation of the Impiety
+and Immorality of the Stage_ (1704) and anon., _Some Thoughts
+Concerning the Stage_ (1704). [#15656]
+
+
+PUBLICATIONS FOR THE SECOND YEAR (1947-1948)
+
+MAY, 1947: Series I, No. 3--John Gay's _The Present State of Wit_;
+and a section on Wit from _The English Theophrastus_. With an
+Introduction by Donald Bond. [#14800]
+
+JULY, 1947: Series II, No. 3--Rapin's _De Carmine Pastorali_,
+translated by Creech. With an Introduction by J. E. Congleton. [#14495]
+
+SEPT., 1947: Series III, No. 3--T. Hanmer's (?) _Some Remarks on the
+Tragedy of Hamlet_. With an Introduction by Clarence D. Thorpe. [#14899]
+
+NOV., 1947: Series I, No. 4--Corbyn Morris' _Essay towards Fixing the
+True Standards of Wit_, etc. With an Introduction by James L. Clifford.
+[#16233]
+
+JAN., 1948: Series II, No. 4--Thomas Purney's _Discourse on the
+Pastoral_. With an Introduction by Earl Wasserman. [#15313]
+
+MARCH, 1948: Series III, No. 4--Essays on the Stage, selected, with
+an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch.
+
+
+The list of publications is subject to modification in response to
+requests by members. From time to time Bibliographical Notes will be
+included in the issues. Each issue contains an Introduction by a
+scholar of special competence in the field represented.
+
+The Augustan Reprints are available only to members. They will never
+be offered at "remainder" prices.
+
+
+
+GENERAL EDITORS
+
+RICHARD C. BOYS, University of Michigan
+EDWARD NILES HOOKER, University of California, Los Angeles
+H.T. SWEDENBERG, JR., University of California, Los Angeles
+
+
+ADVISORY EDITORS
+
+EMMETT L. AVERY, State College of Washington
+LOUIS I. BREDVOLD, University of Michigan
+BENJAMIN BOYCE, University of Nebraska
+CLEANTH BROOKS, Yale University
+JAMES L. CLIFFORD, Columbia University
+ARTHUR FRIEDMAN, University of Chicago
+SAMUEL H. MONK, University of Minnesota
+JAMES SUTHERLAND, Queen Mary College, London
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Errors, Problems and Anomalies
+(all in _The Campaigners_ unless otherwise noted):
+
+J. W. Krutch Introduction (1948)
+  good natured, heavy handed, slow witted, long winded
+    _no hyphens in original_
+
+title page
+  the DOG and the OTTOR
+    spelling as in the original
+
+p. 2
+  horrid horrid Blasphemy
+    _duplication in original_
+
+p. 3
+  [Footnote: Collier, p.]
+    _number missing in original_
+
+p. 3
+  the Blockheaded Chaplain had been greazing his old Cassock
+    _original reads_ Bockheaded ... Gassock
+
+p. 6
+  in the twinkling of an Ejaculation, as Parson _Say-grace_ has it
+    _original reads_ Ejaculution
+    (source is Congreve, _The Double-Dealer_:
+      all texts consulted have _a_)
+  when I find him in this Paragraph of his Book * raving on at this rate
+    _asterisk in original_
+
+p. 8
+  contrives to confute some canting prejudic'd Zealots
+    _original reads_ coutrives
+  would he roar it out for Blasphemy, Profaneness, &_c._
+    _original reads_ Balsphemy
+
+p. 10
+  [Footnote: ...54]
+    _5 or 6 letters missing_
+  Again speaking of _Jupiter_ and _Alcmena_
+    _original reads_ Aclmena
+
+p. 13
+  Yet he buffly goes on,
+    _so in original, possibly error for_ busily
+    (printed text uses long _s_ but reading is unambiguous)
+
+p. 14
+  _Ben Johnson_ found out _Ananias_ and _Rabby Buisy_
+    _spellings as in original_
+
+p. 16
+  yet however seems to leer of our side
+    _reading uncertain, possibly_ loer
+
+p. 17
+  [Footnote: D. Quix. p. 1. p. 20.]
+    _? part 1, page 20_
+
+p. 19
+  and has so little the quality of Prophaneness
+    _original reads_ Prohaneness
+
+p. 20
+  those that bring Devils upon the Stage
+    _conjectural reading: entire word "Stage" is illegible_
+
+p. 21
+  But then I have made the Curate _Perez_ assist
+    _original reads_ Per..
+    (character's name in _Don Quixote_ is Pero Perez)
+
+  let me ask the doctor why he does not shew me an example for this
+  himself, and Practice better before he Accuses; for let the Reader
+  look into his _Desertion Discuss'd_ (for he shall find that I have
+  trac'd him through all his Writings) and
+    _original reads_
+    let me ask the ..ctor why he does not shew me an example for this
+    himself, and Pract... better before he Accuses; for let the Reader
+    look into his _Desertion Discuss'd_ (for he shall find that I have
+    trac'd him through all his Writing.....d
+
+  that the _Absolver_ in the first Volume of his Essays, page 120,
+  in his Chapter of the _A..._ tells us, _Whether the honesty or
+  dishonesty are discernable in the face, is a question which
+  admits of dispute
+    _original reads_
+    that the _Ab......_ in the first Volume of his Essays, page 120,
+    in his Chapter of the _A...._ tells us, _Whether the honesty or
+    dishonesty are discernable in the face, .. . .uestion which
+    admits of dispute
+
+  I believe an instance might be given
+    _original reads_
+    an instan.. .ight be
+
+p. 23
+  here has escap'd for his usage of a Gentleman
+    _original reads_ Gentlemen
+
+p. 24
+  as she sat in a Chair
+    _original reads_ Chiar
+
+p. 25
+  he thinks will infallibly overcome censure
+    _original reads_ iufallibly
+
+  There, says he, is a description of sucking for ye
+    _original reads_
+    There, says he, .. . description of sucking for ye
+
+  And then like another Devil of a Joker runs on
+    _original reads_ ruus
+
+  did not his plaguee want of Memory
+    _so in original_
+
+  after he has been bringing forth a Litter of Mr. _Congreeves_
+  Epithetes, as he calls them
+    _original reads_
+    Epithetes, [blank] calls them
+
+  and incessant scalding Rain
+    _original reads_ incess...
+
+  He tells ye more plain in troth than wittily
+    _original reads_
+    He tells ye more plain in trot. ..an wittily
+
+  they make the Poem look like a Bitch overstock'd with Puppies, and
+  suck the sense almost to Skin and Bone. For a Child to suck the
+  Mother till the Blood follows, I think is not unreasonable, but
+  for a Litter of Epithetes to suck the sense of a Poem to the Skin
+  and Bone, is such Fustian stuff that
+    _original reads_
+    they make the Poem look like a Bitch overstock'd with Pup...s, and
+    suck ... sense almost to Skin and Bone. For a C.ild to suck t..
+    Mother t... ... Blood follows, I think is not unrea...able, but
+    fo. . ..tter of Ep....... .o suck the sense of a Poem to the Skin
+    and Bone, is such Fustian ..... that
+
+  I am even with him with a Dose of _Jollop_
+    _capital J uncertain_
+
+  And then buz home again to his own dormitory in _Shooe-lane_
+    _original reads_ Sho.e-lane
+
+p. 27
+  [Footnote: Collier,]
+    _page reference missing in original_
+
+p. A2v (_Maxims_ ...)
+  might possibly be thought
+    _original reads_ possibly ]
+
+
+[_Supplementary Note_:
+
+Neither of the verse passages quoted on pg. 15 is by Chaucer. The first
+is from _The Plowman's Tale_, written about 1380 and traditionally
+attributed to Chaucer:
+
+  Of freres I have tolde before,
+    In a makynge of a Crede.
+  And yet I coulde tell worse and more,
+    But men wolde weryen it to rede.
+
+The second was printed in Tottel's Miscellany ("Songes and Sonettes
+written by the ryght honorable Lorde Henry Haward late Earle of Surrey,
+and other", 1557):
+
+  Flee fro the prese & dwell with sothfastnes
+  Suffise to thee thy good though it be small,
+  For horde hath hate and climyng ticklenesse
+  Praise hath enuy, and weall is blinde in all
+  Fauour no more, then thee behoue shall.
+  Rede well thy self that others well canst rede,
+  And trouth shall the deliuer it is no drede. ]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Essays on the Stage, by Thomas D'Urfey and Bossuet
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON THE STAGE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 16335.txt or 16335.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/3/3/16335/
+
+Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/16335.zip b/16335.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..750e4dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16335.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..540b106
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #16335 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16335)