ItwasthesamewithourfathersinthetimeoftheGreatCivilWar。WearebynomeansunmindfulofthegreatdebtwhichmankindowestothePuritansofthattime，thedeliverersofEngland，thefoundersoftheAmericanCommonwealths。Butinthedayoftheirpower，thosemencommittedonegreatfault，whichleftdeepandlastingtracesinthenationalcharacterandmanners。Theymistooktheendandoverratedtheforceofgovernment。Theydetermined，notmerelytoprotectreligionandpublicmoralsfrominsult，anobjectforwhichthecivilsword，indiscreethands，maybebeneficiallyemployed，buttomakethepeoplecommittedtotheirruletrulydevout。Yet，iftheyhadonlyreflectedoneventswhichtheyhadthemselveswitnessedandinwhichtheyhadthemselvesborneagreatpart，theywouldhaveseenwhatwaslikelytobetheresultoftheirenterprise。Theyhadlivedunderagovernmentwhich，duringalongcourseofyears，didallthatcouldbedone，bylavishbountyandbyrigorouspunishment，toenforceconformitytothedoctrineanddisciplineoftheChurchofEngland。NopersonsuspectedofhostilitytothatChurchhadthesmallestchanceofobtainingfavourattheCourtofCharles。
Avoweddissentwaspunishedbyimprisonment，byignominiousexposure，bycruelmutilations，andbyruinousfines。AndtheeventhadbeenthattheChurchhadfallen，andhad，initsfall，draggeddownwithitamonarchywhichhadstoodsixhundredyears。ThePuritanmighthavelearned，iffromnothingelse，yetfromhisownrecentvictory，thatgovernmentswhichattemptthingsbeyondtheirreacharelikelynotmerelytofail，buttoproduceaneffectdirectlytheoppositeofthatwhichtheycontemplateasdesirable。
Allthiswasoverlooked。Thesaintsweretoinherittheearth。
Thetheatreswereclosed。Thefineartswereplacedunderabsurdrestraints。Viceswhichhadneverbeforebeenevenmisdemeanoursweremadecapitalfelonies。ItwassolemnlyresolvedbyParliament"thatnopersonshallbeemployedbutsuchastheHouseshallbesatisfiedofhisrealgodliness。"ThepiousassemblyhadaBiblelyingonthetableforreference。Iftheyhadconsultedittheymighthavelearnedthatthewheatandthetaresgrowtogetherinseparably，andmusteitherbesparedtogetherorrooteduptogether。Toknowwhetheramanwasreallygodlywasimpossible。Butitwaseasytoknowwhetherhehadaplaindress，lankhair，nostarchinhislinen，nogayfurnitureinhishouse;whetherhetalkedthroughhisnose，andshowedthewhitesofhiseyes;whetherhenamedhischildrenAssurance，Tribulation，Mahershalal—hash—baz;whetherheavoidedSpringGardenwhenintown，andabstainedfromhuntingandhawkingwheninthecountry;whetherheexpoundedhardscripturestohistroopofdragoons，andtalkedinacommitteeofwaysandmeansaboutseekingtheLord。Theseweretestswhichcouldeasilybeapplied。
Themisfortunewasthattheyweretestswhichprovednothing。
Suchastheywere，theywereemployedbythedominantparty。Andtheconsequencewasthatacrowdofimpostors，ineverywalkoflife，begantomimicandtocaricaturewhatwerethenregardedastheoutwardsignsofsanctity。Thenationwasnotduped。Therestraintsofthatgloomytimeweresuchaswouldhavebeenimpatientlyborne，ifimposedbymenwhowereuniversallybelievedtobesaints。Thoserestraintsbecamealtogetherinsupportablewhentheywereknowntobekeptupfortheprofitofhypocrites。Itisquitecertainthat，eveniftheroyalfamilyhadneverreturned，evenifRichardCromwellorHenryCromwellhadbeenattheheadoftheadministration，therewouldhavebeenagreatrelaxationofmanners。BeforetheRestorationmanysignsindicatedthataperiodoflicencewasathand。TheRestorationcrushedforatimethePuritanparty，andplacedsupremepowerinthehandsofalibertine。Thepoliticalcounter—revolutionassistedthemoralcounter—revolution，andwasinturnassistedbyit。Aperiodofwildanddesperatedissolutenessfollowed。
Eveninremotemanor—housesandhamletsthechangewasinsomedegreefelt;butinLondontheoutbreakofdebaucherywasappalling;andinLondontheplacesmostdeeplyinfectedwerethePalace，thequartersinhabitedbythearistocracy，andtheInnsofCourt。Itwasonthesupportofthesepartsofthetownthattheplayhousesdepended。Thecharacterofthedramabecameconformedtothecharacterofitspatrons。Thecomicpoetwasthemouthpieceofthemostdeeplycorruptedpartofacorruptedsociety。Andintheplaysbeforeuswefind，distilledandcondensed，theessentialspiritofthefashionableworldduringtheanti—Puritanreaction。
ThePuritanhadaffectedformality;thecomicpoetlaughedatdecorum。ThePuritanhadfrownedatinnocentdiversions;thecomicpoettookunderhispatronagethemostflagitiousexcesses。
ThePuritanhadcanted;thecomicpoetblasphemed。ThePuritanhadmadeanaffairofgallantryfelonywithoutbenefitofclergy;
thecomicpoetrepresenteditasanhonourabledistinction。ThePuritanspokewithdisdainofthelowstandardofpopularmorality;hislifewasregulatedbyafarmorerigidcode;hisvirtuewassustainedbymotivesunknowntomenoftheworld。
Unhappilyithadbeenamplyprovedinmanycases，andmightwellbesuspectedinmanymore，thatthesehighpretensionswereunfounded。Accordingly，thefashionablecircles，andthecomicpoetswhowerethespokesmenofthosecircles，tookupthenotionthatallprofessionsofpietyandintegrityweretobeconstruedbytheruleofcontrary;thatitmightwellbedoubtedwhethertherewassuchathingasvirtueintheworld;butthat，atallevents，apersonwhoaffectedtobebetterthanhisneighbourswassuretobeaknave。
Intheolddramatherehadbeenmuchthatwasreprehensible。ButwhoevercompareseventheleastdecorousplaysofFletcherwiththosecontainedinthevolumebeforeuswillseehowmuchtheprofligacywhichfollowsaperiodofoverstrainedausteritygoesbeyondtheprofligacywhichprecedessuchaperiod。ThenationresembledthedemoniacintheNewTestament。ThePuritansboastedthattheuncleanspiritwascastout。Thehousewasempty，swept，andgarnished;andforatimetheexpelledtenantwanderedthroughdryplacesseekingrestandfindingnone。Buttheforceoftheexorcismwasspent。Thefiendreturnedtohisabode;andreturnednotalone。Hetooktohimsevenotherspiritsmorewickedthanhimself。Theyenteredin，anddwelttogether:andthesecondpossessionwasworsethanthefirst。
Wewillnow，asfarasourlimitswillpermit，passinreviewthewriterstowhomMr。LeighHunthasintroducedus。Ofthefour，Wycherleystands，wethink，lastinliterarymerit，butfirstinorderoftime，andfirst，beyondalldoubt，inimmorality。
WILLIAMWYCHERLEYwasbornin1640。HewasthesonofaShropshiregentlemanofoldfamily，andofwhatwasthenaccountedagoodestate:Theproperlywasestimatedatsixhundredayear，afortunewhich，amongthefortunesatthattime，probablyrankedasafortuneoftwothousandayearwouldrankinourdays。
Williamwasaninfantwhenthecivilwarbrokeout;and，whilehewasstillinhisrudiments，aPresbyterianhierarchyandarepublicangovernmentwereestablishedontheruinsoftheancientChurchandthrone。OldMr。Wycherleywasattachedtotheroyalcause，andwasnotdisposedtointrusttheeducationofhisheirtothesolemnPuritanswhonowruledtheuniversitiesandpublicschools。AccordinglytheyounggentlemanwassentatfifteentoFrance。HeresidedsometimeintheneighbourhoodoftheDukeofMontausier，chiefofoneofthenoblestfamiliesofTouraine。TheDuke’swife，adaughterofthehouseofRambouillet，wasafinishedspecimenofthosetalentsandaccomplishmentsforwhichherracewascelebrated。TheyoungforeignerwasintroducedtothesplendidcirclewhichsurroundedtheDuchess，andthereheappearstohavelearnedsomegoodandsomeevil。InafewyearshereturnedtohiscountryafinegentlemanandaPapist。Hisconversion，itmaysafelybeaffirmed，wastheeffectnotofanystrongimpressiononhisunderstanding，orfeelings，butpartlyofintercoursewithanagreeablesocietyinwhichtheChurchofRomewasthefashion，andpartlyofthataversiontoCalvinisticausteritieswhichwasthenalmostuniversalamongyoungEnglishmenofpartsandspirit，andwhich，atonetime，seemedlikelytomakeonehalfofthemCatholics，andtheotherhalfAtheists。
ButtheRestorationcame。Theuniversitieswereagaininloyalhands;andtherewasreasontohopethattherewouldbeagainanationalChurchfitforagentleman。WycherleybecameamemberofQueen’sCollege，Oxford，andabjuredtheerrorsoftheChurchofRome。Thesomewhatequivocalgloryofturning，forashorttime，agood—for—nothingPapistintoagood—for—nothingProtestantisascribedtoBishopBarlow。
WycherleyleftOxfordwithouttakingadegree，andenteredattheTemple，wherehelivedgailyforsomeyears，observingthehumoursofthetown，enjoyingitspleasures，andpickingupjustasmuchlawaswasnecessarytomakethecharacterofapettifoggingattorneyorofalitigiouscliententertaininginacomedy。
Fromanearlyagehehadbeeninthehabitofamusinghimselfbywriting。SomewretchedlinesofhisontheRestorationarestillextant。Hadhedevotedhimselftothemakingofverses，hewouldhavebeennearlyasfarbelowTateandBlackmoreasTateandBlackmorearebelowDryden。Hisonlychanceforrenownwouldhavebeenthathemighthaveoccupiedanicheinasatire，betweenFlecknoeandSettle。Therewas，however，anotherkindofcompositioninwhichhistalentsandacquirementsqualifiedhimtosucceed;andtothathejudiciousilybetookhimself。
InhisoldageheusedtosaythathewroteLoveinaWoodatnineteen，theGentlemanDancing—Masterattwenty—one，thePlainDealerattwenty—five，andtheCountryWifeatoneortwoandthirty。Weareincredulous，weown，astothetruthofthisstory。NothingthatweknowofWycherleyleadsustothinkhimincapableofsacrificingtruthtovanity。Andhismemoryinthedeclineofhislifeplayedhimsuchstrangetricksthatwemightquestionthecorrectnessofhisassertionwithoutthrowinganyimputationonhisveracity。Itiscertainthatnoneofhisplayswasactedtill1672，whenhegaveLoveinaWoodtothepublic。
Itseemsimprobablethatheshouldresolve，onsoimportantanoccasionasthatofafirstappearancebeforetheworld，torunhischancewithafeeblepiece，writtenbeforehistalentswereripe，beforehisstylewasformed，beforehehadlookedabroadintotheworld;andthiswhenhehadactuallyinhisdesktwohighly—finishedplays，thefruitofhismaturedpowers。Whenwelookminutelyatthepiecesthemselves，wefindineverypartofthemreasontosuspecttheaccuracyofWycherley’sstatement。InthefirstsceneofLoveinaWood，togonofurther，wefindmanypassageswhichhecouldnothavewrittenwhenhewasnineteen。
Thereisanallusiontogentlemen’speriwigs，whichfirstcameintofashionin1663;anallusiontoguineas，whichwerefirststruckin1663;anallusiontothevestswhichCharlesorderedtobewornatCourtin1666;anallusiontothefireof1666;andseveralpoliticalallusionswhichmustbeassignedtotimeslaterthantheyearoftheRestoration，totimeswhentheGovernmentandthecitywereopposedtoeachother，andwhenthePresbyterianministershadbeendrivenfromtheparishchurchestotheconventicles。Butitisneedlesstodwellonparticularexpressions。ThewholeairandspiritofthepiecebelongtoaperiodsubsequenttothatmentionedbyWycherley。AstothePlainDealer，whichissaidtohavebeenwrittenwhenhewastwenty—
five，itcontainsonesceneunquestionablywrittenafter1675，severalwhicharelaterthan1668，andscarcelyalinewhichcanhavebeencomposedbeforetheendof1666。
WhatevermayhavebeentheageatwhichWycherleycomposedhisplays，itiscertainthathedidnotbringthembeforethepublictillhewasupwardsofthirty。In1672，LoveinaWoodwasactedwithmoresuccessthanitdeserved，andthiseventproducedagreatchangeinthefortunesoftheauthor。TheDuchessofClevelandcasthereyesuponhim，andwaspleasedwithhisappearance。Thisabandonedwoman，notcontentwithhercomplaisanthusbandandherroyalkeeper，lavishedherfondnessonacrowdofparamoursofallranks，fromdukestorope—dancers。
Inthetimeofthecommonwealthshecommencedhercareerofgallantry，andterminateditunderAnne，bymarrying，whenagreat—grandmother，thatworthlessfop，BeauFielding。ItisnotstrangethatsheshouldhaveregardedWycherleywithfavour。Hisfigurewascommanding，hiscountenancestrikinglyhandsome，hislookanddeportmentfullofgraceanddignity。Hehad，asPopesaidlongafter，"thetruenoblemanlook，"thelookwhichseemstoindicatesuperiority，andanotunbecomingconsciousnessofsuperiority。Hishairindeed，ashesaysinoneofhispoems，wasprematurelygrey。Butinthatageofperiwigsthismisfortunewasoflittleimportance。TheDuchessadmiredhim，andproceededtomakelovetohim，afterthefashionofthecoarse—mindedandshamelesscircletowhichshebelonged。IntheRing，whenthecrowdofbeautiesandfinegentlemenwasthickest，sheputherheadoutofhercoach—window，andbawledtohim，"Sir，youarearascal;youareavillain";and，ifsheisnotbelied，sheaddedanotherphraseofabusewhichwewillnotquote，butofwhichwemaysaythatitmightmostjustlyhavebeenappliedtoherownchildren。WycherleycalledonherGracethenextday，andwithgreathumilitybeggedtoknowinwhatwayhehadbeensounfortunateastodisobligeher。Thusbegananintimacyfromwhichthepoetprobablyexpectedwealthandhonours。Norweresuchexpectationsunreasonable。AhandsomeyoungfellowabouttheCourt，knownbythenameofJackChurchill，was，aboutthesametime，soluckyastobecometheobjectofashort—livedfancyoftheDuchess。Shehadpresentedhimwithfivethousandpounds，theprice，inallprobability，ofsometitleorpardon。Theprudentyouthhadlentthemoneyonhighinterestandonlandedsecurity;
andthisjudiciousinvestmentwasthebeginningofthemostsplendidprivatefortuneinEurope。Wycherleywasnotsolucky。
Thepartialitywithwhichthegreatladyregardedhimwasindeedthetalkofthewholetown;andsixtyyearslateroldmenwhorememberedthosedaystoldVoltairethatsheoftenstolefromtheCourttoherlover’schambersintheTemple，disguisedlikeacountrygirl，withastrawhatonherhead，pattensonherfeet，andabasketinherhand。Thepoetwasindeedtoohappyandproudtobediscreet。HededicatedtotheDuchesstheplaywhichhadledtotheiracquaintance，andinthededicationexpressedhimselfintermswhichcouldnotbutconfirmthereportswhichhadgoneabroad。ButatWhitehallsuchanaffairwasregardedinnoseriouslight。TheladywasnotafraidtobringWycherleytoCourt，andtointroducehimtoasplendidsociety，withwhich，asfarasappears，hehadneverbeforemixed。TheeasyKing，whoallowedtohismistressesthesamelibertywhichheclaimedforhimself，waspleasedwiththeconversationandmannersofhisnewrival。SohighdidWycherleystandintheroyalfavourthatonce，whenhewasconfinedbyafevertohislodgingsinBowStreet，Charles，who，withallhisfaults，wascertainlyamanofsocialandaffabledisposition，calledonhim，satbyhisbed，advisedhimtotrychangeofair，andgavehimahandsomesumofmoneytodefraytheexpenseofthejourney。Buckingham，thenMasteroftheHorse，andoneofthatinfamousministryknownbythenameoftheCabal，hadbeenoneoftheDuchess’sinnumerableparamours。Heatfirstshowedsomesymptomsofjealousy，buthesoon，afterhisfashion，veeredroundfromangertofondness，andgaveWycherleyacommissioninhisownregimentandaplaceintheroyalhousehold。
ItwouldbeunjusttoWycherley’smemorynottomentionheretheonlygoodaction，asfarasweknow，ofhiswholelife。HeissaidtohavemadegreatexertionstoobtainthepatronageofBuckinghamfortheillustriousauthorofHudibras，whowasnowsinkingintoanobscuregrave，neglectedbyanationproudofhisgenius，andbyaCourtwhichhehadservedtoowell。HisGraceconsentedtoseepoorButler;andanappointmentwasmade。Butunhappilytwoprettywomenpassedby;thevolatileDukeranafterthem;theopportunitywaslost，andcouldneverberegained。
ThesecondDutchwar，themostdisgracefulwarinthewholehistoryofEngland，wasnowraging。Itwasnotinthatageconsideredasbyanymeansnecessarythatanavalofficershouldreceiveaprofessionaleducation。Youngmenofrank，whowerehardlyabletokeeptheirfeetinabreeze，servedonboardtheKing’sships，sometimeswithcommissions，andsometimesasvolunteers。Mulgrave，Dorset，Rochester，andmanyothers，lefttheplayhousesintheMallforhammocksandsaltpork，and，ignorantastheywereoftherudimentsofnavalservice，showed，atleast，onthedayofbattle，thecouragewhichisseldomwantinginanEnglishgentleman。Allgoodjudgesofmaritimeaffairscomplainedthat，underthissystem，theshipsweregrosslymismanaged，andthatthetarpaulinscontractedthevices，withoutacquiringthegraces，oftheCourt。Butonthissubject，asoneveryotherwheretheinterestsorwhimsoffavouriteswereconcerned，theGovernmentofCharleswasdeaftoallremonstrances。Wycherleydidnotchoosetobeoutofthefashion。
Heembarked，waspresentatabattle，andcelebratedit，onhisreturn，inacopyofversestoobadforthebellman。
[Mr。LeighHuntsupposesthatthebattleatwhichWycherleywaspresentwasthatwhichtheDukeofYorkgainedoverOpdam，in1665。WebelievethatitwasoneofthebattlesbetweenRupertandDeRuyter，in1673。
Thepointisofnoimportance;andtherecannotbesaidtobemuchevidenceeitherway。Weoffer，however，toMr。LeighHunt’sconsiderationthreearguments，ofnogreatweightcertainly，yetsuchasought，wethink，toprevailintheabsenceofbetter。
First，itisnotverylikelythatayoungTemplar，quiteunknownintheworld，——andWycherleywassuchin1665，——shouldhavequittedhischamberstogotosea。Ontheotherhand，itwouldbeintheregularcourseofthings，that，whenacourtierandanequerry，heshouldofferhisservices。Secondly，hisversesappeartohavebeenwrittenafteradrawnbattle，likethoseof1673，andnotafteracompletevictory，likethatof1665。
Thirdly，intheepiloguetotheGentlemanDancing—Master，writtenin1673，hesaysthat"allgentlemenmustpacktosea";anexpressionwhichmakesitprobablethathedidnothimselfmeantostaybehind。]
Aboutthesametime，hebroughtonthestagehissecondpiece，theGentlemanDancing—Master。Thebiographerssaynothing，asfarasweremember，aboutthefateofthisplay。Thereis，however，reasontobelievethat，thoughcertainlyfarsuperiortoLoveinaWood，itwasnotequallysuccessful。Itwasfirsttriedatthewestendofthetown，and，asthepoetconfessed，"wouldscarcedothere。"ItwasthenperformedinSalisburyCourt，but，asitshouldseem，withnobetterevent。For，intheprologuetotheCountryWife，Wycherleydescribedhimselfas"thelatesobaffledscribbler。"
In1675，theCountryWifewasperformedwithbrilliantsuccess，which，inaliterarypointofview，wasnotwhollyunmerited。
For，thoughoneofthemostprofligateandheartlessofhumancompositions，itistheelaborateproductionofamind，notindeedrich，original，orimaginative，butingenious，observant，quicktoseizehints，andpatientofthetoilofpolishing。
ThePlainDealer，equallyimmoralandequallywellwritten，appearedin1677。Atfirstthispiecepleasedthepeoplelessthanthecritics;butafteratimeitsunquestionablemeritsandthezealoussupportofLordDorset，whoseinfluenceinliteraryandfashionablesocietywasunbounded，establisheditinthepublicfavour。
ThefortuneofWycherleywasnowinthezenith，andbegantodecline。Alonglifewasstillbeforehim。Butitwasdestinedtobefilledwithnothingbutshameandwretchedness，domesticdissensions，literaryfailures，andpecuniaryembarrassments。
TheKing，whowaslookingaboutforanaccomplishedmantoconducttheeducationofhisnaturalson，theyoungDukeofRichmond，atlengthfixedonWycherley。Thepoet，exultinginhisgoodluck，wentdowntoamusehimselfatTunbridgeWells，lookedintoabookseller’sshoponthePantiles，and，tohisgreatdelight，heardahandsomewomanaskforthePlainDealer，whichhadjustbeenpublished。Hemadeacquaintancewiththelady，whoprovedtobetheCountessofDrogheda，agayyoungwidow，withanamplejointure。Shewascharmedwithhispersonandhiswit，and，afterashortflirtation，agreedtobecomehiswife。WycherleyseemstohavebeenapprehensivethatthisconnectionmightnotsuitwellwiththeKing’splansrespectingtheDukeofRichmond。
Heaccordinglyprevailedontheladytoconsenttoaprivatemarriage。Allcameout。CharlesthoughttheconductofWycherleybothdisrespectfulanddisingenuous。Othercausesprobablyassistedtoalienatethesovereignfromthesubjectwhohadlatelybeensohighlyfavoured。Buckinghamwasnowinopposition，andhadbeencommittedtotheTower;not，asMr。LeighHuntsupposes，onachargeoftreason，butbyanorderoftheHouseofLordsforsomeexpressionswhichhehadusedindebate。Wycherleywrotesomebadlinesinpraiseofhisimprisonedpatron，which，iftheycametotheknowledgeoftheKing，wouldcertainlyhavemadehismajestyveryangry。ThefavouroftheCourtwascompletelywithdrawnfromthepoet。Anamiablewomanwithalargefortunemightindeedhavebeenanamplecompensationfortheloss。ButLadyDroghedawasill—tempered，imperious，andextravagantlyjealous。ShehadherselfbeenamaidofhonouratWhitehall。Shewellknewinwhatestimationconjugalfidelitywasheldamongthefinegentlementhere，andwatchedhertownhusbandasassiduouslyasMr。Pinchwifewatchedhiscountrywife。Theunfortunatewitwas，indeed，allowedtomeethisfriendsatatavernoppositetohisownhouse。Butonsuchoccasionsthewindowswerealwaysopen，inorderthatherLadyship，whowaspostedontheothersideofthestreet，mightbesatisfiedthatnowomanwasoftheparty。
ThedeathofLadyDroghedareleasedthepoetfromthisdistress;
butaseriesofdisasters，inrapidsuccession，brokedownhishealth，hisspirits，andhisfortune。Hiswifemeanttoleavehimagoodproperty，andlefthimonlyalawsuit。Hisfathercouldnotorwouldnotassisthim。WycherleywasatlengththrownintotheFleet，andlanguishedthereduringsevenyears，utterlyforgotten，asitshouldseem，bythegayandlivelycircleofwhichhehadbeenadistinguishedornament。Intheextremityofhisdistressheimploredthepublisherwhohadbeenenrichedbythesaleofhisworks，tolendhimtwentypounds，andwasrefused。
Hiscomedies，however，stillkeptpossessionofthestage，anddrewgreataudiences，whichtroubledthemselveslittleaboutthesituationoftheauthor。AtlengthJamestheSecond，whohadnowsucceededtothethrone，happenedtogotothetheatreonaneveningwhenthePlainDealerwasacted。Hewaspleasedbytheperformance，andtouchedbythefateofthewriter，whomheprobablyrememberedasoneofthegayestandhandsomestofhisbrother’scourtiers。TheKingdeterminedtopayWycherley’sdebts，andtosettleontheunfortunatepoetapensionoftwohundredpoundsayear。Thismunificenceonthepartofaprincewhowaslittleinthehabitofrewardingliterarymerit，andwhosewholesoulwasdevotedtotheinterestsofhisChurch，raisesinusasurmisewhichMr。LeighHuntwill，wefear，pronounceveryuncharitable。WecannothelpsuspectingthatitwasatthistimethatWycherleyreturnedtothecommunionoftheChurchofRome。ThathedidreturntothecommunionoftheChurchofRomeiscertain。Thedateofhisreconversion，asfarasweknow，hasneverbeenmentionedbyanybiographer。Webelievethat，ifweplaceitatthistime，wedonoinjusticetothecharactereitherofWycherleyorJames。
Notlongafter，oldMr。Wycherleydied;andhisson，nowpastthemiddleoflife，cametothefamilyestate。Still，however，hewasnotathisease。Hisembarrassmentsweregreat:hispropertywasstrictlytiedup;andhewasonverybadtermswiththeheir—at—
law。Heappearstohaveled，duringalongcourseofyears，thatmostwretchedlife，thelifeofaviciousoldboyabouttown。
Expensivetasteswithlittlemoney，andlicentiousappetiteswithdecliningvigour，werethejustpenanceforhisearlyirregularities。Asevereillnesshadproducedasingulareffectonhisintellect。Hismemoryplayedhimpranksstrangerthanalmostanythataretobefoundinthehistoryofthatstrangefaculty。Itseemedtobeatoncepreternaturallystrongandpreternaturallyweak。Ifabookwasreadtohimbeforehewenttobed，hewouldwakethenextmorningwithhismindfullofthethoughtsandexpressionswhichhehadheardovernight;andhewouldwritethemdown，withoutintheleastsuspectingthattheywerenothisown。Inhisversesthesameideas，andeventhesamewords，cameoverandoveragainseveraltimesinashortcomposition。Hisfinepersonborethemarksofage，sickness，andsorrow;andhemournedforhisdepartedbeautywithaneffeminateregret。HecouldnotlookwithoutasighattheportraitwhichLelyhadpaintedofhimwhenhewasonlytwenty—eight，andoftenmurmured，Quantummutatusabillo。Hewasstillnervouslyanxiousabouthisliteraryreputation，and，notcontentwiththefamewhichhestillpossessedasadramatist，wasdeterminedtoberenownedasasatiristandanamatorypoet。In1704，aftertwenty—sevenyearsofsilence，heagainappearedasanauthor。Heputforthalargefolioofmiscellaneousverses，which，webelieve，hasneverbeenreprinted。Someofthesepieceshadprobablycirculatedthroughthetowninmanuscript。For，beforethevolumeappeared，thecriticsatthecoffee—housesveryconfidentlypredictedthatitwouldbeutterlyworthless，andwereinconsequencebitterlyreviledbythepoetinanill—
written，foolish，andegotisticalpreface。Thebookamplyvindicatedthemostunfavourablepropheciesthathadbeenhazarded。Thestyleandversificationarebeneathcriticism;themoralsarethoseofRochester。ForRochester，indeed，therewassomeexcuse。Whenhisoffencesagainstdecorumwerecommitted，hewasaveryyoungman，misledbyaprevailingfashion。Wycherleywassixty—four。Hehadlongoutlivedthetimeswhenlibertinismwasregardedasessentialtothecharacterofawitandagentleman。Mostoftherisingpoets，Addison，forexample，JohnPhilipsandRowe，werestudiousofdecency。Wecanhardlyconceiveanythingmoremiserablethanthefigurewhichtheribaldoldmanmakesinthemidstofsomanysoberandwell—
conductedyouths。
Intheveryyearinwhichthisbulkyvolumeofobscenedoggerelwaspublished，Wycherleyformedanacquaintanceofaverysingularkind。Alittle，pale，crooked，sickly，bright—eyedurchin，justturnedofsixteen，hadwrittensomecopiesofversesinwhichdiscerningjudgescoulddetectthepromiseoffutureeminence。Therewas，indeed，asyetnothingverystrikingororiginalintheconceptionsoftheyoungpoet。Buthewasalreadyskilledintheartofmetricalcomposition。Hisdictionandhismusicwerenotthoseofthegreatoldmasters;butthatwhichhisablestcontemporarieswerelabouringtodo，healreadydidbest。
Hisstylewasnotrichlypoetical;butitwasalwaysneat，compact，andpointed。Hisversewantedvarietyofpause，ofswell，andofcadence，butnevergratedharshlyontheear，ordisappointeditbyafeebleclose。Theyouthwasalreadyfreeofthecompanyofwits，andwasgreatlyelatedatbeingintroducedtotheauthorofthePlainDealerandtheCountryWife。
ItiscurioustotracethehistoryoftheintercoursewhichtookplacebetweenWycherleyandPope，betweentherepresentativeoftheagethatwasgoingout，andtherepresentativeoftheagethatwascomingin，betweenthefriendofRochesterandBuckingham，andthefriendofLytteltonandMansfield。Atfirsttheboywasenchantedbythekindnessandcondescensionofsoeminentawriter，hauntedhisdoor，andfollowedhimaboutlikeaspanielfromcoffee—housetocoffee—house。Lettersfullofaffection，humility，andfulsomeflatterywereinterchangedbetweenthefriends，Butthefirstardourofaffectioncouldnotlast。Pope，thoughatnotimescrupulouslydelicateinhiswritingsorfastidiousastothemoralsofhisassociates，wasshockedbytheindecencyofarakewho，atseventy，wasstilltherepresentativeofthemonstrousprofligacyoftheRestoration。Astheyouthgrewolder，ashismindexpandedandhisfamerose，heappreciatedbothhimselfandWycherleymorecorrectly。Hefeltajustcontemptfortheoldgentleman’sverses，andwasatnogreatpainstoconcealhisopinion。Wycherley，ontheotherhand，thoughblindedbyself—lovetotheimperfectionsofwhathecalledhispoetry，couldnotbutseethattherewasanimmensedifferencebetweenhisyoungcompanion’srhymesandhisown。Hewasdividedbetweentwofeelings。Hewishedtohavetheassistanceofsoskilfulahandtopolishhislines;andyetheshrankfromthehumiliationofbeingbeholdenforliteraryassistancetoaladwhomighthavebeenhisgrandson。Popewaswillingtogiveassistance，butwasbynomeansdisposedtogiveassistanceandflatterytoo。Hetookthetroubletoretouchwholereamsoffeeblestumblingverses，andinsertedmanyvigorouslineswhichtheleastskilfulreaderwilldistinguishinaninstant。Buthethoughtthatbytheseservicesheacquiredarighttoexpresshimselfintermswhichwouldnot，underordinarycircumstances，becomeonewhowasaddressingamanoffourtimeshisage。InoneletterhetellsWycherleythat"theworstpiecesaresuchas，torenderthemverygood，wouldrequirealmosttheentirenewwritingofthem。"Inanother，hegivesthefollowingaccountofhiscorrections:"Thoughthewholebeasshortagainasatfirst，thereisnotonethoughtomittedbutwhatisarepetitionofsomethinginyourfirstvolume，orinthisverypaper;andtheversificationthroughoutis，Ibelieve，suchasnobodycanbeshockedat。Therepeatedpermissionyougavemeofdealingfreelywithyou，will，Ihope，excusewhatIhavedone;
for，ifIhadnotsparedyouwhenIthoughtseveritywoulddoyouakindness，IhavenotmangledyouwhereIthoughttherewasnoabsoluteneedofamputation。"Wycherleycontinuedtoreturnthanksforallthishackingandhewing，whichwas，indeed，ofinestimableservicetohiscompositions。Butatlasthisthanksbegantosoundverylikereproaches。Inprivate，heissaidtohavedescribedPopeasapersonwhocouldnotcutoutasuit，butwhohadsomeskillinturningoldcoats。InhisletterstoPope，whileheacknowledgedthattheversificationofthepoemshadbeengreatlyimproved，hespokeofthewholeartofversificationwithscorn，andsneeredatthosewhopreferredsoundtosense。
Poperevengedhimselfforthisoutbreakofspleenbyreturnofpost。HehadinhishandsavolumeofWycherley’srhymes，andhewrotetosaythatthisvolumewassofulloffaultsthathecouldnotcorrectitwithoutcompletelydefacingthemanuscript。"I
am，"hesaid，"equallyafraidofsparingyou，andofoffendingyoubytooimpudentacorrection。"Thiswasmorethanfleshandbloodcouldbear。Wycherleyreclaimedhispapers，inaletterinwhichresentmentshowsitselfplainlythroughthethindisguiseofcivility。Pope，gladtoberidofatroublesomeandinglorioustask，sentbackthedeposit，and，bywayofapartingcourtesy，advisedtheoldmantoturnhispoetryintoprose，andassuredhimthatthepublicwouldlikehisthoughtsmuchbetterwithouthisversification，Thusendedthismemorablecorrespondence。
Wycherleylivedsomeyearsaftertheterminationofthestrangefriendshipwhichwehavedescribed。Thelastsceneofhislifewas，perhaps，themostscandalous。Tendaysbeforehisdeath，atseventy—five，hemarriedayounggirl，merelyinordertoinjurehisnephew，anactwhichprovesthatneitheryears，noradversity，norwhathecalledhisphilosophy，noreitherofthereligionswhichhehadatdifferenttimesprofessed，hadtaughthimtherudimentsofmorality。HediedinDecember1715，andliesinthevaultunderthechurchofSt。PaulinCoventGarden。
HisbridesoonaftermarriedaCaptainShrimpton，whothusbecamepossessedofalargecollectionofmanuscripts。Theseweresoldtoabookseller。Theyweresofulloferasuresandinterlineationsthatnoprintercoulddecipherthem。Itwasnecessarytocallintheaidofaprofessedcritic;andTheobald，theeditorofShakspeare，andtheheroofthefirstDunciad，wasemployedtoascertainthetruereading。Inthiswayavolumeofmiscellaniesinverseandprosewasgotupforthemarket。ThecollectionderivesallitsvaluefromthetracesofPope’shand，whichareeverywherediscernible。
OfthemoralcharacterofWycherleyitcanhardlybenecessaryforustosaymore。Hisfameasawriterrestswhollyonhiscomedies，andchieflyonthelasttwo。Evenasacomicwriter，hewasneitherofthebestschool，norhighestinhisschool。HewasintruthaworseCongreve。Hischiefmerit，likeCongreve’s，liesinthestyleofhisdialogue，butthewitwhichlightsupthePlainDealerandtheCountryWifeispaleandflickering，whencomparedwiththegorgeousblazewhichdazzlesusalmosttoblindnessinLoveforLoveandtheWayoftheWorld。LikeCongreve，and，indeed，evenmorethanCongreve，Wycherleyisreadytosacrificedramaticproprietytothelivelinessofhisdialogue。Thepoetspeaksoutofthemouthsofallhisduncesandcoxcombs，andmakesthemdescribethemselveswithagoodsenseandacutenesswhichputsthemonalevelwiththewitsandheroes。Wewillgivetwoinstances，thefirstwhichoccurtous，fromtheCountryWife。Thereareintheworldfoolswhofindthesocietyofoldfriendsinsipid，andwhoarealwaysrunningafternewcompanions。Suchacharacterisafairsubjectforcomedy。
Butnothingcanbemoreabsurdthantointroduceamanofthissortsayingtohiscomrade，"Icandenyyounothing:forthoughI
haveknowntheeagreatwhile，nevergoifIdonotlovetheeaswellasanewacquaintance。"Thattown—wits，again，havealwaysbeenratheraheartlessclass，istrue。Butnoneofthem，wewillanswerforit，eversaidtoayoungladytowhomhewasmakinglove，"Wewitsrailandmakeloveoften，buttoshowourparts:
aswehavenoaffections，sowehavenomalice。"
Wycherley’splaysaresaidtohavebeentheproduceoflongandpatientlabour。Theepithetof"slow"wasearlygiventohimbyRochester，andwasfrequentlyrepeated。Intruthhismind，unlesswearegreatlymistaken，wasnaturallyaverymeagresoil，andwasforcedonlybygreatlabourandoutlaytobearfruitwhich，afterall，wasnotofthehighestflavour。HehasscarcelymoreclaimtooriginalitythanTerence。Itisnottoomuchtosaythatthereishardlyanythingoftheleastvalueinhisplaysofwhichthehintisnottobefoundelsewhere。ThebestscenesintheGentlemanDancing—MasterweresuggestedbyCalderon’sMaestrodeDanzar，notbyanymeansoneofthehappiestcomediesofthegreatCastilianpoet。TheCountryWifeisborrowedfromtheEcoledesMarisandtheEcoledesFemmes。ThegroundworkofthePlainDealeristakenfromtheMisanthropeofMoliere。OnewholesceneisalmosttranslatedfromtheCritiquedel’EcoledesFemmes。
FideliaisShakspeare’sViolastolen，andmarredinthestealing;
andtheWidowBlackacre，beyondcomparisonWycherley’sbestcomiccharacter，istheCountessinRacine’sPlaideurs，talkingthejargonofEnglishinsteadofthatofFrenchchicane。
TheonlythingoriginalaboutWycherley，theonlythingwhichhecouldfurnishfromhisownmindininexhaustibleabundance，wasprofligacy。Itiscurioustoobservehoweverythingthathetouched，howeverpureandnoble，tookinaninstantthecolourofhisownmind。ComparetheEcoledesFemmeswiththeCountryWife。
Agnesisasimpleandamiablegirl，whoseheartisindeedfulloflove，butoflovesanctionedbyhonour，morality，andreligion。
Hernaturaltalentsaregreat。Theyhavebeenhidden，and，asitmightappear，destroyedbyaneducationelaboratelybad。Buttheyarecalledforthintofullenergybyavirtuouspassion。Herlover，whileheadoresherbeauty，istoohonestamantoabusetheconfidingtendernessofacreaturesocharmingandinexperienced。Wycherleytakesthisplotintohishands;andforthwiththissweetandgracefulcourtshipbecomesalicentiousintrigueofthelowestandleastsentimentalkind，betweenanimpudentLondonrakeandtheidiotwifeofacountrysquire。Wewillnotgointodetails。Intruth，Wycherley’sindecencyisprotectedagainstthecriticsasaskunkisprotectedagainstthehunters。Itissafe，becauseitistoofilthytohandleandtoonoisomeeventoapproach。
ItisthesamewiththePlainDealer。HowcarefulhasShakspearebeeninTwelfthNighttopreservethedignityanddelicacyofViolaunderherdisguise！Evenwhenwearingapage’sdoubletandhose，sheisnevermixedupwithanytransactionwhichthemostfastidiousmindcouldregardasleavingastainonher。SheisemployedbytheDukeonanembassyoflovetoOlivia，butonanembassyofthemosthonourablekind。WycherleyborrowsViola;andViolaforthwithbecomesapandarofthebasestsort。ButthecharacterofManlyisthebestillustrationofourmeaning。
Moliereexhibitedinhismisanthropeapureandnoblemind，whichhadbeensorelyvexedbythesightofperfidyandmalevolence，disguisedundertheformsofpoliteness。Aseveryextremenaturallygeneratesitscontrary，Alcesteadoptsastandardofgoodandevildirectlyopposedtothatofthesocietywhichsurroundshim。Courtesyseemstohimavice;andthosesternvirtueswhichareneglectedbythefopsandcoquettesofParisbecometooexclusivelytheobjectsofhisveneration。Heisoftentoblame;heisoftenridiculous;butheisalwaysagoodman;
andthefeelingwhichheinspiresisregretthatapersonsoestimableshouldbesounamiable。WycherleyborrowedAlceste，andturnedhim，——wequotethewordsofsolenientacriticasMr。
LeighHunt，——into"aferocioussensualist，whobelievedhimselfasgreatarascalashethoughteverybodyelse。"ThesurlinessofMoliere’sheroiscopiedandcaricatured。Butthemostnauseouslibertinismandthemostdastardlyfraudaresubstitutedforthepurityandintegrityoftheoriginal。And，tomakethewholecomplete，Wycherleydoesnotseemtohavebeenawarethathewasnotdrawingtheportraitofaneminentlyhonestman。Sodepravedwashismoraltastethat，whilehefirmlybelievedthathewasproducingapictureofvirtuetooexaltedforthecommerceofthisworld，hewasreallydelineatingthegreatestrascalthatistobefound，eveninhisownwritings。
WepassaveryseverecensureonWycherley，whenwesaythatitisarelieftoturnfromhimtoCongreve。Congreve’swritings，indeed，arebynomeanspure;norwashe，asfarasweareabletojudge，awarm—heartedorhigh—mindedman。Yet，incomingtohim，wefeelthattheworstisover，thatweareoneremovefurtherfromtheRestoration，thatwearepasttheNadirofnationaltasteandmorality。
WILLIAMCONGREVEwasbornin1670，atBardsey，intheneighbourhoodofLeeds。Hisfather，ayoungersonofaveryancientStaffordshirefamily，haddistinguishedhimselfamongthecavaliersinthecivilwar，wassetdownaftertheRestorationfortheOrderoftheRoyalOak，andsubsequentlysettledinIreland，underthepatronageoftheEarlofBurlington。
CongrevepassedhischildhoodandyouthinIreland。HewassenttoschoolatKilkenny，andthencewenttotheUniversityofDublin。Hislearningdoesgreathonourtohisinstructors。Fromhiswritingsitappears，notonlythathewaswellacquaintedwithLatinliterature，butthathisknowledgeoftheGreekpoetswassuchaswasnot，inhistime，commoneveninacollege。
Whenhehadcompletedhisacademicalstudies，hewassenttoLondontostudythelaw，andwasenteredoftheMiddleTemple。Hetroubledhimself，however，verylittleaboutpleadingorconveyancing，andgavehimselfuptoliteratureandsociety。Twokindsofambitionearlytookpossessionofhismind，andoftenpulleditinoppositedirections。Hewasconsciousofgreatfertilityofthoughtandpowerofingeniouscombination。Hislivelyconversation，hispolishedmanners，andhishighlyrespectableconnections，hadobtainedforhimreadyaccesstothebestcompany。Helongedtobeagreatwriter。Helongedtobeamanoffashion。Eitherobjectwaswithinhisreach。Butcouldhesecureboth？Wastherenotsomethingvulgarinletters，somethinginconsistentwiththeeasyapatheticgracesofamanofthemode？
WasitaristocraticaltobeconfoundedwithcreatureswholivedinthecockloftsofGrubStreet，tobargainwithpublishers，tohurryprinters’devilsandbehurriedbythem，tosquabblewithmanagers，tobeapplaudedorhissedbypit，boxes，andgalleries？
Couldheforegotherenownofbeingthefirstwitofhisage？
Couldheattainthatrenownwithoutsullyingwhathevaluedquiteasmuch，hischaracterforgentility？Thehistoryofhislifeisthehistoryofaconflictbetweenthesetwoimpulses。Inhisyouththedesireofliteraryfamehadthemastery;butsoonthemeanerambitionoverpoweredthehigher，andobtainedsupremedominionoverhismind。
Hisfirstwork，anovelofnogreatvalue，hepublishedundertheassumednameofCleophil。HissecondwastheOldBachelor，actedin1693，aplayinferiorindeedtohisothercomedies，but，initsownline，inferiortothemalone。Theplotisequallydestituteofinterestandofprobability。Thecharactersareeithernotdistinguishable，oraredistinguishedonlybypeculiaritiesofthemostglaringkind。Butthedialogueisresplendentwithwitandeloquence，whichindeedaresoabundantthatthefoolcomesinforanampleshare，andyetpreservesacertaincolloquialair，acertainindescribableeaseofwhichWycherleyhadgivennoexample，andwhichSheridaninvainattemptedtoimitate。Theauthor，dividedbetweenprideandshame，prideathavingwrittenagoodplay，andshameathavingdoneanungentlemanlikething，pretendedthathehadmerelyscribbledafewscenesforhisownamusement，andaffectedtoyieldunwillinglytotheimportunitiesofthosewhopressedhimtotryhisfortuneonthestage。TheOldBachelorwasseeninmanuscriptbyDryden，oneofwhosebestqualitieswasaheartyandgenerousadmirationforthetalentsofothers。Hedeclaredthathehadneverreadsuchafirstplay，andlenthisservicestobringitintoaformfitforrepresentation。Nothingwaswantedtothesuccessofthepiece。Itwassocastastobringintoplayallthecomictalent，andtoexhibitontheboardsinoneviewallthebeauty，whichDruryLaneTheatre，thentheonlytheatreinLondon，couldassemble。Theresultwasacompletetriumph;andtheauthorwasgratifiedwithrewardsmoresubstantialthantheapplausesofthepit。Montagu，thenaLordoftheTreasury，immediatelygavehimaplace，and，inashorttime，addedthereversionofanotherplaceofmuchgreatervalue，which，however，didnotbecomevacanttillmanyyearshadelapsed。
In1694，CongrevebroughtouttheDoubleDealer，acomedyinwhichallthepowerswhichhadproducedtheOldBachelorshowedthemselves，maturedbytimeandimprovedbyexercise。ButtheaudiencewasshockedbythecharactersofMaskwellandLadyTouchwood。And，indeed，thereissomethingstrangelyrevoltinginthewayinwhichagroupthatseemstobelongtotheHouseofLaiusorofPelopsisintroducedintothemidstoftheBrisks，Froths，Carelesses，andPlyants。Theplaywasunfavourablyreceived。Yet，ifthepraiseofdistinguishedmencouldcompensateanauthorforthedisapprobationofthemultitude，Congrevehadnoreasontorepine。Dryden，inoneofthemostingenious，magnificent，andpatheticpiecesthatheeverwrote，extolledtheauthoroftheDoubleDealerintermswhichnowappearextravagantlyhyperbolical。TillCongrevecameforth，——soranthisexquisiteflattery，——thesuperiorityofthepoetswhoprecededthecivilwarswasacknowledged。
"Theirswasthegiantracebeforetheflood。"
SincethereturnoftheRoyalHouse，muchartandabilityhadbeenexerted，buttheoldmastershadbeenstillunrivalled。
"Ourbuilderswerewithwantofgeniuscurst，Thesecondtemplewasnotlikethefirst。"
Atlengthawriterhadarisenwho，justemergingfromboyhood，hadsurpassedtheauthorsoftheKnightoftheBurningPestleandoftheSilentWoman，andwhohadonlyonerivallefttocontendwith。
"Heaven，thatbutoncewasprodigalbefore，ToShakspearegaveasmuch，shecouldnotgivehimmore。"
Somelinesneartheendofthepoemaresingularlygracefulandtouching，andsankdeepintotheheartofCongreve。
"AlreadyamIwornwithcaresandage，AndjustabandoningtheungratefulstageButyou，whomeveryMuseandGraceadorn，WhomIforeseetobetterfortuneborn，Bekindtomyremains;andoh，defendAgainstyourjudgmentyourdepartedfriend。
Letnottheinsultingfoemyfamepursue，Butguardthoselaurelswhichdescendtoyou。"
Thecrowd，asusual，graduallycameovertotheopinionofthemenofnote;andtheDoubleDealerwasbeforelongquiteasmuchadmired，thoughperhapsneversomuchliked，astheOldBachelor。
In1695appearedLoveforLove，superiorbothinwitandinsceniceffecttoeitheroftheprecedingplays。ItwasperformedatanewtheatrewhichBettertonandsomeotheractors，disgustedbythetreatmentwhichtheyhadreceivedinDruryLane，hadjustopenedinatennis—courtnearLincoln’sInn。Scarcelyanycomedywithinthememoryoftheoldestmanhadbeenequallysuccessful。
TheactorsweresoelatedthattheygaveCongreveashareintheirtheatre;andhepromisedinreturntofurnishthemwithaplayeveryyear，ifhishealthwouldpermit。Twoyearspassed，however，beforeheproducedtheMourningBride，aplaywhich，paltryasitiswhencompared，wedonotsay，withLearorMacbeth，butwiththebestdramasofMassingerandFord，standsveryhighamongthetragediesoftheageinwhichitwaswritten。
TofindanythingsogoodwemustgotwelveyearsbacktoVenicePreserved，orsixyearsforwardtotheFairPenitent。ThenoblepassagewhichJohnson，bothinwritingandinconversation，extolledaboveanyotherintheEnglishdrama，hassufferedgreatlyinthepublicestimationfromtheextravaganceofhispraise。HadhecontentedhimselfwithsayingthatitwasfinerthananythinginthetragediesofDryden，Otway，Lee，Rowe，Southern，Hughes，andAddison，thananything，inshort，thathadbeenwrittenforthestagesincethedaysofCharlestheFirst，hewouldnothavebeeninthewrong。
ThesuccessoftheMourningBridewasevengreaterthanthatofLoveforLove。Congrevewasnowallowedtobethefirsttragicaswellasthefirstcomicdramatistofhistime;andallthisattwenty—seven。WebelievethatnoEnglishwriterexceptLordByronhas，atsoearlyanage，stoodsohighintheestimationofhiscontemporaries。
Atthistimetookplaceaneventwhichdeserves，inouropinion，averydifferentsortofnoticefromthatwhichhasbeenbestowedonitbyMr。LeighHunt。ThenationhadnownearlyrecoveredfromthedemoralisingeffectofthePuritanausterity。ThegloomyfolliesofthereignoftheSaintswerebutfaintlyremembered。
Theevilsproducedbyprofanenessanddebaucherywererecentandglaring。TheCourt，sincetheRevolution，hadceasedtopatroniselicentiousness。Marywasstrictlypious;andthevicesofthecold，stern，andsilentWilliam，werenotobtrudedonthepubliceye。DiscountenancedbytheGovernment，andfailinginthefavourofthepeople，theprofligacyoftheRestorationstillmaintaineditsgroundinsomepartsofsociety。Itsstrongholdsweretheplaceswheremenofwitandfashioncongregated，andaboveall，thetheatres。Atthisconjuncturearoseagreatreformerwhom，widelyaswedifferfromhiminmanyimportantpoints，wecannevermentionwithoutrespect。
JEREMYCOLLIERwasaclergymanoftheChurchofEngland，bredatCambridge。Histalentsandattainmentsweresuchasmighthavebeenexpectedtoraisehimtothehighesthonoursofhisprofession。Hehadanextensiveknowledgeofbooks;yethehadmingledmuchwithpolitesociety，andissaidnottohavewantedeithergraceorvivacityinconversation。