IN FOR MESSIEURS RIVINGTON, T. CARNAN AND F. NEWBERY, T. EVANS IN THE STRAND. MDCCLXXX. [ix] PREFACE. WHEN I undertook to write a comedy, I confefs I was ftrongly prepoffeffed in favour of the poets of the laft age, and ftrove to imitate them. The term, genteel comedy, was then unknown amongst us, and little more was defired by an audience, than nature and humour, in whatever walks of life they were moft confpicuous. The author of the following scenes never imagined that more would be expected of him, and therefore to delineate character has been his principal aim. Those who know any thing of compofition, are fenfible, that in pursuing humour, it will fometimes lead us into the receffes of the mean; I was even tempted to look for it in the master of a spunging-house: but in deference to the public tafte, grown of late, perhaps, too delicate, the scene of the bailiffs was retrenched in the representation. In deference alfo to the judgment of a few friends, who think in a particular way, the fcene is here reftored. The author fubmits it to the reader reader in his closet; and hopes that too much refinement will not banish humour and character from ours, as it has already done from the French theatre. Indeed the French comedy is now become fo very elevated and fentimental, that it has not only banished humour and Moliere from the ftage, but it has banished all spectators too. Upon the whole, the author returns his thanks to the public for the favourable reception which the Good-Natur'd Man has met with: and to Mr. Colman in particular, for his kindness to it. It may not alfo be improper to affure any, who shall hereafter write for the theatre, that merit, or fuppofed merit, will ever be a fufficient paffport to his protection. PRO |