PREFACE THE Memoir prefixed to the present edition of Sheridan's Dramatic Works contains the most striking circumstances that marked the eventful life of the author. These are necessarily condensed, and such only recorded as are based upon unimpeachable testimony; the numerous apocryphal anecdotes which have found their way into circulation having been intentionally rejected. The object of the editor has been to place before the public both the Memoir and the Plays in as authentic a form as existing materials permit. The difficulties attendant upon such a task may be gathered from the facts hereinafter narrated. G. G. S. |