The kingdom cannot shew better bodies of men, better inclinations for the service, more generosity, more good understanding, nor more politeness, than is to be found at the foot of the Wrekin.

Some little turns of humour that I met with, almost within the shade of that famous hill, gave the rise to this comedy; and people were apprehensive, that, by the example of some others, I would make the town merry at the expence of the country gentlemen; but they forgot that I was to write a comedy, not a libel; and that whilst I held to nature no person of any character in your country could suffer by being exposed· I have drawn the Justice and the Clown in their puris naturalibus; the one, an apprehensive, sturdy, brave, blockhead, and the other, a worthy, honest, generous, gentleman, hearty in his country's cause, and of as good an understanding as I could give him, which I must confess is far short of his own.

I humbly beg leave to interline a word or two of the adventures of The Recruiting Officer upon the stage. Mr. Rich, who commands the company for which those recruits were raised, has desired me to acquit him before the world of a charge, which he thinks lies heavy upon him, for acting this play on Mr. Durfey's third night.

Be it known unto all men by these presents, that it was my act and deed, or rather Mr. Durfey's, for he would play his third night against the first of mine. He brought down a huge flight of frightful birds upon me, when (Heaven knows) I had not a feather'd fowl in my play except one single Kite; but I presently made Plume a bird because of his name, and Brazen another because of the feather in his hat; and with these three I engag'd his whole empire, which I think was as great a wonder as any in the sun.

But to answer his complaints more gravely; the season was far advanced, the officers that made the greatest figures in my play were all commanded to their posts abroad, and waited only for a wind, which might possibly turn in less than a day; and I know none of Mr. Durfey's birds that had posts abroad but his Woodcocks, and their season is over; so that he might put off a day with less prejudice than The Recruiting Officer could, who has this farther to say for himself, that he was posted before the other spake, and could not with credit recede from his station.

These and some other rubs this Comedy met with before it appeared: but, on the other hand, it had powerful helps to set it forward: the Duke of Ormond encourag'd the Author, and the Earl of Orrery approved the play. My recruits were reviewed by my general and my colonel, and could not fail to pass

muster; and still to add to my success, they were raised among my Friends round the Wrekin.

This health has the advantage over our other cele. brated toasts, never to grow worse for the wearing: it is a lasting beauty, old without age, and common without scandal, That you may live long to set it cheerfully round, and to enjoy the abundant pleasures of your fair and plentiful country, is the hearty wish of,

My Lords and Gentlemen,

your most obliged,

and most obedient servant,

G. FARQUHAR.

THE RECRUITING OFFICER.

THIS is one of the liveliest comedies in our language: it is also the truest picture of the recruiting service that can be given. If tradition may be credited, the character of PLUME was intended by our bard as a portrait of himself.

The rival captains are well opposed to each other. The scenes have abundant smartness, ease, and frequently the most exquisite sallies of wit. It is a comedy that will always be popular, while there are rustics to be allured, and these military seducers to inveigle; and probably long after the inhuman juggle shall have ceased, that converts in fancy every bumpkin into a Marlborough, the RECRUITING OFFICER of Farquhar will be read as a lively witness of the arts that were once used to induce our clowns to become the soldiers of their country.

PROLOGUE.

IN ancient times, when Helen's fatal charms
Rous'd the contending universe to arms,
The Grecian council happily deputes.

The sly Ulysses forth—

-to raise recruits:

The artful captain found without delay
Where great Achilles a deserter lay;

Him Fate had warn'd to shun the Trojan blows,
Him Greece requir'd- -against the Trojan foes.
All their recruiting arts were needful here

To raise this great, this tim'rous volunteer.
Ulysses well could talk-

The warlike youth

-he stirs, he warms,

-He listens to the charms

Of plunders, fine lac'd coats, and glitt'ring arms:
Ulysses caught the young aspiring boy,

And listed him who wrought the fate of Troy.
Thus by Recruiting was bold Hector slain,
Recruiting thus fair Helen did regain.
If for one Helen such prodigious things
Were acted, that they even listed kings,
If for one Helen's artful vicious charms
Half the transported world was found in arms,
What for so many Helens may we dare,
Whose minds as well as faces are so fair?
If by one Helen's eyes old Greece could find
Its Homer fir'd to write, ev'n Homer blind,
Then Britons sure beyond compare may write,
That view so many Helens ev'ry night.