and the Confederates not above half that number. The great Turke takes the field this yeare in person as our Foreign Gazettes tell us. As for our descent on France; either we never did intend it or we do so still and I believe the latter. For without prejudice or partiality, I look upon the confederacy to be upon its last legg after this Campaign, if K: William does not attempt something very extraordinary, and succeed in it. For which reason, I thinke you are very much in the right, not to press into publique business till you see the success of this ensueing summer. I spoke with a young Gentleman, who is just arrivd from Flander and came from Bruxelles. He assures me that not above a fortnight ago, the French burnt a village within a mile of the Town; and the Garrison though they knew of it, yet durst not venture out; that the Town wishes the French were Masters of it; and that generally the Hollanders are desirous of a peace. This is still to confirme you in your opinion of sitting still. I spoke to Mr. Tonson to send you down the Bookes you desir'd; in order to the writeing of a preface before my next Play; if he has not done it I will remind him of it. For I shall be very proud, of your entring into the lists, though not against Rymer; yet as a champion for our cause, who defy the Chorus of the Ancients. The Play I am now writing is a feignd story and a Tragicomedy of the nature of the Spanish Fryar: And I am sure the tale of it is likely to be diverting enough. I have plotted it all; and written two Acts of it. This morning I had their chief Comedian, whom they call Solon, with me; to consult with him concerning his own character: and truly I thinke he has the best understanding of any man in the Play house. Mr. Wycherleys Poems will not come out till Michael

mass terme if his versification prove as well as his wit I shall believe it will be extraordinary. However Congreve and Southern and I shall not faile to appeare before it, and if you will come in he will have reason to acknowledge it for a favour. And on our sides, you shall be very welcome to make up the mess. I had this day a letter from my sonns at Rome: which to my wonder tells me, that on the fifteenth of April (on which day dated) they were in the extreamity of hott weather: so that they coud onely stirr out, morning and evening; and were already in the midst of peas and cherryes: 'tis quite contrary heere: where we have nothing but raine, cold weather, and a late spring time without any hope of any summer. Write me word if you please when we may hope to see you in Town, or whether at all this summer and what is become of the insurrection at Worcester, concerning the transportation of Corne. You may see I do not set up for a Wit in this letter: nor will at any time, with you to whom I profess an entire friendship. I had your Sydar safe; and it was as perfectly good, as I am sure you designd it.

I am Sir your most faithfull, humble Servant,

Tuesday Afternoon,

May the 9th or 10th.

Ffor William Walsh Esq.

JOHN DRYDEN.

Att Abberley neare Worcester

These

To be left with the Postmaster of Worcester to be conveyd as above directed.

"Solon" was Dogget, who had acquired a special reputation by his performance of a character so called in the "Marriage-Hater."

YESTERDAY morning my Lord Leycester sent his gentleman to me to let you know by me that he had made enquiry about the place you mentioned; and found that some dayes before your letter came, it had been given away to one Mr. Carey, who had possesst it in the time of K: Charles 24, and that this gentleman was actually sworn into it. I suppose that you imagind a place of that benefit being now worth 1500 p' annum, woud not be long voyd: & therefore set not your heart upon it. I spoke for places in the coach too late; there will be none voyd till next weeke. Tonson has likewise fayld me in the publishing his Miscellanyes tho that shou'd not have hinder'd me any longer [than] till Saturday. I thinke I gave you an account of all things in your letter: onely forgot, perhaps one thing: wch is you desir'd to know what kind of book it was which Herringman or his man publish'd under the name of MiscellanyPoems: they are almost all old as I am informed and have been most of them printed before. One or two of my Lord Roscomons excepted. Nobody vallues them nor would you yourself as my Friends tell me. I gave your service to Congreve, who is since gone out of Town for a month or six weeks. No news I thinke: that of the ships is at a stand. We have lost about forty or fifty, including the Dutch Merchants de Tourvalles letter to his king sayes he has destroyd seaven Dutch and English men of warr and that he is still in pursuit of merchants ships. Huy I thinke I told you is taken; and so is Darmstaad nere Frankfort: the dauphin and Lorg are gone to find Louis of Baden,

who is not above 24 thousand strong: Saxony will not joine him unless he may command: and in probability has taken French money to lye still. The Confederacy totters; for the Emperour is inclin'd to treat, but France will grant no cessation in the meane time. All things favour the Monarch who pushes round him; and our fleet yesterday was in Torbay: no newes of Rook since his last letter we guess him gone for Ireland with the remainder of his scatterd covey.

To be left at the posthouse in Worcester and whence conveyed.

LETTER LIII.

TO WILLIAM WALSH, ESQ.

DEARE MR. Walsh,

many

times and you

I HAVE read your letter know that when we repeat actions often, 'tis with pleasure. The Method which you have taken is wonderfully good; and not onely all present Poets, but all who are to come in England, will thanke you for freeing them from the too servile imitation of the Ancients. If hereafter the Audience will come to tast the confinement of the French (which I believe the English never will) then it will be easy for their Poets, to follow the strictness of the Mechanique rules, in the three Unities. In the

meane time I am affrayd, for my sake you discover not your opinion concerning my Irregular way of Tragi-comedies, in my doppia favola. I beseech you let no consideration of mine hinder you from makeing a perfect Critique. I will never defend that practice: for I know it distracts the hearers. But I know, with all, that it has hitherto pleasd them for the sake of variaty; and for the particular tast, which they have for low Comedy. Mascardi, in some of his Miscellany Treatises, has a chapter concerning this; and exemplifies, in the Satyr and Corisca of the Pastor Fido: As I remember those two persons though not of a piece with the rest, yet serve in the conclusion, to the discovery and beauty of the design. Your Critique, by your description of its bulk, will be too large for a preface to my Play which is now studying; but cannot be acted till after Christmasse is over. I call it Love Triumphant, or Nature will prevaile: Unless instead of the second Title, you like this other Neither Side to blame, which is very proper, to the two chief characters of the heroe and Heroine who notwithstanding the Extravagance of their passion, are neither of them faulty, either in duty, or in Honour. Your judgment on it, if you please. When you do me the favour to send your Booke, I will take care to correct the press; and to have it printed well. It will be more for your honour too, to print it alone, to take off the suspition of your being too much my friend, I meane too partiall to me if it come in company of my Play. I have rememberd you to all your friends; and in particular to Congreve, who sends you his play, as a present from himselfe, by this conveyance; and much desires the honour of being better known to you. His Double Dealer is much censurd by the greater part of the Town: