ADVERTISEMENT. vii ney to Northamptonshire to examine the present state of Rushton, where Dryden often resided, and of Mr Finlay' of Glasgow, who favoured the Editor with the use of some original editions, are here gratefully acknowledged. 2 1 [John Finlay, author of Wallace, or the Vale of Ellerslie, and other poems, died in his twenty-eighth year, in 1810.] 2 [The Biography of Dryden was not composed by any of his contemporaries. Dr Johnson, who wrote the first authentic life of the poet, complained that nothing could be known of Dryden beyond what casual mention and uncertain tradition supplied. Since that time many mistakes have been rectified, and omissions supplied, by the diligent researches of Malone; and we are now probably in possession of all the information which it is possible to produce. Sir Walter Scott has justly founded his narrative on the facts recorded in Malone's biography; while he has taken a more comprehensive view of the genius and writings of the poet, and the influence which he exercised on the Literature of the age. When we therefore consider the fairness and felicity of Johnson's critical disquisitions; the truth elicited, or errors rectified by Malone's diligence; and the lively, interesting, and instructive narrative of Scott, we may justly consider that Dryden has been fortunate in his biographers.”—MITFORD's Life of Dryden, 1832.] CONTENTS OF VOLUME FIRST. РАСБ SECT. I.-Preliminary Remarks on the Poetry of Eng- land before the Civil Wars-The Life of Dryden from his Birth till the Restoration-His early Poems, Heroic Plays-Comedies of Intrigue-Commence- ment of Dryden's Dramatic Career-The Wild Gal- lant-Rival Ladies-Indian Queen and Emperor- Dryden's Marriage-Essay on Dramatic Poetry, and subsequent Controversy with Sir Robert Howard- The Maiden Queen-The Tempest-Sir Martin Mar.. all-The Mock Astrologer-The Royal Martyr— The Two Parts of the Conquest of Granada-Dry- den's Situation at this Period, SECT. III.-Heroic Plays-The Rehearsal-Marriage à-la-Mode The Assignation-Controversy with SECT. IV. Dryden's Controversy with Settle-with Rochester-He is assaulted in Rose Street-Aureng- -The Spanish Friar-Dryden supposed to be in SECT. V.-Dryden engages in Politics-Absalom and Achitophel, Part First-The Medal-Mac-Flecknoe -Absalom and Achitophel, Part Second-The Duke SECT. VI.-Threnodia Augustalis-Albion and Alba- nius-Dryden becomes a Catholic-The Controversy of Dryden with Stillingfleet-The Hind and Panther -Life of St Francis Xavier-Consequences of the SECT. VII.-State of Dryden's Connexions in Society after the Revolution-Juvenal and Persius-Smaller Pieces-Eleonora -Third Miscellany-Virgil-Ode to St Cecilia-Dispute with Milbourne-with Black- -Fables-The Author's Death and Funeral- His private Character-Notices of his Family,....... 313 SECT. VIII. The State of Dryden's Reputation at his Death, and afterwards-The general Character of his Mind-His Merit as a Dramatist-As a Lyri- cal Poet-As a Satirist-As a Narrative Poet-As THE LIFE OF JOHN DRYDEN. SECTION I. Preliminary Remarks on the Poetry of England before the Civil Wars-The Life of Dryden from his Birth till the Restoration— His early Poems, including the “ Annus Mirabilis." THE Life of Dryden may be said to comprehend a history of the literature of England, and its changes, during nearly half a century. While his great contemporary Milton was in silence and secrecy laying the foundation of that immortal fame, which no poet has so highly deserved, Dryden's labours were ever in the eye of the public; and he maintained, from the time of the Restoration till his death, in 1700, a decided and acknowledged superiority over all the poets of his age. As he wrote from necessity, he was obliged to pay a certain deference to |