Sir ROGER MOSTY N, Bart.

SIR,

O F

Moftyn-hall in Flintshire,

IS no fmall reflection on pieces of this nature, that Panegyric is so much improv'd, and that dedicati. on is grown more an art than poetry; that authors, to make their patrons more than men, make themselves lefs; and that perfons of honour are forc'd to decline patronizing wit, because their modefty cannot bear the grofs ftrokes of adulation.

But give me leave to fay, Sir, that I am too young an author to have learnt the art of flattery; and, I hope, the fame modesty which recommended this play to the world, will alfo reconcile my addreffes to you, of whom I can fay nothing but what your merits may warrant, and all that have the honour of your acquaintance will be proud to vindicate.

The greatest Panegyric upon you, Sir, is the unprejudic'd and bare truth of your character, the fire of youth, with the fedatenefs of a fenator, and the modern gaiety of a fine English gentleman, with the noble folidity of the antient Briton.

This is the character, Sir, which all men, but yourself, are proud to publifh of you, and which more celebrated pens than mine fhould tranfmit to pofterity.

The play has had fome noble appearances to honour its representation; and to compleat the success, I have prefum'd to prefix so noble a name to usher it into the world. A ftately frontispiece is the beauty of a building. But here I must tranfverfe Ovid:

Materia fuperabit Opus.

I am, Honourable Sir,

Your most Devoted, and IIumble Servant,

GEORGE FARQUHAR.

A

N affected modefty is very often the greatest vanity, and authors are fometimes prouder of their blushes than of the praifes that occafion'd them. I fhan't therefore, like a foolish virgin, fly to be purfu'd, and deny what I chiefly wish for. I am very willing to acknowledge the beauties of this play, especially thofe of the third night, which not to be proud of, were the height of impudence: Who is afham'd to value himself upon fuch favours, undervalues thofe who conferr'd them.

As I freely fubmit to the criticisms of the judicious, fo I cannot allow this an ill play, fince the town has allow'd it fuch fuccefs. When they have pardon'd my faults, 'twere very ill manners to condemn their indulgence. Some may think (my acquaintance in town being too flender to make a party for the play) that the fuccefs muft be deriv'd from the pure merits of the cause. I am of another opinion; I have not been long enough in town to raife enemies against me; and the English are still kind to strangers. I am below the envy of great wits, and above the malice of little ones. I have not difpleafed the ladies, nor offended the clergy; both which are now pleas'd to fay, that a comedy may be diverting without fmut and profaneness.

Next to thofe advantages, the beauties of action gave the greatest life to the play, of which the town is fo fenfible, that all will join with me in commendation of the actors,