fuch a mode of getting rid of the difficulties which occur in ancient writers is more calculated to fhew the boldness of the critic, than to give credit to his knowledge, either of the authors, or the habits, fashions, humours, or customs, of former times. He hath, therefore, in not more than two or three inftances, departed from the text, and never without noting the variation, that no one who may chufe the rejected words, or is able to explain them to his fatisfaction, may be obliged to quit the old copies, if they shall be deemed intitled to a preference.

In commenting on the feveral plays, the Editor hath generally had recourse to contemporary writers, for the explanation of words or phrases which are peculiar to the times; and the fame practice hath been obferved in elucidating the particular customs which are referred to in the feveral volumes. In the course of these remarks, the reader will see how much the present collection hath been indebted to the late edition of Shakspeare. As it cannot be expected that many will become purchasers of these volumes who are not poffeffed of that work, it hath generally been referred to in the course of the several notes. It would be fome

4

fatisfaction

fatisfaction to the Editor, if he could fay, that all the obfcurities which are to be found were completely explained; and he is forry to acknowledge, that feveral remain unattempted. They are, however, not very numerous, and will, he thinks, be entitled to the pardon of every candid reader. To throw light on every difficult paffage in fuch a work as the present, requires more reading than can be expected from any one person.

It was very foon after this collection went to the prefs, that the Editor became convinced, how imperfectly the task which he had entered upon would be performed, if he was to depend entirely on his own endeavours; and, very fortunately, that aid which he wished for was offered him, in the politeft manner, by a gentleman to whom he is under many great obligations, befides his communications to this work. When it is known, that to him the públick are indebted for all the notes figned with the letter S, the reader will regret that there are not a greater proportion of the whole number under that fignature. From another gentleman, whofe knowledge in antiquarian fubjects the world hath been long acquainted with, the notes marked S. P. were received; and thofe which

2

which have the letter N annexed to them, are fuch obfervations as occurred to the printer of the first fix volumes in reading the proof fheets. To all thefe gentlemen the editor efteems himself much indebted for their kindnefs and attention. From them arifes the principal affiftance he hath to boast of. A very few notes marked with different letters he was favoured with by other friends, to whom he begs here to make his acknowledgments. And he hath many reasons to flatter himself, that the commentary would have been much enlarged from other quarters, if a diffidence of his abilities for the undertaking had not deterred him from folicitation.

There are two alterations in the present edition from the former, which he believes will need no apology. These are, the arrangement of the plays, now changed according to the chronological order in which they were publifhed, and the removal of fome, which were formerly printed, for others which feem to have a fairer claim to being preferved. Some of these rejected pieces have been lately publifhed in a complete edition of one author; and the others are fuch as have been thrown out by the advice of a gentleman, whose fentiVOL. I.

ments

ments concerning them must be confirmed by every one who will afford them a perufal *.

Befides the notes already mentioned, the principal additions are a fuller account of the feveral authors than Mr. DodЛley plan al

4 The following is a Lift of the rejected Plays :

1. Muftapha, by Lord Brooke,

2. The Shepherd's Holiday, by Jofeph Rutter. 3. The City Madam,

.4. A new Way to pay old Debts,

5. The Guardian,

6. The Unnatural Combat,

7. The Picture,

by Maflinger.

8. The Loft Lady, by Sir William Barclay. 9. The Marriage Night, by Lord Falkland.

10.

Love will find out the Way, by T. B.

This is no more than Shirley's Conftant Maid.

11. All Mistaken; or, The Mad Couple, by James Howard. 12. The Revenge; or, A Match in Newgate.

This is Marston's Dutch Courtezan, altered by Betterton.

Inftead of which are inferted,

I. The First Part of Jeronymo.

2. The Second Part of the Honest Whore, by Tho. Dekkar. 3. All Fools, by George Chapman.

4. The Miseries of Inforced Marriage, by Geo. Wilkins.

5. Ram Alley, by Lodowick Barry.

6. The Roaring Girl, by Middleton and Dekker.

7. The Four Prentifes of London, by Thomas Heywood.

8. The Jew of Malta, by Christopher Marlow.

9. The Wits, by Sir William Davenant.

10. Chichevache and Bycorne.

lewed him to give. The History of the Stage is alfo continued from the time of the Restoration to the year 1776; but, in this part of the undertaking, a want of materials. hath so often occurred, that the editor is convinced of the imperfect manner in which it is executed, without being able to make any improvement in it. He is furprized to find fo little has been written on a fubject from which fo much of the amufement of life is derived; and, if the flight fketch now given fhould tempt any person who has more industry and better opportunities of acquiring information to complete what is here left undone, the editor will not think his time entirely mif-fpent.

How far the prefent edition of Mr. Dodfley's work is calculated to answer what the publick have a right to demand, the editor is afraid to reflect on. It was begun at firft merely for amufement; and hath been carried on through much ill health, and with many real doubts of his ability to finish it in fuch a manner as to merit applause. He hath not been feduced by vanity fo far as not to perceive the many defects which will be found in his part of thefe volumes. He is truly fenfible of them; but can at the fame time declare, they have not