images and pompous verfification to the most trifling

circumstances.

Boniface's difpofition of introducing his guests to each other, is truly that of a country land lord and his attempt to find out Aimwell; when he replies to his invitation of Gibbet who fhall I tell him fir would is very confiftent with impertinent curiofity and low cunning.

Gibbet's rufty appearance and ænigmatical mode of conversation are certainly well adapted to his character; Aimwell's queftions are fuitable and hint a juft fufpicion of the pretended captain; Boniface's preparative for Foigard's appearance in a blundering affectation of knowing men and languages is very laughable; and the Prieft's joining company enriches the fhort fcene he is concerned in very confiderably.

Archer and Scrub are now exhibited in a diverting state of familiarity; the droll fimplicity of the latter is a well drawn contrast to the polite fhrewdnefs of the former; who artfully feels the fimpleton's pulfe and under friendship's affumed veil, winds into the fubject he has in view; this whimfical tete a tete never fails, even with indifferent performance, fetting the rifible faculties at work; Scrub's terrible secret of being in love with Gipfey is a moft forceable ftroke of low humour; and the chain of explanation which arises from it concerning the French count, the Prieft and Mrs. Sullen is extremely natural; opening part of the plot seemingly without any defign of the author; the tranfition to Scrub's various employments very properly puts a

ftop

ftop to the conversation and the ladies appear in very fit feason.

Mrs. Sullen's throwing down her fan by way of Jure to a footman, though a smart agreeable fellow, fhews her in the light of a giddy headed coquette, or fomething worse; it would have been an allowable method of beginning converfation with a gentleman, but to a fervant in livery violates decorum; befides it does not answer the intention, for Scrub is forced to act as mafter of the ceremonies at last.

Archer in his converfation with the ladies, ufes judiciously that ftrained ftile of expression which we may suppose a coxcombly valet would be fond of; and lady Howd'ye's meffage is as poignant a piece of fatire upon the unconnected jargon, and unintelligible lumber of words a fashionable footman's fcull is loaded with, as ever was penned-his reply to Mrs. Sullen's furprize at his not being better provided for, came from the author's heart, though now commonly omitted-" I was offered a lieute"nant's commiffion-but that's not provifion for a "gentleman."-This feems a contempt thrown on fubaltern gentlemen-but FARQUHAR felt the forceable truth having been in that ftation himself; if it was too little forty years ago, what is it now when every article of life is advanced above a third? and yet military pay remains unaugmented, though judges and feveral officers of ftate, who had falaries Jarge enough before, have been confiderably increafed.-Reader excufe this fhort digreffion, ftrong feelings for a very refpectable and ferviceable fet of gentlemen have forced it from me.

Dorinda's

Dorinda's information that Archer probably is a companion of my lord's in difguife, rather palliates her fifter's favourable difpofition towards him; but Mrs. Sullen true to the unblushing principles of a vicious heart, throws off all referve in these words, "I chose the count to ferve me in a defign upon my husband; but I fhould like this fellow better " in a design upon myself;"-after fuch an explicit declaration, who can say that this lady deserved a better husband than Sullen ?-neglect on one fide; long acquaintance, frequent interviews, and very engaging qualifications, might warp even virtue at an unguarded season; but at first sight, and such inferior rank, 'tis literally too grofs.

Sullen's behaviour is fuch as we may expect from him; after his exit, a defign is mentioned, which as the play is performed, cannot poffibly be difcovered; for it never comes to action nor explanation; the author is not to blame, for by means of the Frenchman, Mrs. Sullen means to awaken her husband's jealoufy; but that character being totally omitted, that matter remains in the dark, unless something can be picked up from what Foigard fays afterwards-but how a spectator is to know that for the project here hinted at I cannot

tell.

Lady Bountifull's character is amiable, and Aimwell's feigned fickness well contrived to gain admiffion to his mistress; the bustle occafioned by his mistake is well conducted, but there is a line frequently introduced to create laughter in the upper regions, which occafions me to wifh Shakespeare's YOL. I.

H

excellent

excellent rule was more enforced by managers, and better obferved by performers-"let your clowns "fpeak no more than is fet down"-or if this is too ftrait a limitation for the minifters of Momus-I would at least have them confult decency in their own additional wit, nor facrifice decency for a little fmuggled applause.-I have heard what follows frequently spoke," you fhall tafte my water, 'tis a cordial I can affure you and of my own making; which Scrub facetiously enforces, by faying," do

tafte it fir, for my lady makes very good water;" another stroke of Mrs. Sullen, for which we muft criminate the Author, is very offenfive; when Archer fays, I find myself very ill at this minute," the replies (afide indeed) with this emphatic óbfervation-" I fancy friend I could find a 66 way to cure you."

Aimwell's introducing his footman to the ladies, is what I believe no peer or commoner ever did in fimilar circumstances; notwithstanding the apology of his understanding pictures.

Foigard's converfation with Gipfey, entirely appertains to the under plot of introducing the Count into Mrs. Sullen's clofet; the priest is herein well characterized, too many I fear of that fraternity having made a very bad ufe of their influence over Families.

The picture scene between Mrs. Sullen and Archer, if we can reconcile the lady's amorous condefcenfion, contains many pleafing allufions and delicate compliments; particularly comparing the duke of Marlbrough then in the zenith of glory to Alexan

4

ders

der; the hint of his own disguise thrown out in Jupiter's approach to Leda, and asking the lady if she did not ferve the painter who prefumed to draw her breafts, as Jupiter did Salmoneus for imitating his thunder; are well imagined, though in a romantic ftrain; what follows refpecting the bed-chamber, is as extraordinary a coup-de-main of gallantry as can be met with; confidering the circumftances of fuch different rank, fo flight an acquaintance, time of the day, and company at hand; if the attack bę truly British, as Archer infinuates, then are Briton's Lions in love.-Scrub's entrance is critical and lucky; his confused manner of telling the priest's plot, humorous and natural.

The comparative view of compliments from their lovers, for Mrs. Sullen honeftly owns Archer fuch, between her and Dorinda is very fpirited; but both the ladies rather call a blush upon the cheek of modefty, when one fays-" you can't think of the 66 man, without the bedfellow I find." To which the knowing young lady replies-" I don't find

any thing unnatural in that thought; while the "mind is converfant with flesh and blood, it must "conform to the humours of its company?" Another paffage not very defenfible, is-" mine spoke "the fofteft moving things-mine had his moving "things too?"—This reply is generally delivered with fuch an illuftrative emphafis, that there needs no ghoft to tell what the character, or at least the actress means; I wish this arch mode of expreffion, as it is called, was reformed all together; and it