Page [unnumbered]
THE PREFACE.
HAving recommended this Play to the Town, and delivered the Copy of it to the Bookseller, I think my self oblig'd to give some Account of it.
It had been some Years in the Hands of the Author, and falling under my Perusal, I thought so well of it that I persuaded him to make a few Additions and Alterations to it, and let it appear upon the Stage. I own I was very highly pleased with it, and lik'd it the better, for the want of those studyed Similes and Repartees, which we, who have writ before him, have thrown into our Plays, to indulge and gain upon a false Taste that has prevailed for many Years in the British Theatre. I believe the Au|thor would have fallen into this Way a little more than he has, had he, before the writing of it, been often present at Theatrical Representations, and observ'd the Effect that such Ornaments generally have upon the Town. I was confirmed in my Thoughts of the Play, by the Opi|nion of better Judges to whom it was Communicated, who observed that the Scenes were written very much after Moliere's Manner, and that an easie and natural Vein of Humour ran through the whole.
I do not question but the Reader will discover this, and see many Beauties that escape the Audience; the Tou|ches