The Pretentious Young Ladies | Page 3

of Comedy; and that, for the same Reason, that the truly
Learned and truly Brave never yet thought fit to be offended at the
Doctor or the Captain in a Comedy, no more than Judges, Princes, and
Kings at seeing Trivelin, [Footnote: The Doctor and the Captain were
traditional personages of the Italian stage; their parts need no further
explanation; Trivelin was a popular Italian actor, who in a humorous
and exaggerated way played the parts of Judges, Princes, and Kings.] or
any other upon the Stage, ridiculously act the Judge, the Prince, or
King; so the true _Précieuses_ would be in the wrong to be angry,
when the pretentious Ones are exposed, who imitate them awkwardly.
In a Word, as I said, I am not allowed breathing time; Mr. de Luyne is

going to bind me up this Instant: ... let it be so, since the Fates so ordain
it.
In the third volume of the "Select Comedies of M. de Molière," this
comedy is called "The Conceited Ladies." It is dedicated to Miss Le
Bas in the following words:---
MADAM, Addresses of this Nature are usually fill'd with Flattery: And
it is become so general and known a Practice for Authors of every kind
to bedeck with all Perfections Those to whom they present their
Writings, that Dedications are, by most People, at Present, interpreted
like Dreams, directly backwards. I dare not, therefore, attempt Your
Character, lest even Truth itself should be suspected--Thus far,
however, I'll venture to declare, that if sprightly blooming Youth,
endearing sweet Good-nature, flowing gentile Wit, and an easy
unaffected Conversation, maybe reckon'd Charms,--Miss LE BAS is
exquisitely charming.
The following COMEDY of Monsieur MOLIERE, that celebrated
Dramatick Writer, was, by him, intended to reprove a vain, fantastical,
conceited and preposterous Humour, which about that time prevailed
very much in France. It had the desir'd good Effect, and conduced a
great deal towards rooting out a Taste so unreasonable and
ridiculous.---As Pride, Conceit, Vanity, and Affectation, are Foibles so
often found amongst the Fair Sex at present, I have attempted this
Translation, in hopes of doing service to my pretty
Country-Women.--And, certainly, it must have a double efficacy, under
the Patronage of one who is so bright an Example of the contrary fine
Accomplishments, which a large Fortune makes her not the less careful
to improve.
I am not so presumptuous to imagine that my English can do sufficient
Justice to the sense of this admir'd AUTHOR; and, therefore, have
caused the ORIGINAL to be placed against it Page for Page, hoping
that, both together, may prove an agreeable and useful
Entertainment.----But I have detain'd you too long already, and shall
only add, that I am, with much respect, and every good Wish,
MADAM, _Your most Obedient Humble Servant_, THE
TRANSLATOR.
The _Précieuses Ridicules_ have been partly imitated in "_The
Damoiselles à la Mode_, Compos'd and Written by Richard Flecknoe.

London: Printed for the Author, 1667. To their graces the Duke and
Duchess of Newcastle, the Author dedicates this his comedy more
humbly than by way of epistle." This gentleman, who was "so
distinguished as a wretched poet, that his name had almost become
proverbial," and who gave the title to Dryden's _Mac-Flecknoe_, is said
to have been originally a Jesuit. Langbaine states "that his acquaintance
with the nobility was more than with the Muses." In the preface our
author says: "This Comedy is taken out of several excellent pieces of
_Molière_. The main plot out of his _Pretieusee's Ridiculee's_; the
Counterplot of Sganarelle out of his _Escole des Femmes_, and out of
the _Escole des Marys_, the two _Naturals_; all which, like so many
Pretieuse stones, I have brought out of _France_; and as a Lapidary set
in one Jewel to adorn our English stage."
This motley play was never acted; at least the author says: "for the
Acting it, those who have the Governing of the Stage, have their
Humours, and wou'd be intreated; and I have mine and won't intreat
them; and were all Dramatick Writers of my mind, they shou'd wear
their old Playes Thred-bare e're they shou'd have any _New_, till they
better understood their own Interest, and how to distinguish betwixt
good and bad."
The "Prologue intended for the overture of the Theater 1666," opens
thus:--
"In these sad Times our Author has been long Studying to give you
some diversion; And he has ta'en the way to do't, which he Thought
most diverting, mirth and Comedy; And now he knows there are
inough i' the Town At name of mirth and Comedy will frown, And
sighing say, the times are bad; what then? Will their being sad and
heavy better them?"
[Footnote: In 1665 the plague broke out in London, and in the
succeeding year the great fire took