The Pretentious Young Ladies | Page 4

place; only at Christmas 1666
theatrical performances began again.]
According to the list of "The Representers, as they were first design'd."
I see that Nell Gwyn should have played the part of "_Lysette_, the
_Damoiselle's_ waiting Woman."
James Miller, a well-known dramatist, and joint-translator of Molière,
with H. Baker, has also imitated part of "the _Pretentious Young
Ladies_," and with another part borrowed from Molière's _School for

Husbands_, two characters taken from Molière's _Learned Ladies_, and
some short speeches borrowed from the _Countess of Escarbagnas_, he
composed a comedy, which was played at Drury Lane, March 6th,
1735, under the title of _The Man of Taste, or, The Guardians_. Mr.
Miller appears to have been a man of indomitable spirit and industry.
Being a clergyman, with a very small stipend, he wrote plays to
improve his circumstances, but offended both his bishop and the public.
At last he was presented to the very valuable living of Upcerne, in
Dorsetshire, and was also successful with a translation of Mahomet of
Voltaire, but died within the year after his induction. The Man of Taste
was printed for J. Watts, MDCCXXXV., and is dedicated to Lord
Weymouth. We give part of the dedication:
"As to the Attempt here made to expose the several Vices and Follies
that at present flourish in Vogue, I hope your Lordship will think it
confined within the bounds of a modest and wholesome Chastisement.
That it is a very seasonable one, I believe, every Person will
acknowledge. When what is set up for the Standard of Taste, is but just
the Reverse of Truth and Common Sense; and that which is dignify'd
with the Name of Politeness, is deficient in nothing--but Decency and
Good Manners: When all Distinctions of Station and Fortune are broke
in upon, so that a Peer and a Mechanick are cloathed in the same Habits,
and indulge in the same Diversions and Luxuries: When Husbands are
ruin'd, Children robb'd, and Tradesmen starv'd, in order to give Estates
to a French Harlequin, and Italian Eunuch, for a Shrug or a Song;
[Footnote: Farinelli, an eminent Italian soprano, went to England in
1734, remained there three years, sang chiefly at the Theatre of
Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, then under the direction of Porpora, his old
Master, became a great favorite, and made about, £5,000 a year. As The
Man of Taste was performed at a rival house, Drury Lane, the bitterness
of the allusion may be easily understood. The French Comedians acted
at the Haymarket from November 22, 1734 to June 1735, hence the
allusion to a French Harlequin.] shall not fair and fearless Satire oppose
this Outrage upon all Reason and Discretion. Yes, My Lord, resentment
can never better be shown, nor Indignation more laudably exerted than
on such an occasion."
The Prologue, spoken by Mr. Cibber, is racy. We give the first half of
it:--

"Wit springs so slow in our bleak Northern Soil, It scarce, at best,
rewards the Planter's Toil. But now, when all the Sun-shine, and the
Rain, Are turn'd to cultivate a Foreign grain; When, what should
cherish, preys upon the Tree, What generous Fruit can you expect to
see? Our Bard, to strike the Humour of the Times, Imports these Scenes
from kindlier Southern Climes; Secure his Pains will with Applause be
crown'd, If you're as fond of Foreign sense as ... sound: And since their
Follies have been bought so dear, We hope their Wit a moderate Price
may bear. Terence, Great Master! who, with wond'rous Art, Explor'd
the deepest Secrets of the Heart; That best Old Judge of Manners and of
Men, First grac'd this Tale with his immortal Pen. Molière, the Classick
of the Gallick Stage, First dar'd to modernize the Sacred Page; Skilful,
the one thing wanting to supply, Humour, that Soul of Comic Poesy.
The Roman Fools were drawn so high ... the Pit Might take 'em now for
Modern Men of Wit. But Molière painted with a bolder Hand, And
mark'd his Oafs with the Fool's-Cap and Band: To ev'ry Vice he tagged
the just Reproach, Shew'd Worth on Foot, and Rascals in a Coach."
[Footnote: The plot of _The Man of Taste_, as we have said before,
was partly borrowed from Molière's _School for Husbands_, partly
from the _Pretentious Young Ladies_, and other of his plays. The
first-mentioned French comedy owes part of its plot to Terence's
_Adelphi_, hence the allusion to "his immortal Pen." in the above
poem.]
Mrs. Aphra Behn, a voluminous writer of plays, novels, poems, and
letters, all of a lively and amorous turn, was the widow of a Dutch
merchant, and partly occupied the time not engaged in literary pursuits
in political or gallant intrigues. Her comedies are her best works, and
although some of her scenes are often indecent, and not