the cloud which so long hung over the events of Dryden's life, he has endeavoured to take a different and more enlarged view of the subject than that which his predecessors have presented. The general critical view of Dryden's works being sketched by Johnson with unequalled felicity, and the incidents of his life accurately discussed and ascertained by Malone, something seemed to remain for him who should consider these literary productions in their succession, as actuated by and operating upon the taste of an age, where they had so predominant an influence; and who might, at the same time, connect the life of Dryden with the history of his publications, without losing sight of the fate and character of the individual. How far this end has been attained, is not for the editor to guess, especially when, as usual at the close of a work, he finds he is possessed of double the information he had when he commenced it. The kindness of Mr Octavius Gilchrist, who undertook a journey to Northamptonshire to examine the present state of Rushton, where Dryden often lived, and of Mr Finlay, of Glasgow, who favoured the editor with the use of some original editions, fall here to be gratefully acknowledged. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. · SECTION I. Preliminary Remarks on the Poetry of England before the Civil Wars-The Life of Dryden from his Birth till the Restoration-His early Poems, including the « Annus Mirabilis. » SECTION II. Revival of the Drama at the Restoration-Heroic Plays-Comedies of Intrigue-Commencement of Dryden's Dramatic Career-The Wild GallantRival Ladies-Indian Queen and Emperor-Dryden's Marriage-Essay on Dramatic Poetry, and subsequent Controversy with Sir Robert Howard -The Maiden Queen-The Tempest-Sir Martin Mar-all-The Mock Astrologer-The Royal Martyr-The Two Parts of the Conquest of Granada -Dryden's Situation at this Period. SECTION III. Heroic Plays-The Rehearsal-Marriage à la Mode -The Assignation-Controversy with Cliffordwith Leigh-with Ravenscroft-Massacre of Amboyna-State of Innocence. Pages. 58 109 SECTION IV. Dryden's Controversy with Settle-with Rochester— SECTION V. Dryden engages in Politics-Absalom and Achitophel, Part First-The Medal-Mac-FlecknoeAbsalom and Achitophel, Part Second-The Duke of Guise. Pages. 168 222 |