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. Preliminary Remarks on the Poetry of England be- fore the Civil Wars-The Life of Dryden from his Revival of the Drama at the Restoration-Heroic Plays-Comedies of Intrigue-Commencement of Dryden's Dramatic Career-The Wild Gallant- Rival Ladies-Indian Queen and Emperor-Dry- den'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 Mar- Dryden's Controversy with Settle-with Rochester- He is assaulted in Rose-Street-Aureng-Zebe- Dryden meditates an Epic Poem-All for Love- Limberham-OEdipus-Troilus and Cressida- THE LIFE OF JOHN DRYDEN. 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. » THE life of Dryden may be said to comprehend a history of the literature of England, and its changes, during nearly half a century. While his great contemporary Milton was in silence and secrecy laying the foundation of that immortal fame, which no poet has so highly deserved, Dryden's labours were ever in the eye of the public; and he main. tained, from the time of the Restoration till his death, in 1700, a decided and acknowledged superiority over all the poets of his age. As he wrote from necessity, he was VOL. I. I |