Congreve’s new play has had but moderate success,
though it deserves much better.
though it deserves much better.
Dryden - Complete
ut supra.
_
LETTER XXXIV.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Tuesday, July the 11th, [1699. ]
As I cannot accuse myself to have receiv’d any letters from you without
answer, so, on the other side, I am oblig’d to believe it, because
you say it. ’Tis true, I have had so many fitts of sickness, and so
much other unpleasant business, that I may possibly have receiv’d
those favours, and deferr’d my acknowledgment till I forgot to thank
you for them. However it be, I cannot but confess, that never was any
unanswering man so civilly reproach’d by a fair lady. I presum’d to
send you word by your sisters[156] of the trouble I intended you this
summer; and added a petition, that you would please to order some small
beer to be brew’d for me without hops, or with a very inconsiderable
quantity; because I lost my health last year by drinking bitter beer
at Tichmarsh. It may perhaps be sour, but I like it not the worse, if
it be small enough. What els I have to request, is onely the favour of
your coach, to meet me at Oundle, and to convey me to you: of which I
shall not fail to give you timely notice. My humble service attends my
cousin Stewart and your relations at Oundle. My wife and sonn desire
the same favour; and I am particularly,
Madam,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stewart, etc. _
LETTER XXXV.
TO SAMUEL PEPYS, ESQ. [157]
PADRON MIO, July the 14th, 1699.
I remember, last year, when I had the honour of dineing with you, you
were pleased to recommend to me the character of Chaucer’s “Good
Parson. ” Any desire of yours is a command to me; and accordingly I
have put it into my English, with such additions and alterations as
I thought fit. Having translated as many Fables from Ovid, and as
many Novills from Boccace and Tales from Chaucer, as will make an
indifferent large volume in folio, I intend them for the press in
Michaelmas term next. In the mean time, my Parson desires the favour
of being known to you, and promises, if you find any fault in his
character, he will reform it. Whenever you please, he shall wait on
you, and for the safer conveyance, I will carry him in my pocket; who am
My _Padrons_ most obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Samuel Pepys, Esq.
Att his house in York-street, These. _
LETTER XXXVI.
ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING BY MR PEPYS.
SIR, Friday, July 14, 1699.
You truly have obliged mee; and possibly, in saying so, I am more in
earnest then you can readily think; as verily hopeing, from this your
copy of one “Good Parson,” to fancy some amends made mee for the hourly
offence I beare with from the sight of so many lewd originalls.
I shall with great pleasure attend you on this occasion, when ere you’l
permit it; unless you would have the kindness to double it to mee, by
suffering my coach to wayte on you (and who you can gayne mee y^e same
favour from) hither, to a cold chicken and a sallade, any noone after
Sunday, as being just stepping into the ayre for 2 days.
I am, most respectfully,
Your hono^{rd} and obed^{nt} servant,
S. P.
LETTER XXXVII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Saturday, Aug. 5th, 1699.
This is only a word, to threaten you with a troublesome guest, next
week: I have taken places for my self and my sonn in the Oundle coach,
which sets out on Thursday next the tenth of this present August; and
hope to wait on a fair lady at Cotterstock on Friday the eleventh. If
you please to let your coach come to Oundle, I shall save my cousin
Creed the trouble of hers. All heer are your most humble servants, and
particularly an old cripple, who calls him self
Your most obliged kinsman,
And admirer,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stewart, Att_
_Cotterstock, near Oundle,_
_in Northamptonshire. These. _
_To be left with the Postmaster of Oundle. _
LETTER XXXVIII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Sept. 28th, 1699.
Your goodness to me will make you sollicitous of my welfare since I
left Cotterstock. My journey has in general been as happy as it cou’d
be, without the satisfaction and honour of your company. ’Tis true,
the master of the stage-coach has not been over civill to me: for he
turned us out of the road at the first step, and made us go to Pilton;
there we took in a fair young lady of eighteen, and her brother, a
young gentleman; they are related to the Treshams, but not of that
name: thence we drove to Higham, where we had an old serving-woman,
and a young fine mayd: we din’d at Bletso, and lay at Silso, six
miles beyond Bedford. There we put out the old woman, and took in
Councellour Jennings his daughter; her father goeing along in the
Kittering coach, or rideing by it, with other company. We all din’d
at Hatfield together, and came to town safe at seaven in the evening.
We had a young doctour, who rode by our coach, and seem’d to have a
smickering[158] to our youg lady of Pilton, and ever rode before to get
dinner in a readiness. My sonn, Charles, knew him formerly a Jacobite;
and now going over to Antigoo, with Colonel Codrington,[159] haveing
been formerly in the West Indies. --Which of our two young ladies was
the handsomer, I know not. My sonn liked the Councellour’s daughter
best: I thought they were both equal. But not goeing to Tichmarsh
Grove, and afterwards by Catworth, I missed my two couple of rabbets,
which my cousin, your father, had given me to carry with me, and cou’d
not see my sister by the way: I was likewise disappointed of Mr Cole’s
Ribadavia wine: but I am almost resolved to sue the stage coach, for
putting me six or seaven miles out of the way, which he cannot justify.
Be pleased to accept my acknowledgment of all your favours, and my
Cousin Stuart’s; and by employing my sonn and me in any thing you
desire to have done, give us occasion to take our revenge on our kind
relations both at Oundle and Cotterstock. Be pleas’d, your father,
your mother, your two fair sisters, and your brother,[160] may find my
sonn’s service and mine made acceptable to them by your delivery; and
believe me to be with all manner of gratitude, give me leave to add,
all manner of adoration,
Madam,
Your most obliged obedient Servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart, Att_
_Cotterstock near Oundle,_
_In Northamptonshire,_
_These. _
_To be left with the Postmaster
of Oundle. _
LETTER XXXIX.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES MONTAGUE. [161]
SIR, [Octob. 1699. ]
These verses[162] had waited on you with the former, but that they
wanted that correction which I have given them, that they may the
better endure the sight of so great a judge and poet. I am now in feare
that I purged them out of their spirit; as our Master Busby us’d to
whip a boy so long, till he made him a confirm’d blockhead. My Cousin
Driden saw them in the country; and the greatest exception he made to
them Avas a satire against the Dutch valour in the last war. He desir’d
me to omit it, (to use his own words) “out of the respect he had to his
Sovereign. ” I obeyed his commands, and left onely the praises, which I
think are due to the gallantry of my own countrymen. In the description
which I have made of a Parliament-man,[163] I think I have not only
drawn the features of my worthy kinsman, but have also given my own
opinion of what an Englishman in Parliament ought to be; and deliver it
as a memorial of my own principles to all posterity. I have consulted
the judgment of my unbyass’d friends, who have some of them the honour
to be known to you: and they think there is nothing which can justly
give offence in that part of the poem. I say not this to cast a blind
on your judgment, (which I could not do, if I endeavoured it,) but
to assure you, that nothing relateing to the publique shall stand
without your permission; for it were to want common sence to desire
your patronage, and resolve to disoblige you. And as I will not hazard
my hopes of your protection, by refusing to obey you in any thing which
I can perform with my conscience or my honour, so I am very confident
you will never impose any other terms on me. My thoughts at present are
fix’d on Homer; and by my translation of the first Iliad, I find him
a poet more according to my genius than Virgil, and consequently hope
I may do him more justice in his fiery way of writeing; which, as it
is liable to more faults, so it is capable of more beauties, than the
exactness and sobriety of Virgil. Since ’tis for my country’s honour,
as well as for my own, that I am willing to undertake this task, I
despair not of being encourag’d in it by your favour, who am
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
LETTER XL.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Nov. 7th, [1699. ]
Even your expostulations are pleasing to me; for though they shew you
angry, yet they are not without many expressions of your kindness; and
therefore I am proud to be so chidden. Yet I cannot so farr abandon my
own defence, as to confess any idleness or forgetfulness on my part.
What has hind’red me from writeing to you, was neither ill health,
nor, a worse thing, ingratitude; but a flood of little businesses,
which yet are necessary to my subsistance, and of which I hop’d to
have given you a good account before this time: but the court rather
speaks kindly of me, than does any thing for me, though they promise
largely; and perhaps they think I will advance as they go backward, in
which they will be much deceiv’d; for I can never go an inch beyond my
conscience and my honour. [164] If they will consider me as a man who
has done my best to improve the language, and especially the poetry,
and will be content with my acquiescence under the present government,
and forbearing satire on it, that I can promise, because I can perform
it; but I can neither take the oaths, nor forsake my religion; because
I know not what church to go to, if I leave the Catholique; they are
all so divided amongst them selves in matters of faith necessary to
salvation, and, yet all assumeing the name of Protestants. May God be
pleas’d to open your eyes, as he has open’d mine! Truth is but one; and
they who have once heard of it, can plead no excuse, if they do not
embrace it. But these are things too serious for a trifling letter.
If you desire to hear any thing more of my affairs, the Earl of
Dorsett, and your cousin Montague, have both seen the two poems, to the
Duchess of Ormond, and my worthy cousin Driden; and are of opinion,
that I never writt better. My other friends are divided in their
judgments, which to preferr; but the greater part are for those to my
dear kinsman; which I have corrected with so much care, that they will
now be worthy of his sight, and do neither of us any dishonour after
our death.
There is this day to be acted a new tragedy, made by Mr Hopkins,[165]
and, as I believe, in rhime. He has formerly written a play in verse,
call’d “Boadicea,” which you fair ladyes lik’d; and is a poet who
writes good verses without knowing how or why; I mean, he writes
naturally well, without art, or learning, or good sence. Congreve is
ill of the gout at Barnet Wells. I have had the honour of a visite from
the Earl of Dorsett, and din’d with him. --Matters in Scotland are in a
high ferment,[166] and next door to a breach betwixt the two nations;
but they say from court, that France and we are hand and glove. ’Tis
thought, the king will endeavour to keep up a standing army, and make
the stirr in Scotland his pretence for it; my cousin Driden,[167] and
the country party, I suppose, will be against it; for when a spirit is
rais’d, ’tis hard conjuring him down again. --You see I am dull by my
writeing news; but it may be my cousin Creed[168] may be glad to hear
what I believe is true, though not very pleasing. I hope he recovers
health in the country, by his staying so long in it. My service to my
cousin Stuart, and all at Oundle. I am, faire Cousine,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart, Att_
_Cotterstock, near Oundle,_
_In Northamptonshyre,_
_These. _
_To be left at the Posthouse
in Oundle. _
LETTER XLI
TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN. [169]
MADAM, Nov. 12, 1699.
The letter you were pleas’d to direct for me, to be left at the
coffee-house last summer, was a great honour; and your verses[170]
were, I thought, too good to be a woman’s; some of my friends, to whom
I read them, were of the same opinion. ’Tis not over-gallant, I must
confess, to say this of the fair sex; but most certain it is, that they
generally write with more softness than strength. On the contrary, you
want neither vigour in your thoughts, nor force in your expressions,
nor harmony in your numbers; and methinks I find much of Orinda[171]
in your manner; to whom I had the honour to be related, and also to
be known. But I continued not a day in the ignorance of the person to
whom I was oblig’d; for, if you remember, you brought the verses to a
bookseller’s shop, and enquir’d there, how they might be sent to me.
There happen’d to be in the same shop a gentleman, who heareing you
speak of me, and seeing a paper in your hand, imagin’d it was a libel
against me, and had you watch’d by his servant, till he knew both your
name, and where you liv’d, of which he sent me word immediately. Though
I have lost his letter, yet I remember you live some where about St
Giles’s,[172] and are an only daughter. You must have pass’d your time
in reading much better books than mine; or otherwise you cou’d not have
arriv’d to so much knowledge as I find you have. But whether Sylph or
Nymph, I know not: those fine creatures, as your author, Count Gabalis,
assures us,[173] have a mind to be christen’d, and since you do me the
favour to desire a name from me, take that of Corinna, if you please;
I mean not the lady with whom Ovid was in love, but the famous Theban
poetess, who overcame Pindar five times, as historians tell us. I
would have call’d you Sapho, but that I hear you are handsomer. Since
you find I am not altogether a stranger to you, be pleas’d to make me
happier by a better knowledge of you; and in stead of so many unjust
praises which you give me, think me only worthy of being,
Madam,
Your most humble servant,
and admirer,
JOHN DRYDEN.
LETTER XLII.
TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN. [174]
MADAM, [Nov. 1699. ]
The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those
good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make
me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of
the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry. ’Tis an
unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for
your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without
prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which
Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if
I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.
I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her,
who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which
I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them
fairly burn’d. But this I need not say to you, who are too well born,
and too well principled, to fall into that mire.
In the mean time, I would advise you not to trust too much to Virgil’s
Pastorals; for as excellent as they are, yet Theocritus is far before
him, both in softness of thought, and simplicity of expression. Mr
Creech has translated that Greek poet, which I have not read in
English. If you have any considerable faults, they consist chiefly in
the choice of words, and the placeing them so as to make the verse run
smoothly; but I am at present so taken up with my own studies, that I
have not leisure to descend to particulars; being, in the mean time,
the fair Corinna’s
Most humble and most
faithful Servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
P. S. I keep your two copies[176] till you want them, and are pleas’d to
send for them.
LETTER XLIII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
Saturday, Nov. 26, [1699. ]
After a long expectation, Madam, at length your happy letter came
to your servant, who almost despair’d of it. The onely comfort I
had, was, my hopes of seeing you, and that you defer’d writeing,
because you wou’d surprise me with your presence, and beare your
relations company to town. --Your neighbour, Mr Price, has given me an
apprehension, that my cousin, your father, is in some danger of being
made sheriff the following yeare; but I hope ’tis a jealousy without
ground, and that the warm season only keeps him in the country. --If
you come up next week, you will be entertain’d with a new tragedy,
which the author of it, one Mr Dennis, cries up at an excessive rate;
and Colonel Codrington, who has seen it, prepares the world to give it
loud applauses. ’Tis called “Iphigenia,” and imitated from Euripides,
an old Greek poet. [177] This is to be acted at Betterton’s house; and
another play of the same name is very shortly to come on the stage
in Drury-Lane. --I was lately to visite the Duchess of Norfolk;[178]
and she speaks of you with much affection and respect. Your cousin
Montague,[179] after the present session of parliament, will be created
Earl of Bristoll. [180] and I hope is much my friend: but I doubt I am
in no condition of having a kindness done, having the Chancellour[181]
my enemy; and not being capable of renounceing the cause for which I
have so long suffer’d,--My cousin Driden of Chesterton is in town, and
lodges with my brother in Westminster. [182] My sonn has seen him, and
was very kindly received by him. --Let this letter stand for nothing,
because it has nothing but news in it, and has so little of the main
business, which is to assure my fair cousine how much I am her admirer,
and her
Most devoted Servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
I write no recommendations of service to our friends at Oundle, because
I suppose they are leaveing that place; but I wish my Cousin Stuart a
boy, as like Miss Jem:[183] as he and you can make him. My wife and
sonn are never forgetfull of their acknowledgments to you both.
_For Mrs Stuart, Att_
_Cotterstock near Oundle,_
_in the County of Northampton, These. _
_To be left at the Posthouse
in Oundle_.
LETTER XLIV.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Thursday, Dec. the 14, 1699.
When I have either too much business or want of health, to write to
you, I count my time is lost, or at least my conscience accuses me
that I spend it ill. At this time my head is full of cares, and my
body ill at ease. My book is printing,[184] and my bookseller makes
no hast. I had last night at bed-time an unwelcome fit of vomiting;
and my sonn, Charles, lyes sick upon his bed with the colique, which
has been violent upon him for almost a week. With all this, I cannot
but remember that you accus’d me of barbarity, I hope in jeast onely,
for mistaking one sheriff for another, which proceeded from my want of
heareing well. I am heartily sorry that a chargeable office is fallen
on my cousin Stuart. [185] But my Cousin Driden comforts me, that
it must have come one time or other, like the small-pox; and better
have it young than old. I hope it will leave no great marks behind
it, and that your fortune will no more feel it than your beauty, by
the addition of a year’s wearing. My cousine, your mother, was heer
yesterday, to see my wife, though I had not the happiness to be at
home. --Both the “Iphigenias” have been play’d with bad success;[186]
and being both acted one against the other in the same week, clash’d
together, like two rotten ships which could not endure the shock, and
sunk to rights. The King’s proclamation against vice and profaneness is
issued out in print;[187] but a deep disease is not to be cur’d with
a slight medicine. The parsons, who must read it, will find as little
effect from it, as from their dull sermons: ’tis a scare-crow, which
will not fright many birds from preying on the fields and orchards. The
best news I heare is, that the land will not be charg’d very deep this
yeare: let that comfort you for your shrievalty, and continue me in
your good graces, who am, fair cousin,
Your most faithfull oblig’d servant,
JO. DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart,_
_Att Cotterstock, near Oundle,_
_in Northamptonshyre, These. _
_To be left with the Postmaster
of Oundle. _
LETTER XLV.
TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.
MADAM, Friday, Dec. 29, 1699.
I have sent your poems back again, after having kept them so long from
you; by which you see I am like the rest of the world, an impudent
borrower, and a bad pay-master. You take more care of my health than
it deserves; that of an old man is always crazy, and, at present, mine
is worse than usual, by a St Anthony’s fire in one of my legs; though
the swelling is much abated, yet the pain is not wholly gone, and I am
too weak to stand upon it. If I recover, it is possible I may attempt
Homer’s Iliad. A specimen of it (the first book) is now in the press,
among other poems of mine, which will make a volume in folio, of twelve
shillings’ price; and will be published within this month. I desire,
fair author, that you will be pleas’d to continue me in your good
graces, who am, with all sincerity and gratitude,
Your most humble servant,
and admirer,
JOHN DRYDEN.
LETTER XLVI.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Feb. 23d. [1699-1700. ]
Though I have not leisure to thank you for the last trouble I gave
you, yet haveing by me two lampoons lately made, I know not but they
may be worth your reading; and therefore have presum’d to send them. I
know not the authours; but the town will be ghessing. The “Ballad of
the Pews,” which are lately rais’d higher at St James’s church,[188]
is by some sayd to be Mr Manwareing, or my Lord Peterborough. The
poem of the “Confederates” some think to be Mr Walsh: the copies
are both lik’d. [189] And there are really two factions of ladyes,
for the two playhouses. If you do not understand the names of some
persons mention’d, I can help you to the knowledge of them. You know
Sir Tho: Skipwith is master of the playhouse in Drury-Lane; and my
Lord Scarsdale is the patron of Betterton’s house, being in love with
somebody there. The Lord Scott is second sonn to the Duchess of
Monmouth. I need not tell you who my Lady Darentwater is; but it may
be you know not her Lord is a poet,and none of the best. Forgive this
hasty billet from
Your most obliged servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stewart_,
_Att Cotterstock, near Oundle_,
_in Northamptonshyre, These. _
_To be left with the Postmaster of Oundle_.
LETTER XLVII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Tuesday, March 12th, 1699 [-1700. ]
’Tis a week since I received the favour of a letter, which I have not
yet, acknowledg’d to you. About that time my new poems were publish’d,
which are not come till this day into my hands. They are a debt to
you, I must confess; and I am glad, because they are so unworthy to
be made a present. Your sisters, I hope, will be so kind to have them
convey’d to you; that my writeings may have the honour of waiting on
you, which is deny’d to me. The town encourages them with more applause
than any thing of mine deserves; and particularly, my cousin Driden
accepted one from me so very indulgently, that it makes me more and
more in love with him. But all our hopes of the House of Commons are
wholly dash’d. Our proprieties are destroy’d; and rather than we shou’d
not perish, they have made a breach in the Magna Charta;[203] for which
God forgive them!
Congreve’s new play has had but moderate success,
though it deserves much better. [204] I am neither in health, nor do I
want afflictions of any kind; but am, in all conditions,
Madam,
Your most oblig’d obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart, att Cotterstock,_
_near Oundle, These. _
_By the Oundle Carrier, with_
_a book directed to her, These. _
_Northamptonshyre. _
LETTER XLVIII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Thursday, April the 11th, 1700.
The ladies of the town have infected you at a distance; they are all
of your opinion, and, like my last book of Poems,[205] better than any
thing they have formerly seen of mine. I always thought my verses to my
cousin Driden were the best of the whole; and to my comfort, the town
thinks them so; and he, which pleases me most, is of the same judgment,
as appears by a noble present he has sent me, which surprised me,
because I did not in the least expect it. I doubt not, but he receiv’d
what you were pleas’d to send him; because he sent me the letter, which
you did me the favour to write me. At this very instant, I heare the
guns, which, going off, give me to understand, that the King is goeing
to the Parliament to pass acts, and consequently to prorogue them; for
yesterday I heard, that both he and the Lords have given up the cause,
and the House of Commons have gained an entire victory. [206] Though
under the rose, I am of opinion, that much of the confidence is abated
on either side, and that whensoever they meet next, it will give that
House a farther occasion of encroaching on the prerogative and the
Lords; for they, who beare the purse, will rule. The Parliament being
risen, my cousin Driden will immediately be with you, and, I believe,
return his thanks in person. All this while I am lame at home, and have
not stirr’d abroad this moneth at least. Neither my wife nor Charles
are well, but have intrusted their service in my hand. I humbly add my
own to the unwilling High Sheriff,[207] and wish him fairly at an end
of his trouble.
The latter end of last week, I had the honour of a visite from my
cousine, your mother, and my cousine Dorothy, with which I was much
comforted. Within this moneth there will be play’d, for my profit, an
old play of Fletcher’s, call’d the “Pilgrim,” corrected by my good
friend Mr Vanbrook;[208] to which I have added a new masque; and am
to write a new prologue and epilogue. Southern’s tragedy, call’d the
“Revolt of Capua,” will be play’d at Betterton’s house within this
fortnight. I am out with that Company, and therefore, if I can help it,
will not read it before ’tis acted, though the authour much desires I
shou’d. Do not think I will refuse a present from fair hands; for I am
resolv’d to save my bacon. I beg your pardon for this slovenly letter;
but I have not health to transcribe it. [209] My service to my cousin,
your brother, who, I heare, is happy in your company, which he is not
who most desires it, and who is, Madam,
Your most obliged obedient
Servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart,_
_Att Cotterstock, near Oundle,_
_in Northamptonshyre, These. _
_To be left with the_
_Postmaster of Oundle. _
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
No. I.
DRYDEN’S _Degree as Master of Arts, granted by the Archbishop
of Canterbury, preserved in the Faculty Book_, (Book 6. p. 236.
b. )
“Dispensatio JOANNI DRYDEN, pro gradu Artium Magistri.
“GILBERTUS providentiâ divinâ Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, &c. dilecto
nobis in Christo JOANNI DRYDEN, in Artibus Baccalaureo, perantiquâ
Dreydenorum familiâ in agro Northamptoniensi oriundo, salutem et
gratiam. QUUM in scholis rite constitutis mos laudabilis et consuetudo
invaluerit, approbatione tam ecclesiarum bene reformatarum, quam
hominum doctissimorum, à multis retrò annis, ut quicunque in aliqua
artium liberalium scientia cum laude desudaverint, insigni aliquo
dignitatis gradu decorarentur. Quum etiam, publicâ legum auctoritate
muniti, Cantuarienses Archiepiscopi gradus prædictos et honoris titulos
in homines bene merentes conferendi potestate gaudeant et jamdudum
gavisi sint, prout ex libro authentico de Facultatibus taxandis
Parlamenti auctoritate confirmato pleniùs apparet; Nos igitur prædictà
auctoritate freti, et antecessorum nostrorum exemplum imitati, te
Joannem prædictum, cujus vitæ probitas, bonarum literarum scientiá,
morumque integritas, vel ipsius domini Regis testimonio, perspectæ
sunt, MAGISTRI IN ARTIBUS titulo et gradu insigniri decrevimus, et
tenore presentium in Artibus Magistrum actualem creamus, pariterque
in numerum Magistrorum in Artibus hujusce regni aggregamus; juramento
infra scripto priùs per nos de te exacto, et a te jurato:--_Ego
Joannes Dryden, ad gradum et titulum Magistri in Artibus, per
Reverendissimum in Christo patron ac dominum, Gilbertum divinâ
providentiâ Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, totius Angliæ Primatem
et Metropolitanum, admittendus, teste mihi conscientiâ testificor
serenissimum nostrum regem Carolum Secundum esse unicum et supremum
gubernatorem hujusce regni Angliæ, &c. sicut me Deus adjuvet, per sacra
Dei evangelia. _--Proviso semper quod hæ literæ tibi non proficiant,
nisi registrentur et subscribantur per Clericum Regiæ Majestatis ad
Facultates in Cancellaria.
“Dat. sub sigillo de Facultatibus, decimo septimo die mensis Junii,
Anno Domini 1668, et nostræ translationis anno quinto. ”
No. II.
DRYDEN’S PATENT.
_Pat. 22. Car. II. p. 6. n. 6. _
CHARLES THE SECOND, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland,
France, and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. to the lords
commissioners of our treasury, treasurer, chancellor, under-treasurer,
chamberlaines, and barons of the exchequer, of us, our heires and
successors, now being, and that hereafter shall bee, and to all other
the officers and ministers of our said court and of the receipt there,
now being and that hereafter shall bee; and to all others to whom these
presents shall come, greeting.
Know yee, that wee, for and in consideration of the many good and
acceptable services by John Dryden, Master of Arts, and eldest sonne of
Erasmus Dryden, of Tichmarsh, in the county of Northampton, esquire,
to us heretofore done and performed, and taking notice of the learning
and eminent abilities of him the said John Dryden, and of his great
skill and elegant style both in verse and prose, and for diverse
other good causes and considerations us thereunto especially moving,
have nominated, constituted, declared, and appointed, and by these
presents do nominate, constitute, declare, and appoint him, the said
John Dryden, our POET LAUREAT and HISTORIOGRAPHER ROYAL; giving and
granting unto him, the said John Dryden, all and singular the rights,
privileges, benefits, and advantages thereunto belonging, as fully and
amply as Sir Geoffery Chaucer, knight, Sir John Gower, knight, John
Leland, esquire, William Camden, esquire, Benjamin Johnson, esquire,
James Howell, esquire, Sir William D’Avenant, knight, or any other
person or persons having or exercising the place or employment of Poet
Laureat or Historiographer, or either of them, in the time of any of
our royal progenitors, had or received, or might lawfully claim or
demand, as incident or belonging unto the said places or employments,
or either of them. And for the further and better encouragement of
him, the said John Dryden, diligently to attend the said employment,
we are graciously pleased to give and grant, and by these presents,
for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant, unto the said
John Dryden, one annuity or yearly pension of two hundred pounds of
lawful money of England, during our pleasure, to have and to hold, and
yearly to receive the said annuity or pension of two hundred pounds
of lawful money of England by the yeare, unto the said John Dryden
and his assigns, from the death of the said Sir William D’Avenant
lately deceased, for and during our pleasure, at the receipt of the
exchequer, of us, our heirs and successors, out of the treasure of
us, our heirs and successors, from time to time there remaining, by
the hands of the treasurer or treasurers and chamberlains of us, our
heirs and successors, there for the time being, at the four usual
terms of the year, that is to say, at the feast of the nativity of
St John the Baptist, St Michael the Archangel, the birth of our Lord
God, and the annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by even and
equal portions to be paid, the first payment thereof to begin at the
feast of the nativity of St John the Baptist next and immediately
after the death of the said Sir William D’Avenant, deceased. Wherefore
our will and pleasure is, and we do by these presents, for us, our
heirs and successors, require, command, and authorize the said lords
commissioners of our treasury, treasurer, chancellor, under-treasurer,
chamberlains, and barons, and other officers and ministers of the said
exchequer now and for the time being, not only to pay, or cause to
be paid, unto the said John Dryden and his assigns, the said annuity
or yearly pension of two hundred pounds of lawful money of England,
according to our will and pleasure herein before expressed, but also
from time to time to give full allowance of the same, according
to the true meaning of these presents. And these presents, or the
inrolment thereof, shall be unto all men whom it shall concern a
sufficient warrant and discharge for the paying and allowing of the
same accordingly, without any further or other warrant procured or
obtained. And further, know ye, that we, of our especial grace,
certain knowledge, and mere motion, have given and granted, and by
these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant,
unto the said John Dryden and his assigns, one butt or pipe of the
best canary wine, to have, hold, receive, perceive, and take the said
butt or pipe of canary wine unto the said John Dryden and his assigns,
during our pleasure, out of our store of wines yearly and from time to
time remaining at or in our cellars within or belonging to our palace
of Whitehall. And for the better effecting of our will and pleasure
herein, we do hereby require and command all and singular our officers,
and ministers whom it shall or may concern, or who shall have the care
or charge of our said wines, that they, or some of them, do deliver, or
cause to be delivered, the said butt or pipe of wine yearly, and once
in every year, unto the said John Dryden or his assigns, during our
pleasure, at such time and times as he or they shall demand or desire
the same. And these presents, or the inrolment thereof, shall be unto
all men whom it shall concern, a sufficient warrant and discharge in
that behalf, although express mention, &c. In witness, &c.
Witness the King at Westminster, the eighteenth day of August. [1670. ]
_Per breve de privato sigillo. _
No. III.
THE AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE FABLES
I doe hereby promise to pay John Dryden, Esquire, or order, on the
25th of March, 1699, the sume of two hundred and fifty guineas, in
consideration of ten thousand verses, which the said John Dryden,
Esquire, is to deliver to me Jacob Tonson, when finished, whereof
seaven thousand five hundred verses, more or lesse, are already in
the said Jacob Tonson’s possession. And I do hereby further promise
and engage my selfe to make up the said sume of two hundred and fifty
guineas, three hundred pounds sterling, to the said John Dryden,
Esquire, his executors, administrators, or assigns, att the beginning
of the second impression of the said ten thousand verses. In witnesse
whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this twentieth day of
March, 1698-9.
JACOB TONSON.
Sealed and delivered, being first
stampt pursuant to the acts of
Parliament for that purpose,
in the presence of
Benj. Portlock,
Will Congreve.
March the twenty-fourth, 1698.
Received then of Mr Jacob Tonson the sum of two hundred sixty-eight
pounds fifteen shillings, in pursuance of an agreement for ten thousand
verses to be delivered by me to the said Jacob Tonson, whereof I have
already delivered to him about seven thousand five hundred, more or
less: he the sayd Jacob Tonson being obliged to make up the foresayd
sum of two hundred sixty-eight pounds fifteen shillings, three hundred
pounds, at the beginning of the second impression or the foresayd ten
thousand verses.
I say, received by me,
JOHN DRYDEN.
Witness, Charles Dryden.
_The following receipt is written on the back of_ JACOB TONSON’S
_Agreement, dated March_ 20, 1698-9.
June 11, 1713. Received of the within-named Jacob Tonson, thirty-one
pounds five shillings, which, with two hundred sixty-eight pounds
fifteen shillings paid Mr John Dryden the 24th of March 1698, is in
full for the copy of a book intituled “Dryden’s FABLES,” consisting of
ten thousand verses, more or lesse: I say received as administratrix to
the said John Dryden, of such effects as were not administered to by
Charles Dryden.
ANN SYLVIUS.
Witnesses, Eliz. Jones.
Jacob Tonson, Jun^r.
Paid Mr Dryden, March the 23d, 1698.
L. s. d.
In a bag in silver 100 0 0
In silver besides 21 15 6
66 Lewis d’ores at 17s. 6d. 57 15 0
83 Guyneas at [1] 1 6 89 4 6
-------------
268 15 0
=============
250 Guyneas at L. 1 1s. 6d. are 268 15 0
L. s. d.
268 15 0
31 5 0
===========
300 0 0
No. IV.
MR RUSSEL’s BILL FOR MR DRYDEN’S FUNERALLS.
For the funerall of Esq^{re} Dryden.
L. s. d.
A double coffin covered with cloath, and
sett of [off] with work gilt with gold 5 0 0
A herse with six white Flanders horses 1 10 0
Covering the herse with velvet, and
velvet housings for the horses 1 0 0
17 plumes of feathers for herse and horses 3 0 0
Hanging the Hall[210] with a border of bays 5 0 0
6 dozen of paper escucheons for the Hall 3 12 0
A large pall of velvet 0 10 0
10 silk escucheons for the pall 2 10 0
24 buck: escucheons for herse and horses 2 8 0
12 shields and six shaffroones for ditto 2 8 0
3 mourning coaches with six horses 2 5 0
Silver dish and rosemary 0 5 0
8 scarves for musicioners 2 0 0
8 hatbands for ditto 1 0 0
17 yds of crape to cover their instruments 1 14 0
4 mourning cloakes 0 10 0
Pd 6 men moveing the corps to the Hall 0 6 0
8 horsemen in long cloakes to ride before
the herse 4 0 0
-----------
Carried over 38 18 0
L. S. d.
Brought over 38 18 0
13 footmen in velvet capps, to walk on
each side the herse 1 19 0
6 porters that attended at the doores, and
walked before the herse to the Abby,
in mourning gowns and staves 1 10 0
An atchievement for the house 3 10 0
-----------
45 17 0
-----------
We may add to these accounts the Description of the Funeral
itself, extracted from the London Spy of WARD, who was
doubtless a spectator.
“A deeper concern hath scarce been known to affect in general the
minds of grateful and ingenious men, than the melancholy surprise
of the worthy Mr Dryden’s death hath occasioned through the whole
town, as well as in all other parts of the kingdom, where any persons
either of wit or learning have taken up their residence. Wheresoever
his incomparable writings have been scattered by the hands of the
travellers into foreign nations, the loss of so great a man must needs
be lamented amongst their bards and rabbies; and ’tis reasonable
to believe the commendable industry of translations has been such,
to render several of his most accurate performances into their own
language, that their native country might receive the benefit, and
themselves the reputation of so laudable an undertaking: and how far
the wings of merit have conveyed the pleasing fruits of his exuberant
fancy, is a difficult conjecture, considering what a continual
correspondence our nation has with most parts of the universe. For
it is reasonable to believe all Christian kingdoms and colonies at
least, have been as much the better for his labours, as the world is
the worse for the loss of him. Those who were his enemies while he
was living, (for no man lives without,) his death has now made such
friends to his memory, that they acknowledge they cannot but in justice
give him this character, that he was one of the greatest scholars, the
most correct dramatic poet, and the best writer of heroic verse, that
any age has produced in England. And yet, to verify the old proverb,
that poets, like prophets, have little honour in their own countries,
notwithstanding his merits had justly entitled his corpse to the most
magnificent and solemn interment the beneficence of the greatest
spirits could have bestowed on him; yet, ’tis credibly reported, the
ingratitude of the age is such, that they had like to have let him
pass in private to his grave, without those funeral obsequies suitable
to his greatness, had it not been for that true British worthy, who,
meeting with the venerable remains of the neglected bard passing
silently in a coach, unregarded to his last home, ordered the corpse,
by the consent of his few friends that attended him, to be respited
from so obscure an interment, and most generously undertook, at his
own expence, to revive his worth in the minds of a forgetful people,
by bestowing on his peaceful dust a solemn funeral answerable to his
merit; which memorable action alone will eternalize his fame with the
greatest heroes, and add that lustre to his nobility, which time can
never tarnish, but will shine with equal glory in all ages, and in
the very teeth of envy bid defiance to oblivion. The management of
the funeral was left to Mr Russel, pursuant to the directions of that
honourable great man the lord Jefferies, concerned chiefly in the pious
undertaking.
“The first honour done to his deserving relics, was lodging them in
Physicians College, from whence they were appointed to take their
last remove. The constituted day for the celebration of that office,
which living heroes perform in respect to a dead worthy, was Monday
the 13th of May, in the afternoon; at which time, according to the
notice given, most of the nobility and gentry now in town assembled
themselves together at the noble edifice aforesaid, in order to honour
the corpse with their personal attendance. When the company were met,
a performance of grave music, adapted to the solemn occasion, was
communicated to the ears of the company, by the hands of the best
masters in England, whose artful touches on their soft instruments
diffused such harmonious influence amongst the attentive auditory, that
the most heroic spirits in the whole assembly were unable to resist
the passionate force of each dissolving strain, but melted into tears
for the loss of so elegant and sweet a ravisher of human minds; and,
notwithstanding their undaunted bravery, which had oft scorned death
in the field, yet now, by music’s enchantment at the funeral of so
great a poet, were softened beneath their own natures, into a serious
reflection on mortality.
“When this part of the solemnity was ended, the famous Doctor G----th
ascended the pulpit where the physicians make their lectures, and
delivered, according to the Roman custom, a funeral oration in Latin
on his deceased friend, which he performed with great approbation and
applause of all such gentlemen that heard him, and were true judges of
the matter; most rhetorically setting forth those elegies and encomiums
which no poet hitherto, but the great Dryden, could ever truly deserve.
When these rites were over in the College, the corpse, by bearers for
that purpose, was handed into the hearse, being adorned with plumes
of black feathers, and the sides hung round with the escutcheons of
his ancestors, mixed with that of his lady’s; the hearse drawn by six
stately Flanders horses; every thing being set off with the most useful
ornaments to move regard, and affect the memories of the numberless
spectators, as a means to encourage every sprightly genius to attempt
something in their lives that may once render their dust worthy of
so public a veneration. All things being put in due order for their
movement, they began their solemn procession towards Westminster Abbey,
after the following manner:
“The two beadles of the College marched first, in mourning cloaks and
hat-bands, with the heads of their staffs wrapt in black crape scarfs,
being followed by several other servile mourners, whose business
was to prepare the way, that the hearse might pass less liable to
interruption; next to these moved a concert of hautboys and trumpets,
playing and sounding together a melancholy funeral-march, undoubtedly
composed upon that particular occasion; (after these, the undertaker
with his hat off, dancing through the dirt like a bear after a bagpipe.
I beg the reader’s pardon for foisting in a jest in so improper a
place, but as he walked by himself within a parenthesis, so I have here
placed him, and hope none will be offended;) then came the hearse, as
before described, most honourably attended with abundance of quality
in their coaches and six horses; that it may be justly reported to
posterity, no ambassador from the greatest emperor in all the universe,
sent over with the welcome embassy to the throne of England, ever made
his public entry to the court with half that honour as the corpse of
the great Dryden did its last exit to the grave. In this order the
nobility and gentry attended the hearse to Westminster Abbey, where the
quire, assisted with the best masters in England, sung an Epicedium;
and the last funeral rites being performed by one of the prebends, he
was honourably interred between Chaucer and Cowley; where, according to
report, will be erected a very stately monument, at the expence of some
of the nobility, in order to recommend his worth, and to preserve his
memory to all succeeding ages. ”
No. V.
MRS THOMAS’S LETTERS CONCERNING DRYDEN’S DEATH AND FUNERAL;
_Extracted from Wilson’s Life of Congreve, 1730. _
[As tales of wonder are generally acceptable to the public, I
insert these memorable Epistles, with the necessary caveat,
that they are full of every kind of blunder and inconsistency. ]
“These Memoirs were communicated to me by a lady, now living, with whom
Mr Dryden corresponded under the name of Corinna, and which name he
himself gave her.
’SIR,
’Mr Dryden was son of -------- Dryden, of an ancient and good family
in Northamptonshire, by a sister of Sir Gilbert Pickering, Bart. of
the same county; who has a handsome monument at Tichmarsh, erected
in 1721, by the late widow Creed of Oundle, the daughter of another
sister of Sir Gilbert’s, and niece to the famous Earl of Sandwich,
who was killed in the Dutch war, 1667, being then admiral. He married
Lady Elizabeth Howard, (a celebrated beauty) daughter to the old Earl
of Berkshire, sister to Sir Robert Howard, Colonel Philip Howard, and
Mr Edward Howard: (who wrote “The British Prince,” &c. ;) she bore him
three sons, Charles, John, and Harry. He lived many years in a very
good house in Gerrard street, the 5th or 6th door on the left-hand from
Newport-market. On the 19th of April, 1700, he said he had been very
bad with the gout, and an erysipelas in one leg; but he was then very
well, and designed to go soon abroad: but on the Friday following, he
had eat a partridge for his supper; and going to take a turn in the
little garden behind his house, was seized with a violent pain under
the ball of the great-toe of his right-foot, that, unable to stand,
he cried out for help, and was carried in by his servants; when, upon
sending for surgeons, they found a small black spot in the place
affected: He submitted to their present applications; and when gone,
called his son Charles to him, using these words, “I know,” says he,
“this black spot is a mortification; I know also, that it will seize
my head, and that they will cut off my leg: but I command you, my son,
by your filial duty, that you do not suffer me to be dismembered. ” As
he, too truly, foretold, the event proved; and his son was too dutiful
to disobey his father’s commands. On the Wednesday morning following,
being May-day, 1700, under the most excruciating dolours, he died.
Dr Sprat, then bishop of Rochester, sent, on the Thursday, to Lady
Elizabeth, that he would make a present of the ground, which was 40l.
with all the other abbey-fees, &c. to his deceased friend. Lord Halifax
sent also to my lady and Mr Charles, that if they would give him leave
to bury Mr Dryden, he would inter him with a gentleman’s private
funeral, and afterwards bestow 500l. on a monument in the Abbey;
which, as they had no reason to refuse, they accepted. On the Saturday
following the company came, the corpse was put into a velvet hearse,
and eighteen mourning coaches, filled with company, attending. When,
just before they began to move, Lord Jefferies, with some of his rakish
companions, coming by, in wine, asked, whose funeral? and being told,
“What! ” cries he, “shall Dryden, the greatest honour and ornament of
the nation, be buried after this private manner? No, gentlemen; let
all that loved Mr Dryden, and honour his memory, alight, and join
with me in gaining my lady’s consent, to let me have the honour of
his interment, which shall be after another manner than this, and I
will bestow 1000l. on a monument in the Abbey for him. ” The gentlemen
in the coaches not knowing of the bishop of Rochester’s favour, nor
of Lord Halifax’s generous design, (these two noble spirits having,
out of respect to the family, enjoined Lady Elizabeth and her son to
keep their favour concealed to the world, and let it pass for her own
expence, &c. ), readily came out of the coaches, and attended Lord
Jefferies up to the lady’s bed-side, who was then sick, He repeated the
purport of what he had before said; but she absolutely refusing, he
fell on his knees, vowing never to rise till his request was granted.
The rest of the company, by his desire, kneeled also; she being
naturally of a timorous disposition, and then under a sudden surprise,
fainted away. As soon as she recovered her speech, she cried, no, no.
Enough, gentlemen, replied he, (rising briskly,) my lady is very good;
she says, go, go. She repeated her former words with all her strength,
but, alas! in vain, her feeble voice was lost in their acclamations of
joy; and Lord Jefferies ordered the hearsemen to carry the corpse to
Russell’s, the undertaker, in Cheapside, and leave it there, till he
sent orders for the embalment, which, he added, should be after the
royal manner. His directions were obeyed, the company dispersed, and
Lady Elizabeth and Mr Charles remained inconsolable. Next morning Mr
Charles waited on Lord Halifax, &c. to excuse his mother and self, by
relating the real truth: but neither his lordship, nor the bishop,
would admit of any plea; especially the latter, who had the Abbey
lighted, the ground opened, the choir attending, an anthem ready set,
and himself waiting, for some hours, without any corpse to bury,
Russel, after three days expectance of orders for embalment, without
receiving any, waits on Lord Jefferies, who, pretending ignorance of
the matter, turned it off with an ill-natured jest, saying, “Those who
observed the orders of a drunken frolic, deserved no better; that he
remembered nothing at all of it, and he might do what he pleased with
the corpse. ” On this Mr Russell waits on Lady Elizabeth and Mr Dryden;
but, alas! it was not in their power to answer. The season was very
hot, the deceased had lived high and fast; and being corpulent, and
abounding with gross humours, grew very offensive. The undertaker, in
short, threatened to bring home the corpse, and set it before their
door. It cannot be easily imagined, what grief, shame, and confusion,
seized this unhappy family. They begged a day’s respite, which was
granted. Mr Charles wrote a very handsome letter to Lord Jefferies, who
returned it, with this cool answer, “He knew nothing of the matter,
and would be troubled no more about it. ” He then addressed the Lord
Halifax and bishop of Rochester, who were both too justly, though
unhappily, incensed, to do any thing in it. In this extreme distress,
Dr Garth, a man who entirely loved Mr Dryden, and was withal a man of
generosity and great humanity, sends for the corpse to the College of
Physicians in Warwicklane, and proposed a funeral by subscription,
to which himself set a most noble example; Mr Wycherley, and several
others, among whom must not be forgotten, Henry Cromwell, Esq. Captain
Gibbons, and Mr Christopher Metcalfe, Mr Dryden’s apothecary and
intimate friend, (since a collegiate physician,) who, with many others,
contributed most largely to the subscription; and at last a day, about
three weeks after his decease, was appointed for the interment at
the Abbey. Dr Garth pronounced a fine Latin oration over the corpse
at the College; but the audience being numerous, and the room large,
it was requisite the orator should be elevated, that he might be
heard; but, as it unluckily happened, there was nothing at hand but
an old beer-barrel, which the doctor, with much good-nature, mounted;
and, in the midst of his oration, beating time to the accent with
his foot, the head broke in, and his feet sunk to the bottom, which
occasioned the malicious report of his enemies, that he was turned a
tub-preacher: However, he finished the oration with a superior grace
and genius, to the loud acclamations of mirth, which inspired the
mixed or rather mob-auditors. The procession began to move, a numerous
train of coaches attended the hearse; but, good God! in what disorder,
can only be expressed by a sixpenny pamphlet, soon after published,
entitled, “Dryden’s Funeral. ” At last the corpse arrived at the Abbey,
which was all unlighted. No organ played, no anthem sung; only two of
the singing boys preceded the corpse, who sung an ode of Horace, with
each a small candle in their hand. The butchers and other mob broke
in like a deluge, so that only about eight or ten gentlemen could get
admission, and those forced to cut the way with their drawn swords.
The coffin, in this disorder, was let down into Chaucer’s grave, with
as much confusion, and as little ceremony, as was possible; every one
glad to save themselves from the gentlemen’s swords, or the clubs of
the mob. When the funeral was over, Mr Charles sent a challenge to Lord
Jefferies, who refusing to answer it, he sent several others, and went
often himself, but could neither get a letter delivered, nor admittance
to speak to him; which so justly incensed him, that he resolved, since
his lordship refused to answer him like a gentleman, he would watch an
opportunity to meet him, and fight off hand, though with all the rules
of honour; which his lordship hearing, left the town; and Mr Charles
could never have the satisfaction to meet him, though he sought it till
his death with the utmost application. This is the true state of the
case, and surely no reflection to the manes of this great man.
“Thus it is very plain, that his being buried by contribution, was
owing to a vile drunken frolic of the Lord Jefferies, as I have
related. Mr Dryden enjoyed himself in plenty, while he lived, and the
surplusage of his goods paid all his debts. After his decease, the
Lady Elizabeth, his widow, took a lesser house in Sherrard-street,
Golden-square, and had wherewithal to live frugally genteel, and keep
two servants, to the day of her death, by the means of a small part of
her fortune, which her relations had obliged Mr Dryden to secure to
her on marriage. This was 80l. per annum, and duly paid at 20l. per
quarter; so that, I can assure you, there was no want to her dying-day.
He had only three sons, and all provided for like gentlemen. Mr Charles
had served the Pontiff of Rome above nine years, in an honourable
and profitable post, as usher to the palace, out of which he had an
handsome stipend remitted by his brother John, whom, by the pope’s
favour, he left to officiate, while he came to visit his father, who
dying soon after his arrival, he returned no more to Italy, but was
unhappily drowned at Windsor in swimming cross the river. Mr John died
in his post at Rome, and Harry the youngest was a religious; he had
30l. a year allowed by his college in Flanders, besides a generous
salary from his near relation the too well-known Duchess of Norfolk,
to whom he was domestic chaplain. Behold the great wants of this
deplorable family!
I am, Sir,
Your’s, &c.
CORINNA.
_May_ 15, 1729.
P. S. ‘Mr Dryden was educated at Westminster school, under the great Dr
Bushby, being one of the king’s scholars upon the royal foundation. ’
* * * * *
’SIR,
’Upon recollection, I think it must have been that remarkably fine
gentleman, Pope Clement XI. , to whom Mr Charles Dryden was usher of the
palace. His brother John died of a fever at Rome, not many months after
his father, and was buried there; whether before the pope or after
I cannot say; but the difference was not much. Mr Charles, who was
drowned at Windsor, 1704, was doubtless buried there. Lady Elizabeth
lived about eight years after her spouse, and for five years of the
time, without any memory, which she lost by a fever in 1703; she was a
melancholy object, and was, by her son Harry, as I was told, carried
into the country, where she died. What country I never heard. I cannot
certainly say where Mr Harry died, or whether before his mother or
after.
’Mr Dryden never had any wife but Lady Elizabeth, whatever may have
been reported.
LETTER XXXIV.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Tuesday, July the 11th, [1699. ]
As I cannot accuse myself to have receiv’d any letters from you without
answer, so, on the other side, I am oblig’d to believe it, because
you say it. ’Tis true, I have had so many fitts of sickness, and so
much other unpleasant business, that I may possibly have receiv’d
those favours, and deferr’d my acknowledgment till I forgot to thank
you for them. However it be, I cannot but confess, that never was any
unanswering man so civilly reproach’d by a fair lady. I presum’d to
send you word by your sisters[156] of the trouble I intended you this
summer; and added a petition, that you would please to order some small
beer to be brew’d for me without hops, or with a very inconsiderable
quantity; because I lost my health last year by drinking bitter beer
at Tichmarsh. It may perhaps be sour, but I like it not the worse, if
it be small enough. What els I have to request, is onely the favour of
your coach, to meet me at Oundle, and to convey me to you: of which I
shall not fail to give you timely notice. My humble service attends my
cousin Stewart and your relations at Oundle. My wife and sonn desire
the same favour; and I am particularly,
Madam,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stewart, etc. _
LETTER XXXV.
TO SAMUEL PEPYS, ESQ. [157]
PADRON MIO, July the 14th, 1699.
I remember, last year, when I had the honour of dineing with you, you
were pleased to recommend to me the character of Chaucer’s “Good
Parson. ” Any desire of yours is a command to me; and accordingly I
have put it into my English, with such additions and alterations as
I thought fit. Having translated as many Fables from Ovid, and as
many Novills from Boccace and Tales from Chaucer, as will make an
indifferent large volume in folio, I intend them for the press in
Michaelmas term next. In the mean time, my Parson desires the favour
of being known to you, and promises, if you find any fault in his
character, he will reform it. Whenever you please, he shall wait on
you, and for the safer conveyance, I will carry him in my pocket; who am
My _Padrons_ most obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Samuel Pepys, Esq.
Att his house in York-street, These. _
LETTER XXXVI.
ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING BY MR PEPYS.
SIR, Friday, July 14, 1699.
You truly have obliged mee; and possibly, in saying so, I am more in
earnest then you can readily think; as verily hopeing, from this your
copy of one “Good Parson,” to fancy some amends made mee for the hourly
offence I beare with from the sight of so many lewd originalls.
I shall with great pleasure attend you on this occasion, when ere you’l
permit it; unless you would have the kindness to double it to mee, by
suffering my coach to wayte on you (and who you can gayne mee y^e same
favour from) hither, to a cold chicken and a sallade, any noone after
Sunday, as being just stepping into the ayre for 2 days.
I am, most respectfully,
Your hono^{rd} and obed^{nt} servant,
S. P.
LETTER XXXVII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Saturday, Aug. 5th, 1699.
This is only a word, to threaten you with a troublesome guest, next
week: I have taken places for my self and my sonn in the Oundle coach,
which sets out on Thursday next the tenth of this present August; and
hope to wait on a fair lady at Cotterstock on Friday the eleventh. If
you please to let your coach come to Oundle, I shall save my cousin
Creed the trouble of hers. All heer are your most humble servants, and
particularly an old cripple, who calls him self
Your most obliged kinsman,
And admirer,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stewart, Att_
_Cotterstock, near Oundle,_
_in Northamptonshire. These. _
_To be left with the Postmaster of Oundle. _
LETTER XXXVIII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Sept. 28th, 1699.
Your goodness to me will make you sollicitous of my welfare since I
left Cotterstock. My journey has in general been as happy as it cou’d
be, without the satisfaction and honour of your company. ’Tis true,
the master of the stage-coach has not been over civill to me: for he
turned us out of the road at the first step, and made us go to Pilton;
there we took in a fair young lady of eighteen, and her brother, a
young gentleman; they are related to the Treshams, but not of that
name: thence we drove to Higham, where we had an old serving-woman,
and a young fine mayd: we din’d at Bletso, and lay at Silso, six
miles beyond Bedford. There we put out the old woman, and took in
Councellour Jennings his daughter; her father goeing along in the
Kittering coach, or rideing by it, with other company. We all din’d
at Hatfield together, and came to town safe at seaven in the evening.
We had a young doctour, who rode by our coach, and seem’d to have a
smickering[158] to our youg lady of Pilton, and ever rode before to get
dinner in a readiness. My sonn, Charles, knew him formerly a Jacobite;
and now going over to Antigoo, with Colonel Codrington,[159] haveing
been formerly in the West Indies. --Which of our two young ladies was
the handsomer, I know not. My sonn liked the Councellour’s daughter
best: I thought they were both equal. But not goeing to Tichmarsh
Grove, and afterwards by Catworth, I missed my two couple of rabbets,
which my cousin, your father, had given me to carry with me, and cou’d
not see my sister by the way: I was likewise disappointed of Mr Cole’s
Ribadavia wine: but I am almost resolved to sue the stage coach, for
putting me six or seaven miles out of the way, which he cannot justify.
Be pleased to accept my acknowledgment of all your favours, and my
Cousin Stuart’s; and by employing my sonn and me in any thing you
desire to have done, give us occasion to take our revenge on our kind
relations both at Oundle and Cotterstock. Be pleas’d, your father,
your mother, your two fair sisters, and your brother,[160] may find my
sonn’s service and mine made acceptable to them by your delivery; and
believe me to be with all manner of gratitude, give me leave to add,
all manner of adoration,
Madam,
Your most obliged obedient Servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart, Att_
_Cotterstock near Oundle,_
_In Northamptonshire,_
_These. _
_To be left with the Postmaster
of Oundle. _
LETTER XXXIX.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES MONTAGUE. [161]
SIR, [Octob. 1699. ]
These verses[162] had waited on you with the former, but that they
wanted that correction which I have given them, that they may the
better endure the sight of so great a judge and poet. I am now in feare
that I purged them out of their spirit; as our Master Busby us’d to
whip a boy so long, till he made him a confirm’d blockhead. My Cousin
Driden saw them in the country; and the greatest exception he made to
them Avas a satire against the Dutch valour in the last war. He desir’d
me to omit it, (to use his own words) “out of the respect he had to his
Sovereign. ” I obeyed his commands, and left onely the praises, which I
think are due to the gallantry of my own countrymen. In the description
which I have made of a Parliament-man,[163] I think I have not only
drawn the features of my worthy kinsman, but have also given my own
opinion of what an Englishman in Parliament ought to be; and deliver it
as a memorial of my own principles to all posterity. I have consulted
the judgment of my unbyass’d friends, who have some of them the honour
to be known to you: and they think there is nothing which can justly
give offence in that part of the poem. I say not this to cast a blind
on your judgment, (which I could not do, if I endeavoured it,) but
to assure you, that nothing relateing to the publique shall stand
without your permission; for it were to want common sence to desire
your patronage, and resolve to disoblige you. And as I will not hazard
my hopes of your protection, by refusing to obey you in any thing which
I can perform with my conscience or my honour, so I am very confident
you will never impose any other terms on me. My thoughts at present are
fix’d on Homer; and by my translation of the first Iliad, I find him
a poet more according to my genius than Virgil, and consequently hope
I may do him more justice in his fiery way of writeing; which, as it
is liable to more faults, so it is capable of more beauties, than the
exactness and sobriety of Virgil. Since ’tis for my country’s honour,
as well as for my own, that I am willing to undertake this task, I
despair not of being encourag’d in it by your favour, who am
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
LETTER XL.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Nov. 7th, [1699. ]
Even your expostulations are pleasing to me; for though they shew you
angry, yet they are not without many expressions of your kindness; and
therefore I am proud to be so chidden. Yet I cannot so farr abandon my
own defence, as to confess any idleness or forgetfulness on my part.
What has hind’red me from writeing to you, was neither ill health,
nor, a worse thing, ingratitude; but a flood of little businesses,
which yet are necessary to my subsistance, and of which I hop’d to
have given you a good account before this time: but the court rather
speaks kindly of me, than does any thing for me, though they promise
largely; and perhaps they think I will advance as they go backward, in
which they will be much deceiv’d; for I can never go an inch beyond my
conscience and my honour. [164] If they will consider me as a man who
has done my best to improve the language, and especially the poetry,
and will be content with my acquiescence under the present government,
and forbearing satire on it, that I can promise, because I can perform
it; but I can neither take the oaths, nor forsake my religion; because
I know not what church to go to, if I leave the Catholique; they are
all so divided amongst them selves in matters of faith necessary to
salvation, and, yet all assumeing the name of Protestants. May God be
pleas’d to open your eyes, as he has open’d mine! Truth is but one; and
they who have once heard of it, can plead no excuse, if they do not
embrace it. But these are things too serious for a trifling letter.
If you desire to hear any thing more of my affairs, the Earl of
Dorsett, and your cousin Montague, have both seen the two poems, to the
Duchess of Ormond, and my worthy cousin Driden; and are of opinion,
that I never writt better. My other friends are divided in their
judgments, which to preferr; but the greater part are for those to my
dear kinsman; which I have corrected with so much care, that they will
now be worthy of his sight, and do neither of us any dishonour after
our death.
There is this day to be acted a new tragedy, made by Mr Hopkins,[165]
and, as I believe, in rhime. He has formerly written a play in verse,
call’d “Boadicea,” which you fair ladyes lik’d; and is a poet who
writes good verses without knowing how or why; I mean, he writes
naturally well, without art, or learning, or good sence. Congreve is
ill of the gout at Barnet Wells. I have had the honour of a visite from
the Earl of Dorsett, and din’d with him. --Matters in Scotland are in a
high ferment,[166] and next door to a breach betwixt the two nations;
but they say from court, that France and we are hand and glove. ’Tis
thought, the king will endeavour to keep up a standing army, and make
the stirr in Scotland his pretence for it; my cousin Driden,[167] and
the country party, I suppose, will be against it; for when a spirit is
rais’d, ’tis hard conjuring him down again. --You see I am dull by my
writeing news; but it may be my cousin Creed[168] may be glad to hear
what I believe is true, though not very pleasing. I hope he recovers
health in the country, by his staying so long in it. My service to my
cousin Stuart, and all at Oundle. I am, faire Cousine,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart, Att_
_Cotterstock, near Oundle,_
_In Northamptonshyre,_
_These. _
_To be left at the Posthouse
in Oundle. _
LETTER XLI
TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN. [169]
MADAM, Nov. 12, 1699.
The letter you were pleas’d to direct for me, to be left at the
coffee-house last summer, was a great honour; and your verses[170]
were, I thought, too good to be a woman’s; some of my friends, to whom
I read them, were of the same opinion. ’Tis not over-gallant, I must
confess, to say this of the fair sex; but most certain it is, that they
generally write with more softness than strength. On the contrary, you
want neither vigour in your thoughts, nor force in your expressions,
nor harmony in your numbers; and methinks I find much of Orinda[171]
in your manner; to whom I had the honour to be related, and also to
be known. But I continued not a day in the ignorance of the person to
whom I was oblig’d; for, if you remember, you brought the verses to a
bookseller’s shop, and enquir’d there, how they might be sent to me.
There happen’d to be in the same shop a gentleman, who heareing you
speak of me, and seeing a paper in your hand, imagin’d it was a libel
against me, and had you watch’d by his servant, till he knew both your
name, and where you liv’d, of which he sent me word immediately. Though
I have lost his letter, yet I remember you live some where about St
Giles’s,[172] and are an only daughter. You must have pass’d your time
in reading much better books than mine; or otherwise you cou’d not have
arriv’d to so much knowledge as I find you have. But whether Sylph or
Nymph, I know not: those fine creatures, as your author, Count Gabalis,
assures us,[173] have a mind to be christen’d, and since you do me the
favour to desire a name from me, take that of Corinna, if you please;
I mean not the lady with whom Ovid was in love, but the famous Theban
poetess, who overcame Pindar five times, as historians tell us. I
would have call’d you Sapho, but that I hear you are handsomer. Since
you find I am not altogether a stranger to you, be pleas’d to make me
happier by a better knowledge of you; and in stead of so many unjust
praises which you give me, think me only worthy of being,
Madam,
Your most humble servant,
and admirer,
JOHN DRYDEN.
LETTER XLII.
TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN. [174]
MADAM, [Nov. 1699. ]
The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those
good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make
me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of
the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry. ’Tis an
unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for
your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without
prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which
Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if
I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.
I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her,
who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which
I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them
fairly burn’d. But this I need not say to you, who are too well born,
and too well principled, to fall into that mire.
In the mean time, I would advise you not to trust too much to Virgil’s
Pastorals; for as excellent as they are, yet Theocritus is far before
him, both in softness of thought, and simplicity of expression. Mr
Creech has translated that Greek poet, which I have not read in
English. If you have any considerable faults, they consist chiefly in
the choice of words, and the placeing them so as to make the verse run
smoothly; but I am at present so taken up with my own studies, that I
have not leisure to descend to particulars; being, in the mean time,
the fair Corinna’s
Most humble and most
faithful Servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
P. S. I keep your two copies[176] till you want them, and are pleas’d to
send for them.
LETTER XLIII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
Saturday, Nov. 26, [1699. ]
After a long expectation, Madam, at length your happy letter came
to your servant, who almost despair’d of it. The onely comfort I
had, was, my hopes of seeing you, and that you defer’d writeing,
because you wou’d surprise me with your presence, and beare your
relations company to town. --Your neighbour, Mr Price, has given me an
apprehension, that my cousin, your father, is in some danger of being
made sheriff the following yeare; but I hope ’tis a jealousy without
ground, and that the warm season only keeps him in the country. --If
you come up next week, you will be entertain’d with a new tragedy,
which the author of it, one Mr Dennis, cries up at an excessive rate;
and Colonel Codrington, who has seen it, prepares the world to give it
loud applauses. ’Tis called “Iphigenia,” and imitated from Euripides,
an old Greek poet. [177] This is to be acted at Betterton’s house; and
another play of the same name is very shortly to come on the stage
in Drury-Lane. --I was lately to visite the Duchess of Norfolk;[178]
and she speaks of you with much affection and respect. Your cousin
Montague,[179] after the present session of parliament, will be created
Earl of Bristoll. [180] and I hope is much my friend: but I doubt I am
in no condition of having a kindness done, having the Chancellour[181]
my enemy; and not being capable of renounceing the cause for which I
have so long suffer’d,--My cousin Driden of Chesterton is in town, and
lodges with my brother in Westminster. [182] My sonn has seen him, and
was very kindly received by him. --Let this letter stand for nothing,
because it has nothing but news in it, and has so little of the main
business, which is to assure my fair cousine how much I am her admirer,
and her
Most devoted Servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
I write no recommendations of service to our friends at Oundle, because
I suppose they are leaveing that place; but I wish my Cousin Stuart a
boy, as like Miss Jem:[183] as he and you can make him. My wife and
sonn are never forgetfull of their acknowledgments to you both.
_For Mrs Stuart, Att_
_Cotterstock near Oundle,_
_in the County of Northampton, These. _
_To be left at the Posthouse
in Oundle_.
LETTER XLIV.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Thursday, Dec. the 14, 1699.
When I have either too much business or want of health, to write to
you, I count my time is lost, or at least my conscience accuses me
that I spend it ill. At this time my head is full of cares, and my
body ill at ease. My book is printing,[184] and my bookseller makes
no hast. I had last night at bed-time an unwelcome fit of vomiting;
and my sonn, Charles, lyes sick upon his bed with the colique, which
has been violent upon him for almost a week. With all this, I cannot
but remember that you accus’d me of barbarity, I hope in jeast onely,
for mistaking one sheriff for another, which proceeded from my want of
heareing well. I am heartily sorry that a chargeable office is fallen
on my cousin Stuart. [185] But my Cousin Driden comforts me, that
it must have come one time or other, like the small-pox; and better
have it young than old. I hope it will leave no great marks behind
it, and that your fortune will no more feel it than your beauty, by
the addition of a year’s wearing. My cousine, your mother, was heer
yesterday, to see my wife, though I had not the happiness to be at
home. --Both the “Iphigenias” have been play’d with bad success;[186]
and being both acted one against the other in the same week, clash’d
together, like two rotten ships which could not endure the shock, and
sunk to rights. The King’s proclamation against vice and profaneness is
issued out in print;[187] but a deep disease is not to be cur’d with
a slight medicine. The parsons, who must read it, will find as little
effect from it, as from their dull sermons: ’tis a scare-crow, which
will not fright many birds from preying on the fields and orchards. The
best news I heare is, that the land will not be charg’d very deep this
yeare: let that comfort you for your shrievalty, and continue me in
your good graces, who am, fair cousin,
Your most faithfull oblig’d servant,
JO. DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart,_
_Att Cotterstock, near Oundle,_
_in Northamptonshyre, These. _
_To be left with the Postmaster
of Oundle. _
LETTER XLV.
TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.
MADAM, Friday, Dec. 29, 1699.
I have sent your poems back again, after having kept them so long from
you; by which you see I am like the rest of the world, an impudent
borrower, and a bad pay-master. You take more care of my health than
it deserves; that of an old man is always crazy, and, at present, mine
is worse than usual, by a St Anthony’s fire in one of my legs; though
the swelling is much abated, yet the pain is not wholly gone, and I am
too weak to stand upon it. If I recover, it is possible I may attempt
Homer’s Iliad. A specimen of it (the first book) is now in the press,
among other poems of mine, which will make a volume in folio, of twelve
shillings’ price; and will be published within this month. I desire,
fair author, that you will be pleas’d to continue me in your good
graces, who am, with all sincerity and gratitude,
Your most humble servant,
and admirer,
JOHN DRYDEN.
LETTER XLVI.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Feb. 23d. [1699-1700. ]
Though I have not leisure to thank you for the last trouble I gave
you, yet haveing by me two lampoons lately made, I know not but they
may be worth your reading; and therefore have presum’d to send them. I
know not the authours; but the town will be ghessing. The “Ballad of
the Pews,” which are lately rais’d higher at St James’s church,[188]
is by some sayd to be Mr Manwareing, or my Lord Peterborough. The
poem of the “Confederates” some think to be Mr Walsh: the copies
are both lik’d. [189] And there are really two factions of ladyes,
for the two playhouses. If you do not understand the names of some
persons mention’d, I can help you to the knowledge of them. You know
Sir Tho: Skipwith is master of the playhouse in Drury-Lane; and my
Lord Scarsdale is the patron of Betterton’s house, being in love with
somebody there. The Lord Scott is second sonn to the Duchess of
Monmouth. I need not tell you who my Lady Darentwater is; but it may
be you know not her Lord is a poet,and none of the best. Forgive this
hasty billet from
Your most obliged servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stewart_,
_Att Cotterstock, near Oundle_,
_in Northamptonshyre, These. _
_To be left with the Postmaster of Oundle_.
LETTER XLVII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Tuesday, March 12th, 1699 [-1700. ]
’Tis a week since I received the favour of a letter, which I have not
yet, acknowledg’d to you. About that time my new poems were publish’d,
which are not come till this day into my hands. They are a debt to
you, I must confess; and I am glad, because they are so unworthy to
be made a present. Your sisters, I hope, will be so kind to have them
convey’d to you; that my writeings may have the honour of waiting on
you, which is deny’d to me. The town encourages them with more applause
than any thing of mine deserves; and particularly, my cousin Driden
accepted one from me so very indulgently, that it makes me more and
more in love with him. But all our hopes of the House of Commons are
wholly dash’d. Our proprieties are destroy’d; and rather than we shou’d
not perish, they have made a breach in the Magna Charta;[203] for which
God forgive them!
Congreve’s new play has had but moderate success,
though it deserves much better. [204] I am neither in health, nor do I
want afflictions of any kind; but am, in all conditions,
Madam,
Your most oblig’d obedient servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart, att Cotterstock,_
_near Oundle, These. _
_By the Oundle Carrier, with_
_a book directed to her, These. _
_Northamptonshyre. _
LETTER XLVIII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
MADAM, Thursday, April the 11th, 1700.
The ladies of the town have infected you at a distance; they are all
of your opinion, and, like my last book of Poems,[205] better than any
thing they have formerly seen of mine. I always thought my verses to my
cousin Driden were the best of the whole; and to my comfort, the town
thinks them so; and he, which pleases me most, is of the same judgment,
as appears by a noble present he has sent me, which surprised me,
because I did not in the least expect it. I doubt not, but he receiv’d
what you were pleas’d to send him; because he sent me the letter, which
you did me the favour to write me. At this very instant, I heare the
guns, which, going off, give me to understand, that the King is goeing
to the Parliament to pass acts, and consequently to prorogue them; for
yesterday I heard, that both he and the Lords have given up the cause,
and the House of Commons have gained an entire victory. [206] Though
under the rose, I am of opinion, that much of the confidence is abated
on either side, and that whensoever they meet next, it will give that
House a farther occasion of encroaching on the prerogative and the
Lords; for they, who beare the purse, will rule. The Parliament being
risen, my cousin Driden will immediately be with you, and, I believe,
return his thanks in person. All this while I am lame at home, and have
not stirr’d abroad this moneth at least. Neither my wife nor Charles
are well, but have intrusted their service in my hand. I humbly add my
own to the unwilling High Sheriff,[207] and wish him fairly at an end
of his trouble.
The latter end of last week, I had the honour of a visite from my
cousine, your mother, and my cousine Dorothy, with which I was much
comforted. Within this moneth there will be play’d, for my profit, an
old play of Fletcher’s, call’d the “Pilgrim,” corrected by my good
friend Mr Vanbrook;[208] to which I have added a new masque; and am
to write a new prologue and epilogue. Southern’s tragedy, call’d the
“Revolt of Capua,” will be play’d at Betterton’s house within this
fortnight. I am out with that Company, and therefore, if I can help it,
will not read it before ’tis acted, though the authour much desires I
shou’d. Do not think I will refuse a present from fair hands; for I am
resolv’d to save my bacon. I beg your pardon for this slovenly letter;
but I have not health to transcribe it. [209] My service to my cousin,
your brother, who, I heare, is happy in your company, which he is not
who most desires it, and who is, Madam,
Your most obliged obedient
Servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.
_For Mrs Stuart,_
_Att Cotterstock, near Oundle,_
_in Northamptonshyre, These. _
_To be left with the_
_Postmaster of Oundle. _
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
No. I.
DRYDEN’S _Degree as Master of Arts, granted by the Archbishop
of Canterbury, preserved in the Faculty Book_, (Book 6. p. 236.
b. )
“Dispensatio JOANNI DRYDEN, pro gradu Artium Magistri.
“GILBERTUS providentiâ divinâ Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, &c. dilecto
nobis in Christo JOANNI DRYDEN, in Artibus Baccalaureo, perantiquâ
Dreydenorum familiâ in agro Northamptoniensi oriundo, salutem et
gratiam. QUUM in scholis rite constitutis mos laudabilis et consuetudo
invaluerit, approbatione tam ecclesiarum bene reformatarum, quam
hominum doctissimorum, à multis retrò annis, ut quicunque in aliqua
artium liberalium scientia cum laude desudaverint, insigni aliquo
dignitatis gradu decorarentur. Quum etiam, publicâ legum auctoritate
muniti, Cantuarienses Archiepiscopi gradus prædictos et honoris titulos
in homines bene merentes conferendi potestate gaudeant et jamdudum
gavisi sint, prout ex libro authentico de Facultatibus taxandis
Parlamenti auctoritate confirmato pleniùs apparet; Nos igitur prædictà
auctoritate freti, et antecessorum nostrorum exemplum imitati, te
Joannem prædictum, cujus vitæ probitas, bonarum literarum scientiá,
morumque integritas, vel ipsius domini Regis testimonio, perspectæ
sunt, MAGISTRI IN ARTIBUS titulo et gradu insigniri decrevimus, et
tenore presentium in Artibus Magistrum actualem creamus, pariterque
in numerum Magistrorum in Artibus hujusce regni aggregamus; juramento
infra scripto priùs per nos de te exacto, et a te jurato:--_Ego
Joannes Dryden, ad gradum et titulum Magistri in Artibus, per
Reverendissimum in Christo patron ac dominum, Gilbertum divinâ
providentiâ Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, totius Angliæ Primatem
et Metropolitanum, admittendus, teste mihi conscientiâ testificor
serenissimum nostrum regem Carolum Secundum esse unicum et supremum
gubernatorem hujusce regni Angliæ, &c. sicut me Deus adjuvet, per sacra
Dei evangelia. _--Proviso semper quod hæ literæ tibi non proficiant,
nisi registrentur et subscribantur per Clericum Regiæ Majestatis ad
Facultates in Cancellaria.
“Dat. sub sigillo de Facultatibus, decimo septimo die mensis Junii,
Anno Domini 1668, et nostræ translationis anno quinto. ”
No. II.
DRYDEN’S PATENT.
_Pat. 22. Car. II. p. 6. n. 6. _
CHARLES THE SECOND, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland,
France, and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. to the lords
commissioners of our treasury, treasurer, chancellor, under-treasurer,
chamberlaines, and barons of the exchequer, of us, our heires and
successors, now being, and that hereafter shall bee, and to all other
the officers and ministers of our said court and of the receipt there,
now being and that hereafter shall bee; and to all others to whom these
presents shall come, greeting.
Know yee, that wee, for and in consideration of the many good and
acceptable services by John Dryden, Master of Arts, and eldest sonne of
Erasmus Dryden, of Tichmarsh, in the county of Northampton, esquire,
to us heretofore done and performed, and taking notice of the learning
and eminent abilities of him the said John Dryden, and of his great
skill and elegant style both in verse and prose, and for diverse
other good causes and considerations us thereunto especially moving,
have nominated, constituted, declared, and appointed, and by these
presents do nominate, constitute, declare, and appoint him, the said
John Dryden, our POET LAUREAT and HISTORIOGRAPHER ROYAL; giving and
granting unto him, the said John Dryden, all and singular the rights,
privileges, benefits, and advantages thereunto belonging, as fully and
amply as Sir Geoffery Chaucer, knight, Sir John Gower, knight, John
Leland, esquire, William Camden, esquire, Benjamin Johnson, esquire,
James Howell, esquire, Sir William D’Avenant, knight, or any other
person or persons having or exercising the place or employment of Poet
Laureat or Historiographer, or either of them, in the time of any of
our royal progenitors, had or received, or might lawfully claim or
demand, as incident or belonging unto the said places or employments,
or either of them. And for the further and better encouragement of
him, the said John Dryden, diligently to attend the said employment,
we are graciously pleased to give and grant, and by these presents,
for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant, unto the said
John Dryden, one annuity or yearly pension of two hundred pounds of
lawful money of England, during our pleasure, to have and to hold, and
yearly to receive the said annuity or pension of two hundred pounds
of lawful money of England by the yeare, unto the said John Dryden
and his assigns, from the death of the said Sir William D’Avenant
lately deceased, for and during our pleasure, at the receipt of the
exchequer, of us, our heirs and successors, out of the treasure of
us, our heirs and successors, from time to time there remaining, by
the hands of the treasurer or treasurers and chamberlains of us, our
heirs and successors, there for the time being, at the four usual
terms of the year, that is to say, at the feast of the nativity of
St John the Baptist, St Michael the Archangel, the birth of our Lord
God, and the annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by even and
equal portions to be paid, the first payment thereof to begin at the
feast of the nativity of St John the Baptist next and immediately
after the death of the said Sir William D’Avenant, deceased. Wherefore
our will and pleasure is, and we do by these presents, for us, our
heirs and successors, require, command, and authorize the said lords
commissioners of our treasury, treasurer, chancellor, under-treasurer,
chamberlains, and barons, and other officers and ministers of the said
exchequer now and for the time being, not only to pay, or cause to
be paid, unto the said John Dryden and his assigns, the said annuity
or yearly pension of two hundred pounds of lawful money of England,
according to our will and pleasure herein before expressed, but also
from time to time to give full allowance of the same, according
to the true meaning of these presents. And these presents, or the
inrolment thereof, shall be unto all men whom it shall concern a
sufficient warrant and discharge for the paying and allowing of the
same accordingly, without any further or other warrant procured or
obtained. And further, know ye, that we, of our especial grace,
certain knowledge, and mere motion, have given and granted, and by
these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant,
unto the said John Dryden and his assigns, one butt or pipe of the
best canary wine, to have, hold, receive, perceive, and take the said
butt or pipe of canary wine unto the said John Dryden and his assigns,
during our pleasure, out of our store of wines yearly and from time to
time remaining at or in our cellars within or belonging to our palace
of Whitehall. And for the better effecting of our will and pleasure
herein, we do hereby require and command all and singular our officers,
and ministers whom it shall or may concern, or who shall have the care
or charge of our said wines, that they, or some of them, do deliver, or
cause to be delivered, the said butt or pipe of wine yearly, and once
in every year, unto the said John Dryden or his assigns, during our
pleasure, at such time and times as he or they shall demand or desire
the same. And these presents, or the inrolment thereof, shall be unto
all men whom it shall concern, a sufficient warrant and discharge in
that behalf, although express mention, &c. In witness, &c.
Witness the King at Westminster, the eighteenth day of August. [1670. ]
_Per breve de privato sigillo. _
No. III.
THE AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE FABLES
I doe hereby promise to pay John Dryden, Esquire, or order, on the
25th of March, 1699, the sume of two hundred and fifty guineas, in
consideration of ten thousand verses, which the said John Dryden,
Esquire, is to deliver to me Jacob Tonson, when finished, whereof
seaven thousand five hundred verses, more or lesse, are already in
the said Jacob Tonson’s possession. And I do hereby further promise
and engage my selfe to make up the said sume of two hundred and fifty
guineas, three hundred pounds sterling, to the said John Dryden,
Esquire, his executors, administrators, or assigns, att the beginning
of the second impression of the said ten thousand verses. In witnesse
whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this twentieth day of
March, 1698-9.
JACOB TONSON.
Sealed and delivered, being first
stampt pursuant to the acts of
Parliament for that purpose,
in the presence of
Benj. Portlock,
Will Congreve.
March the twenty-fourth, 1698.
Received then of Mr Jacob Tonson the sum of two hundred sixty-eight
pounds fifteen shillings, in pursuance of an agreement for ten thousand
verses to be delivered by me to the said Jacob Tonson, whereof I have
already delivered to him about seven thousand five hundred, more or
less: he the sayd Jacob Tonson being obliged to make up the foresayd
sum of two hundred sixty-eight pounds fifteen shillings, three hundred
pounds, at the beginning of the second impression or the foresayd ten
thousand verses.
I say, received by me,
JOHN DRYDEN.
Witness, Charles Dryden.
_The following receipt is written on the back of_ JACOB TONSON’S
_Agreement, dated March_ 20, 1698-9.
June 11, 1713. Received of the within-named Jacob Tonson, thirty-one
pounds five shillings, which, with two hundred sixty-eight pounds
fifteen shillings paid Mr John Dryden the 24th of March 1698, is in
full for the copy of a book intituled “Dryden’s FABLES,” consisting of
ten thousand verses, more or lesse: I say received as administratrix to
the said John Dryden, of such effects as were not administered to by
Charles Dryden.
ANN SYLVIUS.
Witnesses, Eliz. Jones.
Jacob Tonson, Jun^r.
Paid Mr Dryden, March the 23d, 1698.
L. s. d.
In a bag in silver 100 0 0
In silver besides 21 15 6
66 Lewis d’ores at 17s. 6d. 57 15 0
83 Guyneas at [1] 1 6 89 4 6
-------------
268 15 0
=============
250 Guyneas at L. 1 1s. 6d. are 268 15 0
L. s. d.
268 15 0
31 5 0
===========
300 0 0
No. IV.
MR RUSSEL’s BILL FOR MR DRYDEN’S FUNERALLS.
For the funerall of Esq^{re} Dryden.
L. s. d.
A double coffin covered with cloath, and
sett of [off] with work gilt with gold 5 0 0
A herse with six white Flanders horses 1 10 0
Covering the herse with velvet, and
velvet housings for the horses 1 0 0
17 plumes of feathers for herse and horses 3 0 0
Hanging the Hall[210] with a border of bays 5 0 0
6 dozen of paper escucheons for the Hall 3 12 0
A large pall of velvet 0 10 0
10 silk escucheons for the pall 2 10 0
24 buck: escucheons for herse and horses 2 8 0
12 shields and six shaffroones for ditto 2 8 0
3 mourning coaches with six horses 2 5 0
Silver dish and rosemary 0 5 0
8 scarves for musicioners 2 0 0
8 hatbands for ditto 1 0 0
17 yds of crape to cover their instruments 1 14 0
4 mourning cloakes 0 10 0
Pd 6 men moveing the corps to the Hall 0 6 0
8 horsemen in long cloakes to ride before
the herse 4 0 0
-----------
Carried over 38 18 0
L. S. d.
Brought over 38 18 0
13 footmen in velvet capps, to walk on
each side the herse 1 19 0
6 porters that attended at the doores, and
walked before the herse to the Abby,
in mourning gowns and staves 1 10 0
An atchievement for the house 3 10 0
-----------
45 17 0
-----------
We may add to these accounts the Description of the Funeral
itself, extracted from the London Spy of WARD, who was
doubtless a spectator.
“A deeper concern hath scarce been known to affect in general the
minds of grateful and ingenious men, than the melancholy surprise
of the worthy Mr Dryden’s death hath occasioned through the whole
town, as well as in all other parts of the kingdom, where any persons
either of wit or learning have taken up their residence. Wheresoever
his incomparable writings have been scattered by the hands of the
travellers into foreign nations, the loss of so great a man must needs
be lamented amongst their bards and rabbies; and ’tis reasonable
to believe the commendable industry of translations has been such,
to render several of his most accurate performances into their own
language, that their native country might receive the benefit, and
themselves the reputation of so laudable an undertaking: and how far
the wings of merit have conveyed the pleasing fruits of his exuberant
fancy, is a difficult conjecture, considering what a continual
correspondence our nation has with most parts of the universe. For
it is reasonable to believe all Christian kingdoms and colonies at
least, have been as much the better for his labours, as the world is
the worse for the loss of him. Those who were his enemies while he
was living, (for no man lives without,) his death has now made such
friends to his memory, that they acknowledge they cannot but in justice
give him this character, that he was one of the greatest scholars, the
most correct dramatic poet, and the best writer of heroic verse, that
any age has produced in England. And yet, to verify the old proverb,
that poets, like prophets, have little honour in their own countries,
notwithstanding his merits had justly entitled his corpse to the most
magnificent and solemn interment the beneficence of the greatest
spirits could have bestowed on him; yet, ’tis credibly reported, the
ingratitude of the age is such, that they had like to have let him
pass in private to his grave, without those funeral obsequies suitable
to his greatness, had it not been for that true British worthy, who,
meeting with the venerable remains of the neglected bard passing
silently in a coach, unregarded to his last home, ordered the corpse,
by the consent of his few friends that attended him, to be respited
from so obscure an interment, and most generously undertook, at his
own expence, to revive his worth in the minds of a forgetful people,
by bestowing on his peaceful dust a solemn funeral answerable to his
merit; which memorable action alone will eternalize his fame with the
greatest heroes, and add that lustre to his nobility, which time can
never tarnish, but will shine with equal glory in all ages, and in
the very teeth of envy bid defiance to oblivion. The management of
the funeral was left to Mr Russel, pursuant to the directions of that
honourable great man the lord Jefferies, concerned chiefly in the pious
undertaking.
“The first honour done to his deserving relics, was lodging them in
Physicians College, from whence they were appointed to take their
last remove. The constituted day for the celebration of that office,
which living heroes perform in respect to a dead worthy, was Monday
the 13th of May, in the afternoon; at which time, according to the
notice given, most of the nobility and gentry now in town assembled
themselves together at the noble edifice aforesaid, in order to honour
the corpse with their personal attendance. When the company were met,
a performance of grave music, adapted to the solemn occasion, was
communicated to the ears of the company, by the hands of the best
masters in England, whose artful touches on their soft instruments
diffused such harmonious influence amongst the attentive auditory, that
the most heroic spirits in the whole assembly were unable to resist
the passionate force of each dissolving strain, but melted into tears
for the loss of so elegant and sweet a ravisher of human minds; and,
notwithstanding their undaunted bravery, which had oft scorned death
in the field, yet now, by music’s enchantment at the funeral of so
great a poet, were softened beneath their own natures, into a serious
reflection on mortality.
“When this part of the solemnity was ended, the famous Doctor G----th
ascended the pulpit where the physicians make their lectures, and
delivered, according to the Roman custom, a funeral oration in Latin
on his deceased friend, which he performed with great approbation and
applause of all such gentlemen that heard him, and were true judges of
the matter; most rhetorically setting forth those elegies and encomiums
which no poet hitherto, but the great Dryden, could ever truly deserve.
When these rites were over in the College, the corpse, by bearers for
that purpose, was handed into the hearse, being adorned with plumes
of black feathers, and the sides hung round with the escutcheons of
his ancestors, mixed with that of his lady’s; the hearse drawn by six
stately Flanders horses; every thing being set off with the most useful
ornaments to move regard, and affect the memories of the numberless
spectators, as a means to encourage every sprightly genius to attempt
something in their lives that may once render their dust worthy of
so public a veneration. All things being put in due order for their
movement, they began their solemn procession towards Westminster Abbey,
after the following manner:
“The two beadles of the College marched first, in mourning cloaks and
hat-bands, with the heads of their staffs wrapt in black crape scarfs,
being followed by several other servile mourners, whose business
was to prepare the way, that the hearse might pass less liable to
interruption; next to these moved a concert of hautboys and trumpets,
playing and sounding together a melancholy funeral-march, undoubtedly
composed upon that particular occasion; (after these, the undertaker
with his hat off, dancing through the dirt like a bear after a bagpipe.
I beg the reader’s pardon for foisting in a jest in so improper a
place, but as he walked by himself within a parenthesis, so I have here
placed him, and hope none will be offended;) then came the hearse, as
before described, most honourably attended with abundance of quality
in their coaches and six horses; that it may be justly reported to
posterity, no ambassador from the greatest emperor in all the universe,
sent over with the welcome embassy to the throne of England, ever made
his public entry to the court with half that honour as the corpse of
the great Dryden did its last exit to the grave. In this order the
nobility and gentry attended the hearse to Westminster Abbey, where the
quire, assisted with the best masters in England, sung an Epicedium;
and the last funeral rites being performed by one of the prebends, he
was honourably interred between Chaucer and Cowley; where, according to
report, will be erected a very stately monument, at the expence of some
of the nobility, in order to recommend his worth, and to preserve his
memory to all succeeding ages. ”
No. V.
MRS THOMAS’S LETTERS CONCERNING DRYDEN’S DEATH AND FUNERAL;
_Extracted from Wilson’s Life of Congreve, 1730. _
[As tales of wonder are generally acceptable to the public, I
insert these memorable Epistles, with the necessary caveat,
that they are full of every kind of blunder and inconsistency. ]
“These Memoirs were communicated to me by a lady, now living, with whom
Mr Dryden corresponded under the name of Corinna, and which name he
himself gave her.
’SIR,
’Mr Dryden was son of -------- Dryden, of an ancient and good family
in Northamptonshire, by a sister of Sir Gilbert Pickering, Bart. of
the same county; who has a handsome monument at Tichmarsh, erected
in 1721, by the late widow Creed of Oundle, the daughter of another
sister of Sir Gilbert’s, and niece to the famous Earl of Sandwich,
who was killed in the Dutch war, 1667, being then admiral. He married
Lady Elizabeth Howard, (a celebrated beauty) daughter to the old Earl
of Berkshire, sister to Sir Robert Howard, Colonel Philip Howard, and
Mr Edward Howard: (who wrote “The British Prince,” &c. ;) she bore him
three sons, Charles, John, and Harry. He lived many years in a very
good house in Gerrard street, the 5th or 6th door on the left-hand from
Newport-market. On the 19th of April, 1700, he said he had been very
bad with the gout, and an erysipelas in one leg; but he was then very
well, and designed to go soon abroad: but on the Friday following, he
had eat a partridge for his supper; and going to take a turn in the
little garden behind his house, was seized with a violent pain under
the ball of the great-toe of his right-foot, that, unable to stand,
he cried out for help, and was carried in by his servants; when, upon
sending for surgeons, they found a small black spot in the place
affected: He submitted to their present applications; and when gone,
called his son Charles to him, using these words, “I know,” says he,
“this black spot is a mortification; I know also, that it will seize
my head, and that they will cut off my leg: but I command you, my son,
by your filial duty, that you do not suffer me to be dismembered. ” As
he, too truly, foretold, the event proved; and his son was too dutiful
to disobey his father’s commands. On the Wednesday morning following,
being May-day, 1700, under the most excruciating dolours, he died.
Dr Sprat, then bishop of Rochester, sent, on the Thursday, to Lady
Elizabeth, that he would make a present of the ground, which was 40l.
with all the other abbey-fees, &c. to his deceased friend. Lord Halifax
sent also to my lady and Mr Charles, that if they would give him leave
to bury Mr Dryden, he would inter him with a gentleman’s private
funeral, and afterwards bestow 500l. on a monument in the Abbey;
which, as they had no reason to refuse, they accepted. On the Saturday
following the company came, the corpse was put into a velvet hearse,
and eighteen mourning coaches, filled with company, attending. When,
just before they began to move, Lord Jefferies, with some of his rakish
companions, coming by, in wine, asked, whose funeral? and being told,
“What! ” cries he, “shall Dryden, the greatest honour and ornament of
the nation, be buried after this private manner? No, gentlemen; let
all that loved Mr Dryden, and honour his memory, alight, and join
with me in gaining my lady’s consent, to let me have the honour of
his interment, which shall be after another manner than this, and I
will bestow 1000l. on a monument in the Abbey for him. ” The gentlemen
in the coaches not knowing of the bishop of Rochester’s favour, nor
of Lord Halifax’s generous design, (these two noble spirits having,
out of respect to the family, enjoined Lady Elizabeth and her son to
keep their favour concealed to the world, and let it pass for her own
expence, &c. ), readily came out of the coaches, and attended Lord
Jefferies up to the lady’s bed-side, who was then sick, He repeated the
purport of what he had before said; but she absolutely refusing, he
fell on his knees, vowing never to rise till his request was granted.
The rest of the company, by his desire, kneeled also; she being
naturally of a timorous disposition, and then under a sudden surprise,
fainted away. As soon as she recovered her speech, she cried, no, no.
Enough, gentlemen, replied he, (rising briskly,) my lady is very good;
she says, go, go. She repeated her former words with all her strength,
but, alas! in vain, her feeble voice was lost in their acclamations of
joy; and Lord Jefferies ordered the hearsemen to carry the corpse to
Russell’s, the undertaker, in Cheapside, and leave it there, till he
sent orders for the embalment, which, he added, should be after the
royal manner. His directions were obeyed, the company dispersed, and
Lady Elizabeth and Mr Charles remained inconsolable. Next morning Mr
Charles waited on Lord Halifax, &c. to excuse his mother and self, by
relating the real truth: but neither his lordship, nor the bishop,
would admit of any plea; especially the latter, who had the Abbey
lighted, the ground opened, the choir attending, an anthem ready set,
and himself waiting, for some hours, without any corpse to bury,
Russel, after three days expectance of orders for embalment, without
receiving any, waits on Lord Jefferies, who, pretending ignorance of
the matter, turned it off with an ill-natured jest, saying, “Those who
observed the orders of a drunken frolic, deserved no better; that he
remembered nothing at all of it, and he might do what he pleased with
the corpse. ” On this Mr Russell waits on Lady Elizabeth and Mr Dryden;
but, alas! it was not in their power to answer. The season was very
hot, the deceased had lived high and fast; and being corpulent, and
abounding with gross humours, grew very offensive. The undertaker, in
short, threatened to bring home the corpse, and set it before their
door. It cannot be easily imagined, what grief, shame, and confusion,
seized this unhappy family. They begged a day’s respite, which was
granted. Mr Charles wrote a very handsome letter to Lord Jefferies, who
returned it, with this cool answer, “He knew nothing of the matter,
and would be troubled no more about it. ” He then addressed the Lord
Halifax and bishop of Rochester, who were both too justly, though
unhappily, incensed, to do any thing in it. In this extreme distress,
Dr Garth, a man who entirely loved Mr Dryden, and was withal a man of
generosity and great humanity, sends for the corpse to the College of
Physicians in Warwicklane, and proposed a funeral by subscription,
to which himself set a most noble example; Mr Wycherley, and several
others, among whom must not be forgotten, Henry Cromwell, Esq. Captain
Gibbons, and Mr Christopher Metcalfe, Mr Dryden’s apothecary and
intimate friend, (since a collegiate physician,) who, with many others,
contributed most largely to the subscription; and at last a day, about
three weeks after his decease, was appointed for the interment at
the Abbey. Dr Garth pronounced a fine Latin oration over the corpse
at the College; but the audience being numerous, and the room large,
it was requisite the orator should be elevated, that he might be
heard; but, as it unluckily happened, there was nothing at hand but
an old beer-barrel, which the doctor, with much good-nature, mounted;
and, in the midst of his oration, beating time to the accent with
his foot, the head broke in, and his feet sunk to the bottom, which
occasioned the malicious report of his enemies, that he was turned a
tub-preacher: However, he finished the oration with a superior grace
and genius, to the loud acclamations of mirth, which inspired the
mixed or rather mob-auditors. The procession began to move, a numerous
train of coaches attended the hearse; but, good God! in what disorder,
can only be expressed by a sixpenny pamphlet, soon after published,
entitled, “Dryden’s Funeral. ” At last the corpse arrived at the Abbey,
which was all unlighted. No organ played, no anthem sung; only two of
the singing boys preceded the corpse, who sung an ode of Horace, with
each a small candle in their hand. The butchers and other mob broke
in like a deluge, so that only about eight or ten gentlemen could get
admission, and those forced to cut the way with their drawn swords.
The coffin, in this disorder, was let down into Chaucer’s grave, with
as much confusion, and as little ceremony, as was possible; every one
glad to save themselves from the gentlemen’s swords, or the clubs of
the mob. When the funeral was over, Mr Charles sent a challenge to Lord
Jefferies, who refusing to answer it, he sent several others, and went
often himself, but could neither get a letter delivered, nor admittance
to speak to him; which so justly incensed him, that he resolved, since
his lordship refused to answer him like a gentleman, he would watch an
opportunity to meet him, and fight off hand, though with all the rules
of honour; which his lordship hearing, left the town; and Mr Charles
could never have the satisfaction to meet him, though he sought it till
his death with the utmost application. This is the true state of the
case, and surely no reflection to the manes of this great man.
“Thus it is very plain, that his being buried by contribution, was
owing to a vile drunken frolic of the Lord Jefferies, as I have
related. Mr Dryden enjoyed himself in plenty, while he lived, and the
surplusage of his goods paid all his debts. After his decease, the
Lady Elizabeth, his widow, took a lesser house in Sherrard-street,
Golden-square, and had wherewithal to live frugally genteel, and keep
two servants, to the day of her death, by the means of a small part of
her fortune, which her relations had obliged Mr Dryden to secure to
her on marriage. This was 80l. per annum, and duly paid at 20l. per
quarter; so that, I can assure you, there was no want to her dying-day.
He had only three sons, and all provided for like gentlemen. Mr Charles
had served the Pontiff of Rome above nine years, in an honourable
and profitable post, as usher to the palace, out of which he had an
handsome stipend remitted by his brother John, whom, by the pope’s
favour, he left to officiate, while he came to visit his father, who
dying soon after his arrival, he returned no more to Italy, but was
unhappily drowned at Windsor in swimming cross the river. Mr John died
in his post at Rome, and Harry the youngest was a religious; he had
30l. a year allowed by his college in Flanders, besides a generous
salary from his near relation the too well-known Duchess of Norfolk,
to whom he was domestic chaplain. Behold the great wants of this
deplorable family!
I am, Sir,
Your’s, &c.
CORINNA.
_May_ 15, 1729.
P. S. ‘Mr Dryden was educated at Westminster school, under the great Dr
Bushby, being one of the king’s scholars upon the royal foundation. ’
* * * * *
’SIR,
’Upon recollection, I think it must have been that remarkably fine
gentleman, Pope Clement XI. , to whom Mr Charles Dryden was usher of the
palace. His brother John died of a fever at Rome, not many months after
his father, and was buried there; whether before the pope or after
I cannot say; but the difference was not much. Mr Charles, who was
drowned at Windsor, 1704, was doubtless buried there. Lady Elizabeth
lived about eight years after her spouse, and for five years of the
time, without any memory, which she lost by a fever in 1703; she was a
melancholy object, and was, by her son Harry, as I was told, carried
into the country, where she died. What country I never heard. I cannot
certainly say where Mr Harry died, or whether before his mother or
after.
’Mr Dryden never had any wife but Lady Elizabeth, whatever may have
been reported.
