A short Account of the LIFE of OTWAY. THOMAS OTWAY was the fon of the Reverend Mr. Humphry Otway, rector of Wolbeding in Suffex, and was born in the year 1651-He received his education at Wickeham School near Winchester, and became a Commoner of Chrift's Church, in Oxford, in 1669-But, on his quit. ting the University, and coming to London, he turned Player. His fuccefs, as an actor, was but indifferent; he was more valued for the fprightli. nefs of his conversation, and the acuteness of his wit; which gained him the friendship of the Earl of Plymouth, who procured him a Cornet's com. miffion in the troops which then ferved in Flanders. Our author, like the reft of the wits of every age, was but a bad oeconomist; and therefor it is no wonder that we generally find him in very ne. ceffitous circumftances.This was particularly the cafe with him at his return from Flanders.He was, moreover, averse to the military profession; and it is therefor not extraordinary, all things confidered, that he and his commiffion foon quarrelled, and parted, never to meet again. After this, he had recourfe to writing for the ftage; and now it was that he found out the only employment that nature feems to have fitted him for.-In Comedy, he has been deemed too licen Charles Fitz-Charles, one of the natural fons of Charles II. |