tranfplanted from that volume are given with alterations and corrections by the author, which was a principal motive for their republication, in this.† There are likewise three or four pieces, not frictly our author's, collaterally introduced, for fpecial reasons, which will immediately appear. They take place, with the writers' names respectively annexed, among the Prologues and Epilogues to private plays; a fpecies of amufement, which of late years has been revived, and at present greatly prevails both in this and the fifter kingdom. Refpecting the eligibility of such amusements, as upon moft general topics, opinions are divided; objections not very liberal have been started against them, and prejudices, † A certain critic, of the caft alluded to in a subsequent page, [xxxiii] made no scruple of openly asserting, in the author's hearing, that the prefent collection was entirely made up from the Shamrock.—The truth is, the Shamrock (540 quarto pages) on a fummary calculation contains nearly 16,000 lines; twothirds of which, at least, being of the contribution of the publisher, he had indisputable right to appropriate at his pleasure. That right however has been exercised with reserve. The present volume contains, verfe and profe, about 12,000 lines; of which 900 lines, or thereabouts, it is hoped with confiderable improvements, may be charged to the credit of the Shamrock. There are besides no less than LXX entire pieces in verse, and a large complement of notes and obfervations in profe, not a line of which is to be found in the Shamrock, or, we are confident, in any other publication whatever.-The balance tells little in favour of Sir Critic's arithmetic. prejudices, perhaps equally unfounded, are ftill enter tained. The question is taken up in the occafional pieces, partly for that purpose inferted; they speak for themselves. The Editor is unconcerned in the iffue, and incompetent to decide. Truth in any fhape is welcome to the lovers of truth, and knowlege and good fense are seldom advocates for errour. The intrinfic merit of thofe compofitions feemed to entitle them to a better chance for preservation than was likely in their detached ftate, and in general the elevated rank and characters of the respective writers, who also bore a part in the performance, ftamp their arguments with authority, supported by the responsibility of their names and example. The bills of the Dramatis Perfonæ were taken from the public prints and critiques of the day, corrected from perfonal knowlege and information. It may hereafter be matter of curiofity to know, what ideas, in the eighteenth century, perfons of learning and tafte entertained of the otium cum dignitate, and that, amidst the seductions of wealth, luxury and exotic refinement, all were not alike attached to cards, dice, intemperance and frivolity. Several poems from the Shamrock have repeatedly appeared in London without acknowlegement, and often incorrectly copied; the author wrote to some of the publishers on that head, and furnished them with lifts lifts of errata, which they promised to observe in the future impreffions; but the poems have fince been republished, with all their imperfections on their heads. It was in contemplation to give a correct edition of those pieces; but that business is referved for a future occafion. The Editor flatters himself his readers will not find much to blame on the score of inaccuracy; a typographical error, an irregular fyllable or a false pointing, may have escaped him; but he trufts none, very material, to the injury of the fenfe. Candour will admit the plea of youth and inexperience, as well as the difficulty of attaining perfection, Whoe'er expects a faultlefs work to fee, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er will be. POPE. In the courfe of the notes, the Editor now and then ventures an obfervation of his own. The body of them is his Father's. Some have been fuppreffed, and, though ftill of confiderable magnitude, good judges have given it as their opinion, they want not the recommendation of novelty, and contain some curious articles of information and entertainment. In this Edition feveral of them, by particular advice, have been reftored; for which, as it no way enhances the Price, our Readers may probably find good reason to thank the Editor. JUNE 12th, 1795. EDWARD ATHENRY WHYTE. OF THIS VOLUME. Page Theatre, by way of Argument, &c. with Additions xxxvii Extracts alluded to in do. [inferted after the notes at the end] xli The THEATRE, or Mirrour for Youth addicted to the Theatro-mania, a didactic Effay, addreffed to a Lady on the performance of Jane Shore, May 7th, 1779 BON TON THEATRICALS-Prologues and Epilogues, &c. in which the question of private plays is taken up and the feat of the Duke of Leinster, written and spoken by the Rev. Dean Marlay, prefent Lord Bishop of Clonfert 45 Epilogue to Henry IV. performed at Castletown, the feat of the Right Hon. Thomas Conolly Prologue to Cato, spoken by Master George Holmes, a young a Theatre Royal, Crow-ftreet, for a charity, which pro- duced 3621. 55. 8d. and was the means of relieving up- wards of eighty unfortunate debtors from the Marshalsea, The prefent Duke of Leinster, the late Marquis of Epilogue to Henry IV. performed at Drumcree, the Prologue, spoken at the Jubilee Theatre, by Edward Smith, Efq. the worthy proprietor of that elegant retreat of the muses.—This gentleman is the friend whom Mossop in his declining ftate accompanied to the Continent, mentioned by Davis, in his life of Garrick, Vol. II. p. 244 Prologue to Jane Shore, with confiderable additions Prelude to the animation of Harlequin, in which an eluci- PIECES FOR THE THEATRE ROYAL. Occafional Prologue to Oroonoko, 1784 85 Prologue for a first appearance at Belfast 88 |