Page 161. ON THE ARTIFICIAL COMEDY OF THE LAST CENTURY.
See note to the essay "On Some of the Old Actors."
See also "A Vision of Horns" (Vol. I.) for, as it seems to me, a whimsical extension to the point of absurdity of the theory expressed in this essay—a theory which Lord Macaulay, in his review of Leigh Hunt's edition of the Dramatic Works of Wycherley, Congreve, etc., in 1840, opposed with characteristic vigour.
Hartley Coleridge, in a letter to Edward Moxon concerning Leigh Hunt's edition of Wycherley and Congreve, happily remarked: "Nothing more or better can be said in defence of these writers than what Lamb has said in his delightful essay … which is, after all, rather an apology for the audiences who applauded and himself who delighted in their plays, than for the plays themselves…. But Lamb always took things by the better handle."
Page 163, line 16. The Fainalls, etc. Fainall in Congreve's "Way
of the World," Mirabel in Farquhar's "Inconstant," Dorimant in
Etheredge's "Man of Mode," and Lady Touchstone in Congreve's "Double
Dealer."
Page 163, line 12 from foot. Angelica. In "Love for Love."
Page 164, line 26, etc. Sir Simon, etc. All these characters are in
Wycherley's "Love in a Wood."
Page 166, line 21. King. Thomas King (1730-1805), at one time manager of Drury Lane, the original Sir Peter Teazle, on May 8, 1777, the first night of the "School for Scandal," and the most famous actor in the part until he retired in 1802.
Page 167, line 14. Miss Pope. Jane Pope (1742-1818), the original
Mrs. Candour, left the stage in 1808.
Page 167, line 15 from foot. Manager's comedy. Sheridan was manager of Drury Lane when the "School for Scandal" was produced.