Third, place to his want of Modesty, and Regard to the Audience. As for Smut Sancho and Teresa talk it broad, and single sens'd, for almost a page together.Part. 1st. p. 7, 8. pt. 2d. p. 57.[387] Mary the Buxsom has likewise her share of this Accomplishment. The first Epilogue is Garnish'd with a Couplet of it;pt. 2d. p. 60;[388] Marcella the Maiden Shepherdess raves in Raptures of Indecency; And sometimes you have it mixt up with Profaness, to make the Composition the stronger.pt. 1st. p. 38. pt. 2d. p. 14.[389] But this entertainment being no Novelty, I shall pass it over; And the rather because there are some other Rarities which are not to be met with else where.

Here he diverts the Ladies with the Charming Rhetorick of Snotty-Nose, filthy Vermin in the Beard, Nitty Jerkin, and Louse Snapper, with the Letter in the Chamber-pot, and natural Evacuation;pt. 1st. p. 7, 8. pt. 2d. p. 52. pt. 2d. p. 36, 49. pt. 2d. p. 37. 44.[390] with an abusive description of a Countess, and a rude story of a certain Lady, and with some other varieties of this Kind, too coarse to be named. This is rare stuff for Ladies, and Quality! There is more of Physick, than Comedy in such Sentences as these. Crocus Metallorum will scarse turn the Stomack more effectually. 'Tis possible Mr. Durfey might design it for a Receipt. And being Conscious the Play was too dear, threw a Vomit into the Bargain.Pref. pt. 3d.[391] I wonder Mr. Durfey should have no more regard to the Boxes and Pitt! That a Man who has studied the Scenes of Decency and Good Manners with so much Zeal, should practise with so little Address! Certainly indefatigable Diligence, Care and Pains, was never more unfortunate!Ibid.[392] In his third Part, Buxsome swears faster, and is more scandalous, and impertinent, than in the other two. At these Liberties, and some in Sancho, the Ladies took Check. This Censure Mr. Durfey seems heartily sorry for. He is extreamly concern'd that the Ladies, that Essential part of the Audience, should think his Performance nauseous and undecent.Pref.[393] That is, he is very sorry they brought their Wits, or their Modesty along with them. However Mr. Durfey is not so Ceremonious as to submit: He is resolved to keep the Field against the Ladies; And endeavours to defend himself by saying, I know no other way in Nature to do the Characters right, but to make a Romp, speak like a Romp, and a clownish Boor blunder &c.Ibid.[394]

By his favour, all Imitations tho' never so well Counterfeited are not proper for the Stage. To present Nature under every Appearance would be an odd undertaking. A Midnight Cart, or a Dunghil would be no Ornamental Scene. Nastyness, and dirty Conversation are of the same kind. For Words are a Picture to the Ear, as Colours and Surface are to the Eye. Such Discourses are like dilating upon Ulcers, and Leprosies: The more Natural, the worse; for the Disgust always rises with the Life of the Description. Offensive Language like offensive Smells, does but make a Man's Senses a burthen, and affords him nothing but Loathing and Aversion. Beastliness in Behaviour, gives a disparaging Idea of Humane Nature, and almost makes us sorry we are of the same Kind. For these reasons 'tis a Maxime in Good Breeding never to shock the Senses, or Imagination. This Rule holds strongest before Women, and especially when they come to be entertain'd. The Diversion ought to be suited to the Audience; For nothing pleases which is disproportion'd to Capacity, and Gust. The Rudenesses and broad Jests of Beggars, are just as acceptable to Ladies as their Rags, and Cleanliness. To treat Persons of Condition like the Mob, is to degrade their Birth, and affront their Breeding. It levells them with the lowest Education. For the size of a Man's Sense, and Improvement, is discovered by his Pleasures, as much as by any thing else.

But to remove from Scenes of Decency, to Scenes of Wit. And here Mannel and Sancho, two pleasant sharp Fellows, will divert us extreamly.Person. Dram.[395] Mannel in the Disguise of a Lady addresses the Dutchess in this manner. Illustrious Beauty——I must desire to know whether the most purifidiferous Don Quixote of the Manchissima, and his Squireiferous Panca, be in this Company or no. This is the Ladies speech! Now comes Sancho. Why look you forsooth, without any more Flourishes, the Governour Panca is here, and Don Quixotissimo too; therefore most afflictedissimous Matronissima, speak what you willissimus, for we are all ready to be your Servitorissimus.pt. 2d. p. 31.[396]

I dare not go on, for fear of overlaying the Reader. He may cloy himself at his Leisure. The Scene between the Taylor and Gardiner, lies much in the same Latitude of Understanding.p. 51.[397]

The Third Part presents a set of Poppets, which is a Thought good enough; for this Play is only fit to move upon Wires. 'Tis pity these little Machines appear'd no sooner, for then the Sense, and the Actors had been well adjusted. In explaining the Persons, He acquaints us that Carasco is a Witty Man. I can't tell what the Gentleman might be in other Places, but I'm Satisfied he is a Fool in his Play. But some Poets are as great Judges of Wit, as they are an instance; And have the Theory and the Practise just alike.

Mr. Durfeys Epistles Dedicatory are to the full as diverting as his Comedies. A little of them may not be amiss.

In his first, He thus addresses the Dutches of Ormond. 'Tis Madam from your Graces Prosperous Influence that I date my Good Fortune. To Date from time and Place, is vulgar and ordinary, and many a Letter has miscarried with it: But to do it from an Influence, is Astrological, and surprizing, and agrees extreamly with the Hemisphere of the Play-house.Pref. pt. 1st.
Ibid.[398] These Flights one would easily imagine were the Poor Off-spring of Mr. Durfey's Brain, as he very judiciously phrases it.[399]

One Paragraph in his Dedication to Mr. Montague is perfect Quixotism; One would almost think him enchanted. I'll give the Reader a Tast.

Had your Eye's shot the haughty Austerity upon me of a right Courtier,——your valued minutes had never been disturb'd with dilatory Trifles of this Nature, but my Heart on dull Consideration of your Merit, had supinely wish'd you prosperity at a Distance.pt. 3d.[400] I'm afraid the Poet was under some Apprehensions of the Temper he complains of. For to my thinking, there is a great deal of Supiness, and dull Consideration in these Periods. He tells his Patron his Smiles have embolden'd him. I confess I can't see how He could forbear smiling at such Entertainment. However Mr. Durfey takes Things by the best Handle, and is resolv'd to be happy in his Interpretation. But to be serious. Were I the Author, I would discharge my Muse unless she prov'd kinder. His way is rather to cultivate his Lungs, and Sing to other Peoples Sense; For to finish him in a word, he is Vox, & præterea nihil. I speak this only on Supposition that the rest of his Performances are like These. Which because I have not perused I can judge of no farther than by the Rule of ex pede Herculem. I shall conclude with Monsieur Boileau's Art of Poetry. This citation may possibly be of some service to Mr. Durfey; For if not concern'd in the Application, he may at least be precaution'd by the Advice.