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.