[97] Sir Matthew, with whom Dryden appears to have resided at this time, is unknown.
[98] Sir John Trenchard, who was made one of the secretaries of state March 23, 1691-2, died in office in April 1695.
[99] “A short View of Tragedy,” published (as appears from the Gentleman’s Journal, by P. Motteux,) in Dec. 1692. The date in the title-page is, 1693.
[100] See Vol. XII. p.45.
[101] Dennis, the critic, afterwards so unfortunately distinguished by the satire of Pope. Like Rymer, and others, he retained considerable reputation for critical acumen, until he attempted to illustrate his precepts by his own compositions.
[102] Sir Richard Blackmore was doomed to accomplish this prophecy. See Vol. XI. p. 236. and the Life of Dryden, p. 6.
[103] In his Short View of Tragedy. See Vol. XII. pp. 45, 51.
[104] This lesson was thrown away upon poor Dennis, who, by his rash and riotous attacks upon Pope, afterwards procured an immortality of a kind very different from that to which he aspired.
[105] Dryden’s evil opinion of the state of matrimony, never fails to glance forth upon such occasions as the present.
[106] One of the subscribers of the higher class. The decorations were probably his armorial bearings.