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HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY

1875, March 22.

Halker Bequest. (Vol. I., II.)

ADVERTISEMENT.

AMONG the most eminent of the illustrious names of those whose genius has done honour to English Literature stands that of Dryden, who may claim at least the third place in the honoured list, and who has given proofs of greater versatility of talent than either Shakspeare or Milton, though justly placed inferior to both in their respective provinces. It would be hard to exact that the Editor of these Memoirs should rival the criticism of Johnson, or produce facts which have escaped the accuracy of Malone. While, however, he has availed himself of the labours of both, particularly of the latter, whose industry has removed

"Preference being given to works in the Intellectual and Moral Sciences"

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

SECTION I.

Preliminary Remarks on the Poetry of England be-
fore the Civil Wars-The Life of Dryden from his
Birth till the Restoration-His early Poems, in-
cluding the « Annus Mirabilis. »

SECTION II.

Revival of the Drama at the Restoration-Heroic
Plays-Comedies of Intrigue-Commencement of
Dryden's Dramatic Career-The Wild Gallant—
Rival Ladies-Indian Queen and Emperor-Dry-
den's Marriage-Essay on Dramatic Poetry, and
subsequent Controversy with Sir Robert Howard
-The Maiden Queen-The Tempest-Sir Martin
Mar-all-The Mock Astrologer-The Royal Mar-
tyr-The Two Parts of the Conquest of Granada
-Dryden's Situation at this Period.

SECTION III.

Heroic Plays-The Rehearsal-Marriage à la Mode
-The Assignation-Controversy with Clifford-
with Leigh—with Ravenscroft-Massacre of Am-
boyna-State of Innocence.

Pages.