SOURCE: Inchbald, Elizabeth. “Remarks.” In Remarks for the British Theatre (1806-1809), n.p. Delmar, N.Y.: Scholars' Facsimiles & Reprints, 1990.

In the following essay, first published in an 1806 edition of The Busie Body, Inchbald offers a brief biography of Centlivre, emphasizing the need for unmarried or widowed women and mothers to earn a living and defending authorship as a legitimate profession for women. Critiquing The Busie Body, Inchbald contends that the character of Marplot, especially in the hand of an able comedian, made possible the long life of an otherwise mediocre play.

When a man follows the occupation of a woman, or a woman the employment of a man, they are both unpleasing characters, if they are guided in their pursuits by choice; but, if necessity has ruled their destinies, they are surely objects of compassion and mercy should be granted to their want of skill in their irregular...