[57] [Transcriber’s note:  “See pages 258-261” in original.  This corresponds to the discussion on Dryden’s conversion to Catholicism, Section VI.]

[58] A correspondent of the Gentleman’s Magazine, in 1745, already quoted, says of him as a personal acquaintance:  “Posterity is absolutely mistaken as to that great man:  though forced to be a satirist, he was the mildest creature breathing, and the readiest to help the young and deserving.  Though his comedies are horribly full of double entendre, yet ’twas owing to a false complaisance.  He was, in company, the modestest man that ever conversed.”

[59] Letter to the author of “Reflections Historical and Political.” 4to, 1732.

[60] See vol. xi.; vol. xviii.  From the poem in the passage last quoted, it seems that the original sign of Will’s Coffee-house had been a cow. It was changed however, to a rose, in Dryden’s time.  This wit’s coffeehouse was situated at the end of Bow-street, on the north side of Russel-street, and frequented by all who made any pretence to literature, or criticism.  Their company, it would seem, was attended with more honour than profit; for Dennis describes William Envin, or Urwin, who kept the house, as taking refuge in White-friars, then a place of asylum, to escape the clutches of his creditors.  “For since the law,” says the critic, “thought it just to put Will out of its protection, Will thought it but prudent to put himself out of its power.”

[61] See Appendix, vol. xviii.; vol. xi.

[62] The Dean of Peterborough.  “I was,” says he, “about seventeen, when I first came to town; an odd-looking boy, with short rough hair, and that sort of awkwardness which one always brings out of the country with one:  however, in spite of my bashfulness and appearance, I used now and then to thrust myself into Will’s, to have the pleasure of seeing the most celebrated wits of that time, who used to resort thither.  The second time that ever I was there, Mr. Dryden was speaking of his own things, as he frequently did, especially of such as had been lately published.  If anything of mine is good (says he), ’tis my Mac-Flecknoe; and I value myself the more on it, because it is the first piece of ridicule written in heroics.’  Lockier overhearing this, plucked up his spirit so far, as to say, in a voice just loud enough to be heard, that Mac-Flecknoe was a very fine poem, but that he had not imagined it to be the first that ever was wrote that way.  On this Dryden turned short upon him, as surprised at his interposing; asked him how long he had been a dealer in poetry; and added, with a smile,—­’But pray, sir, what is it, that you did imagine to have been writ so before?’ Lockier named Boileau’s Lutrin, and Tassoni’s Secchia Rapita; which he had read, and knew Dryden had borrowed some strokes from each. ‘’Tis true,’ says Dryden;—­’I had forgot them.’  A little after, Dryden went out, and in going spoke to Lockier again, and desired him to come to him the next day.  Lockier was highly delighted with the invitation, and was well acquainted with him as long as he lived.”—­MALONE, vol. i. p. 481.