it was in virtue of a settlement on his wife.  But if so, it cannot have been freehold property of Lord Berkshire’s, as the poet says that he holds of the Hydes.  Lady Elizabeth had received a considerable grant (L3000) from the Crown in recognition of her father’s services, but it is not certain that it was ever paid.  No London domicile of his is known except the house in Gerrard Street, now marked with a plate by the Society of Arts.  There is a house—­now subdivided—­in Fetter Lane which also has a plate (the successor of a stone inscription) stating that Dryden lived there.  No biographer takes notice of this, and the topographers who do notice it do not believe the story.  If there be any foundation for it, the period of his residence must probably have been before his marriage.—­ ED.]

[18] [I venture to think this last remark overstated.  Sarcasms on matrimony were the fashion, and Dryden followed it.  The evidence of mutual unhappiness is almost nil.—­ED.]

[19] Sandford, a most judicious actor, is said, by Cibber, cautiously to have observed this rule, in order to avoid surfeiting the audience by the continual recurrence of rhyme.

[20] The Honourable Edward Howard, Sir Robert’s brother, expresses himself in the preface to the “Usurper,” a play Published in 1668, “not insensible to the disadvantage it may receive passing into the world upon the naked feet of verse, with other works that have their measures adorned with the trappings of rhyme, which, however they have succeeded in wit or design, is still thought music, as the heroic tone now goes; but whether so natural to a play, that should most nearly imitate, in some cases, our familiar converse, the judicious may easily determine.”

[21] [A dislike which was silent for five years, if it existed.—­ED.]

[22] Who drew Sir Robert in the character of Sir Positive Atall in the “Sullen Lovers;” “a foolish knight, that pretends to understand everything in the world, and will suffer no man to understand anything in his company; so foolishly positive, that he will never be convinced of an error, though never so gross.”  This character is supported with great humour.

[23] In a letter from Dryden to Tonson, dated 26th May 1696, in which he reckons upon Sir Robert Howard’s assistance in a pecuniary transaction.

[24] “I am informed Mr. Dryden is now translating of Virgil; and although I must own it is a fault to forestall or anticipate the praise of a man in his labours, yet, big with the greatness of the work, and the vast capacity of the author, I cannot here forbear saying, that Mr. Dryden, in the translating of Virgil, will of a certain make Maro speak better than ever Maro thought.  Besides those already mentioned, there are other ingredients and essential parts of poetry, necessary for the forming of a truly great and happy genius, viz. a free air and spirit, a vigorous and well governed thought, which are, as