We shall conclude the life of this eminent wit, with the testimony of Mr. Pope in his favour, from the close of his postscript to the translation of Homer:  It is in every respect so honourable, that it would be injurious to Mr. Congreve to omit it.—­His words are—­’Instead of endeavouring to raise a vain monument to myself, let me leave behind me a memorial of my friendship with one of the most valuable men, as well as the finest writers of my age and country.  One who has tried, and knows by his own experience, how hard an undertaking it is to do justice to Homer, and one who I’m sure sincerely rejoices with me at the period of my labours.  To him therefore, having brought this long work to a conclusion, I desire to dedicate it, and have the honour and satisfaction of placing together in this manner, the names of Mr. Congreve and of

A. Pope.

[Footnote A:  General Dictionary.]

[Footnote B:  Wilson’s Memoirs of Congreve.]

[Footnote C:  Yet Maskwell purposely talks to himself, designing to be overheard by Lord Touchwood; undoubtedly an error in the conduit, and want of art in the author.  This he seems here to forget, or would not remember it.]

* * * * *

Sir John vanbrugh,

This Gentleman was descended from an antient family in Cheshire, which came originally from France; though by the name it would appear to be of Dutch extraction.  He received a very liberal education, and became eminent for his poetry, and skill in architecture, to both which he discovered an early propension.  It is somewhat remarkable in the History of Poetry, that when the spirit of Tragedy, in a great measure, declined, when Otway and Lee were dead, and Dryden was approaching to old age, that Comedy should then begin to flourish; at an AEra, which one would not have expected to prove auspicious to the cause of mirth.

Much about the same time rose Mr. Congreve, and Sir John Vanbrugh; who, without any invidious reflection on the genius of others, gave a new life to the stage, and restored it to reputation, which before their appearance had been for some time sinking.  Happy would it have been for the world, and some advantage to the memory of those comic writers, if they had discovered their wit, without any mixture of that licentiousness, which while it pleased, tended to corrupt the audience.  The first step our author made into life, was in the character of an ensign in the army.  He was possessed of a very ready wit, and an agreeable elocution.  He happened somewhere in his winter quarters, to contract an acquaintance with Sir Thomas Skipwith, and received a particular obligation from him.  He had very early discovered a taste for dramatic writing, to improve which he made some attempts in that way, and had the draft or out-lines of two plays lying by him, at the time his acquaintance commenced with Sir Thomas.  This gentleman possessed a large share in a Theatrical Patent, though he very little concerned himself in the conduct of it; but that he might not appear altogether remiss, he thought to procure some advantage to the stage, by having our author’s play, called the Relapse, to be acted upon it.  In this he was not disappointed, for the Relapse succeeded beyond the warmest expectation, and raised Vanbrugh’s name very high amongst the writers for the stage.