Immediately upon the failure of the Opera, Vanbrugh produced his comedy called The Confederacy, greatly improved from the Bourgois a la mode of Dancour.  The success of this play was not equal to its merit; for it is written in, an uncommon vein of humour, and abounds with the most lively strokes of raillery.  The prospects of gain from this theatre were so very unpromising, that Congreve, in a few months, gave up his share and interest in the government wholly to Sir John Vanbrugh; who being now sole proprietor of the house, was under a necessity to exert himself in its support.  As he had a happier talent for throwing the English spirit into his translations of French plays, than any former author who had borrowed from them, he, in the same season, gave the public three more of that kind, viz.

1.  The Cuckold in Conceit, from the Cocu imaginaire of Moliere.

2.  Squire Treelooby, from his Monsieur de Pourceaugnac.

3.  The Mistake, from the Depit Amoureux of the same Author[A].

However well executed these pieces were, yet they came to the ear in the same undistinguished utterance, by which almost all their plays had equally suffered; for as few could plainly hear, it was not likely a great many would applaud.

In this situation it appears, that nothing but the union of the two companies could restore the stage to its former reputation.

Sir John Vanbrugh therefore, tired of theatrical management, thought of disposing of his whole farm to some industrious tenant, that might put it into better condition.  It was to Mr. Owen Swiny, that in the exigence of his affairs, he made an offer of his actors under such agreements of salary as might be made with them; and of his house, cloaths, and scenes, with the Queen’s license to employ them, upon payment of the casual rent of five pounds every acting day, and not to exceed 700 l. per annum.  With this proposal Mr. Swiny complied, and governed that stage till another great theatrical revolution.

There are two plays of our author not yet mentioned, viz.  The False Friend, a Comedy; acted in 1698, and A Journey to London, a Comedy; which he left unfinished.  This last piece was finished by Mr. Cibber to a very great advantage, and now is one of the best comedies in our language.  Mr. Cibber, in his prologue, takes particular notice of our author’s virtuous intention in composing this piece, which, he says, was to make some amends for those loose scenes, which in the fire of his youth he had with more regard to applause, than virtue, exhibited to the public:  but this design will be best understood by inserting the prologue.

  Prologue.

  This play took birth from principles of truth,
  To make amends for errors past, of youth. 
  A bard that’s now no more, in riper days,
  Conscious review’d the licence of his plays: 
  And tho’ applause his wanton muse had fir’d,