grave and the learned, censured for the irregularities of his gay
patrons, which he countenanced although he did not partake, and
stigmatized as a detractor of his predecessors, and a defamer of
classical learning, it was natural for Dryden to appeal to the most
accomplished of those amongst whom he lived, and to whose taste he
was but too strongly compelled to adapt his productions. Sedley,
therefore, as a man of wit and gallantry, is called upon to support
our author against the censures of pedantic severity. Whatever may
be thought of the subject, the appeal is made with all Dryden’s
spirit and elegance, and his description of the attic evenings
spent with Sedley and his gay associates, glosses over, and almost
justifies, their occasional irregularities. We have but too often
occasion to notice, with censure, the licentious manners of the
giddy court of Charles; let us not omit its merited commendation.
If the talents of the men of parts of that period were often
ill-directed, and ill-rewarded, let not us, from whom that
gratitude is justly due, forget that they were called forth and
stimulated to exertion, by the countenance and applause of the
great. We, at least, who enjoy the fruit of these exertions, ought
to rejoice, that the courtiers of Charles possessed the taste to
countenance and applaud the genius which was too often perverted
by the profligacy of their example, and left unrewarded amid their
selfish prodigality.
2. At this period, seconds in a duel fought, as well as principals.
3. The second Dutch war, then raging.
4. To whom the tragedy of “Amboyna” is dedicated.
5. It is impossible to avoid contrasting this
beautiful account of
elegant dissipation with the noted
freak of Sir Charles Sedley, to
whom it is addressed. In June
1663, being in company with Lord
Buckhurst and Sir Thomas Ogle, in
a tavern in Bowstreet, and having
become furious with intoxication,
they not only exposed themselves,
by committing the grossest indecencies
in the balcony, in the sight
of the passengers; but, a mob being
thus collected, Sedley stripped
himself naked, and proceeded to
harangue them in the grossest and
most impious language. The
indignation of the populace being
excited, they attempted to burst
into the house, and a desperate
riot ensued, in which the orator
and his companions had nearly paid
for their frolic with their lives.
For this riot they were indicted
in the Court of Common Pleas, and
heavily fined; Sedley in the sum
of L. 500. When the Lord Chief
Justice, Sir Robert Hyde, to repress
his insolence, asked him if he had
ever read the “Complete
Gentleman?” Sedley answered,