Arthur Murphy was one of the most popular comic dramatists of the second half of the eighteenth century. He clearly belongs in the group that today is ranked next best after Richard Sheridan and Oliver Goldsmith. From early in his career he rebelled against the contemporary fad of sentimental comedy, writing instead laughing comedies reminiscent of the comedies of the Restoration; these plays contained to be performed well into the nineteenth century, and their ability to draw large audiences is attested to by the frequency with which they were chosen by actors and actresses for the benefit-night plays. In addition he write tragedies that were popular onstage in their own time but seldom performed afterward; these plays reflect contemporary concepts of tragedy which have not retained critical acceptance and, from all accounts, relied heavily on the skills of particular players for their effectiveness in the original performances. His...