before the beginning, and after the end of the book, made several remarks, as if he intended to publish an answer to that critic, and his opinion of the work was this[4]; “My judgment (says he) of this piece, is, that it is extremely learned, but the author seems better acquainted with the Greek, than the English poets; that all writers ought to study this critic as the best account I have seen of the ancients; that the model of tragedy he has here given is extremely correct, but that it is not the only model of tragedy, because it is too much circumscribed in the plot, characters, &c.  And lastly, that we may be taught here justly to admire and imitate the ancients, without giving them the preference, with this author, in prejudice to our own country.”

Some of Beaumont and Fletcher’s plays were printed in quarto during the lives of their authors; and in the year 1645 twenty years after Fletcher’s death, there was published in folio a collection of their plays which had not been printed before, amounting to between thirty and forty.  At the beginning of this volume are inserted a great number of commendatory verses, written by the most eminent wits of that age.  This collection was published by Mr. Shirley after shutting up the Theatres, and dedicated to the earl of Pembroke by ten of the most famous actors.  In 1679 there was an edition of all their plays published in folio.  Another edition in 1711 by Tonson in seven volumes 8vo. containing all the verses in praise of the authors, and supplying a large omission of part of the last act of Thierry and Theodoret.  There was also another edition in 1751.  The plays of our authors are as follow,

1.  Beggars Bush, a Comedy, acted with applause.

2.  Bonduca, a Tragedy; the plot from Tacitus’s Annals, b. xiv.  Milton’s History of England, b. ii.  This play has been twice revived.

3.  The Bloody Brother, or Rollo Duke of Normandy, a Tragedy, acted at the Theatre at Dorset-Garden.  The plot is taken from Herodian’s History, b. iv.

4.  Captain, a Comedy.

5.  Chances, a Comedy; this was revived by Villiers duke of Buckingham with great applause.

6.  The Coronation, a Tragi-Comedy, claimed by Mr. Shirley as his.

7.  The Coxcomb, a Comedy.

8.  Cupid’s Revenge, a Tragedy.

9.  The Custom of the Country, a Tragi-Comedy; the plot taken from Malispini’s Novels, Dec. 6.  Nov. 6.

10.  Double Marriage, a Tragedy.

11.  The Elder Brother, a Comedy,

13.  The Faithful Shepherdess, a Dramatic Pastoral, first acted on a twelfth-night at Somerset House.  This was entirely Mr. Fletcher’s, and instead of a Prologue was sung a Dialogue, between a priest and a nymph, written by Sir William Davenant, and the Epilogue was spoken by the Lady Mordant, but met with no success.

13.  The Fair Maid of the Inn, a Comedy; part of this play is taken from Causin’s Holy Court, and Wanley’s History of Man.