Hazlitt also speaks very highly of this play,[234] which he describes as "perhaps the first example of sentimental comedy we have." He adds: "'The Merry Devil of Edmonton,' which has been sometimes attributed to Shakespeare, is assuredly not unworthy of him. It is more likely, however, both from the style and subject-matter, to have been Heywood's than any other person's.... Romantic, sweet, tender, it expresses the feelings of honour, of love, and friendship in their utmost delicacy, enthusiasm, and purity." FOOTNOTES: [230] [In the centre is a large woodcut of a man on horseback, with two others looking at him, alluding probably to the incident regarding the sign in the latter end of the play.--_Collier._] [231] According to the Stationer's Registers (as quoted in Chalmer's "Supp. Apol." 201), this play was licensed by Sir George Buc, Master of the Revels, on the 22d October 1607.--_Gilchrist._ [232] [See Hazlitt's "Handbook," 1867, pp. 61, 191, 471. Also Warton's "History of Poetry," by Hazlitt, iv. 76, 77.] [233] It went through various editions (the titles of which are inserted above) in 1608, [1612], 1617, 1626, 1631, and 1655. The first of these is the most rare, and was not long since sold by auction for eight guineas. Mr Reed states that, the last edition of 1655 is "unworthy of any notice from the number of errors it contains;" but these errors are chiefly literal, and some corrections of considerable importance are made in it, of which Mr Reed availed himself without acknowledgment. It seems to have been revived before 1692, but at what precise date is not known. The following cast of parts is written on the back of a copy of the edition of 1655, in the Garrick Collection, in a hand no doubt of the time when it was again brought upon the stage:-- Sir Arthur Clare Mr Sandford. Sir R. Mounchensey Mr Freeman. Sir R. Jerningham Mr Betterton. Henry Clare Mr Hudgson. Raymond Mounchensey Mr Mountfort. Frank Jerningham Mr Alexander. Sir John Mr Noakes. Banks Mr Bright. Smug Mr Underhill. Bilbo Mr Bower. Host Mr Leigh. Brian Mr Bowman. Fabel Mr Kingston. Lady Clare Mrs Leigh. Millicent Mrs Bracegirdle. Abbess Mrs Cory. --_Collier._ [234] ["Dramatic Literature of the Age of Elizabeth," 1820, p. 221.] DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.