Mr. _Dryden_ makes Homewards, and endeavours to fortifie himself in Modern Authority. He lets us know that _Ben Johnson after whom he may he proud to Err, gives him more than one example of this Conduct_;[316] _That in the_ Alchemist _is notorius_, where neither _Face_ nor his _Master_ are corrected according to their Demerits. But how Proud soever Mr. _Dryden_ may be of an Errour, he has not so much of _Ben Jonson_'s company as he pretends. His Instance of _Face &c._ in the _Alchemist_ is rather _notorious_ against his Purpose then for it. For _Face_ did not Council his Master _Lovewit_ to debauch the Widdow; neither is it clear that the Matter went thus far. He might gain her consent upon Terms of Honour for ought appears to the contrary. 'Tis true _Face_ who was one of the Principal Cheats is Pardon'd and consider'd. But then his Master confesses himself kind to a fault. He owns this Indulgence was a Breach of Justice, and unbecoming the Gravity of an old Man. And then desires the Audience to excuse him upon the Score of the Temptation. But _Face continued, in the Cousenage till the last without Repentance_.[317] Under favour I conceive this is a Mistake. For does not _Face_ make an Apology before he leaves the _Stage_? Does he not set himself at the _Bar_, arraign his own Practise, and cast the Cause upon the Clemency of the Company? And are not all these Signs of the Dislike of what he had done? Thus careful the _Poet_ is to prevent the Ill Impressions of his _Play_! He brings both Man and Master to Confession. He dismisses them like Malefactours; And moves for their Pardon before he gives them their Discharge. But the _Mock-Astrologer_ has a gentler Hand: _Wild-Blood_ and _Jacinta_ are more generously used: There is no Acknowledgment exacted; no Hardship put upon them: They are permitted to talk on in their Libertine way to the Last: And take Leave without the least Appearance of Reformation. The _Mock-Astrologer_ urges _Ben Johnson's_ _Silent Woman_ as an other _Precedent_ to his purpose. For _there_ Dauphine _confesses himself in Love with all the Collegiate Lady's_. _And yet this naughty_ Dauphine _is Crowned in the end with the Possession of his Uncles Estate, and with the hopes of all his Mistresses_.[318] This Charge, as I take it, is somewhat too severe. I grant _Dauphine_ Professes himself in Love with the Collegiate Ladies at first. But when they invited him to a private Visit, he makes them no Promise; but rather appears tired, and willing to disengage. _Dauphine_ therefore is not altogether so naughty as this Author represents him.