them =recorded= in History, but as they =ought= to have been: and therefore we are not to make =History= so much the Standard and Rule of our Judgment, as =Decency= and =Probability=. For indeed, provided the Author shew Judgment in the heightning and working up of his Story, it matters not whether the Play be founded on =History=, or =Romance=, or whether the Story be his own, or another's Invention. The last sort of Remarks, relate to Thefts: for having read most of our English Plays, as well ancient as those of latter date, I found that our modern Writers had made Incursions into the deceas'd Authors Labours, and robb'd them of their Fame. I am not a sufficient Casuist to determine whether that severe Sentance of =Synesius= be true, =Magis impium Mortuorum Lucubrationes quam vestes furari=; That 'tis a worse sin to steal dead mens Writings, than their Clothes: but I know that I cannot do a better service to their memory, than by taking notice of the Plagiaries, who have been so free to borrow, and to endeavour to vindicate the Fame of these ancient Authors from whom they took their Spoiles. For this reason I have observ'd what Thefts I have met with throughout the Catalogue, and have endeavour'd a restitution to their right Owners, and a prevention of the Readers being impos'd on by the Plagiary, as the Patrons of several of our Plays have been by our Modern Poets. But none certainly has attempted it with greater confidence, than he that stiles himself the Author of =The Country Innocence=, or =The Chambermaid turn'd Quaker=: a Play which was acted and printed in the year 1677, but first publish'd many years before by its genuine Author =Ant. Brewer=. It is not to those of our own Nation only, but to Forreigners also, that I have endeavour'd to do Justice. For that reason I have remark'd (as far as my knowledge would permit me) what has been translated or stollen from =Tasso=, =Guarini=, =Bonarelli=, =Garnier=, =Scarron=, both the =Corneilles=, =Molliere=, =Rucine=, =Quinault=, and others both =French= and =Italians=. Neither have I omitted, to my power, to do right likewise to the ancient =Greek= and =Latin= Poets, that have written in this way, as =Sophocles=, =Euripides=, =Æschylus=, =Aristophanes=, =Seneca=, =Plautus=, =Terence=, &c. I must acknowledge, with regret, that these are not so well known to me as I could wish; but yet as far as my power, I have endeavour'd to do right to their Memories. But I dare assure my Reader, that for the future it shall be more my busineß to obtain a more intimate acquaintance with all worthy Strangers, as well as with my own Countrymen, so that if this Trifle should have the fortune to appear abroad a second time, it shall be more compleat and correct, than the shortneß of the time, and my small acquaintance with Authors at present allow; the Catalogue being in the Preß, and the first sheet of it set, before I thought of adding these Remarks.