41. Sejanus's Fall, a Tragedy, acted in the year 1603. This play has met with success, and was ushered into the world by nine copies of verses, one of which was writ by Mr. Chapman. Mr. Gentleman has lately published a Tragedy under the same title, in which he acknowledges the parts he took from Johnson. 42.[6] Silent Woman, a Comedy, first acted in the year 1609. This is reckoned one of Ben's best comedies; Mr. Dryden has done it the honour to make some criticisms upon it. 43. Speeches at Prince Henry's Barriers, printed in folio 1640. 44. Staple of News, a Comedy, acted in the year 1625. 45. Tale of a Tub, a Comedy. 46. Time vindicated to himself and to his Honour, presented 12 nights, 1623. 47.[6] Volpone, or the Fox, a Comedy, first acted in the year 1605; this is one of his acted plays. 48. Case is altered, a Comedy, acted and printed 1609. 49. Widow, a Comedy, acted at the private house in Black Fryars. 50. New Inn, or the Light Heart, a Comedy, acted 1629. This play did not succeed to his expectation, and Ben being filled with indignation at the people's want of taste, wrote an Ode addressed to himself on that occasion, advising him to quit the stage, which was answered by Mr. Feltham. Thus have we given a detail of Ben Johnson's works. He is allowed to have been a scholar, and to have understood and practised the dramatic rules; but Dryden proves him to have likewise been an unbounded plagiary. Humour was his talent; and he had a happy turn for an epitaph; we cannot better conclude his character as a poet, than in the nervous lines of the Prologue quoted in the Life of Shakespear. After having shewn Shakespear's boundless genius, he continues, Then Johnson came instructed from the school To please by method, and invent by rule. His studious patience, and laborious art With regular approach assay'd the heart; Cold approbation gave the ling'ring bays, For they who durst not censure, scarce could praise. [Footnote 1: Drummond of Hawthornden's works, fol. 224. Edinburgh Edition, 1711.] [Footnote 2: Birch's Lives of Illustrious Men.] [Footnote 3: See Shakespear] [Footnote 4: See Drummond's works.] [Footnote 5: Wood.] [Footnote 6: The Alchymist, the Fox, and the Silent Woman, have been oftner acted than all the rest of Ben Johnson's plays put together; they have ever been generally deemed good stock-plays, and been performed to many crowded audiences, in several separate seasons, with universal applause. Why the Silent Woman met not with success, when revived last year at Drury Lane Theatre, let the new critics, or the actors of the New Mode, determine.] * * * * * THOMAS CAREW, Esq;