The version of 1818 here printed differs practically only in minor matters of typography and punctuation from that of 1802. There are, however, a few alterations which should be noted. On page 176, in John's first speech, "fermentations" was, in 1802, "stimuli." On page 178, in the speech of the Third Gentleman, there is a change. In 1802 he said "(_dashing his glass down_) Pshaw, damn these acorn cups, they would not drench a fairy. Who shall pledge," &c. And at the end of Act III, one line is omitted. In 1802 John was made to say, after disarming Lovel (page 186):-- Still have the will without the power to execute, As unfear'd Eunuchs meditate a rape. This simile, which one reviewer fell upon with some violence, was not reprinted. Mr. Thomas Hutchinson, writing in The Athenceum, December 28, 1901, remarks: "The truth is that in Lamb's imitations of the elder writers 'anachronistic improprieties' (as Thomas Warton would say) are exceedingly rare. In _John Woodvil_ it would not, I think, be easy to discover more than two: _caprice_, which, in the sense of 'a capricious disposition,' seems to belong to the eighteenth century, and _anecdotes_ (i.e., 'secret Court history'), which, in its English form at least, probably does not occur much before 1686." This note is already too long, or I should like to say something of the reception of _John Woodvil_, which was not cordial. The _Annual Review_ was particularly severe, and the _Edinburgh_ caustic. * * * * * Page 109. "THE WITCH." In the _Works_, 1818, this dramatic sketch followed _John Woodvil_. Lamb sent "The Witch" to Robert Lloyd in November, 1798 (see _Charles Lamb and the Lloyds_, page 91), in a version differing widely from that of the _Works_ here given. The speakers are Sir Walter Woodvil's steward and Margaret. The principal variation is this, after the curse:-- _Margaret_. A terrible curse! _Old Steward_. O Lady! such bad things are said of that old woman, You would be loth to hear them! Namely, that the milk she gave was sour, And the babe, who suck'd her, shrivell'd like a mandrake, And things besides, with a bigger horror in them, Almost, I think, unlawful to be told! In the penultimate line "The mystery of God" was "Creation's beauteous workmanship." * * * * * Page 202. "MR. H----."