The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 11 — John Shaqi
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 11Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 11
Dryden, John
English literature
[Footnote 61: There is a report admitted into the "Baronetage," that
this gentleman and his three brothers took upon them a vow to die
unmarried; and it must be owned, that the praises of our author, on the
score of celibacy, argue his cousin to have been a most obstinate and
obdurate old bachelor. But Mr Malone produces the evidence of an old
lady descended of the family, in disproof of this ungallant
anecdote.--See _Baronetage_, Vol. II. p. 92. MALONE'S _Life of Dryden_,
p. 324.]
[Footnote 62: "'Tis thought the king will endeavour to keep up a
standing army, and make the stir in Scotland his pretence for it: My
cousin Dryden, and the country party, will, I suppose, be against it;
for when a spirit is raised, 'tis hard conjuring him down again."]
[Footnote 63: "In the description which I have made of a Parliament-man,
I think I have not only drawn the features of my worthy kinsman, but
have also given my own opinion of what an Englishman in Parliament ought
to be; and deliver it as a memorial of my own principles to all
posterity. I have consulted the judgment of my unbiassed friends, who
have some of them the honour to be known to you; and they think there is
nothing which can justly give offence in that part of the poem. I say
not this, to cast a blind on your judgement, (which I could not do if I
endeavoured it,) but to assure you, that nothing relating to the public
shall stand without your permission; for it were to want common sense to
desire your patronage, and resolve to disoblige you: And as I will not
hazard my hopes of your protection, by refusing to obey you in any thing
which I can perform with my conscience, or my honour, so I am very
confident you will never impose any other terms on me."--_Letter to the
Honourable Charles Montague._]
[Footnote 64: In the family of Pigott, descended from John Dryden of
Chesterton.]
EPISTLE THE FIFTEENTH.
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