This is an instance of the minute and malicious diligence, with which the most trivial habits and tastes of our author were ridiculed in the “Rehearsal.” [97] Sir Matthew, with whom Dryden appears to have resided at this time, is unknown. [98] Sir John Trenchard, who was made one of the secretaries of state March 23, 1691-2, died in office in April 1695. [99] “A short View of Tragedy,” published (as appears from the Gentleman’s Journal, by P. Motteux,) in Dec. 1692. The date in the title-page is, 1693. [100] See Vol. XII. p.45. [101] Dennis, the critic, afterwards so unfortunately distinguished by the satire of Pope. Like Rymer, and others, he retained considerable reputation for critical acumen, until he attempted to illustrate his precepts by his own compositions. [102] Sir Richard Blackmore was doomed to accomplish this prophecy. See Vol. XI. p. 236. and the Life of Dryden, p. 6. [103] In his Short View of Tragedy. See Vol. XII. pp. 45, 51. [104] This lesson was thrown away upon poor Dennis, who, by his rash and riotous attacks upon Pope, afterwards procured an immortality of a kind very different from that to which he aspired. [105] Dryden’s evil opinion of the state of matrimony, never fails to glance forth upon such occasions as the present. [106] One of the subscribers of the higher class. The decorations were probably his armorial bearings. [107] It was an ancient British custom, and prevailed in Scotland within these forty years, to finish all bargains, contracts, and even consultations, at a tavern, that the parties might not, according to the ancient Caledonian phrase, part _dry-lipp’d_. The custom between authors and booksellers seems to have been universal; and the reader may recollect, that the supposed poisoning of the celebrated Edmund Curl took place at a meeting of this kind. [108] At Burleigh, the seat of John, the fifth Earl of Exeter. [109] Both the gold and silver coin were at this time much depreciated; and remained in a fluctuating state till a new coinage took place. [110] From inspecting the plates of Dryden’s Virgil, it appears, that the Earl of Derby had one inscribed to him, as had Lord Chesterfield. But this wrathful letter made no farther impression on the mercantile obstinacy of Tonson; and neither the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Petre, nor Lady Macclesfield, obtained the place among the first subscribers, which Dryden so peremptorily demands for them. [111] This seems to be a bitter gibe at Jacob’s parsimony. [112] Perhaps the proposals for the second subscription. See Letter xi. [113] “The Husband his own Cuckold,” written by our author’s second son, John, and published in July 1696. [114] Tonson’s answer to the foregoing letter, seems to have been pacific and apologetical, yet peremptory as to his terms. [115] Richard Bentley, a bookseller and printer, who lived in Russel Street, Covent Garden.