Page:The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets.djvu/95

Rh Gentleman of the Noble Family of the Howards, that has Two Plays in Print, under the Titles of

All Mistaken, or, The Mad Couple, a Comedy, 4to. 1672. Acted at the Theatre Royal, by his Majesty's Servants.

English Monsieur, a Comedy, 4to., 1674. Acted at the Theatre Royal, by his Majesty's Servants. These Two Plays met with somewhat better Success than those of the beforegoing Author. HIS Honourable Person is Brother to the above mentioned Mr. Edward Howard, and to the Earl of Berks, who has long since quitted the barren Fields of Poetry, for the more advantagious Post of the State, in which he has, for many Years, made a considerable Figure, being Auditor of the Exchequer, &c. I have not the Honour to say much of my own Knowledge of him, but I am told, that it is no small Part of his Character, to be a Patron and Encourager of Learning; which is a peculiar Merit, in an Age when the selfish Vices of the trading Part of the Nation, are got into the first Ranks of Men, who will not be so expensive, to keep a Creature meerly for its Wit, as Mr. Prior says of one. He has writ these Six following Plays, viz.

The Blind Lady, a Comedy, 8vo. This is usually bound with divers other Poems of his, and are Re-printed, or at least, a new Title Printed, 1696.

The Committee, a Comedy, Fol. 1665. This is esteemed an excellent Play, and often times Acted in these Times.

The Great Favourite, or, The Duke of Lerma, a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1688. Acted at the Theatre Royal, by his Majesty's Servants. See Mariana, Turquet, De Mayern, &c.

The Indian Queen, a Tragedy, Fol. 1665. This Play is writ in Heroick Verse, and formerly Acted with general Applause, at the Theatre Royal, but now turn'd into an Opera, and many times of late represented at the same Theatre, with the like Success.

The Surprisal, a Tragi-Comedy, Fol. 1665. This was formerly Acted at the same Theatre, by his Majesty's Servants.

The Vestal Virgin, or, the Roman Ladies, a Tragedy, Fol. Acted also at the same Place, and by the same Actors, but not of late Years. This Play has a double Fifth Act, one ending Tragically, the other Succesfully [sic]. Four of his above Plays, are Printed together Fol. James