Dramatists of the Restoration Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ... married Philip, Earl of Pembroke, with whom she led a miserable life. After his death she married a French marquis, and died at Paris in 1728. Her Grace had one son by the King, who conferred upon him the Dukedom of Richmond in England and Lennox in Scotland. These honours had lapsed to the Crown upon the death of the last Duke, a Stewart, to whom as next of kin the monarch was served heirmale in Scotland. Instead of Stewart or De Querouaille his father gave him the surname of Lennox, which continues in his descendants. The death of Rochester in July 16801 removed a bitter enemy of the Duchess; and amongst those he had patronized, one eminent dramatic author was fortunate enough to repair his loss by obtaining the patronage of the favoured mistress of Charles, who accepted the dedication of the tragedy by which he is best known in the present time, and which has continued to keep its place as an acting drama ever since. This dedication is in the usual style, but not quite so absurd as that which Crowne prefixed to the "Destruction of Jerusalem." Otway assures the Duchess that nature and fortune were certainly in league when she was born, and that league she " first took care to give her beauty enough to enslave the hearts of all the world, so the other resolved to do its merits justice, that none but a monarch fit to rule should ever possess it, and in it he had an empire." This is followed up by referring to the "blooming virtues of the young Prince presented by her to the Monarch, which easily declares the mighty stock he came from," and of whose noble and generous education all the pious care of a dear mother and a prudent guardian had taken care. He concludes by an earnest prayer that "rich blessings of every description may crown...