was inspired by difficulty. After much scheming and solicitation, to the surprise of every one, he was successful. The required licence was obtained, but his dramatic exhibitions were to hold no affinity with ordinary plays—laughter and tears were discountenanced. Instead of the regular drama, the audience was to be roused by sonorous declamation, or soothed by the gentle influence of music. Lord Keeper Whitelocke, Serjeant Maynard, and other men of note, looked with favour on the undertaking; and responsible citizens were pledged that the performances should be conducted with decency, seemliness, and without rudeness.
The first of these "entertainments," as they were termed, took place at Rutland House, Charterhouse Yard, May, 1656, and was published in the following September.
A copy of the piece, with the following letter, was forwarded to the Lord Keeper:
"My Lord,
"When I consider the nicety of the Times, I fear it may draw a curtain between your Lordship and our Opera; therefore I have presumed to send your Lordship, hot from the Press, what we mean to represent; making your Lordship my supreme Judge, though I despair to have the honour of inviting you to be a Spectator. I do not conceive the perusal of it worthy any part of your Lordship's leisure, unless your ancient relation to the Muses make you not unwilling to give a little entertainment to Poetry, though in so mean a dress as this, and coming from
"My Lord,
"Your Lordship's most obedient servant,
"William Davenant."
Its title runs: "The First Day's Entertainment at
