The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets/Thomas Dilke
A Gentleman now living, who (as I am informed) was some time a Student of Oriel Coll. in Oxon, has since quitted the Camp for the Theatre, and Mars for Apollo; he has given the World two Plays with different Success, the last of which comes first in order.
The City Lady, or Folly Reclaimed, a Comedy Acted by his Majesty's Servants, at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields, 4to. 1697. Dedicated to Fisher Wentworth, Esq; This Play, as the Author tells us in the Epistle, miscarried in the first Night's Representation, and owns he has not hit the Humours of the Town in some of his principal parts.
The Lover's Luck, a Comedy, Acted at the Theatre in Little Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, by his Majesties Servants, 4to. 1696. Dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lord Raby.
This Play, as the Author takes care to inform us, met with a general Applause. As to the Characters, they are most but Copies, Sir Nicholas Purflew, of the Antiquary of Marmion; Goosandelo, of Sir Courtly, and Sir Fopling, &c. I won't say, that the Poet had the Sharpers in the Squire of Alsatia in his Eye, when he drew Eager, &c. but there is some resemblance.
THIS Author has lately publish'd another Comedy, call'd, The Pretenders; or, The Town Unmask'd, a Comedy, acted at the Theatre in Little Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, by his Majesty's Servants; and dedicated to Thomas Barnadiston, of Ketton, in Suffolk, Esq; I have little to say to this Play, for 'tis not fair to attack a Man that's down, tho' I do not think (considering what Plays have pleas'd) that this ought to have met with so severe a Fate. Vainthroat seems a Copy of Medley, and Scandal; Sir Bellamour, a faint Shadow of the Plain Dealer, or at least of Blunt in The Committee; Captain Bounceby we have had in various Plays, as The Squire of Alsatia, Old Batchelor, Epsom Wells, &c. Since the Miscarriage of this Play, the Author died.