I received your obliging letter, which is so curious, that I cannot but
request the repetition of such valuable favours. I am going to draw up a
short Essay on the origin and progress of our English poetry, in which I
shall have occasion to be very particular in my account of our metrical
Romances; and, as I believe many of these are drawn from old British
fables, if not downright translations from the ancient British language,
I should be extremely obliged to you, if you would give the titles, and,
if possible, a short account of the subjects, of all such Romances, as
are contained in the vellum manuscript, which you mention, or any other,
which you may remember to have seen. I have a notion, that we have many
of them translated into English and thence into French and other southern
languages.
Inclosed I send you a little Essay on the origin &c. of the English
drama. Bishop Warburton has handled the subject before me in the 5th
vol. of his Shakespeare; but, as he derives all his information from the
French critics, and his instances from the French stage, you will
conclude, that he is often wide of the mark and generally superficial.
Yet he has one extract from Carew's Survey of Cornwall, relating to the
old Cornish plays, which I recommend to your notice; because I could wish
to know, (not now, but at any future leisure,) whether you have any thing
similar in Wales. The passage from Carew is this. "The Guary Miracle,
in English, Miracle-Play, is a kind of interlude compiled, in Cornish,
out of some scripture history. For representing this they raise an
earthen amphitheatre, in some open field, having the diameter of this
inclosed plain some 40 or 50 feet. The country people flock from all
sides to see and hear it: for they have therein devils and devices to
delight as well the eye as the ear. The players conne not their parts
without books, but are more prompted by one called the Ordinary, who
followeth at their heels, with the book in his hand." In an act of
Parliament, 4th Hen. IV., mention is made of certain _Wastours_, Master
Rimours (Rimers) and Minstrels, who infested the land of Wales, to make
commorths or gatherings upon the people there. Query the meaning of
this? I am afraid, lest I should be too troublesome with my queries,
and, therefore, reserve what you please to answer at any future hour;
only send me an account of your romances now, which will oblige, dear
Sir, your affectionate and faithful servant,