[Footnote 1: _The Biter; an attempt at Comedy_, by Rowe, which was received
with that contempt which it well deserved.]
[Footnote 2: Theobald, in the preface to his first edition of Shakspeare,
asserts that, exclusive of the works of Beaumont and Fletcher, and Ben
Jonson, he had read above eight hundred plays, to ascertain the uncommon
and obsolete phrases in his author. The reader who can discover the fruits
of this boasted industry in his notes may safely believe him; and those who
cannot may surely claim the liberty, like myself, to doubt somewhat of his
veracity. This assertion, however, Theobald had sufficient modesty to omit
in the preface to his second edition, together with all the criticisms on
Greek authors, which I am assured he had collected from such papers of Mr.
Wycherley as had been entrusted to his care for very different purposes. It
is much to be questioned whether there are five hundred old plays extant,
by the most accurate perusal of which the works of Shakspeare could receive
advantage; I mean of dramas prior, cotemporary, or within half a century
before and after his own.]
* * * * *