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WHEN I undertook to write a comedy, I con

fefs I was strongly prepoffeffed in favour of the poets of the last age, and ftrove to imitate them. The term, genteel comedy, was then unknown amongst us, and little more was defired by an audience, than nature and humour, in whatever walks of life they were not confpicuous. The author of the following fcenes never imagined that more would be expected of him, and therefore to delineate character has been his principal aim. Those who know any thing of compofition, are sensible, that in pursuing humour, it will fometimes lead us into the receffes of the mean; I was even tempted to look for it in the master of a fpunging-house: but in deference to the public tafte, grown of late, perhaps, too delicate; the fcene of the bailiffs was retrenched in the reprefentation. In deference alfo to the judgment of a few friends, who think in a particular way, the fcene is here restored. The author fubmits it to the reader in his clofet ; and hopes that too much refinement will not banish humour and character from curs, as it has already done from the French theatre. Indeed the French comedy is now become fo very clevated and fentimental, that it has not only banifhed humour and Moliere from the ftage, but it has banished all spectators

too.

Upon the whole, the author returns his thanks to the public for the favourable reception which the GoodNatur'd Man has met with and to Mr. Colman in particular, for his kindness to it. It may not also be improper to affure any, who fhall hereafter write for the theatre, that merit, or fuppofed merit, will ever be a fufficient passport to his protection.

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