VIII. JOHN DRYDEN AND HIS TIMES. A glance at the court of Charles II., the sports and pastimes Revival of the theatre― John Dryden-Early Puritan impressions Education at Westminster and Cambridge Death of his father - Visit to his uncle, Sir John Driden Rejection by his cousin Honor-Dryden at the court of Oliver Cromwell - His famous tribute to Cromwell's memory— His greeting to the restored King - A morning stroll with the King and his favorites - Coarseness of the Drama and Literature under Charles II.- Dryden writes a play - Visit to the Earl of Berks - Marriage with Lady Elizabeth Howard Dryden attacked by ruffians- The King suggests a poem Last days and shocking death-scene of Charles II. Dryden becomes Poet-Laureate under James II., and loses the honor under William and Mary- The poet's home in Gerrard Street-Famous evenings at "Will's coffee-house" Introduction of "lampooning" - Dryden and Jacob Tonson, the publisher - The Ode to St. Cecilia, and Alexander's FeastImpurity of the Drama― Dryden's scruples and repentance His last days. N the restoration of Charles II., Puritanism seemed quite forgotten. In fact, the English people had begun to tire of the severities of Cromwell's day even before the Protector's death, and among many, this extreme outward rigor had become the cloak for much that was irreligious and profane. The court of Charles set the fashion of recklessness profanity, and splendor. The prim garb of the Puritans was set aside and, in its place, the most luxurious silks and satins, laces and jewels, plumes, hoops, and high-heeled boots came into vogue. The gloomy austerities of Cromwell's day naturally produced an extreme under a new ruler. Charles was called the "Merry Monarch," and, from all accounts given us of high life in his day, the title was not undeserved. As the court set the fashion for the upper classes, the daily routine of the King and his gentlemen may be taken as a sample of the manner in which the wealthier people of the time passed their lives. In the morning, it was fashionable to ride on horseback in the Park or to walk in the Mall, a portion of St. James Park not far from the palace, where a game called "Mall" was played by all the court and nobles and gentlemen; hence the name. Later in the day the Mall was again crowded. Refreshments were served under the trees; people sat about in groups, or walked up and down in the shaded walks talking together. Fops, belles, men of learning, poets and dramatists, all frequented the Mall, and later, the same company might be found at the thea tres; for, of course, under Charles II. the theatres were re-opened. The evenings were usually devoted to dancing and gambling- two pastimes in which Charles and his court excelled, —and the revels were prolonged until a late hour; while wickedness, or at least carelessness, was seen on every side. When Sunday came the fashionable people of the day openly yawned and fell asleep, or chatted and laughed during the service; and the clergy were apt to make their discourses as gratifying as possible to the King and his comrades, and to overlook the vices and follies of the day. It is not a pleasing picture. Evelyn and Pepys, the two diarists of whom you have heard already, have given various accounts of these days, and it hardly seems to have been an encouraging time for literature. : In all the court the poor foreign Queen, alone, is an exception to the general frivolity. Simple, honest, unobtrusive in her mode of life, with a calm piety, she seems to have thought it useless to interfere with the life around her. Perhaps a woman of stronger will would have done more; but Catherine of Braganza came a stranger into England on her marriage, not speaking the language, and certainly not understanding the people. After a slight effort at remedying the evils she |