s,
especially as his reputation was so high, that without much ceremony or
mortification, he might have had any piece of his brought upon the
stage. Mr. Pope was attentive to his own interest, and if he had not
either been conscious of his inability in that province, or too timid to
wish the popular approbation, he would certainly have attempted the
drama. Neither was he esteemed a very competent judge of what plays were
proper or improper for representation. He wrote several letters to the
manager of Drury-Lane Theatre, in favour of Thomson's Agamemnon, which
notwithstanding his approbation, Thomson's friends were obliged to
mutulate and shorten; and after all it proved a heavy play.--Though it
was generally allowed to have been one of the best acted plays that had
appeared for some years.

He was certainly concerned in the Comedy, which was published in Mr.
Gay's name, called Three Hours after Marriage, as well as Dr. Arbuthnot.
This illustrious triumvirate, though men of the most various parts, and
extensive understanding, yet were not able it seems to please the
people, tho' the principal parts were supported by the best actors in
that way on the stage. Dr. Arbuthnot and Mr. Pope were no doubt
solicitous to conceal their concern in it; but by a letter which Gay
wrote to Pope, published in Ayre's Memoirs, it appears evident (if
Ayre's authority may be depended on) that they, both assisted in the
composition.

DEAR POPE,

'Too late I see, and confess myself mistaken in relation to the Comedy;
yet I do not think, had I followed your advice, and only introduced the
mummy, that the absence of the crocodile had saved it. I can't help
laughing myself (though the vulgar do not consider it was designed to
look ridiculous) to think how the poor monster and mummy were dashed at
their reception, and when the cry was loudest, I thought that if the
thing had been written by another, I should have deemed the town in some
measure mistaken; and as to your apprehension that this may do us future
injury, do not think of it; the Dr. has a more valuable name than can be
hurt by any thing of this nature; and your's is doubly safe. I will, if
any shame there be, take it all to myself, and indeed I ought, the
motion being first mine, and never heartily approved by you.'

Of all our poet's writings none were read with more general approbation
than his Ethic Epistles, or multiplied into more editions. Mr. Pope who
was a perfect oeconomi