printed in 1649, and generally bound with the
Country Captain; it was also highly commended in a copy of verses by
Mr. Alexander Brome.

He likewise has written

The Humourous Lovers, a Comedy, acted by his royal highness's
servants, Lond. 1677, 4to. This was received with great applause, and
esteemed one of the best plays of that time.

The Triumphant Widow; or, the Medley of Humours, a Comedy, acted by
his royal highness's servants, Lond. 1677, 4to. which pleased Mr.
Shadwell so well, that he transcribed a part of it into his Bury Fair,
one of the most taking plays of that poet.

Shadwell says of his grace, that he was the greatest master of wit,
the most exact observer of mankind, and the most accurate judge of
humour, that ever he knew.

Footnotes:
1. Dugdale's Baron. vol. 2.
2. Dugdale vol. 2. p. 421.
3. Dugdale, ubi supra.
4. Rushworth's collection, vol. 1. p. 929.
5. Clarendon, p. 283.
6. Life of the D. of Newcastle, p. 56.
7. Ashmole's order of the garter.
8. See his life by Mr. des Maizeaux.

* * * * *

Sir JOHN BIRKENHEAD.

Winstanley, in his short account of this gentleman, says, that they
who are ignorant of his works, must plead ignorance of all wit and
learning; but the truth is, though he made some figure in his time,
yet it was not so considerable as to transmit his name with any lustre
to posterity, and Winstanley has been too peremptory, in secluding
those from wit, who should be ignorant of the fame of Birkenhead. This
observation, however, excited us to a search after some particulars
concerning him; for Winstanley himself has given very few, and closes
his life in his usual way, with only informing the readers that he
lived in such a reign. The best account we could find of him, is in
the Athenae Oxon. of Wood. Our author was son of Randal Birkenhead of
Northwich in Cheshire, Sadler, and was born there; he became a
servitor of Oriel College, under the tuition of Humphrey Lloyd,
afterwards lord bishop of Bangor. He continued in the college till he
was made bachelor of arts, and then becoming Amanuensis to Dr. Laud,
afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, who, taking a liking to him for
his ingenuity, did, by his diploma make him master of arts, An. 1639,
and by his letters commendatory thereupon, he was elected probationer
fellow of All-Souls College, in the year following. After the
rebellion broke out, and the