ge of the latter, who had
all his expectations from court, he apprehended the consequences of such
a report, if it should reach the King; and applied himself therefore to
Wilmot earl of Rochester, and Sir Charles Sedley, entreating them to
remonstrate to the duke of Buckingham, the mischief he was about to do
to one who had not the honour to know him, and who had not offended him.
Upon opening the matter to the duke, he cried out immediately, that
he did not blame Wycherley, he only accused his cousin. 'Ay, but they
replied, by rendering him suspected of such an intrigue, you are
about to ruin him; that is, your grace is about to ruin a man, whose
conversation you would be pleased with above all things.'

Upon this occasion, they said so much of the shining qualities of Mr.
Wycherley, and the charms of his conversation, that the duke, who was as
much in love with wit, as he was with his cousin, was impatient, till
he was brought to sup with him, which was in two or three nights. After
supper, Mr. Wycherley, who was then in the height of his vigour, both
in body and mind, thought himself obliged to exert his talents, and the
duke was charmed to that degree, that he cried out with transport, and
with an oath, 'My cousin's in the right of it.' and from that very
moment made a friend of a man he before thought his rival.

In the year 1673 a comedy of his called the Gentleman Dancing-Master,
was acted at the duke's Theatre, and in 1678 his Plain Dealer was acted
with general applause. In 1683 his Country Wife was performed at the
same Theatre. These Plays raised him so high in the esteem of the world,
and so recommended him to the favour of the duke of Buckingham, that as
he was master of the horse, and colonel of a regiment, he bestowed two
places on Wycherley: As master of the horse, he made him one of his
equeries; and as colonel of a regiment, a captain lieutenant of his own
company. King Charles likewise gave our author the most distinguishing
marks of favour, perhaps beyond what any sovereign prince had shewn
before to an author, who was only a private gentleman: Mr. Wycherley
happened to be ill of a fever, at his lodgings in Bow-Street,
Covent-Garden; during his sickness, the king did him the honour of a
visit; when finding his fever indeed abated, but his body extremely
weakened, and his spirits miserably shattered, he commanded him to
take a journey to the south of France, believing that nothing could
contribute mo