uld want
nothing but stabbing, or poisoning, to make us perfect Italians. Upon
the whole I deliver my judgment; that nothing but servile attachment
to a party, affectation of singularity, lamentable dullness, mistaken
zeal, or studied hypocrisy, can have any objection against this
excellent moral performance of Mr. Gay[C].'

The astonishing success of the Beggar's Opera induced our author to
add a second part, in which, however, he was disappointed, both in
profit and fame. His opera entitled Polly, designed as a sequel of the
former, was prohibited by the lord chamberlain from being represented
on the stage, when every thing was ready for the rehearsal of it, but
was soon after printed in 4to. to which the author had a very large
subscription. In the preface Mr. Gay gives a particular account of the
whole affair in the following manner; 'On Thursday December 12 (says
he) I received this answer from the chamberlain, that it should not
be allowed to be acted, but suppressed. This was told me in general
without any reasons assigned, or any charge against me of my having
given any particular offence. Since this prohibition I have been
told, that I am accused, in general terms, of having written many
disaffected libels, and seditious pamphlets. As it hath ever been my
utmost ambition (if that word may be used upon this occasion) to
lead a quiet and inoffensive life, I thought my innocence in this
particular would never have needed a justification; and as this
kind of writing is what I ever detested, and never practiced, I am
persuaded so groundless a calumny can never be believed, but by those
who do not know me. But when general aspersions of this sort have been
cast upon me, I think myself called upon to declare my principles, and
I do with the strictest truth affirm, that I am as loyal a subject,
and as firmly attached to the present happy establishment, as any of
those who have the greatest places or pensions. I have been informed
too, that in the following play I have been charged with writing
immoralities; that it is filled with slander and calumny against
particular great persons, and that Majesty itself is endeavoured to be
brought into ridicule and contempt.

As I know that every one of these charges was in every point
absolutely false, and without the least grounds, at first I was not at
all affected by them; but when I found they were still insisted upon,
and that particular passages which were not in the play