almost four years' experience will scarce allow of. Yet I must
declare myself sensible of the good nature of the town, in
receiving this play so kindly, with all its faults, which I must
own were, for the most part, very industriously covered by the care
of the players; for I think scarce a character but received all the
advantage it would admit of from the justness of the action.

As for the critics, my lord, I have nothing to say to, or against,
any of them of any kind: from those who make just exceptions, to
those who find fault in the wrong place. I will only make this
general answer in behalf of my play (an answer which Epictetus
advises every man to make for himself to his censurers), viz.:
'That if they who find some faults in it, were as intimate with it
as I am, they would find a great many more.' This is a confession,
which I needed not to have made; but however, I can draw this use
from it to my own advantage: that I think there are no faults in
it but what I do know; which, as I take it, is the first step to an
amendment.

Thus I may live in hopes (sometime or other) of making the town
amends; but you, my lord, I never can, though I am ever your
lordship's most obedient and most humble servant,

WILL. CONGREVE.



To Mr. Congreve.