The character of Mr. Dryden has been drawn by various hands; some have
done it in a favourable, others in an opposite manner. The bishop of
Sarum in the history of his own times, says, that the stage was defiled
beyond all example. 'Dryden, the great master of dramatic poetry, being
a monster of immodesty and impurities of all sorts.'[8] The late lord
Lansdown took upon himself to vindicate Mr. Dryden's character from this
severe imputation; which was again answered, and apologies for it, by
Mr. Burnet, the bishop's son. But not to dwell on these controversies
about his character, let us hear what Mr. Congreve says in the
dedication of Dryden's works to the duke of Newcastle: Congreve knew him
intimately, and as he could have no motive to deceive the world in that
particular; and being a man of untainted morals, none can suspect his
authority; and by his account we shall see, that Dryden was indeed as
amiable in private life, as a Man, as he was illustrious in the eye of
the public, as a Poet.

Mr. Dryden (says Congreve) 'had personal qualities, to challenge love
and esteem from all who were truly acquainted with him. He was of a
nature exceeding humane and compassionate, easily forgiving injuries,
and capable of a prompt and sincere reconciliation with those who had
offended him.--His friendship, where he professed it, went much beyond
his professions.--As his reading had been very extensive, so was he very
happy in a memory, tenacious of every thing he had read. He was not more
possessed of knowledge, than he was communicative of it; but then,
his communication of it was by no means pedantic, or imposed upon the
conversation, but just such, and went so far, as by the natural turns of
the discourse in which he was engaged, it was necessarily prompted, or
required. He was extremely ready and gentle in the correction of the
errors of any writer, who thought fit to consult him, and full as ready
and patient to admit of the reprehension of others in respect of his