Arraigned, a Comedy, and Charles the First, a Tragedy, which Langbaine
has shewn not to be his.

* * * * *




JAMES SHIRLEY,


A very voluminous dramatic author, was born in the city of London,
and: was descended from the Shirleys in Suffex or Warwickshire; he was
educated in grammar learning in Merchant Taylors school, and
transplanted thence to St. John's College, but in what station he
lived there, we don't find.

Dr. William Laud, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, presiding over
that house, conceived a great affection for our author, and was
willing to cherish and improve those promising abilities early
discoverable in him. Mr. Shirley had always an inclination to enter
into holy orders, but, for a very particular reason, was discouraged
from attempting it by Dr. Laud; this reason to some may appear
whimsical and ridiculous, but has certainly much weight and force in
it.

Shirley had unfortunately a large mole upon his left cheek, which much
disfigured him, and gave him a very forbidding appearance. Laud
observed very justly, that an audience can scarce help conceiving a
prejudice against a man whose appearance shocks them, and were he to