Chapter I: Preface

The plays in this volume are printed for the first time. All are anonymous; but it is absolutely certain that _Sir John Van Olden Barnavelt_ is a masterpiece by Fletcher and Massinger; that _Captain Underwit_ is a comedy of Shirley's; and that the _Lady Mother_ (a piece of no particular merit) is by Glapthorne. I am not at all sure that I am right in ascribing _Dick of Devonshire_ to Heywood. But, whoever may have been the author, I am confident that this well-written play will be welcomed by all. In _Appendix I_ I give an account of the folio volume (Eg. MS. 1,994) from which the two last pieces are taken.

To Mr. ROBERT BOYLE, of St. Petersburg, I offer my sincere thanks for the very interesting note (_Appendix II_) which he sent me after reading the proof-sheets of _Barnavelt_. Elsewhere I have expressed my gratitude to Mr. F.G. FLEAY for his valuable help.

The preparation of this volume has been a work of great labour, for everything has been transcribed by my own hand; but the tedious delay in publication has been due in great part to circumstances beyond my control.

_January_ 27, 1883.