hominam
(as they say) disk-cushion. I propose, honrabble Barnit, to cumsider
calmly this play and prephiz, and to speak of both with that honisty
which, in the pantry or studdy, I've been always phamous for. Let us,
in the first place, listen to the opening of the "Preface of the Fourth
Edition:"

"No one can be more sensible than I am of the many faults and
deficiencies to be found in this play; but, perhaps, when it is
considered how very rarely it has happened in the history of our
dramatic literature that good acting plays have been produced, except by
those who have either been actors themselves, or formed their habits of
literature, almost of life, behind the scenes, I might have looked for
a criticism more generous, and less exacting and rigorous, than that
by which the attempts of an author accustomed to another class of
composition have been received by a large proportion of the periodical
press.

"It is scarcely possible, indeed, that this play should not contain
faults of two kinds, first, the faults of one who has necessarily much
to learn in the mechanism of his art; and, secondly, of one who, having
written largely in the narrative style of fiction, may not unfrequently
mistake the effects of a novel for the effects of a drama. I may add to
these, perhaps, the deficiencies that arise from uncertain health and
broken spirits, which render the author more susceptible than he might
have been some years since to that spirit of depreciation and hostility
which it has been his misfortune to excite amongst the general
contributors to the periodical press for the consciousness that every
endeavor will be made to cavil, to distort, to misrepresent, and, in
fine, if possible, to RUN DOWN, will occasionally haunt even the hours
of composition, to check the inspiration, and damp the ardor.

"Having confessed thus much frankly and fairly, and with a hope that
I may ultimately do better, should I continue to write for the stage
(which nothing but an assurance that, with all my defects, I may yet
bring some little aid to the drama, at a time when any aid, however
humble, ought to be welcome to the lovers of the art, could induce me to
do), may I be permitted to say a few words as to some of the objections
which have been made against this play?"

Now, my dear sir, look what a pretty number of please you put forrards
here, why your play shouldn't be good.

First. Good plays are almost always written by actors.