her in the same house, and it is even said wore
each other's clothes. But Beaumont only lived to be twenty-nine, and has
left little in comparison with the voluminous works of Fletcher. They
were both born in a good position, and, mingling in the fashionable
society of their day, filled their pages with love intrigues, in colours
not then offensive. Fletcher never married, and those who look for
contrasts between fathers and children may learn that his father, who
was Bishop of London, was suspended by Elizabeth for taking a second
wife. Our author is said to have been himself a comedy, and his death,
if we can believe the story, was consistent with his gay life, for we
are told that, through waiting in London for a new suit of clothes, he
died of cholera, which was raging there at the time.

Here is a specimen of his sketches--the character of a rich usurer--

_Sanchio._ Thou'art very brave.

_Cacafogo._ I've reason; I have money.

_San._ Is money reason?

_Cac._ Yes, and rhyme too, captain.
If you've no money you're an ass.

_San._ I thank you.

_Cac._ You've manners! ever thank him that has money.

_San._ Wilt thou lend me any?

_Cac._ Not a farthing, captain; captains are casual things.

_San._ Why, so are all men:
Thou shalt have my bond.

_Cac._ Nor bonds, nor fetters, captain:
My money is my own; I make no doubt on't.

_Juan._ What dost thou do with it?

_Cac._ Put it to pious uses--
Buy wine--

_Juan._ Are you for the wars, Sir?

_Cac._ I am not poor enough to be a soldier,
Nor have I faith enough to ward a bullet;
This is no living for a trench, I take it.

_Juan._ You have said wisely.

_Cac._ Had you but money

You'd swear it, colonel. I'd rather drill at home
A hundred thousand crowns, and with more honour,
Than exercise ten thousand fools with nothing;
A wise man safely feeds, fools cut their fingers.

The prurient coarseness of Fletcher is due to the peculiar
licentiousness of the period. In his plays, although kissing is
sometimes provocative of jealousy, it is generally regarded, even by
persons of rank, as of less importance than it is now by boys and girls,
who play "Kiss in the ring." In "Rule a wife and have a wife" Margarita
says to the Duke

"I may kiss a stranger,
For you must be so now."

This lady is desirous of obtaining a very easy husband, who will let her
do whatever she likes. A friend says she has foun