ord perfect and hopelessly
forgot or confused their business, which, more especially in a play of
such a type as this romantic comedy so full of busy and complicated
detail demanding close and continuous attention, was enough to mystify
the audience completely and foredoom the piece to failure. The worst
sinner was Haunce himself, who hardly spoke one of his lines but gagged
from start to finish. Not unnaturally, Mrs. Behn resented this and avows
that she would have trounced him roundly in print except 'de mortuis...'
Although the original cast is not given, this detail enables us to fix
the representative of Haunce as Angel, a leading comedian, who died in
the spring of 1673, his name last appearing as de Boastado in
Ravenscroft's _Careless Lovers_.

In addition to these serious detriments the costumes were very poor,
especially the disguise of Alonzo as the Hollander, and Haunce's own
'fantastical travelling habit,' dresses on the aptness of which the
probability of the intrigue can be made so largely to depend.

Yet another mishap occurred. The epilogue, which had been promised by a
friend, did not come to hand, and accordingly the present epilogue was
hastily composed. Though containing nothing notably witty or pointed it
does not fall below the generality of these productions. Of the prologue
we have no means of judging as it was unfortunately lost before it could
find its way into print.

Had _The Dutch Lover_ received fair treatment from the actors it should
surely have commanded no small success in its day. Technically it is
well contrived, and exhibits the skill and clever stage-craft of its
authoress in a high degree, qualities which have often given a long
lease of life to plays of infinitely less merit.

AN EPISTLE TO THE READER.

Good, Sweet, Honey, Sugar-Candied READER,

Which I think is more than anyone has called you yet, I must have a word
or two with you before you do advance into the Treatise; but 'tis not to
beg your pardon for diverting you from your affairs, by such an idle
Pamphlet as this is, for I presume you have not much to do and therefore
are to be obliged to me for keeping you from worse employment, and if
you have a better you may get you gone about your business: but if you
will misspend your Time, pray lay the fault upon yourself; for I have
dealt pretty fairly in the matter, told you in the Title Page what you
are to expect within. Indeed, had I hung a sign of the Immortal