THE MI NO N O R, A COMEDY. Written by Mr. F O O TE. As it is now acting at the New Theatre in the Hay-Market. By Authority from the Lord Chamberlain. Tantum Religio potuit Suadere Malorum. The THIRD EDITION. LONDON: Printed, and Sold by J. CoOTE, in Pater-nofter Row; [ Price One Shilling and Sixpence. ] I TO HIS GRACE WILLIAM Duke of DEVONSHIRE, Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Houfhold. MY LORD, TH HE MINOR, who is indebted for his appearance on the stage, to your grace's indulgence, begs leave to defire your further protection, at his entering into the world. Though the allegiance due from the whole dramatic people to your grace's ftation, might place this address in the light of a natural tribute; yet, my lord,! fhould not have taken that liberty with the duke of Devonshire, if I could not, at the fame time, plead fome little utility in the defign of my piece; and add, that the public approbation has ftamped a value on the execution. The law, which threw the ftage under the abfolute government of a lord chamberlain, could not fail to fill the minds of all the objects of that power, with very gloomy apprehenfions; they found themfelves (through their own licentioufnefs, it must be confefs'd) in a more precarious dependant ftate, than any other of his majesty's fubjects. But when their direction was lodged in the hands of a nobleman, whose ancestors had fo fuccefsfully ftruggled for national liberty, they ceafed to fear for their own. It was not from a patron of the liberal arts, they were to expect an oppreffor; it was not from the friend of freedom, and of man, they were to dread partial monopolies, or the establishment of petty tyrannies. 3 |