M.FOOTE as MCOLE. Publish'd 26 July 1777, by TLowndes &Partners. &c. Act I MINO R A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS: PERFORMED AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE! WRITTEN BY THE LATE SAMUEL FOOTE, Esq. TANTAM RELIGIO POTUIT SUADERE MALORUM. LONDON: Printed for W. LOWNDES, J. BAKKER and H. LOWNDES 1798. Price One Shilling and Sixpence DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. Foote, Canker, Smart, and Pearfe, Perfons in the Introduction. Drury Lane. Sir William Wealthy, Mr. Baddeley. Sir George Wealthy, Mr. Whitfield. Shift, Loader, Mr. Bannister, jun. Mr. Bannister, jun. WILLIAM DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, Lord Chamberlain of his Majefty's Houfhold. MY LORD, THE 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 addrefs in the light of a natural tribute; yet, my Lord, I 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 stamped 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 themselves (through their own li"fcentioufnefs, it must be confeffed) in a more precarious dependant state, than any other of his Majesty's fubjects. But when their direction was lodged in the hands of a nobleman, whofe ancestors had fo fuccefsfully struggled 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. (vi) Their warmest wishes are accomplished; none of their rights have been invaded, except what, without the first poetic authority, I should not venture to call a right, the Jus Nocendi. Your tenderness, my Lord, for all the followers of the Muses, has been in no inftance more confpicuous, than in your late favour to me, the meaneft of their train; your Grace has thrown open (for those who are denied admittance into the palaces of Parnaffus) a cottage on its borders, where the unhappy migrants may be, if not magnificently, at least, hofpitably entertained. I fhall detain your Grace no longer, than juft to echo the public voice, that, for the honour, progrefs, and perfection of letters, your Grace may long continue their candid CENSOR, who have always been their generous protector. I have the honour, my Lord, to be, with the greatest refpect, and gratitude, |