There yet existed in England that leaven of purity which has steadily since been making its influence felt.
VANBRUGH .-- Sir John Vanbrugh (born in 1666, died in 1726) was an architect as well as a dramatist, but not great in either role.

His principal dramas are _The Provoked Wife_, _The City Wives' Confederacy_, and _The Journey to London_ (finished by Colley Cibber).

His personages are vicious and lewd, but quite real; and his wit is constant and flowing.

_The Provoked Wife_ is so licentious a play that it is supposed Vanbrugh afterwards conceived and began his _Provoked Husband_ to make some amends for it.
This latter play, however, he did not complete: it was finished after his death by Cibber, who says in the Prologue: This play took birth from principles of truth, To make amends for errors past of youth.
* * * * * Though vice is natural, 't was never meant The stage should show it but for punishment.
Warm with such thoughts, his muse once more took flame, Resolved to bring licentious life to shame.
If Vanbrugh was not born in France, it is certain that he spent many years there, and there acquired the taste and handling of the comic drama, which then had its halcyon days under Moliere.

His dialogue is very spirited, and his humor is greater than that of Congreve, who, however, excelled him in wit.
The principal architectural efforts of Vanbrugh were the design for Castle Howard, and the palace of Blenheim, built for Marlborough by the English nation, both of which are greater titles to enduring reputation than any of his plays.
FARQUHAR .-- George Farquhar was born in Londonderry, in 1678, and began his studies at Trinity College, Dublin, but was soon stage-struck, and became an actor.