Congreve

To the Editors of The Crimson:

The critique "World Weary" which appeared March 11 does William Congreve a great disservice by claiming that his play The Way of the World "failed miserably." This is entirely wrong.

Yes, it was received by the public in a manner that disappointed Congreve, but it still earned the praise of John Dryden. Congreve himself knew that his play would not be a great popular success, for as he wrote "little of it was prepared for that general Taste of our Audience."

It was no coincidence that Collier's Short View of the Stage came out in 1698. Today, the play is recognized as being, in the words of one critic, "Congreve's masterpiece, the finest English achievement in the comedy of manners." Whatever the merits of the production being reviewed, the writer of this review should not distort facts to suit glibness. But then again.

"When modesty's ill Mannerd.

'Tis but fit

That Impudence and Malice Pass for Wit."

--or criticism. William Chambers '91