Roscius Anglicanus : giving an account of its rise again ; of the time and places the governours of both the companies first erected their theatres ; the names of the principal actors and actresses, who perform'd in the chiefest plays in each house ; with the names of the most taking plays ; and modern poets ; for the space of 46 years, and during the reign of three kings, and part of our present sovereign Lady Queen Anne, from 1660, to 1706
"Meagre as is the information supplied in this work, it is practically all to which we have to trust for our knowledge of the Restoration stage. The details furnished include the names of the actors comprised in the two companies, and the casts of the novelties produced, with statements as to the fortunes of the play, and an occasional expression of opinion as to the merits of piece or acting. Downes's style is singularly crabbed, confused, and inelegant, and is charged with the most marvellous latinism. The verdicts are, however, accepted; his inaccuracies are neither numerous nor important, and the only charge he has incurred is that he has been miserly in dispensing information the subsequent value of which he was in no position to estimate." - Dictionary of national biography.
Microfiche. Chicago : Library Resources, inc., 1976. 1 microfiche : positive ; 8 x 13 cm. (Library of English literature ; LEL 40100)