New ethics of the drama of sensibility -- Sentimental misinterpretation of Plautus and Terence -- Early approaches to the drama of sensibility -- Inhibition of sentimentalism from plays of domestic life: 1660-1695 -- Rise of sentimental comedy: 1696-1704 -- Drama of sensibility, the moral essay, and sentimental philosophy: 1704-1709 -- Period of slight progress: 1710-1728 -- Rise of George Lillo: 1729-1732 -- Leadership in sentimentalism lost by the drama: 1732-1750 -- Superiority of French sentimental comedy to English -- Revival of English sentimental comedy: 1750-1767 -- Kelly, Goldsmith, Mrs. Griffith, and Cumberland: 1768-1772 -- Sheridan and the final triumph of sentimental comedy: 1773-1780 -- Strength and the weakness of the drama of sensibility