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or six in Julius Cæsar, a very unscholarly play. His comedies show the same essential characteristics. Alchemist, for example (the plot of which Coleridge called one of the three best in all literature), shows a minute knowledge of the processes and terminology of the so-called science which aimed to transmute base metals into gold; but it suffers for lack of real people.

Jonson's ideal comedy could scarcely show characters, as we use that word in dealing with Shakspere. He wrote

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66

(British Museum.)

what has been called "humour" comedy, in which each person is known by a peculiarity, whim, idiosyncrasy. Each of his three best comedies, indeed, is given to setting forth the whim or humour of one person: Volpone, or The Fox, avarice; The Alchemist, hypocrisy; Epicone, or The Silent Woman, hatred of noise. The method was well adapted to what he aimed at stripping" the ragged follies of the day;" but apparently so many of these required his attention that his efforts at reform were unproductive.

His Masks. A form of dramatic composition in which Jonson particularly excelled is the mask. In this kind of

CHAPTER V

FROM THE CLOSING OF THE THEATRES TO THE

RESTORATION OF CHARLES II (1642-1660)

Rise of the Puritans. The period upon which we are about to enter is usually called the "Puritan Age," because the literature and the social, civil, and political life of the time were dominated by the ideals of the Puritans. The name Puritan was applied in derision first about the middle of the sixteenth century to a party within the Church of England who sought to "purify" it of its unscriptural forms and ceremonies. As they grew in numbers and influence, they became more and more intolerant of the so-called popish abuses, and finally seceded from the Church of England and formed an independent sect.

Independence in religious belief was soon accompanied by independence in political belief. Opposition to the Stuart doctrine of "divine right of kings," and to the autocratic carrying out of the doctrine by Charles I, turned their activity toward purification of the government. In addition to reform of State and Church they attempted the reformation of mankind, by setting before each individual a picture of that other world to come for which (in their belief) this world was merely a preparation.

This otherworldliness

The Puritans and Literature. could have no good effect on literature. One of the prin

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