Indeed, before leaving
Oxford he had, written a couple of comedies--to wit, "Love in a
Wood," and "The Gentleman Dancing Master," a fact entitling him
to be considered a man of parts. Not satisfied with this
distinction, he soon developed tastes for pleasures of the town,
and became a man of fashion. His wit illuminated choice
gatherings of congenial spirits at coffee-houses; his epigrams
were repeated by boon companions in the precincts of the court.
In the year 1672 his comedy "Love in a Wood" was produced. It
immediately gained universal favour, and, moreover, speedily
attracted the attention of his majesty's mistress, the Duchess of
Cleveland. Wycherley was a man well to look upon: her grace was
a lady eager for adventure. Desiring his acquaintance, and
impatient of delay, she introduced herself to his notice in a
manner eminently characteristic of the age. It happened when
driving one day through Pall Mall, she encountered Wycherley
riding in his coach in an opposite direction. Thrusting her head
out of the window of her vehicle, she saluted the author with a
title unknown to the conversations of polite society in the
present day.
The fashionable playwright understanding the motive which
prompted her remark, hastily ordered his coach to follow hers;
and, overtaking her, uncovered and began a speech becoming so
ardent a gallant.
"Madam," said he, "you have been pleased to bestow a title on me
which belongs only to the fortunate.
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