“ Professor Ward, one of Heywood’s most sympathetic editors, points out that this epigrammatic statement can only be accepted with reservations. Heywood had a keen eye for dramatic situations and great constructive skill, but his powers of characterization were not on a par with his stagecraft. He delighted in what he called “merry accidents,” that is, in coarse, broad farce; his fancy and invention were inexhaustible. It was in the domestic drama of sentiment that he won his most distinctive success. ”

“ HEYWOOD, THOMAS (d. c. 1650) , English dramatist and miscellaneous author, was a native of Lincolnshire, born about 1575, and said to have been educated at Cambridge and to have become a fellow of Peterhouse. Heywood is mentioned by Philip Henslowe as having written a book or play for the Lord Admiral’s company of actors in October 1596; and in 1598 he was regularly engaged as a player in the company, in which he presumably had a share, as no wages are mentioned. ”

“ Lit. ii. 550 seq. (1899) ; the same author’s Introduction to A woman killed with kindness (“Temple Dramatists,” 1897) ; J. A. Symonds in the Introduction to Thomas Heywood in the “Mermaid” series (new issue, 1903) . ”