Note 211 — ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL.
Reading edition
By recommending, it is said, his son to the charter-home, of which Shaftesbury is said to have been a governor. But, from the records of the foundation, it appears that Erasmus Henry Dryden, the third son of the poet, to whom, if to any, the story must apply, was not admitted a scholar till more than a year after the publication of the second edition of the poem, containing the additional lines above quoted, to which the said admission is stated to have given occasion. There are, besides, two admirable reasons for believing that Shaftesbury had no hand in this matter, since, first, young Dryden was admitted on the recommendation of the king himself; secondly, Shaftesbury happened to be dead at the time. See Malone's Dryden, Vol. I. p. 148. The following is the note of admissions referred to by Mr. Malone:
"October 6th, 1681, [six weeks before the publication of 'Absalom and Achitophel'] Samuel Weaver, admitted for the Lord Shaftesbury.
"Feb. 5th, 1682-3, Erasmus-Henry Dryden, admitted for his majesty (in the room of Orlando Bagnall); aged 14 years, 2d of May next.
"Nov. 2d, 1685, Erasmus Dryden and Richard Tubb left the house.
"Elected to the University."