This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 Excerpt: ...this kind into a play the situations could not fail to be irresistibly comic, but the prologue seems to have been designed to relieve the piece Prologue. from the imputation that Tho' distant far from fam'd Britannia's isle, finally caused its withdrawal. TMeie, comic scenesuca11 frth to smile Our artless muse hath ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 Excerpt: ...this kind into a play the situations could not fail to be irresistibly comic, but the prologue seems to have been designed to relieve the piece Prologue. from the imputation that Tho' distant far from fam'd Britannia's isle, finally caused its withdrawal. TMeie, comic scenesuca11 frth to smile Our artless muse hath made her first essay A much graver objection to T' instruct and please you with a modern play. Theatric business was and still shou'd be the Comedy, and one that To point out vice in its deformity; should have prevented its ac-ake virtue fair! shine eminently bright Rapture the breast and captivate the sight. Ceptance in the first instance, No matter which, the pulpit or the stage, Condemn the vice and folly of the age; was its coarseness and immo-These are our boast and on sure we stand rality, making it unfit for the P1, ead virtue's cause throughout this infant land: We mount the stage and lend an helping hand. Stage. In the plot of the com-Wits, fools, a knave and conjuror to-night, The objects make both of your ears and sight, edy the scheme was planned A band of dupes are humm, d with idle schemes, Quit solid sense for airy golden dreams. Our flatt'ring muse think's she's some merit gain'd, Pursuing truth and things, like truth, well feign'd. The subjects suited to our present times, No person's touch'd, altho' she lash their crimes; Nor gall or copp'ras tincture her design, But gay, good humor breathe in every line. If you condemn her--she for censure stands; But if applaud--then thund'ring clap your hands. by four humorous gentlemen, Hum, Parchment, Quadrant and Rattletrap, the last-named being a supposed conjuror. The dupes were Raccoon, an old debauchee; Washball, an avaricious barber; Trusthoop, a cooper, and McSnip, a tailor. The other c
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