Early American Plays Part 10

The piece is excessively rare, and mentioned by few bibliographers, and then only by the first word of the t.i.tle. It was published anonymously, and printed by Wm. Bradford in 1714.

Only one copy is known, now in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire. A ma.n.u.script copy of it is in the collection of Evert Jansen Wendell, Esq., of New York.

The copy owned by the Duke of Devonshire formerly belonged to John Philip Kemble, the tragedian. It contains a number of ma.n.u.script corrections, probably from the hand of the author, among them the word "Bographical" on the t.i.tle-page, which is changed to "Biographical"; "Monoropolis," which is changed to "Moropolis."

The t.i.tle-page has been torn at the bottom, and the figures 14 appear in ink.

The following lines have been written in this copy by Kemble:

"Androboros, etc. Printed at Mosicropolis. Whoever made the correction meant, I suppose, to imply that it was printed at Moros Polis--'Foolstown.' The corrections that run all through the piece, and the key to the characters, make me suppose that this was the author's copy."

On the t.i.tle, Kemble has written, "Collated and perfect, J. P. K., 1798."

Gov. Hunter was a.s.sisted in the writing of this piece by Chief Justice Lewis Morris.

HUTTON, JOSEPH

JOSEPH HUTTON was born in Philadelphia, Pa., February 25, 1787, and died in Newbern, N. C., January 31, 1828. In early life he contributed verses to periodicals of that city; he also wrote prose, and published several romantic stories in a literary paper. About 1811 he published a collection of fugitive poems under the t.i.tle of _Leisure Hours_. He also published a poem called _The Field of Orleans_, in the style of Sir Walter Scott. In 1823 he removed to Newbern, N. C., where he established himself as a teacher and wrote for the Newbern _Sentinel_.

THE SCHOOL FOR PRODIGALS. A Comedy in Five Acts, as performed at the New Theatre, Philadelphia. New York, 1809. 18mo, pp. 62.

Played at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, in 1808.

THE WOUNDED HUSSAR; OR, RIGHTFUL HEIR. A Musical Afterpiece in Two Acts, as performed at the New Theatre, Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, 1809. 18mo, pp. 24.

Another edition, Philadelphia, 1809, 16mo, pp. 62.

Played at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Phila., in 1809.

FASHIONABLE FOLLIES. A Comedy. New York, 1809. 18mo.

Another edition, Philadelphia, 1815, 18mo, pp. 76.

THE ORPHAN OF PRAGUE. A Drama in Five Acts. New York, 1810. 18mo, pp. 58.

HYER, W. G.

ROSA. A Melodrama in Three Acts. New York, 1822. 12mo, pp. 44.

INGERSOLL, CHARLES JARED

CHARLES JARED INGERSOLL, born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 3, 1782, died there May 14, 1862, was a lawyer of note, elected to Congress from Pennsylvania, 1813-15 and 1841-47. He was United States District Attorney for Pennsylvania from 1815 to 1829. He was the author of the celebrated _Inchiquin's Letters_ (1810) and a _Historical Sketch of the Second War between the United States and Great Britain_.

EDWY AND ELGIVA. A Tragedy in Five Acts. Performed at the New Theatre. Philadelphia, Ashbury d.i.c.kins. 8vo, pp. 84.

Dedicated to Mrs. Merry, who played _Elgiva_ in the original production in 1801.

IOOR, W.

INDEPENDENCE; OR, WHICH DO YOU LIKE BEST, THE PEER OR THE FARMER? A Comedy. Charleston, 1805. 8vo, pp. 70.

THE BATTLE OF THE EUTAW SPRINGS, AND EVACUATION OF CHARLESTON; OR, THE GLORIOUS 14TH OF DECEMBER, 1782. A National Drama in Five Acts. Charleston, for the author, 1807. 8vo, pp. 59.

Played in the Charleston Theatre in 1817.

JUDAH, S. B. H.

SAMUEL B. H. JUDAH was a well-known writer of New York City in the early part of the present century. He wrote a novel called _The Buccaneers_, and a work ent.i.tled _Gotham and the Gothamites_, both of which reflected on the society of New York at that time, and caused the author to be sued for libel and his works suppressed. His plays were performed in England as well as America.

THE MOUNTAIN TORRENT. A Grand Melodrama, in Two Acts. New York, 1820. 18mo, pp. v.-54.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, March 1, 1820.

THE ROSE OF ARRAGON; OR, THE VIGIL OF ST. MARK. A Melodrama in Two Acts. New York, 1822. 16mo, pp. 38.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, April 18, 1822.

A TALE OF LEXINGTON. A National Comedy founded on the opening of the Revolution, in Three Acts. New York, 1823. 18mo, pp. v-60.

ODOFRIEDE, THE OUTCAST. A Dramatic Poem. New York, 1822. 8vo, pp.

89, [6].

KENNICOTT, JAMES H.

IRMA; OR, THE PREDICTION. A Tragedy in Five Acts, as performed at the American Theatre, New Orleans. New York, 1830. Portrait of James H. Caldwell. 16mo, pp. iv.-56.

This play gained, in compet.i.tion with five others, the prize of $300 offered by James H. Caldwell--the manager of the American Theatre, New Orleans. It was played in that theatre in March, 1830.

KERR, JOHN

RIP VAN WINKLE; OR, THE DEMONS OF THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. A National Drama in Two Acts. Philadelphia, n. d. 16mo, pp. 76.

Played at the Park Theatre in New York, April 22, 1830, with Mr.

James H. Hackett in the t.i.tle role.

LATHY, THOMAS PIKE

REPARATION; OR, THE SCHOOL FOR LIBERTINES. A Drama, as performed at the Boston Theatre. Boston, 1800. 12mo, pp. 46.

LAWSON, JAMES