University of Virginia Library

INTRODUCTION.

Many romances and dramas have been founded on that great historical event, entitled “The Sicilian Vespers,” all of which must, to a certain extent, have an interest in common. The present production is based on Les Vêspres Siciliennes of Monsieur Casimir Delavigne; but in my development and details I have used a free and independent hand. I have both modified and added to the incident, in the view of giving truth and force to the action; and for the merits or defects of the language of my tragedy throughout I must of necessity be alone responsible. That it should often bear such vague similarity to that of the French drama as belongs to circumstantial allusion, and a common tendency to the same result, was inevitable; but for such passages as produced the most powerful effect in the representation of this drama, not even the occasion occurs in the work of the French poet.

I must repeat my grateful acknowledgments to Mr. Davidge, whose zeal in my favour, under very trying circumstances, has been unremitting. To Mr. Elton, also, who so fully justified his engagement as the star of my dramatis personæ; and to the ladies and gentlemen of the Surrey establishment, who so ably supported him, I beg to return my best thanks, for the talent as well as zeal they have manifested in the representation of the Sicilian Vespers. I am also bound to acknowledge the liberal support I have met with on this occasion from the public press, with which I have every reason to be gratified.