PREFACE.
An Author, of some reputation, has declared it as his opinion,
that every Preface should be historical; and explain, not
only the design of the work it precedes, but the circumstances
and motives which led to its composition. It would ill become
me to controvert a doctrine so convenient for my present purpose.
Authors, it is true, are apt to measure the respect of
others for their productions, by the estimation in which they
are held by themselves. In this they may be, and often are, deceived.
Yet, perhaps, they do not greatly err, when they
suppose the history of their performances would not be unpleasing
to those who have thought the performances themselves
worthy of their attention. Such an error, at least, is
venial; and will, I hope, be pardoned by those who may deem
the succeeding statement unnecessary.
The principal scenes of the following Drama were composed
in March, 1791; as an exercise, to beguile the weariness of a
short period of involuntary leisure; and without any view to
theatrical representation. From that time, till the month of
October, 1793, they lay neglected, and almost forgotten. An
accident then bringing them to recollection, several short
scenes were added, agreeable to my original design; and the
whole adapted to the Stage. The piece was presented to the
then Managers of The Old American Company, for their
acceptance, the December following; but the peculiar situation
of the Theatre prevented any attention to this application,
till June, 1794; when, on a change in the management, it
was accepted. An interval of six months, and a further acquaintance
with the Stage, had convinced me that the Piece
might undergo alterations, with advantage. These were undertaken,
immediately: the loss of a comic character, which
was now rejected, was supplied by two new scenes; additional
songs were composed; and a Drama of two acts, in
prose, was converted into the Opera, in its present form, in
the course of the succeeding month. The inherent defects of
the plan were such as could not be remedied, without bestowing
on the subject a degree of attention incompatible with professional
engagements; and which I, therefore, thought myself
justified in withholding. But should this performance
meet the same generous indulgence, in private, with which it
was received, in public, I shall neither attempt to disarm Criticism
of her severity, nor be ashamed of this feeble effort to
contribute to the rational amusement of my fellow-citizens.
New-York, Feb. 15, 1797.
P. S. It may not be improper to observe, (though the reader
can scarcely be supposed uninformed, in this particular,) that
the first, second, third, fifth and sixth songs, in the third Act
of the following Drama, are from Goldsmith; and all, except
the first, from the Ballad of “Edwin and Angelina.” I have
taken the liberty to make a slight alteration in the second, to
accommodate it more perfectly to my purpose; and it will be
obvious that, in the principal scene between Edwin and Angelina,
I have availed myself of the sentiments, and, as far as
possible, of the very expressions of the Author.
