University of Virginia Library

PREFACE.

The late Mr. Henry Jones, author of the now acted Earl of Essex, and several other poetical productions, had left in the hands of Mr. Reddish, a very affecting piece in three acts, call'd The Cave of Idra, founded on a narrative in the Annual Register.—It was, according to his composition, all under ground, which gave to it a tiresome and disgusting monotony, unfit for a stage representation.

A conviction of this obvious and striking defect, induced Mr. Reddish, (and this application gave being to the present drama,) to submit it to the inspection of, for a new moulding, and amplifying of the subject by Dr. Hiffernan, author of an Essay on Dramatic Genius.

He determined to encrease the number of characters, which in the original were only Alberti, Constantia, Lorenzo, Everard, Faulkner, Clermont, and the Jailor.—He next broke through the ensabling uniformity of a continued, subterraneous gloomy scene, and from time to time, admitted, upon what otherwise would prove a moped audience, the chearing light of day.—In short, all the underground part, except the solemn hymn, which closes the second act, and the slave Clermont's exit speech in act third, are Mr. Jones's; in which, are many instances of the true pathetic, and poetically sublime, that would do honour to the foremost pens that have ever written for the Theatre.—

Dr. Hiffernan's additional improvements to this piece, consist in adding several new characters to the above.—The first and fifth acts are entirely his; and

the beginning of the second, till Constantia goes off from Vienna; as, are also, the first scenes of the third act, and of the fourth act.—In fine, all the under-ground scenes, except, as already premised, were composed by the deceased author; and all the above-ground, with the Prologue and Epilogue, by the living.—This Tragedy was acted for the first time, on Saturday, March 19th, 1774, for the benefit of Mr. Reddish, at the Theatre-Royal of Drury-Lane; and, was three times performed, last summer, on the Bristol Theatre, with repeated applause.

In regard to the performers, Mr. Reddish acquitted himself with the most critical propriety, with just dramatic energy, and throughout the part of Alberti, appeared a more consummate actor, than in any other character he hath as yet performed.—Miss Younge has, in Constantia, so far tower'd above her usual excelling, that it will be dangerous for any but a capital actress to undertake, or hope to be endured in this character after her.—The parts of less importance, were, be it said, to the credit of the several actors, well and judiciously represented: Mr. Cautherly's was most happily suited to him.