[Feeling himself on Classic ground, the author has considered it his
duty, in the present instance, to adhere strictly to the principles of Dramatic
composition as enforced by Aristotle, but neglected by Fitzball and Shakspeare.
The Unities of Time, Place, and Action, he has observed scrupulously, (that is
to say, as far as lay in his power, for he confesses himself in doubt as to what
the Unity of Time really is, unless the circumstance of a Drama “going like
one o'clock” may be considered an illustration of it.) He has also preserved
the Chorus—at the end of several of his parodies. With regard to the presence
or absence of classic erudition displayed in his work, he can only say that
whatever objections may be raised to the pathetic passages, the most invidious
caviller will not deny that an intimate acquaintance with the ancients—
even to the remotest period of antiquity—is evident in the jocular portions
of it.
