Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-05-19

PHILADELPHIA:
From the Press of Prichard & Hall, in
Market St, Between Second and
Front Streets
NJ. DEC. XC.
The dedication runs as follows:
AS Just Acknowledgment of the Lib
eral EXertions by which the Stage
has been rescued from an Ignom-
nous Prescription.
THE CONTRAST,
being the First Essay of American
Genius in the Dramatic ArD
Is Most Respectfully Dedicated
To
The President and Members of the
Dramatic Association,
Their Most Obliged
and
Most Grateful Servant,
Thomas Wignell.
Philadelphia, January l, 1890.
The second of the three paragraphs of
the Advertisement" or preface, is in
teresting. 1t reads: In justice to the
author, however, 1t may be proper to
observe, that this comedy has many
claims to public indulgence, independent
of its intrinsic merits. 1t is the first
essay of American genius in a difficult
species of composition; it was written by
one who never critically studied the rules
Of the drama, and indeed, had seen but.
few of the exhibitions of the stage; II
was undertaken and finished in the
course of three weeks; and the profits
of one nights performance were appro-
priated to the benefit of the sufferers by
the fire at Boston,"
Many of the most distinguished public
men of the day are found in the published
list of subscribers to this edition of the
| comedy. Among them George Washing
ton, Aaron Burr, Charles Carroll of
Maryland; Roger Chew, A. ]. Dallas of
Philadelphia; William Falkener, Virginia;
Peter Freneau, Esq. Charleston Rev.
Ralph Higginbotham, Thomas Hull,
Esq, London; H. Knox, Esq. Secre-
tary of War; His Excellency Thomas
Miffin President of the State of
Pennsylvania; Hon. Robert Morris, Jona-
than Pinckney Nicholas R. Rutgers, Esq,
Edmund Randolph, Attorney General.
Major General Baron Steuben, William
Smalwood, Esq, late Governor of Mas
sachusetts; iona than Trumbull. Esq, of
New York; Prosper Wetmore, etc, etc.
The prologue, written by young
gentleman of New York, and spoken by
Mr.. Wignell." is not too long or dull to
| copy:
EXult each patriot heart!-this night is
A piece, which we may fairly call our
own;
Where the proud titles of MY Lord!
Your Grace!"
To humble Mr.. and plain Sir give place.
N "u'HOi PICTURES hot lIoHH IoreisH
M. cniies
The fashions or the folles of the times;
But has confnd the subject of his work
To the gay scenes-the circles of New
York
On native themes his Muse displays her
70 ~ -
II II. ours the faults the virtues too are ours.
Why ShOnl1 tbOnphtS 70 countries
roam?
Nhen each refinement may be found at
nome?
VINO travels now TO ape the rlch OF great,
II, 10 ueck an equlpage and roll IN state
10 court the graces' or TO dance WIN ease
VI oV hypocrisy 10 strive TO please!
Our free-born ancestors such arts de-
spised;
Genuine sincerity alone they priced;
Ihelr minds, with honest emulauon mr. q,
10 solid good-not ornament-asplred;
Or, II ambition rous'd a bolder name'
stern virtue throve, where Incidence was
shame.
But modern youths, with initiative sense
Deem taste In dress the PROOF OF excel
lence;
And spurn the meanness or your nome
spun arts,
SINCE non hoihespuh hapi's "ou'O o''o ~
Whilst all, which aims at splendor and
parade,
Must come from Europe and be ready
made.
Strange! we should thus our native worth
disdain,
And check the progress of our rising
fame
Yet one. whilst imitation bears the sway,
Aspires to nobler nights, and points the
way, , II. ,o,, o,.o,,o
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