Front matter
A'
Class
Book
Preface
In offering these "Plays" to an indulgent public, the author wishes to make a frank confession that the credit, if any credit be due, belongs not so much to himself, as to William Shakespeare, and his immortal works, and to the Bible. Shakespeare's literary style, and his methods of dramatic conception and construction, have been attempted to be imitated, and much of his thought, and some of his actual language, have been used. The same is true, (but in a lesser degree) of Ben Jonson, Christopher Marlowe, and Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton; whose superb plays, have been freely resorted to both for thoughts and language. It, in fact, has been an enthusiastic effort, (however unworthily executed) to inject a strong flavor of Shakespeare and the others, into the text of a series of "Dramas," that would have for their aim, the presentation of some striking events in American life, conditions, and history. In the "Secretary of State" some rich gems of the many that are found in Milton's "Paradise Lost," have been utilized, with the idea that they would sparkle most brilliantly when separated from the cluster.
From the Bible, the book of books; whose sacred pages I have read and studied with enthusiasm for a number of years, there has seemingly come to me great help and inspiration in literary composition.
A word seems necessary in regard to Hubert's belief, (in "The Third Term") that the spirit of George Washington, appeared to him; which illusion or delusion, whichever you may prefer to term it, was shared in by Hubert's friends. The author wishes to be distinctly understood as saying that no such appearance, is either probable or possible, except that t.ie influence of some good man, who has passed away but left an enduring record behind him, often becomes real to those who venerate him.
It is the author's sincere hope that the plays may be the source of some pleasure and profit to at least a few persons.
F. P. N.
DRAMATIS
George Washington President United States
Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State
Alexander Hamilton A Statesman
Aaron Burr A Politician
James Monroe Friend to Jefferson
Lawrence Montague
A Captain in the Regular Army The Chevalier Henri Boulanger
An attache of the French Embassy
The Sieur de Morny A "Secret Service" Spy
Hogarth (the Hunchback) A Villain
Judge of the Court
Scene, Philadelphia, Pa. (At that time the Capital of
PERSONS.
Officer of the Court
A Detective
Jailor, and his Aids
Young Courier
Stephen Servant of Jefferson
Alice Stanley
Orphan ward of Jefferson, betrothed to Montague
Emilia. . . IVife to Boulanger, but passing as his Sister
Miriam Loomis Keeper of a Bagnio
Senators, Ambassadors, Notables, Ladies, Conspirators, Lawyers, Gamblers, Soldiers, Assassins, Musicians, and Servants.
the United States.)
The opening of the book is shown; the full text loads in the reader.
Loading the full text…
The end
You’ve reached the end of Six dramas of American romance and history.