Part 4

Dedicated to Mrs. Merry, who played _Elgiva_ in the original production in 1801.

IOOR, W.

INDEPENDENCE; OR, WHICH DO YOU LIKE BEST, THE PEER OR THE FARMER? A Comedy. Charleston, 1805. 8vo, pp. 70.

THE BATTLE OF THE EUTAW SPRINGS, AND EVACUATION OF CHARLESTON; OR, THE GLORIOUS 14TH OF DECEMBER, 1782. A National Drama in Five Acts. Charleston, for the author, 1807. 8vo, pp. 59.

Played in the Charleston Theatre in 1817.

JUDAH, S. B. H.

SAMUEL B. H. JUDAH was a well-known writer of New York City in the early part of the present century. He wrote a novel called _The Buccaneers_, and a work entitled _Gotham and the Gothamites_, both of which reflected on the society of New York at that time, and caused the author to be sued for libel and his works suppressed. His plays were performed in England as well as America.

THE MOUNTAIN TORRENT. A Grand Melodrama, in Two Acts. New York, 1820. 18mo, pp. v.-54.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, March 1, 1820.

THE ROSE OF ARRAGON; OR, THE VIGIL OF ST. MARK. A Melodrama in Two Acts. New York, 1822. 16mo, pp. 38.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, April 18, 1822.

A TALE OF LEXINGTON. A National Comedy founded on the opening of the Revolution, in Three Acts. New York, 1823. 18mo, pp. v-60.

ODOFRIEDE, THE OUTCAST. A Dramatic Poem. New York, 1822. 8vo, pp. 89, [6].

KENNICOTT, JAMES H.

IRMA; OR, THE PREDICTION. A Tragedy in Five Acts, as performed at the American Theatre, New Orleans. New York, 1830. Portrait of James H. Caldwell. 16mo, pp. iv.-56.

This play gained, in competition with five others, the prize of $300 offered by James H. Caldwell--the manager of the American Theatre, New Orleans. It was played in that theatre in March, 1830.

KERR, JOHN

RIP VAN WINKLE; OR, THE DEMONS OF THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. A National Drama in Two Acts. Philadelphia, n. d. 16mo, pp. 76.

Played at the Park Theatre in New York, April 22, 1830, with Mr. James H. Hackett in the title rôle.

LATHY, THOMAS PIKE

REPARATION; OR, THE SCHOOL FOR LIBERTINES. A Drama, as performed at the Boston Theatre. Boston, 1800. 12mo, pp. 46.

LAWSON, JAMES

JAMES LAWSON, born in Glasgow, Scotland, November 9, 1799; died in Yonkers, N. Y., March 20, 1880. He was educated at Glasgow University and came to New York in 1815. He was at first employed as a clerk in the counting house of a maternal uncle, who was a merchant of New York. He began writing for the New York _Literary Gazette_ in 1826, and from 1827 to 1829 was the assistant editor of the _Morning Courier_. He edited the _Mercantile Advertiser_ from 1829 to 1833. For a time subsequently he engaged in the business of marine insurance. He published several volumes of stories and poems.

DRAMATIC SKETCH. Julian and Elphina.

Published in _Tales and Sketches by a Cosmopolite_. New York, 1830, pp. 99-100.

GIORDANO. A Tragedy. New York, 1832. 8vo, pp. 102.

Played at the Park Theatre, N. Y., November 13, 1828.

LEACOCK, JOHN

THE FALL OF BRITISH TYRANNY; OR, AMERICAN LIBERTY TRIUMPHANT. The First Campaign. A Tragi-comedy of Five Acts as lately planned at the Theatrum Pandemonium at St. James. The principal place of action in America. Published according to Act of Parliament. Philadelphia: Printed by Styner & Cist. 8vo, pp. viii.-66.

Same. Providence, J. Douglas McDougall. n. d. [1776]. 12mo, pp. viii.-66.

Same. Boston: Reprinted by Gill & Powars & Willis. n. d. 8vo, pp. viii.-71.

This is an American Chronicle Play beginning with imaginary events in England before the Revolution, showing the battles about Boston and ending with the evacuation of that city by the British.

DISAPPOINTED. Philadelphia, 1796. 12mo.

Played in Philadelphia, April 2, 1796.

THE MEDLEY; OR, HARLEQUIN HAVE AT YE ALL. A Pantomime acted at Covent Garden. 8vo, 1778.

LEE, WALTER

LAFAYETTE; OR, THE FORTRESS OF OLMUTZ. A Melodrama in Three Acts. Philadelphia, 1824. 16mo, pp. 60.

A drama bearing this title was written by Wm. Woodworth, q. v.

LELAND, AARON W.

AARON W. LELAND, born in Holliston, Mass., May 28, 1761, died in Chester, Vt., August 25, 1833. He was ordained a minister of the Baptist Church about 1786, and settled in Chester, Vt. He was a member of the Vermont Legislature from 1801 to 1811, a councillor for four years, Lieutenant-Governor of the State for five years, and justice of his county court for eighteen years. He refused a nomination for governor in 1828. He was a very effective orator.

THE FATAL ERROR. A Tragedy. Exhibited at Williams College, March 25, 1807. Pittsfield: Printed by Seymour & Smith, 1807. 12mo, pp. 27.

Another edition. Peterboro: Reprinted by Jonathan Bunce & Co., [Madison County], 1810. 12mo, pp. 24.

LENNOX, CHARLOTTE

This author was a native of New York, and a daughter of Gov. James Ramsey, of that province. She went to England in 1735 and became a writer of note, Dr. Johnson considering her work equal to that of Fanny Burney and other well-known female writers. The epilogue to _The Sister_ was written by Oliver Goldsmith.

THE SISTER. A Comedy. London, 1769. 8vo, pp. 76.

LILLIBRIDGE, GARDNER R.

TANCRED; OR, THE RIGHTFUL HEIR TO ROCHDALE CASTLE. A Drama, altered from a Tale of Ancient Times. Providence, 1824. 16mo, pp. 68.

LINDSLEY, A. B.

LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP; OR, YANKEE NOTIONS. A Comedy in Three Acts. New York, 1809. 18mo, pp. 58.

LOW, SAMUEL

THE POLITICIAN OUT-WITTED. A Comedy in Five Acts, written in 1788, by an American. New York: Printed by W. Ross, 1789. 8vo, pp. 71.

MACPHERSON, J.

A PENNSYLVANIA SAILOR'S LETTERS, ALIAS, THE FARMER'S FALL; WITH EXTRACTS FROM A TRAGIC COMEDY, CALLED HODGE PODGE IMPROVED; OR, THE RACE FAIRLY RUN. The author's sympathy for an Innocent Woman prevents his publishing the whole of that Dramatic piece. Number 1. Philadelphia, for the author, 1771. 8vo, pp. 64.

MARKOE, PETER

PETER MARKOE, born in Santa Cruz (St. Croix), one of the West India Islands, in 1735, died in Philadelphia in 1792. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, read law in London, and settled in Philadelphia in 1783. He there became addicted to literature and contributed to the leading periodicals over the name "A Native of Algiers."

THE PATRIOT CHIEF. A Tragedy. Philadelphia: Wm. Prichard, 1783. 8vo, pp. 70.

THE RECONCILIATION; OR, THE TRIUMPH OF NATURE. A Comic Opera, in Two Acts. Philadelphia, Prichard & Hall, 1790. 12mo, pp. 48.

MAURICE, MARK

THE MANUSCRIPT--COMPRISING "THE FRATRICIDE" AND MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Boston, 1827. 12mo, pp. 70.

McHENRY, JAMES

DR. JAMES MCHENRY, born in Larne, County Antrim, Ireland, December 20, 1785, died there July 20, 1845. He was graduated in medicine at Dublin University and Glasgow, and first located in practice at Larne, whence he removed to Belfast. He came to the United States in 1817 and followed his profession in Baltimore, Md., and Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1824 he settled in Philadelphia, where he practiced medicine and carried on a mercantile business. From 1842 to the time of his death he was United States Consul at Londonderry, in Ireland. His home in Philadelphia was the resort of most of the literary people of that and other cities. He published a poem on the _Pleasures of Friendship_ in 1822. He was editor of the _American Monthly Magazine_ in Philadelphia in 1824, and wrote and published a number of novels.

THE USURPER. A Historical Tragedy in Five Acts. Philadelphia, 1829. 16mo, pp. 65.

Played at the old Chestnut Street Theatre.

MEAD,----.

WALL STREET; OR, TEN MINUTES BEFORE THREE. A Farce. New York, 1819. 18mo, pp. 34.

Third edition.

Immortalized by Halleck in the lines:

And who would now the Athenian dramas read, When he can get "Wall Street," by Mr. Mead.

MEGIA, F.

LAFAYETTE EN MOUNT VERNON EN 17 DE OCTUBRE, 1824. Drama in Two Actos. Filadelfia, Stavely Y. Bringhurst, 1825. 16mo, pp. 30.

MINSHULL, JOHN

A COMIC OPERA, ENTITLED RURAL FELICITY, WITH THE HUMOUR OF PATRICK AND THE MARRIAGE OF SHELTY. New York, 1801. Portrait. 8vo, pp. 68.

A COMEDY ENTITLED: THE SPRIGHTLY WIDOW, WITH THE FROLICS OF YOUTH; OR, A SPEEDY WAY OF UNITING THE SEXES BY HONOURABLE MARRIAGE. New York, 1803. Portrait of author. 8vo, pp. 64.

HE STOOPS TO CONQUER; OR, THE VIRGIN TRIUMPHANT. A Comedy in Three Acts. New York, 1804. 8vo, pp. 34.

Pp. 31-34 contain Littleton's Sixth Letter, with note by Minshull.

A COMEDY ENTITLED, THE MERRY DAMES; OR, THE HUMOURIST'S TRIUMPH OVER THE POET IN PETTICOATS, AND THE GALLANT EXPLOITS OF THE KNIGHT OF THE COMB. A Comedy in Three Acts. New York, 1805. 8vo, pp. 30.

MUNFORD, ROBERT

COLONEL ROBERT MUNFORD was a distinguished patriot of the Revolution. His poems and plays were collected and published by his son William, noticed below.

THE CANDIDATE. THE PATRIOTS.

The above plays were published in a volume of _Minor Poems_ at Petersburg, Va., 1798. 8vo, pp. 206.

MUNFORD, WILLIAM

WILLIAM MUNFORD, son of the above, was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., in 1775, and died in Richmond, Va., June 21, 1825. At the age of twenty-one he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. He was afterwards a senator from his district, was elected a member of the Privy Council of State, and continued in that office up to the time of his death. His chief literary work was a _Translation of Homer's Iliad_ in blank verse, which was not published during his life-time.

ALMORAN AND HAMET. A Tragedy. Published in a volume of _Poems and Compositions in Prose on several occasions._ Richmond, 1798. 8vo, pp. 189, [1].

MURDOCK, J.

THE TRIUMPHS OF LOVE; OR, HAPPY RECONCILIATIONS. A Comedy. Philadelphia, 1795. (Plate.) 12mo, pp. 83.

THE POLITICIANS; OR, A STATE OF THINGS. A Dramatic Piece. Written by an American and a Citizen of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, 1798. 8vo, pp. 37, and printed note.

NEAL, JOHN

JOHN NEAL, born in Portland, Me., August 25, 1793, died there June 21, 1876. He was entirely self-educated, and, after a few years of business occupation in Baltimore, he was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1819. He had already begun to have some popularity as a writer of stories, and in 1823 he was led to make a trip to England, in consequence of the popularity which his novels had acquired there. While in England he wrote several articles on America for the _Quarterly Review_, and enjoyed an intimacy with British men of letters, particularly Jeremy Bentham. On his return in 1828 he established _The Yankee_, and was an active journalist for half a century. To his energy is attributed the agitation of woman's suffrage, and the establishment of gymnasiums. He was Poe's first encourager. His _Recollections_ were published in 1869.

OTHO. A Tragedy in Five Acts. Boston, 1819. 16mo, pp. 120.

This play was written for Edmond Kean. It was entirely rewritten in _The Yankee_ for 1828.

NOAH, MORDECAI MANUEL

MORDECAI MANUEL NOAH, born in Philadelphia, July 19, 1785, died in New York, May 22, 1851, was a journalist and a lawyer. He went into politics when quite young, and was appointed United States Consul to Morocco in 1813; came to New York about 1820, and edited _The National Advocate_. He afterwards established _The New York Enquirer_, _The Evening Star_, and other papers. He published also a volume of travels. He was at one time appointed sheriff of the county. An estimate of his character and popularity is thus given by a contemporary: "He told the best story, rounded the best sentence, and wrote the best play of all his contemporaries.... As editor, critic, and author, he was looked up to as an oracle."

THE FORTRESS OF SORRENTO. A Petit Historical Drama, in Two Acts. New York, 1808. 16mo, pp. 28.

Taken from the French opera of _Leonora_.

SHE WOULD BE A SOLDIER; OR, THE PLAINS OF CHIPPEWA. An Historical Drama in Three Acts. New York, 1819. 18mo, pp. 73.

This piece was written for the benefit of Miss Leesugg. It was finished in three days, and first played in Philadelphia in 1813. It was performed at the Park Theatre, New York, June 21, 1819.

THE WANDERING BOYS; OR, THE CASTLE OF OLIVAL. A Melodrama in Two Acts. Boston, 1821. 16mo, pp. 44.

This was also played under the name of _Paul and Alexis; or The Orphans of the Rhine_. It was written for Mrs. Young's benefit, and played at Charleston in 1812.

MARION; OR, THE HERO OF LAKE GEORGE. A Drama, founded on the events of the Revolutionary War, in Three Acts. New York, 1822. 16mo.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, November 26, 1821.

THE GRECIAN CAPTIVE; OR, THE FALL OF ATHENS. A Drama. New York, 1822. 18mo, pp. iv.-48.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, June 17, 1822.

NORVAL, JAMES

THE GENEROUS CHIEF. A Tragedy. Montreal, 1792. 8vo.

This is probably the only original play published in Canada prior to 1831.

O'CONWAY, JAMES

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS. A Historical Tragedy, with Notes, as it was represented on the French Theatre, by the Performers of the Emperor of the French. To which is prefixed An Interesting History of the Origin, Character, and Persecution, of That Illustrious Order. Also the Mode of Receiving Members. The whole supported by the most Respectable Authorities. Translated from the original of M. Raynouard, by Matthias James O'Conway, commissioned interpreter and teacher of the Spanish, French and English languages. Philadelphia: Published by the Translator, No. 202 Chestnut Street. Brown & Merritt, Printers, 24 Church Alley, 1809. Portrait of "Jacques de Molay." 8vo, title, 1 p. l., pp. lxviii. 3-80, [1]

PARKE, JOHN

JOHN PARKE was born in Delaware about 1750. At the commencement of the Revolution he entered the American Army and was attached to Washington's Division. After the war he was for some time in Philadelphia, and was last heard of in Arundel County, Va. A number of the pieces in his book are dated at camp in the neighborhood of Boston, at Valley Forge and other places.

VIRGINIA. A Pastoral Drama, on the Birth Day of an Illustrious Personage and the Return of Peace, February 11, 1784 [4 lines of poetry in Latin].

Published in a volume of poems entitled _The Lyric Works of Horace_, etc. Printed by Eleazer Oswald, at the Coffee-House, 1786.

Another edition. Philadelphia: Eleazer Baldwin. 8vo, pp. 14, 1789.

This is probably the first attempt to celebrate Washington's Birthday.

PAULDING, JAMES K.

JAMES KIRKE PAULDING, born in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess Co., N. Y., August 22, 1779, died in Hyde Park, in the same county, April 6, 1860, was associated with Washington Irving in literary work on _Salmagundi_. A paper on political affairs from Paulding's pen led to his appointment by President Madison as Secretary of the Navy Commission in Washington. He was Agent of the Navy at New York, 1825, and Secretary of the Navy under Van Buren.

THE BUCKTAILS; OR, AMERICANS IN ENGLAND. A Comedy, written shortly after the conclusion of the War of 1812.

This play was published in a volume entitled _American Comedies_, by W. I. Paulding, Author; Carey & Hart, Publishers. Philadelphia, 1847.

PAYNE, JOHN HOWARD

JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, born in New York City, June 9, 1791, died in Tunis, Africa, April 9, 1852, was an actor and journalist. In early life he removed to Easthampton, L. I., where the greater part of his childhood was passed. He played in a number of amateur performances, and made his début as an actor at the Park Theatre, New York City, February 24, 1809, as _Young Norval_. He made his literary début by contributing to _The Fly_, a juvenile paper published by Woodworth. He soon after published a little paper called _The Thespian Mirror_, which had a short existence.

After playing in a number of American cities he went to England in 1813, where his success as an actor and dramatist was very great. His first appearance was at Drury Lane Theatre, June 4, 1813, as _Norval_. He also started a periodical in London called the _Opera Glass_.

He returned to America in 1832 and contributed to the _Democratic Review_ and other periodicals. Soon afterward (1841) he was appointed United States Consul at Tunis, where he died.

JULIA; OR, THE WANDERER. A Comedy in Five Acts, as performed at the New York Theatre. New York, 1806. 16mo, pp. 72.

The first separate writing of Payne, written when he was fourteen years of age.

Performed as _The Wanderer_ at the Park Theatre, New York, February 7, 1806.

LOVER'S VOWS. A Play in Five Acts. Baltimore, 1809. 16mo, pp. 90, [4].

BRUTUS; OR, THE FALL OF TARQUIN. An Historical Tragedy in Five Acts. London, 1818. 8vo, pp. viii.-53.

Same. New York, 1819. 16mo, pp. 54.

Acted for the first time at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, December 3, 1818.

First acted in the United States at the Park Theatre, New York, March 15, 1820.

ACCUSATION; OR, THE FAMILY OF D'ANGLADE. A Melodrama in Three Acts, from the French, with alterations. London, 1817. 8vo, pp. 79.

Same, Boston, 1818. 18mo, pp. vii.-76.

First acted at Park Theatre, New York, May 10, 1816.

THERESE, THE ORPHAN OF GENEVA. A Drama. New York, 1821. 18mo.

First acted at the Anthony Street Theatre, New York, April 30, 1821.

ADELINE; OR, SEDUCTION. A Melodrama in Three Acts. New York, 1822. 16mo, pp. 41.

Performed for the first time in the United States, at the Park Theatre, New York, May 1, 1822.

CLARI, THE MAID OF MILAN. An Opera in Three Acts. New York, 1823. 16mo, pp. 54.

Another edition, London, 1823. 8vo, pp. 45.

Performed for the first time at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, London, May 8, 1823.

In this opera _Home, Sweet Home_ was sung for the first time.

Performed for the first time in the United States at the Park Theatre, New York, November 12, 1823.

ALI PACHA; OR, THE SIGNET RING. A Melodrama in Two Acts. New York, 1823. 18mo, pp. 36.

Performed at the Park Theatre, New York, May 8, 1823.

RICHELIEU; OR, THE BROKEN HEART. A Domestic Tragedy founded on Fact. (As adapted for performance at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, London, before it was altered by order of the Lord Chamberlain, and produced under a new name.) Now First Printed from the Author's Manuscript. New York, 1826. 18mo, pp. 79.

THE TWO GALLEY SLAVES. A Melodrama in Two Acts. London, n. d. [1823]. Frontispiece. 18mo, pp. 33.

First performed in the United States at the Park Theatre, New York, October 27, 1823.

'TWAS I; OR, THE TRUTH A LIE. A Farce in Two Acts. London, n. d. 8vo, pp. 15.

Same, New York, 1827.

Another edition, New York, 1828. 18mo.

First performed in the United States at the Park Theatre, New York, May 20, 1826.

CHARLES THE SECOND; OR, THE MERRY MONARCH. A Comedy. [London, n. d.] 18mo, pp. 45.

Another edition, Philadelphia, 1829.

First performed in the United States at the Park Theatre, New York, October 25, 1824.

LOVE IN HUMBLE LIFE. A Petit Comedy. London, n. d. 18mo, pp. 31.

THE LANCERS. A Farce. London, n. d. 18mo, pp. 27.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, 1829.

THE FALL OF ALGIERS. A Drama. London, n. d. 18mo, pp. 47.

MRS. SMITH; OR, THE WIFE AND THE WIDOW. A Farce, adapted from the French. London, n. d. 8vo, pp. 20.

Played at the New Park Theatre, New York, March 6, 1825.

PETER SMINK; OR, THE ARMISTICE. A Comic Drama, adapted from the French. London, n. d. 8vo, pp. 16.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, October 14, 1826, as _Peter Smink; or, Which is the Miller?_ A Farce.

PEPPER, GEORGE

KATHLEEN O'NEIL; OR, A PICTURE OF FEUDAL TIMES IN IRELAND. A National Melodrama of the Fourteenth Century, in Three Acts. Philadelphia, 1832. 16mo, pp. 84.

Scenes I. and II. of Act I. of _Kathleen O'Neil_ were first published in Vol. 1 of _The Irish Shield and Monthly Milesian_, a monthly journal edited by Geo. Pepper, in New York, in 1829. Vol. I., of this periodical was, I believe, all that was issued, and the play was therefore probably never issued complete except as a separate publication.

Played at the Lafayette Theatre, New York.

(The Lafayette Theatre was burned on the night of April 10, 1829, and never rebuilt).

PERCIVAL, JAMES GATES

JAMES GATES PERCIVAL, born in Berlin, Conn., September 15, 1795, died in Hazel Green, Wis., May 2, 1856, was an eminent geologist. He was graduated from Yale College, studied medicine and practiced in Charleston, S. C.; was appointed surgeon in the United States Army in 1824, and stationed in Boston, Mass., on detail for the recruiting station there. He left the service, and took up the study of geology at New Haven, Conn., in 1827. He aided Noah Webster in the compilation of his dictionary. He was an official geologist of Connecticut and of the State of Wisconsin.

ZAMOR. A Tragedy.

This play formed part of the Commencement exercises at Yale College in 1815. It was afterwards published in Percival's first volume of poems, _Prometheus_, etc., New Haven, 1820, 12mo, pp. 346.

PIRSSON, J. P.

THE DISCARDED DAUGHTER. New York, 18--?

POTTER, REUBEN

PHELLES, KING OF TYRE; OR, THE DOWNFALL OF TYRANNY. A Tragedy in Five Acts, as performed at the New York Theatre. New York, 1825. 16mo, pp. 76.

Acted three times at the Park Theatre between June 13 and 28, 1825.

PRESTON, WILLIAM

DEATH OF LOUIS THE SIXTEENTH. A Tragedy in Five Acts. New York: Printed by T. & J. Swords, 1794.

Another edition. Philadelphia: E. Story, 1794. 16mo, pp. 70.

RITTENHOUSE, DAVID

LUCY SAMPSON; OR, THE UNHAPPY HEIRESS. A Tragedy in Five Acts. Translated by a Citizen of Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Printed by Chas. Cist, 1789. 8vo, pp. 88.

ROGERS, DANIEL

THE KNIGHT OF THE RUM BOTTLE & CO.; OR, THE SPEECHMAKERS. A Musical Farce in Five Acts, by the Editor of _The City Hall Recorder_. New York, 1818. 18mo, pp. 16.

Daniel Rogers was the editor of _The City Hall Recorder_ at the time this play was published.

ROGERS, ROBERT

ROBERT ROGERS was born at Dumbarton, N. H., 1727, died in London about 1798. During the French and Indian War he commanded the celebrated "Rogers Rangers," and participated in the siege of Detroit against Pontiac and the French. Rogers' Slide at Lake George is named after him. He went to London about 1764, and was appointed governor of Michilimackinac in 1765. He afterwards went to Algiers and fought under the Dey. He returned to America in 1775, and professed to be in sympathy with the patriots, but Washington ordered his arrest. He then threw off the mask of friendship, and raised a company of Royalists called "The Queen's Rangers." He went back to England, and his subsequent history is unknown. His best known works are his _Journal of the French and Indian War_, London, 1765; and _A Concise Account of North America_, London, 1765.

PONTEACH; OR, THE SAVAGES OF AMERICA. A Tragedy. London: Printed for the author, 1766. 8vo, pp. 110.

ROWSON, SUSANNA