A farce, in Two Acts. AS PERFORMED AT HE THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE. BY THOMAS DIBDIN, Doctor, Birth-day, Metrical History of England, &c. fc. CORRECTLY GIVEN, FROM COPIES USED IN THE THEATRE. Printed at the Chiswick Press, BY C. WHITTINGHAM; ROW, LONDON. TO WILLIAM DOWTON, This Farce IS MUST THANKFULLY INSCRIBED, BY THE AUTHOR. The groundwork of the following bagatelle is to be found in a French piece, named after a celebraied one by Plautus, which Shakspeare and Terence bave not disdained to copy. It is a question whether either of those great anthors were ever seconded by such actors as those who have supported this farce. Mr. Dowton and Mr. Knight mnst be seen, to estimate the anthor's obligations to them; Mr. Oxberry has made much out of nothing; and to Mr. Bartley, independent of his acting, many thanks are due from circumstances of a private nature. The part of the Housekeeper was originally written as a Scotchwoman, to suit the talents of a very respected actress, whose appearance was unexpectedly prevented by a most serious domestic calamity: Mrs. Harlowe, at a very short notice, undertook the character, and has, in its preseut state, made it of consequence to the piece. To each of the other performers named in the dramatis persona, the most sincere and wellmarked acknowledgments are respectfully tendered. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. Mr. Dowton. Major Touchwood. Mr. Barlley. Mordaunt Mr. Kent. Colonel Clifford Mr. Barnard. Sharp, Valet to Major Touchwood Mr. Knight. Brief, a Lawyer Mr. Hughes. Snaggs, a country Dentist Mr. Oxberry. First Officer . Mr. Cooke. Second Officer Mr. Ebsworth. Postboy Mr. Minton, Robert Mr. Baxton. Thomas Mr. Jameson. Servants to Colonel TouchWilliam Mr. Evans. Harry Mr. Coveney. John Mr. Appleby. wood. Colonel Touchwood's Mrs. Prudence Housekeeper, and Mrs. Harlowe. Governess to his Daughter Clarissa, Daughter to Col. Touchwood Mrs. Orger. Sophia, Niece to Col. Touchwood . . . Miss Ivers. SCENE I. A Village. Enter SNAGGS. Snaggs. Dear, dear, dear, dear! what a busy day. I don't wonder your dentistes in London make fortin, when I have pulled out fifteen shillings worth of teeth, taken three likenesses, and got double postage for carrying a letter, all in one day. Sharp. (Entering] Snaggs! Mr. Snaggs! Snaggs. Eh! who wants me? any body with the toothach: Sharp. Has he got it? Snaggs. Who? Sharp. Mr. Mordaunt, you blockhead! Did you deliver the letter: Snaggs. Yes; and be read it, and chuckled, and asked if it come from a lady; so I put on an insignificant look-so—and he was pleased, and gave me as much as you had done. |