| Citation |
FJ.781.021
29 Aug 1781:22, 23 (19)
To the Printer. Sir, The English at this time seem to be
seized with an epidemic madness for writing, acting and
attending tragedies, comedies, pantomimes, and every species
of dramatic performance. Burgoyne, also, though a general,
some years since attempted the same trade in America, and
amused himself in writing a theatrical piece, called the
Blockade of Boston, 'till he was compelled to conclude it
rather abruptly, but finding himself and army seriously
surrounded at Saratoga. I perceive by the London papers
that siege-tragedies, such as the siege of Omoe, the siege
of Sinope, and a multiplicity of others are swallowed in
that place, with the greatest avidity. It is really
strange, since they are so bent on sieges, that some of
their bright wits do not furnish out a lamentable and moving
tragedy upon the siege of the castle of San Juan in
Nicaragua. . . [13 lines, the thirteen states have been
ample theatres of action.] The British nation has been very
generous. They have sent out a numerous body of actors at
the expence of the public to entertain us, and have raised
many a bloody scene to our view. It is true they have now
and then been rather rude to their audience, but this was
only for diversion, as Voltaire and others have remarked,
that the English do not care much for plays that are not
brim-full of tumults, fighting and blood-shed. We must also
allow that the English dance very well. After the display
of their theatrical abilities at Boston, they danced from
thence to New-York, where they have been and still are
acting one of the most tedious and bloody tragedies ever
known. Most people begin to think it will exceed five acts.
They have detached several bands of dancers from thence at
different times, who I suspect by this time have mostly
danced off into the other world, owing to a too profuse
perspiration, arising from the nature of their exercise.
There is one subject for an excellent tragedy I could
recommend for the entertainment of his Britannic Majesty and
the Royal Family, I mean the siege and capture of, and other
proceedings at Charlestown, posterior to the capture of the
same: they might also vamp up an excellent farce, entitled,
The Conquest of St. Eustatius. These would really be new
and wonderful performances. But to be serious with these
lovers of activity, I would beg leave to address them in the
words of one of their own poets:
O gentlemen the time of life is short:
To spend that shortness basely, were too long
Tho' life did ride upon a dial's pont,
Still ending at the arrival of an hour.
. . . [4 more lines]
Shakespeare's Henry IV.
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