| Citation |
MS-W.782.006
31 Jan 1782:41 (560)
Philadelphia, January 9. On Wednesday evening, the 2d
instant, Alexander Quesnay, Esq; exhibited a most elegant
entertainment at the playhouse, where were present his
Excellency General Washington, the Minister of France, the
President of the State, a number of the officers of the
army, and a brilliant assemblage of ladies and gentlemen of
the city, who were invited.
After a prologue, suitable to the occasion, Eugenie an
elegant French comedy, was first presented (written by the
celebrated M. Beaumarchais) and in the opinion of several
good judges was extremely well acted by the young gentlemen,
students in that polite language. After the comedy was
acted the Lying Valet a farce, to this succeeded several
curious dances, followed by a brilliant illumination,
consisting of thirteen pyramidal pillars, representing
thirteen states - on the middle column was seen a Cupid,
supporting a laurel crown. over the motto - Washington -
the pride of his country and terror of Britain. On the
summit was the word - Virginia - on the right - Connecticut,
with the names Greene and LaFayette - on the left - the word
Pennsylvania, with the names, Wayne and Stuben; and so on
according to the birth place, and state proper to each
General. The spectacle ended with an artificial
illumination of the thirteen columns.
The Prologue, written at the request of Mr Quesnay is as
follows.-
Wars, bloody wars, and hostile Britain's rage
Have banish'd long the pleasures of the stage;
From the gay painted scene compell'd to part,
(Forgot the melting language of the heart)
Constrain'd to shun the bold theatrick show,
To act long Tragedies of real woe,
Heroes, once more attend the comick muse;
Forget our failings, and our faults excuse.
. . . [8 lines follow praising French language]
In this Eugenia tells her easy lay,
The brilliant work of courtly Beaumarchais:
In this Racine, Voltaire and Boilieu sung
The noblest poets in the noblest tongue.
If the soft story in our play express'd
Can give a moment's pleasure to your breast,
To you Great Sir*! we must be proud to say
. . . [17 more lines praising Washington and return of
peace.]
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