| Citation |
PJ.770.035
10 May 1770:32 (1431)
For the benefit of Mrs. Douglass. By authority. By the
American Company, at the theatre in Southwark, this evening,
will be presented, a comedy, written by Mr. Congreve, *
called,
Love for Love, with the humours of Ben the Sailor.
A prologue, in the character of a country boy, by Mr.
Hallam.
To which will be added, a new farce, never acted in America,
written by Mr. King, of the Theatre Royal, in Drury Lane,
called
Wit's Last Stake.
To conclude with an epilogue, to be spoken by Mr. Wall,
riding on an ass.
*The comedies of Congreve, though replete with wit and
humour, have been censur'd for a levity, incompatible with
that purity of manner, which is essentially necessary, to
render the entertainments of the theatre, subservient to the
great and useful purposes, for which it was first
instituted; and for which, the drama has been countenanced
and protected, by the good and wise, in all ages, and in all
counties, where the beams of science have dissipated the
clouds of ignorance, or where the gloom of superstition and
intollerance, has not absorbed every generous sentiment,
extinguished every impulse of genuine benevolence.---After
this remark, it will be, perhaps, superfluous to assure the
public, that no line this play, offensive to delicacy, will
appear in the representation.----The beauties of the author
are preserv'd, his blemishes expung'd.
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