THE BRITISH DRAMA; A COLLECTION OF THE MOST ESTEEMED TRAGEDIES, COMEDIES, OPERAS, AND FARCES, IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. VOLUME SECOND. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY JONES & COMPANY, 3, ACTON PLACE, KINGSLAND ROAD. LIONEL AND CLARISSA: OR, A SCHOOL FOR FATHERS: A COMIC OPERA, IN THREE ACTS. BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq. REMARKS. THIS Opera was first performed at Covent Garden, in 1768; and afterwards altered and revived at Drury Lane with the new title of the School for Fathers, which is now usually added to its original name. The Author asserted the entire originality of his production, having borrowed neither character, language, nor incident, from any other writer. Be this as it may, the piece has considerable claims, not merely as a medium for vocal ability, but from its good sense. Lionel and his Clarissa, whose delicacy of love is well portrayed, are sure to gain the sympathy of their younger anditors and readers-Colonel Oldboy supports the old English strength of character, in admirable contrast with the effeminate Mr. Jessamy, who is a good caricature of the modern breed of useless triflers, neither male nor female in their ideas or pursuits, but a nauseous compound of the worst parts of both.-Diana, Sir John Flowerdale, Lady Mary Oldboy, and the other characters, are in good keeping with the general tone of this agreeable drama. Col. O. Well said, Dy, thank you, Dy.— This, Master Jenkins, is the way I make my daughter entertain me every morning at breakfast. Come here and kiss me, you slut; come here and kiss me, you baggage. Diana. Lord, papa, you call one such names Col. O. A fine girl, Master Jenkins, a devilish fine girl! she has got my eye to a twinkle. There's fire for you-spirit!-I design to marry her to a duke: how much money do you think a duke would expect with such a wench? Jenk. Why, colonel, with submission, I think there is no occasion to go out of our own country here; we have never a duke in it, I believe, but we have many an honest gentleman, who, in my opinion, might deserve the young lady. |