In 1825, General Morris wrote the drama of "Briercliff," a play,
in five acts, founded upon events of the American Revolution. It
was performed forty nights in succession; and the manager paid him
for it $3,500--a solid proof of its attractive popularity. It has
never been published. Prior, and subsequent to this period, his
pen was actively engaged upon various literary and dramatic works.
He wrote a number of the "Welcomes to Lafayette," and songs and
ballads, which were universally popular, besides many prologues
and addresses.
In 1842, he wrote an opera for Mr. C. E. Horn, called the "Maid of
Saxony," which was performed fourteen nights, with great success,
at the Park Theatre. The press of the city, generally, awarded to
this opera the highest commendation.
From the period when General Morris commenced his career as
a writer, his pen has been constantly employed in writing poems,
songs, ballads, and prose sketches.
In 1840, the Appletons published an edition of his poems, beautifully
illustrated by Weir & Chapman; in 1842, Paine & Burgess published
his songs and ballads; and in 1853, Scribner's edition, illustrated
by Weir and Darley, appeared. This last beautiful work has had an
immense sale.
They were highly commended by the press throughout the country,
and these and other editions have had large sales. A portion of
his prose writings, under the title of "The Little Frenchman and
his Water-Lots," were published by Lea & Blanchard, which edition
has been followed by others, enlarged by the author.
General Morris has edited a number of works; among them are the
"Atlantic Club Book," published by the Harpers; "The Song-Writers of
America," by Linen & Ferin; "National Melodies," by Horn & Davis;
and, in connection with Mr. Willis, "The Prose and Poetry of Europe
and America," a standard work of great value.
In 1844, in connection with Mr. Willis, he established a beautiful
weekly paper, called the "New Mirror," which, in consequence of
the cover and engravings, was taxed by the post-office department
a postage equal to the subscription price; and not being able to
obtain a just reduction from Mr. Wickliffe, then post-master-general,
the proprietors discontinued its publication, after a year and a
half, notwithstanding it had attained a circulation of ten thousand
copies.
The daily "Evening Mirror" was next commenced, and continued for
one year by Morris & Willis.
A few months after withdrawing from the "Evening Mirror," General
Morris began the publication of the "National Press and Home
Journal;" but as many mistook its object from its name, the first
part of its title was discontinued; and in November, 1846 (Mr.
Willis having again joined his old friend and associate), appeared
the first number of the "Home Journal," a weekly paper, published
in New York every Saturday, which is edited with taste, spirit,
and ability, and which has a circulation of many thousand copies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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