“The subject of the piece which I herewith transmit to you is taken from common or middling life; and its merit is that of teaching the most lofty truths in the most humble style, and deducing them from the most ordinary occurrences. Its moral is obvious and easy; and is one frequently inculcated by the German dramas which I have had the good fortune to see; being no other than ‘_the reciprocal duties of one or more husbands to one or more wives, and to the children who may happen to arise out of this complicated and endearing connection_’. The plot, indeed, is formed by the combination of the plots of _two_ of the most popular of these plays (in the same way as Terence was wont to combine two stories of Menander’s). The characters are such as the admirers of these plays will recognise for their familiar acquaintances. There are the usual ingredients of imprisonments, post-houses and horns, and appeals to angels and devils. I have omitted only the _swearing_, to which English ears are not yet sufficiently accustomed. “I transmit at the same time a _Prologue_, which in some degree breaks the matter to the audience. About the song of Rogero, at the end of the first Act, I am less anxious than about any other part of the performance, as it is, in fact, literally translated from the composition of a young German friend of mine, an _Illuminé_, of whom I bought the original for three-and-sixpence. It will be a satisfaction to those of your readers who may not at first sight hit upon the tune, to learn that it is setting by a hand of the first eminence.—I send also a rough sketch of the plot, and a few occasional notes.—The _geography_ is by the young gentleman of the _Morning Chronicle_.” THE ROVERS; OR, THE DOUBLE ARRANGEMENT. Dramatis Personæ. PRIOR of the ABBEY OF QUEDLINBURGH, very corpulent and cruel. ROGERO, a prisoner in the Abbey, in love with MATILDA POTTINGEN. CASIMERE, a Polish emigrant, in Dembrowsky’s legion, married to CECILIA, but having several children by MATILDA. PUDDINGFIELD and BEEFINGTON, English noblemen, exiled by the tyranny of King John, previous to the signature of Magna Charta. RODERIC, Count of SAXE WEIMAR, a bloody tyrant, with red hair, and an amorous complexion. GASPAR, the minister of the Count—author of ROGERO’S confinement. YOUNG POTTINGEN, brother to MATILDA. MATILDA POTTINGEN, in love with ROGERO, and mother to CASIMERE’S children. CECILIA MÜCKENFELD, wife to CASIMERE. Landlady, Waiter, Grenadiers, Troubadours, &c., &c. PANTALOWSKY and BRITCHINDA, children of MATILDA, by CASIMERE. JOACHIM, JABEL, and AMARANTHA, children of MATILDA, by ROGERO. CHILDREN OF CASIMERE AND CECILIA, with their respective Nurses. SEVERAL CHILDREN—fathers and mothers unknown. _The Scene lies in the town of Weimar, and the neighbourhood of the Abbey of Quedlinburgh._