The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 08 (of 12)Hazlitt, William
General
The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 08 (of 12)
Hazlitt, William
English essays -- 19th century
set in readiness to seize him on his entering a particular part of the
forest, to which he is enticed by Hubert, under pretence of leading him
to the spot where Gerald is concealed. Here they arrive just at the time
Floris, by appointment, meets his father Gerald. Woolmar falls into the
trap prepared for him, and is, with his principal confidant, Hemskirk,
secured. An explanation takes place, and Gerald resigning his
pretensions to his son, Floris, the Merchant is restored to the
possession of the earldom of Flanders, and Woolmar, the usurping Earl,
is banished for life.
SMILES AND TEARS
_The Examiner._
_December 24, 1815._
A new piece in five acts, called Smiles and Tears; or the Widow’s
Stratagem, has been produced, with very considerable success, at
Covent-Garden Theatre. The Dramatis Personæ are:
Mr. Fitzharding Mr. YOUNG.
Sir Henry Chomley Mr. C. KEMBLE.
Colonel O’Donolan Mr. JONES.
Mr. Stanley Mr. FAWCETT.
Mr. Delaval Mr. ABBOTT.
Lady Emily Mrs. C. KEMBLE.
Mrs. Belmore Mrs. FAUCIT.
Miss Fitzharding Miss FOOTE.
The plot is as follows: Lady Emily, a young widow supposed to possess
every amiable quality of body and mind, has for her intimate friend Mrs.
Belmore, who is also a widow, and engaged in a law-suit with Sir Henry
Chomley, by which she is likely to lose her whole fortune. Sir Henry has
by chance met Lady Emily at a masquerade, where he has become deeply
enamoured of her figure, wit, and vivacity, without having ever seen her
face; and having at length obtained information who she is, and where
she resides, writes to her, soliciting an interview, and declaring the
impression which her person and conversation had made on his heart. Lady
Emily being herself sincerely attached to Colonel O’Donolan, determines
to convert the passion of Sir Henry to the advantage of her friend Mrs.
Belmore; and as they have never seen each other, to introduce Mrs.
Belmore to Sir Henry as Lady Emily: but, aware that Mrs. Belmore will
not receive Sir Henry’s addresses, whom she regards as her enemy, on
account of the law-suit between them, she writes to Sir Henry that she
will admit his visits, but that it must, for particular reasons, be
under the assumed name of Grenville; and as Mr. Grenville, she prevails
on Mrs. Belmore to receive him in the name of Lady Emily, assigning as
her reason for this request, her fear of seeing him herself, lest the
Colonel’s jealousy should be excited. Several interviews take place
between Sir Henry and Mrs. Belmore, who conceive so warm an attachment
for each other, under their assumed characters, that when the widow’s
stratagem is discovered, they gladly agree to put an end to their
law-suit by a matrimonial union. The other, and the most afflicting part
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account