But modern youths, with imitative sense, Deem taste in dress the proof of excellence; And spurn the meanness of your homespun arts, Since homespun habits would obscure their parts; Whilst all, which aims at splendour and parade, Must come from Europe, _and be ready made_. Strange! we should thus our native worth disclaim, And check the progress of our rising fame. Yet _one_, whilst imitation bears the sway, Aspires to nobler heights, and points the way. Be rous'd, my friends! his bold example view; Let your own Bards be proud to copy _you_! Should rigid critics reprobate our play, At least the patriotic heart will say, "Glorious our fall, since in a noble cause. The bold _attempt alone_ demands applause." Still may the wisdom of the Comic Muse Exalt your merits, or your faults accuse. But think not, 'tis her aim to be severe;-- We all are mortals, and as mortals err. If candour pleases, we are truly blest; Vice trembles, when compell'd to stand confess'd. Let not light Censure on your faults offend, Which aims not to expose them, but amend. Thus does our Author to your candour trust; Conscious, the _free_ are generous, as just. CHARACTERS _New-York._ _Maryland._ COL. MANLY, Mr. Henry. Mr. Hallam. DIMPLE, Mr. Hallam. Mr. Harper. VAN ROUGH, Mr. Morris. Mr. Morris. JESSAMY, Mr. Harper. Mr. Biddle. JONATHAN, Mr. Wignell. Mr. Wignell. CHARLOTTE, Mrs. Morris. Mrs. Morris. MARIA, Mrs. Harper. Mrs. Harper. LETITIA, Mrs. Kenna. Mrs. Williamson. JENNY, Miss Tuke. Miss W. Tuke. SERVANTS. SCENE, New-York. N.B. The lines marked with inverted commas, "thus", are omitted in the representation. THE CONTRAST ACT I. SCENE I. _An Apartment at CHARLOTTE'S._ _CHARLOTTE and LETITIA discovered._ LETITIA. And so, Charlotte, you really think the pocket-hoop unbecoming. CHARLOTTE. No, I don't say so: It may be very becoming to saunter round the house of a rainy day; to visit my grand-mamma, or to go to Quakers' meeting: but to swim in a minuet, with the eyes of fifty well-dressed beaux upon me, to trip it in the Mall, or walk on the Battery give me the luxurious, jaunty, flowing bell-hoop. It would have delighted you to have seen me the last evening, my charming girl! I was dangling o'er the battery with Billy Dimple; a knot of young fellows were upon the platform; as I passed them I faltered with one of the most bewitching false steps you ever saw, and then recovered myself with such a pretty confusion, flirting my hoop to discover a jet black shoe and brilliant buckle. Gad! how my little heart thrilled to hear the confused raptures of--"_Demme, Jack, what a delicate foot!_" "_Ha! General, what a well-turned--_"