THE TOY-SHOP. Ar p. 104, Note, I have stated that the first edition T of Randolph's Poems was printed in 1638. This I had done on the authority of The Biogr. Dram. and of Egerton's Theatrical Remembrancer: but, since writing that, I have seen in a Catalogue of Books, just published by Mr. Combe, bookseller, at Leicester, amongst the 8vo. books,823 Randolph's Poems, with the Muses' Looking-glass, &c. 2s. 6d. 1618." This I sent for, but it was gone. I can, therefore, do nothing more than state the circumstance. At p. 100. I have mentioned that The Toy-Shop has been sometimes performed as a Mono-Drama. As it may be useful to theatrical persons, and also to others, to point out particularly how this may be done, I will here refer to such parts as may be introduced, together with the alterations and additions which may be necessary for the purpose. The Master would be discovered in his Toy-shop, as at p. 113; and, after the Soliloquy, as there given, might add, 66 66 But, methinks, I am preaching rather than attending to my shop. But why not do both at once? There "is nothing which will not, if rightly considered, afford (6 us a moral lesson. The contemplative mind, as our "great dramatic bard expresses it, "Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, "Thus, my Shop is my Chapel, and every piece of "Goods a different Text, from which I can expose the "mon. "Vices and Follies of Mankind in an allegorical SerI may be called a Preacher, indeed," &c. See p. 117, to the end of the speech. Then "Here is a LOOKING-GLASS, the finest," &c. See p. 114, and the Master's second speech upon it. Then "Here is a very diminutive piece of goods. This Box is a very great curiosity, being the least Box that ever 66 was seen in England. Yet, would you think it!" &c. See p. 115, to "hoard his money." Then "This very fine PERSPECTIVE GLASS, is a most useful "and diverting thing. The nature of the glass is this ;" &c. See p. 115, to the end of the speech. Then "Here is A DARK LANTERN. In this Lantern, indeed, there is light; but so shut up," &c. See p. 125. Note, first two paragraphs of the quotation from Bp. Hall. Then "Here is A MEMORANDUM BOOK, in the use of "which there are some general Rules," &c. See p. 119, to the end of the speech. Then "This PLAIN GOLD RING is the most awful piece "of goods in my shop. With this Man and Woman 66 are join'd together, become Husband and Wife, and are made happy or miserable for the rest of their days. "It is a desperate venture, to be sure," &c. See p. 123, to the end of the speech. Then 66 But a good Wife is the greatest blessing," &c. See p. 122, to the end of the speech. Then may be added, "In contemplating this blessed state, no wonder the Poet should break out in the following strain : "Domestic happiness, thou only bliss "Thou art not known where pleasure is ador'd, Cowper's TASK, B. 11. l. 41. "Here is a MASK-but the people of this Age," &c. See p. 123, to the end of the speech. Then "Here is a PAIR of SPECTACLES.. Through these all "the follies of youth," &c. See p. 125, to the end of that speech and the Master's next speech. Then "This PAIR OF SCALES is the very emblem of Justice; a Hair will turn them. I'll engage they shall justly "determine," &c. See p. 27. to the end of that speech and the Master's next speech. Then "I have, dispersed about in drawers and boxes, a variety of CURIOSITIES. Close corked up in a ThumbPhial," ," &c. See p. 129, to the end of the speech, and the next speech of the second lady, and add "and I be"lieve many a poor husband" to the end of that speech. Then "But the most valuable curiosity I have," &c. to the end of the speech. Then " And one would think "those Parents," &c. to the end of that speech. Then "But many are so entirely taken up," &c. to the end of the speech. Then "Thus I can sit behind my Counter, and indulge," &c. p. 132, to the end of the speech; and conclude with "Thus, in this thoughtless Age, I find a way, "In trifling Things just Morals to convey; "And would you guide your Lives and Actions right, "Think on the Maxims you have heard To-night.' THE END. At page 117, in the Note, I have suggested that Dr. Franklin's POOR RICHARD might be made into a MonoDrama, to constitute part of An Attic Evening's Entertainment, or it might be given in a regular theatre as an Interlude. As one object of these volumes is to furnish useful matter for theatrical persons, I shall insert it here, so modified, not doubting but that it will prove acceptable to my readers at large. The mixture of narrative and personation is certainly an imperfection in the piece; but it is by no means without precedent in compositions which have been spoken on the stage, in public speeches at schools, and on other occasions, as in the celebrated odes of Dryden and Pope, Gray's Bard, Col lins's Ode on the Passions, The Squeeze for St. Paul's by the younger Colman, The Camelion, by Merrick, &c. &c. POOR RICHARD's OR THE AUCTION ROOM. A MONO-DRAMA. TAKEN FROM DR. FRANKLIN. On the Stage is an Auctioneer's Pulpit, with a variety of Merchant's goods. The SPEAKER Enters and Addresses the Audience. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE Great Philosopher, Economist, and Politician, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, was for many years the Editor of an Almanack, published in Pensylvania, under the title of POOR RICHARD, in which he annually introduced some short sentences, or prudential Maxims for the conduct of life. At length, wishing to collect them into one point of view, he contrived the following story; which, as it has gone through innumerable editions, and been printed in a variety of forms in this kingdom, has been translated into several foreign languages, and has already interested, amused and instructed thousands in their own houses, it is hoped that it will not prove unacceptable to the company now assembled in this house.. I have heard (says the supposed author of the Almanack, Richard Saunders, or POOR RICHARD,) that nothing gives an author so great pleasure, as to find his works respectfully quoted by others. Judge, then, how much I must have been gratified by an incident I am going to relate to you. I stopped my horse lately, where a great number of people were collected, at an auction of merchant's goods. The hour of sale not being come, they were conversing on the badness of the times, and one of the company called to a plain clean Old Man, with white locks, Pray, neighbour Wiseman, what think you of the times? Will not these heavy taxes quite ruin the country? How shall we be ever able to pay them? What would you advise us to? Neighbour Wiseman stood up, and replied, If you would have my advice, I will give it to you in short, for "A word to the wise is enough," as Poor Richard says. They joined in desiring him to speak his mind, and gathering round him, he proceeded as follows: FRIENDS, says he, the taxes are indeed very heavy ; and if those laid on by government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them: but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the Commissioners cannot ease or deliver us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us; "God helps them "that help themselves," as Poor Richard says. 1. It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth part of their time, to be em |