PR S/S7 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PR 5187 .P2 P64 Copy 1 PR-IOE IS OEIVTS. '^3^5 DE "WITT'S AnTT>TG- PLAYS. I jf Y (l^we»- 19^' p-) Kl^ the CAPTAI OF THE ffATCH. A COMEDIETTA, Ilsr OlSTE -A.CT. By J. R. PLANCHE. [FEEELY RENDERED FEOM THE FRENCH PIECE, ENTITLED, " LE CHEV- ALIER DU GUET, ' BY M. LOCKROY.] ■ AS PERFORMED AT COVENT GARDEN THEATRE, LONDON, IN 1841, TO WHICH ABE ADDED, A description ot the Costumes— Synopsis of the Piece— Cast ol the Characters —Entrances and Exits— Relative Positions of the Performers on the Stage, and the whole of the Stage Business. ROBERT M. DE WITT, PUBLISHER JVo. 33 Rose Street. i^nxr fTHE HUIVCHBACK. A Play. In Five Acts. By James Sheridan lkU» ^ Knowles. Price 15 cents. ItEA.I>Y. j THE XWIiM MS'rERS. A Comic Operetta. In One Act. By Al- '' fred B. Sedgwick. Price 15 cents. DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS. 5^° Please notice that nearly all the Comedies, Farces and Comediettas in the following ^ist ©/"Be Witt's Acting Plats" are very suitable for represeiitatiou in small Amateur Thea- tres and on Parlor Stages, as they need but little extHnsic aid from complicated scenery or expensixe costumes. They have attained their deserved popidarity by their droll situations^ excellent plots, great humor and brilliant dialogues, no less than by the fact that they are the most perfect in every respect of any edition of plays ever imblished either in the United States or Europe, whether as regards purity of the text, accuracy and fulness of stage directions and scenery, or elegance of typography and clearness of 2)rinting. *** ^>i ordering x>lcase copy the figures at the commencement of each 2iiece, which indicate the number of the inece in "De Witt's List op Acting Plays." Jt^= Any of the following Plays sent, j^osfage free, on receipt of price — 15 cents each. Address, ROBERT M. DE WITT, JVo. 33 Sose Street, JVew York. ^W" The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of Acts. The figures in the columns indicate the number of characters — K. male ; E. female. No. M r 75. Adrienne, drama, 3 acts i o 114. Anything for a Change, comedy, 13 3 167. Apple Blossoms, comedy, 3 acts. ... 7 3 93. Area Belle (The), farce, 1 act 3 2 40. Atchi, comedietta, 1 act 3 2 89. Aunt Charlotte's Maid, farce. 1 act. . 3 3 192. Game of Cards (A), comedietta, 13 1 166. Bardell vs. Pickwick, sketch, 1 act. 6 2 41. Beautiful Forever, farce, 1 act 2 3 141. Bells (The), drama, 3 acts 9 3 67. Birthplace of Podgers, farce, 1 act. . 7 36. Black Sheep, drama, 3 acts 7 160. Blow for Blow, drama, 4 acts 11 70. Bonnie Fish Wife, farce, 1 act 3 179- Breachof Promise,, drama, 2 acts.. 5 25. Broken-Hearted Club, comedietta, 1 4 24. Cabman, No. 93, farce, 1 act 2 1. Caste, comedy, 3 acts 5 3 69. Caus,ht by the Cuff, farce, 1 act 4 1 175. Cast" upon the World, drama, 5 acts. 10 5 55. Catharine Howard, historical play, 3 acts 12 5 80. Charming pair, farce, 1 act 4 6 65. Checkmate, comedy, 2 acts 6 5 68. Chevalier de St. George, drama, 3 9 3 76. Chops of the Channel, farce, 1 act. 3 2 149. Clouds, comedy, 4 acts 8 7 121. Comical Countess, farce, 1 act 3 1 107. Cupboard Love, farce, 1 act 2 1 152. Cupid's Eye-Glass, comedy, 1 act... 1 1 52. Cup of Tea, comedietta, 1 act 3 1 148. Cut off with a Shilling, comedietta, 1 act 2 1 113 CyrilPs Success, comedy, 5 acts — 10 4 199. Captain of the Watch (The), come- dietta, 1 act 20. Daddy Gray, drama, 3 acts 4. Dandelion's Dodges, farce, 1 act 22. David liarrick, comedy, 3 acts 96. Dearest Mamma, comedietta, 1 act, 16. Deaver than Life, drama, 3 acts 58. Deborah (Leah) drama, 3 acts 125. Deerfoot, farce. 1 act 71. Doing for the Best, drama, 2 acts. . 142. Dollars and Cents, comedy, 3 acts. . No. M. 21. Dreams, drama, 5 acts 6 186. Duchess de la Valliere, play, 5 acts. . 6 47. Easy Shaving, farce, 1 act 5 13). Everybody's Friend, comedy, 3 acts. 6 200. Estranged, an operetta, 1 act 2 103. Faust and Marguerite, drama, 3 acts, 9 9. Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials, interlude,''l act 4 128. Female Detective, drama, 3 acts.... 11 101. Fernande, drama, 3 acts 11 10 99. Fifth Wheel, comedy, 3 acts 10 2 145. First Love, comedy, 1 act 4 1 102. Foiled, drama. 4 acts 9 3 88. Founded on Facts, farce, 1 act . . .4 2 74. Garrick Fever, farce, 1 act 7 4 53. Gertrude's Money Bos, farce, 1 act. 4 2 73. Golden Fetter (Fettered), drama, 3 11 4 30. Goose with the Golden Eggs, farce, 1 act 5 3 131. Go to Putney, farce, 1 act. 4 3 28. Happv Pair, comedietta, 1 act 1 1 151. Hard Case (A), farce, 1 act 2 8. Henry Dunbar, drama, 4 acts 10 3 180. Henry the Fifth, historical play, 5 38 5 19. He's a Lunatic, farce, 1 act 3 2 60. Hidden Hand, drama, 4 acts 5 5 ! 187. His Own Enemy, farce, 1 act 4 1 i 174. Home, comedy, 3 acts 4 3 j 64. Household Fairy, sketch, 1 act 1 1 i 190. Hunting the Slipper, farce, 1 act 4 1 ; 191. High C, comedietta, 1 act 4 2 197. Hunchback (The), play, 5 acts 14 2 18. If I Had a Thousand a Year, farce, lact 4 3 116. I'm Not Mesilf at All, original Irish stew, 1 act 3 2 129. In for a Holiday, farce, 1 act 2 3 159. In the Wrong House, farce, 1 act. . . 4 2 122. Isabella Orsiiii, drama, 4 acts 11 4 177. I Shall Invite the Major, comedy, 14 1 100. Jack Long, drama, 2 acts 9 2 139. Joy is Dangerous, comedy, 2 acts. . . 3 3 17. Kind to a Fault, comedy, 2 acts 6 4 86. Lady of Lyons, play, 5 acts 12 5 72. Lame Excuse, farce, 1 act 4 2 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. IN ONE ACT, BY jr R" PLAXCHE. [feeely eendeeed feom the feench piece, entitled, "le chevaliee DU guet," by m. lockeoy.] AS PEEFORMED AT CO VENT GARDEN THEATRE, LONDON, IN 1841. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUMES — CAST OF THE CHARACTERS — EN- TRANCES AND EXITS — RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PER- FORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS. NEW YORK; ROBERT M. DE WITT, PlfBLISHER, No. 33 Rose Stbeet. (BETWEEN DUANE AND FRANKFORT 8TBEETS.) COPTBIOHT, 1870, 8V BOBEBZ M. Ds WlT^. 2 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. CAST OF CHARACTERS. Covent Garden, Olympic, New WallacJc's, New York, London, 1S41. York, 1&13. March 28, 1870. Viscount de Ligny. .Mr. C. Mathews. Mr. Walcot. Mr. Lester Wallack. Baron Vanderpotter.Mr. Bartley. Mr. Nickinson. Mr. John Gilbert. Adolf de Courtray . Mr. James Vining. Mr. Clarke. Mr. E. M. Holland. Officer of the Watch. Mr. Collett. Mr. Barnett. Mr. J. Peck. Louis Mr. Ireland. Mr. Bleecker. Pierre Mr. Gardiner. Mr. Rae. Q -> S ^Ii"- BiRT. ( Mr. Rosenthal. ^ Mr. Butler. ^ Mr. McKean. Kristina Mrs. Walter Lacy. Mrs. Mossop. Miss Geraldine Maye. Katryn Mrs. Humby. Mrs. Timm. Miss Effie Germon. TIME IN REPRESENTATION— ONE HOUR AND TEN MINUTES. SCENERY. SCENE /.—A handsomely laid out garden in third grooves. High brick wall at c F. ... I Door. I 3 K. E. 3 L. E. 2 r. e. Garden seat. 1 B. E. Handsome porch and 2 l. e. steps leading to house, li. c. 1 L. E. li. back with practicable door in c. A rustic seat between 2 r. e. and 3 r. e., about R. c, on which are placed two battledores and one shuttlecock ; between 1 l e. and 2 l. e. stone steps, practicable, leading into a stately porch. SCENE II.— A front chamber. On the l. a chimney-piece ; on the r. a door leading to Kristina's apartment. In f. a door opening on a gallery ; in e. c, F. a door ; another door to the l., either in first or upper entrance. I Door. I 1 Door. | 3 K. E. , ^ 3 L.E. Chimney-piece. 2 R. E. 2l. e. Door. 1 u. Door. 1 L. E. COSTUMES. Captain op the W^atch.— Drab jacket and trunks ; slouched hat, turned up at the side, with feather ; white neckcloth ; sash and sword ; large black boots ; and gauntlets. THE CAPTAIN OP THE WATCH. 3 Baron.— Sqnare-cnt brown coat with loose sleeves, trimmed with black ; full trunks ; high riding boots ; hat and feather ; baldric and sword. Adolf.— Square-cut red coat ; full trunks ; white neckcloth ; hat and feather ; baldric and sword ; high boots. Officer. — Same style as Captain op the Watch, but plainer, Louis and Pierre.— Old-fashioned liveries of the period. Officers. — Flemish uniforms. Kristina.— White satin dress, with red over-train ; white satin shoes, and pow- dered hair. Katryn.- Tucked-up old-fashioned chambermaid's dress, and high-heeled shoes. PROPERTIES. Two battledores and one shuttlecock ; candlestick and lighted candle for Ka- TRiNA, in Scene II. ; candlestick and lighted candle for Baron, in Scene II. ; pis- tol for Baron in Scene II. ; decanter of wine, two wine-glasses, and plate of wine biscuits ; dispatch for Captain ; official report for Officer, SYNOPSIS. The incidents of this ever-popular piece take place in Brussels, about the era of the French regency— corresponding very nearly in extravagant and fanciful in- trigues v.ith thiit of tile Merry Monarch in England. It is necessary to point to this fact in order to fully realize the likelihood of the strange tangle of events that serve to draw out the cool daring and bland nonchalance of the principal figure. Now to our story. Kristina, the lovely niece of the old Baron Vanderpotter, has secretly pledged lier troth to the handsome, brave, but impetuous Adolf de CouRTRAY, an officer of tlie Walloon Guards ; but, as usual, the course of true love doesn't run smooth. The Baron is averse to the matcli, although he has never seen Adolf. It is approaching sunset, and Kristina is amusing herself in the garden, which is enclosed in pretty high walls. Iler maid, Katryn, taking up a battledore from a garden seat, knocks the shuttlecock over the enclosure, and tell- ing her young mistress that she had better run out for it, or "we shall lose it." "No, you won't ; here it is !" is the response, and looking up they see Adolf mounted on the crest of the wall with it in his hand. In spite of Kristina's warning, he leaps down into the garden. He explains that he had heard, at his quarters in Louvain, that the Baron was about to sell his house and remove he (Adolf) knew not where. So he leaped into the saddle, rode like the wind, his horse falling exhausted under him ; hastened to their house, and met the confirma- tion of his direst fears, in the shape of a bill : " TIds house to be sold, and irnmedi- ale possession.^'' At the moment the shuttlecock flew over the wall, and struck him on the nose. Kristina expostulates with him— that his rashness will incense his colonel, and get him into serious trouble. He replies that he is already in trouble, and that his superior has threatened to have a description of him sent to the Cap- tain of the Watch, and have him dragged to jail, and exposed to the whole city. Kristina begs of Adolf to go— saying that his imprudence will break oil the match, if her uncle returns and finds him there — and she runs into tlie hous!>. Adolf then tells Katryn that he must see Kristina, as his regiment is ordered to l:ic frontier, and he may never see her again. Katryn then tells him she will ar- range it, so that if he comes after nine — when the Baron has gone to play his favorite game with the Governor — she will leave the garden gate open, and he can come in. Just then the gate opens, and Viscount de Ligny, Captain of the Watch of the City of Brussels, enters. Adolf is not at all pleased at the interruptioii— not half liking the Captain's elegant appearance and easy, gentlemanly manners. The Captain accounts for his presence by saying that he wished to inquire about the house. Katryn withdraws into the house, after telling Adolf that unless he leaves the garden the door will be locked at nine o'clock. Adolf hints that he \i 4: THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. not satisfied with the Captain's explanation ; when the latter asks him if he will please explain what he is doing in the garden. This nonplusses the young lover. The Captain naively informs Adolf that whenever he gives explanations he always invents them. At length Adolf leaves, satisfied that the Captain's reasons for being there are honorable. And the Captain is about to leave "to meet the Marchioness," when Katryn runs in to say that the Bakon is coming ; but the officer says he can't wait, and goes off, muttering that he will surprise " the dear Marchioness." Katryn locks the door after him ; then instantl}^ unlocks it again, and the garden is left tenantless as the darkness increases. Suddenly the Captain op the Watch noiselessly enters. He langhs quietly at the droll idea of the nar- row escape he had just had of being arrested by his own soldiers ; and determines to lie perdu until the hunt is over. The Baron comes in, expressing his aston- ishment that Katryn had left the door unlocked. Groping around in the dark, the Captain bumps up against the Baron. They draw their swords ; but the very darkness prevents their using them. The Baron demands an explanation as to the meaning of the other's presence in his garden. To which request the Cap- tain responds by narrating a tissue of the most astounding Munchausenisms that a fertile brain ever imagined ; the basis of the story being that he had slain the seducer of his sister, and was fleeing from retribution. The Baron believes him, and offers him refuge till the hue and cry is over. Then follow scenes of the rarest comedy— curious complexities and combinations. Adolf comes into the garden, and in the dark the Baron, mistaking him for the Captain, leads him into the house and conceals him ; while Katryn, taking the Captain for Adolf, leads him to see her lady. The unweaving of this tangled web is as full of laughable interest as tee weaving of it ; and the piece ends with the Baron giving his con- sent to the union of Kristina and Adolf ; while the Captain gives the Baron to understand that he will favor his suit with " the dear Marchioness." GENERAL REMARKS. The Caj)tain of the Watch is never produced with even a cast of medium ability without giving satisfaction ; but with performers of talent in all the characters it keeps an audience in a state of merr}^ effervescence from the first line to the last. The plot is at once simple and ingenious ; the situations are exceedingly droll, yet never unlikely ; the characters nicely discriminated, and cleverly contrasted, and the winding up very prettily managed. The character of the Viscount de Ligny (the Captain of the Watch) has always been a favorite one with the leading light comedians during the past thirty years ; while Baron Vanderpotter has been personated successfully by the best " old men " on the boards. Many of the finest amateur companies have also often performed this piece very acceptably. Although, as we have said, this charming comedietta has been very often plaj'ed, and fre- quently by companies of undeniable merit — including in their ranks sucli perform- ers as appear in the various casts which precede this— yet we are convinced that it has never been produced with greater perfection in all respects than at " Wallack's" Theatre, New York, during the season of 1875-6. Mr. John Gilbert as the Baron Vanderpotter v.as inimitable as the irritable, fussy, passionate, yet good-hearted and honorable old nobleman ; Mr. E. M. Holland presented in a very pleasing style the ardent and accomplished cavalier, Adolf de Coitrtray- brimful of love, and martial fire, and courtesy ; while Lester Wallack graced the stage by his pres- ence as le beau sabreiir, the Captain of the Watch — the type of the gay gallant of the gayest and most gallaut epoch of the world's history— equally ready for offence or defence with tongue and sword; and "thus he plays his part." Kristina found a charming representative in Miss Geraldine Maye, and the plump, pretty, dimpled, roguish-looking Epfie Germon appeared bom on purpose to personate the mischievous Katryn. In costume, scenery, and all other appointments the piece was produced faultlessly at Wallack's. THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. SCENE I. — A garden. — At the back, a wall with a small door in it. — A seat, on which are two battledores and a shuttlecock. Enter Kristina, l., and Katryn, r., meeting. Krist. Well, Katryn, has my uncle gone out 1 Kat. No, he has changed his mind. He says it's too late to go out this eveninof. Kaisr. Which means, that he would rather stay at Brussels, and play at primero with the Governor; he is as fond of that game- Kat. As we are of this, {taking one of the battledores) Will you play, mamselle ? Krist. No, I'm tired of it. Kat. Wliicli means, that you have found some more agreeable occu- pation. KiusT. Hold your tongue, Katryn. I know what you were going to say ; and you know I have forbidden you to speak of him. Kat Oil, certainly, mamselle — I'm dumb. KiusT. Give me a battledore — I will play. Kat. There, njamselle ! Krist. Poor young man ! I shall never see him again. Kat. /didn't mention him then, mamselle. Krist. No — no, Katryn — I know you didn't — and I didn't mean — but I was thinking of sometiiing else — and so — and so — (playing with the shuttlecock by herself, she knocks it over the icall—an exclamation is heard wit/tout) Oli, mercy, Katiynl I've sent the shuttlecock over the wall ; and I do believe it has fallen on somebody's head. Kat. fcliall I run out for it, mamselie'? Krist. Oh, no, no Kat. But then we shall lose it ! Adolf appearing on the loall icith the shuttlecock in his hand. Adolf. No you won't ; here it is. Kuisr. Adolf Ka r. The very man. KiasT. Get down, directly. Adolf. Certainly, (preparing to jump.) Krist. No, no, no, not on this side. (Jie stands up) Oh, dear ! oh, dear! if you should be seen. 6 THE CAPTAIN OV THE WATCH. Kat. Don't stand there, at any rate. Adolf. I won't, [jumjos into the garden) KiiisT There, now ! tliat's your doing, Katryn. What will become of nie ! Ka 1'. Would you have had the young man stick on the \vall like a broken gUiss bottle? {opens door.) Apolf Paidon me, dearest Kristina, I am half distracted; I heard that your uncle was about to sell this house, and remove no one knew whither. Immediately on the receipt of this intelligence, I left Lou- vain, galloped hither like a madman — my horse fell dead as I entered the city Krist. Poor Adolf! Kat. Poor horse, you mean. Adolf. On arriving here, I saw a horrid board stuck against the gate, confirming the news of your intended removal : " This house to he sold, irith immediate possession.''' The door was fastened — you might have already departed — I was in a paroxysm of despair, when this pre- cious shuttlecock, like a descending angel, came pat on my nose, and announced the presence of my beloved. Kat. Affecting incident ! Krist., Distressing situation. If my uncle — if your colonel Adolf. Oii, my colonel and I are at daggers-drawn already. My re- peated visits, private and without leave, have been made known to him. He has ihieatened me with all sorts of punishment — vowed to send a descrii)tion of me to the Captain of the Watch, and have me dragged to jail here, and exposed to the whole city. You may not believe it, but I am at this moment actually under arrest at Louvain. KuiST, Would to goodness you were. This imprudence will ruin everything. You know the express condition on which my uncle pro- mised his consent was, that we should neither meet nor correspond until he had leceived a satisfactory account of you from tiie friends iie had commissioned to make inquiries as to your family prospects. Should he discover that you have broken that condition not only once, but twenty times Adolf. Tell me only, then Krist. I will tell you nothing here — begone this moment! Katryn shall write to you.. Kat. Yes ! yes, sir, 111 write to you ; but go now directly. Adolf. But that won't do, because Kat. It must do, and you must go. Adolf (to Kristina). But hear me- KuiST. I will h>nir nothing. Cruel Adolf, you want my uncle to see you, and break olfthc nuitch, you do. Adolf. But one woid Krist. Not a syhable. Nay, if you won't go, I must, (runs out.) Adolf. Kristina! 1 1 is Uiost important. Katryn. what must 1 do 1 Kat. Don t 1 keep telhng you, sir, y«>u niu.'-t aying no attention to you; but as you seem particu- larly in earnest this evening. I suppose lam to obey you; and theie- fore, I will lock the door, and tell the gaidener to let loose the gieat dog ; and then you can go to bed with the comfortable assurance that you will never see or hear of Lieutenant Adolf again. Krist. AVhat do you mean. Katryn ? Kat. I mean, that the poor young gentleman's regiment is under marching orders, and that if you do not grant him an interview to- night, he has sworn a honible oath, either to bow his brains out him- self, or get the enemy to do it for him the very first opportunity. Krisi. Under marching orders? Kat. Thev move to-morrow; Fate knows where, (noise icithout, hack of F.) Krist. Hark' What noise is thaf? Kat. Some disturbance at the end of the street, {runs todoor) lean see the lights of the town watch in the distance. Krist. A drunken quarrel, no doubt ; let us go into the house, Katryn. Kat And lock the gate, mamselle 1 Kkist. No; if the walcli are close at band, there can be no danger; and it might drive poor Adolf 10 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. Kat. To climb over the wall again ; so we'll leave the gate on the latch for. the present. Krist. 1 am going to ray own room, Katryn. Kat. And I to tell the gardener not to let loose the great dog till master comes home again. [ExeuRt separately. — Noise again, nearer. The door is opened suddenly, and the Captain ok the Watch enters. Capt. Lucky chance, a gate on the latch ; 'sdeatli, if they had cau;iht me ! The Captain of the Watch arrested hy the watch ; a plt^a- sant anecdote for the gossips of Brussels. Ila ! ha ! 1 cant iielp laugh- ing at the notion myself, upon my soul. It was almost a pity to spoil so good a joke. But then, my office, and what's more, my salary, would be in jeopardy. Besides, the fair Marchioness ! my capture might have compromised her. Who the deuce is my rival, I wonder 1 1 should like to Ixuow the gentleman whose unexpected visit compelled me, for the lady's sake, to rislv my neck by jumping from a second floor window, and my reputation, by a scuffle with my own unconscious satellites. Is he a young man wliose impetuous spirit she dreads, or an old one, whose wealthy purse she has designs on ! 1 suspect the latter, by some hints she dropped. Young or old, however, whoever he is, his ariival was confounded raal-apropos. How the plague am I to get home without discovery 1 ray fellows are on the qui viee at both ends of the street. I must take my chance of lying close here till they give up the chase. The Bauon opens the garden gate and enters, unheard hy Captain. Bar. {aside, as he enters). How's this 1 the gate on the latch ? That careless Katryn, when 1 j)articularly ordered her to lock it after me ! bhe shall hear of this, and soundly ; I ara just in the temper to fall foul of anybody. The Marchioness ill — gone to bed — not to be seen — pro- voking ! .CAPr. (aside). Where can I have got to 1 The night is so dark, and I was so confoundedly hard pressed, that I'll be hanged if I know even the street. There are trees here; it must be some garden to a detached house, {feeling about.) Bar. {aside). Eh! Don't I hear somebody moving about 7 {ad- vdnces and runs against Captaix) Hullo ! Who's there 1 Capt. (aside). Zound.'* ! Bar. Who's there? Speak, or I'll run you through the body. Capt. {aside, and drawing). The devil you will! (aloud) Don't be alarmed, it s only a friend. Bar a friend! What friend 1 Whose friend 1 Capt. Everybody's, a friend of the human race. Don't make a noise. Bar. Don't make a noise ! I will make a noise, if you don't im- mediately declare Capt. I declare I won't do anything, if you make a disturbance. I give you fair notice that ray sword is drawn, and you may run against it in the dark. Just let me find the way out, and Bar Out, sir! you don't-budge a foot till I know who yoxx are, and what business you have in my garden at this hour ! Capt. In your garden 1 Adzooks ! the master of the house ! Ten thousand [)ardons, whoever you are, and accept my most grateful thanks for the ])rotection j'our hospitable walls have afforded me. Bar. Confound your politeness, sir ! Answer my question, or I'll call tho watch ; they are ifi the street Capt. Don't think of such a thitig, sir. On (lie contrary, as you are THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 11 the master of this place, I trust to be still further indebted to your generosity. Bar Confound your impudence, sir ! answer me directly, what seek you here I Caft. An asylum. I am the victim of circumstances, (aside) I must say someLliiiiii, but I'll be handed if I know what, (aloud) Listen, sir, and I will conlide to you tlie fatal secret. Tliat is, as soon as my agita- tion will ])eiinit, {amie) and I can think of one that will do. Bar. Proceed, or Til call the watch. CAPr, Sir, I be.seech you to be calm— I have the strongest reasons foi' wishing to remain concealed. Bar. I've no doubt. Capt. Hear me, sir. I presume I am speaking to a man of honor. Bar. I should be glad to i)resume as much on mv part. CAPr. You shall be satisfied instantly. 1 am the youngest branch of an ancient Flemish family — my name is — {aside) Plague take me if I can think of a name ! Bar. Well, well. Capt. But may I depend upon your secresy 1 Bar. If you tell me directly, not else. Capt. Well, then, my name is Ctesar de Cortenberg. Bar. De Cortenberg ! Capt. Yes, sir. I am the last of that noble house ; left alone in the world, I lived on my i)atrinionial estate near Tournay, retired from the world, occupied only with the care of my garden, cultivating tulii)s. Bar. Rot your tulips ! Tell me at once, what brought you here. Capt. I am coming to that, sir, innnodiately. A letter, a fatal letter, reached me, sir, in that j)eaceful paradise, from my sister. Bar. Your sister ! you said you were the last of your family — left alone in the world. Capt. {aside). Did 1 1 {aloud) So I did, sir, and so I am, sir — the last male. My sister, sir, my only sister, had taken the veil in the Ur- suline Convent, at St. Omer's, so that I was, you see, left alone in the world. Bar. Well, well, go on. Capt. Pardon me, sir, my emotion overcomes me. {aside) I am at a dead lock, 1 declare ! (aloud) Where was 1 1 Bai{. You had a letter from your sister. Capt Ah, yes I That letter ! that horrible letter ! A wretch — a mon- ster in the luunan shape — an infamous seducer, whose name, respect for his noble family compels me to suppress, even to you, my benefac- tor. This villain, sir, had lured my unfortunate sister from her pious retreat, had carried her off to this city, and then deserted her — left her to perish — Oh, sir ! allow my silent tears to flow unchecked. Bar. Poor young man, ])oor young man ! this is indeed a sad story. Capt. I felt assured ycm would symjiathise with me. Bar. I do, I do ; but I am still anxious to know - Capt. How I came into your garden, sir — of course — it is but natu- ral you should be— I am couiin {aside to each other.) Krist. In either case, there will be murder. \ THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 15 Kat. Oil, sir ! Was it a young gentleman or an old gentleman 1 Capt. Upon my honor, I can't say I but I slioukl fancy the latter; evidently the master of the iiouse. Kat. Then it was your uncle, and we are all ruined ! Capt. \r(sule). Oh. there's an uncle theij Kkist. If lie has seen Adolf! Capt. Adolf! Ah! that must be the young gentleman whose place I liave taken. Kat. There's somebody coming uj) stairs. Kkist. What will become of us ! Kai. It's the Baron, and somebody with him Capt. Whom he has taken, no doubt, U>v me. Tlie most amusing ad- vonlure ! Kat. Amusing! We shall be murdeied, I .ell you ! (apt. Nonsense! Let us hide and listen. I'll go in here. Kui.«;t. No, no, sir ! that's my room. Capt. So much the better, no one will think of looking for me in it! (runs in, l ) Krist. I am lost ! Oh, Katryn ! this is your doing. Kat. It cant be helped now. They are coining! Hush: Ilush ! (Katkvn blotcs out the candle — they hide thcmsehes.) Enter the Bxuoy, feel in f/ his iray, and leading Auolf. Bau. {as he enters). One step at the door; there, now we're all right again, and now I'll lock this door and then you are safe. Adolf {aside,. Safe! What the devil dors he mean? Does he know who 1 am, or not? Bar. Rest assured, sir, that to-morrow not a soul shall guess what has become of you. Anoi F {aside). Zounds t Is he going to make away with me ! The vindictive old monster! {aloud, and icithdraiting his arm from the Baron) Stay, sir; I must request Bar Hush ! silence ! This way. Adolf. No, I'll not move a step further. I am armed ! Bar. I know you are ; but it's of no consequence, now you are once in here. Adolf (aside). An infernal ambush ! a trap laid for me ! That traitress Katryn ! [edoud) At least, I will not yield tamely : Bau. My dear sir, be calm. You are in no danger in this liouse, I pledgeyou my honor. I am not surprised at your excitability, after what has occurred. But pray be silent at present, for your own sake, and follow me gently. Adolf (aside). What mystery is this 1 Bau. Go into this room ; don't stir out till I bring you a light, and then well settle what's to be done, {opens l. door and puts him in.) Adolf {aside). I am bewildered quite! Bar. 1 should have of^t a light at first; it would have saved time. [Exit Barox, c. d. — Kristina and Katryn advance. Kkist. It teas Adoif ! I heard his voice ! Kat And your uncle, then, knows all Krist. U;iIpss he has taken Adolf for the stranger, which I think he Ikis done. Kat. We must get the stranger out, then, directly. K-asT. Yes, yes, immediately. Open the door softly, while I call him. 16 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. Kat. {iclio has tried the door, l.;. Oh, mercy, maraselle ! it's locked, and the key gone ; your uncle has taken it. Krist. What shall we do y what shall we do? Think of something, dear Katryn. If he should be found in my room, by either my uncle or Adolf Kat. Ask him to be so kind as to jump out of the window. Krist. Oh! he'd never risk it; it's too high, and in the dark he'd break his neck or his limbs, and then all must be discovered. Kat. Here's the Baron with a light ! Run, run ! Krist. Where 1 Where 1 Kat. Into your own room. Krist. Where the man is ] No, no ! Kat. Never mind the man ; I'll go with you. Quick ! quick ! {runs to room door) Ah ! Krist. What's the matter 1 Kat. He's locked himself in. Sir, sir ! open the door ! Krist. Hush ! here's my uncle 1 Enter Baron, with a lighted candle. Bar. Holloa! Who's there ? {aside) Kristina ! Katryn! Provoking! KuisT. It's only us, uncle ! Kat. No, it's only us, sir ! Bar. Only us I only us ! Why aren't you in bed, both of you % Kat. In bed ! Law, sir ! Why, it's only just gone ten. Krist. We were thinking of it, uncle — but Kat. But hearing you just come in, sir, my young lady thought she'd just stop and say good-night, sir. Krist. Yes, that's all, uncle, {aside) Oh, dear ! he looks as if he suspects something. Bau. {aside). They look as if they .'juspect something. Can they have seen me enter with young Csesar de Valkenberg 1 I wouldn't have had it happen for all the world ! Kkist. Wasn't the Governor at home, sir, that you came back so soon 1 Bar. Yes — no — that is — I had my reasons for returning, and I don't choose to be questioned. Go to bed — good-night ! Krist. Yes, sir, certainly, {aside to Katrina) What shall I do now % Kat. I'm at my wit's end. Bar. Well, why the deuce don't you go, when I tell you, both of you \ Do you want me to open the door for you 1 Krist. No, sir, no Kat. Aren't you going to bed yourself, sir ? Bar. What's that to you, hussy ] Get you gone, do. What are you waiting for, eh 1 Kat, A— a light, if you please, sir. Bar. a light I Why, zounds! were you both in the dark, then % Kat. The candle blew out with the whiff of the door, sir, just as you came in. Bar. Well, then, there; take a light and begone. Kat. Yes, sir — but if you please sir, you've locked the door, sir. Bar. Oh, ay, true! so I have ; well, there, then; now away with you! Kat. {aside to Kristina). I'll run down to the garden, and call to the gentleman to unlock your door, and then jump out of the window. Bar. What are you whispering about there?' Get along with you, do ! [Exit Katryn, l. THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 17 Krist. (aside). Now comes my turn. Bar. Well, now you want a light, I suppose? Here, take this, and light the candles in your own room. What is the matter with the girl 1 Kristina, you tremble, and look pale, agitated ! Krist. No, indeed, uncle. No — 1 only Bar. (aside). She is confused, very much confused ; there can be no doubt she does suspect. Shall I ti ust her ] I've a great mind ; and yet, it's an awkward secret for a girl of her age. It can't be helped — I'd better trust her— I will ! {aloud) Kri:5tina I Krist. Yes, uncle! Bar. [aside). No, no, I won't trust her. Enter ADOLP,fro7n door, l. Adolf. T can bear this no longer ! Krist. Heavens ! Bar {running to him). Rash young man ! What have you done ? Adolf. It matters not — come what may, sir — let everything be ex- plained ! Bar. It must now — concealment is no longer possible. Kristina, my love ! you see this young man, his life is in danger. Krist. His life ! Adolf. My life ! It is threatened, then 1 but I am armed. Bar. Armed — pshaw! So you said before; but what will your sword do against the sword of justice ? Krist. Of justice ! Bar. If that wretclied man be dead— if the blow that has avenged Louise proved fatal — as you yourself believe, I, even I, am compro- mised. Yes, young man, I feel that I am an accessory after the fact — ray niece, here, whom you see before you, she may be accused of aid- ing and abetting, for we must trust her now ; but you will be secret, Kristina, for your own sake, if not for that of this unfortunate young gentleman. The most affecting story, the most tragical event — a daugh- ter of the house of Cortenberg de Valkenberg — you shall know all in the morning — but now, the first thins is to secure him against surprise. [goes and locks the door again by which Katryx lias gone out.) Adolf {aside to Kristina). Is he mad ? What does he mean 1 Krist. {aside). I don't know ; but pray don't contradict him. Bar. Now follow me — (^^> Kristina) and do you go to bed. Stay ! bless my soul ! it quite escaped me — [to Adolf) you require food, most likely, as well as rest ; I see you do. Here. Kristina, go yourself down stairs, don't call Katryn — don't wake anybody — go gently, and bring us any cold meat and bread and so forth that you can find, and a bottle of wine ; here are the keys ; I'll unlock this door for you ; no words — go, quick ! Krist. {aside). How will this end? [Exit Kias-rw a, Ij, Adolf [aside). I'm completely puzzled. Bar. And now, my young friend, we'll see if we can make you com- fortable for to-night, and to-morrow I will endeavor to ascertain what has become of your sister, {seeing the Captain's ?iat on the table) Here, take your hat, and come with me. Adolf. My hat! I've got my hat. Bar. Oh ! I beg your pardon ; I'm so bewildered, {goes to put it on kis own head, and finds his own hat is on it already). Hey 1 how's this ? I've got mine on ; it must be your hat ! Adolf. No ; here's mine, in my hand. Bar. Why, then, whose hat is this ? 18 THE CAPTAINS OF THE WATCH. Adolf. How can I possibly tell. You best know who is here in the linns^\ BaPw. In the house ! There's nobody whom such a liat as this — eh, zounds ! now I think — Kristina's confusion — can it be possible— (r?//i- ning to Kristina's dooi\ k.) Fast, as I live — locked, antl the key in- side. Fire and fury ! it must be so ; sir, there's a man in this room, in my niece's room ! Adoi.f. a man ! Bar. {at the door) Open the door, open the door ! Adolf. Sir, sir, you cannot mean what you say ; you cannot, sure-y, suspect — accuse your niece? Bar. I do ; I tell you, I do; there's a man hidden in her room; here's his hat, and he lias locked himself in. Adolf. Be calm, sir, it is impossible. Bar. Don't tell me of being calm, sir ; I know it is not impossible • I kiiow who it is, sir. Adolf. You do ! AVho, who 1 Bar. a man I thought more worthy of ray esteem, but who has de- ceived me. It is not the first time he has been here 1 Adolf. How'? Bar. I feel assured of it. I have never seen him, we have never met; but I am now convinced she has been in the habit of receiving him in my absence. Adolf. Impossible ! Bar. Not at all ; for she loves him. Adolf. I tell you, it's impossible. Bar. And I tell you, she doats upon him. Adolf. Perfidious creaLure ! Bar. Ay, so she is 1 Hypocritical, treacherous girl ! I see, sir, you feel for me, as I have felt for you ; but I will show you, sir, that the Cortenberg de Valkenbergs are not the only family that know how to prize their honor. Adolf. Hold, sir; I insist upon punishing this seducer. Bar. No, I cannot consent ; in your situation Adolf. But I am resolved — he shall not escape. Bar. Good young man ! Adolf. I will have him out Bar. Noble young man ! Adolf. And slay him on the spot! Bar. Excellent young man! Well, be it so; do you guard this door; I will down into the garden, to see that he does not escape out of the window. I'll call up the servants, I'll loose the great dog. Oh ! my dear young friend, little did I think you would so soon return your obligations to me. [Exit c. Adolf. Now, sir, {at the door) I am alone, open the door ; open the door, I say, if you are not a coward ! The Captain opens the door and enters, r. 'Sdeath, it is a man ! and the very man I saw in the garden this even- ing. So, then, my suspicions were well founded ! Capt. The very gentleman I expected to see. Have you bought the house, sir 1 Adolf. No fooling ! You must be aware, sir, that the man who comes out of that chamber at such an hour, must account to me for his happiness or his audacity. THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 19 Capt. I should be delighted to pay for my happiness ; but I'm afraid, in this case, it would not ruin me. Adolf. I have no time to bandy words, sir ; draw, and defend your- self. Capt. Cei'tainly — one moment Adolf. Where are you soins 1 Capt. Only to call the uncle, {approaching door, l.) Adolf Sir, you shall answer to me, and not to Jiim ! Capt. With all my heart. But peiijaps, when the good gentleman shall find that it was ?»^Mvhom he left in the garden, and th.ii it was you whom he found there on his return ; that his generous champion is the clandestine visitor of the young lady, and tliat 1 am here by his own invitation, he may be inclineiiig out of the window in order to oblige the lady's maid, who was makinu siijnals of distress to me from the garden; but having risked my neck from the second floor of a house (mce before this evening, I l)referred availing myself of your polite invitation. Adolf. You give me your honor, then, sir 1 Capt. I do, to continue your representative; it is a much easier task, t fancy, than you have undertaken. You must continue the romance of Louise de Valkenberg de Cortenberg — hang me if 1 can help you out there for I have almost forgotten what I had invented already. E/iter the Bab.o^ uith a pistol, followed &y Gardener a/itZ Servant, armed. Bar. Ha ! there he is. 20 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. C^PT. (aside to Adolf). Who is this gentleman! AnoLF. The uncle, Baron Vandeipotter. Capt. Oh! {bows to him very politely,) Bar. He bows to me; impudence unparalelled ! (aside to Adolf) You have not fought 1 Adolf. No — I Bar. I am glad of it. Leave us, my dear friend, for a few minutes; don't be alarmed, I mean no violence ; I have made up my mind, (to Servants) Retire till I call you._ [Servants retire. Enter Kristina, with wine, etc. Krist. Here's the wine and — [seeing the Captain) Ah ! Capt. {seeing she is about to let the things fall). Permit me, mamselle t Bar. {angrily). Sir! Capt. Sir ! did you not see the young lady was so agitated 1 she had nearly dropped the salver, with everything upon it. Bar. What's that to you, sir ? {to Adolf) Leave us, my good friend. {to Kristina) Kristina, stay you there. Adolf {««ide ^<> Kristina). Don't speak a word; be dumb, whatever is said to you or we are lost ! [Exit, l. Bar. Unworthy girl, well may you tremble! Look upon your part- ner in iniquity, who awaits with equal agitation, the sentence that — {turns and sees the Captain, who is dipping a biscuit in a glass of wine) Wliat the devil aie you about, sir ? Capt. Listening to you, sir, with the greatest respect. Bar. Sir! Do you know that, in the first transports of my fury, I had determined to kill you I Capt. Indeed ! Bar. I have renounced tliat intention. Capt. You have done very right. Bar. Yes, happily for you, I have had time to reflect, and to feel that the iionor of my family would not be satisfied by so barren a ven- geance. Sir, you shall marry my niece. Capt. Tiie deuce 1 shall ! [aside) Here's a new incident. Krist. And I must not say a word ! Bar. Do not hope, however, that I shall forgive either of you. No, as long as I live, I never will. But the man who has been surprised in her chamber cannot refuse to make that reparation. Sir, you shall marry her ! Caht. Permit me one moment Bar. Sir, consent to marry her instantly, or I'll blow your brains out. Capt. My dear sir, under such circumstances, I couldn't hesitate for a moment. Bah. Enough! You hear Kristina Capt. {aside). She hears — j'es, and egad, she doesn't say no. Bap. You shall be married to-morrow morning — no feasting — no friends — privately and suddenly — and the moment the ceremony is over you shall quit this house, never to enter it more. Capt. Together, of course Bar. Of course ! Capt. {aside). And she doesn't say no. {aloud) Sir, I am delighted with this arrangement; but I should like to hear what the young lady has to say on the subject. Bar. Sir, she has nothing to say — my will is law — she has but to obey in silence, {retires up.) THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 21 Capt. (aside). And, egad, she seems inclined to do so. Well, this is the most whimsical affair — but it isn't my fault — the young gentleman himself requested — the uncle insists — and the lady does not say " no!" Faith, she s a very lovely person — I don't know that I could do better. (aloud; Maniselle, may 1 flatter myself that this is not a dream — that your silence is really a proof that this decision of your excellent uncle is not di>pleasing to you 1 Krist. Sir ! {adde) I don't know what to do. He conjured me to be dumb, whatever was said ! Capt. (aside). She will not say " no." Nay, 'faith, then, here goes. {aloud) Beautiful Kristina! at your feet I swear to you Krist Sir ! Bar. Enough ! enough ! Capt. No, sir, not half enough — in the relation we now stand to each other — upon this white hand I seal the bond of mutual, of eternal af- fection. Enter Adolf, hastily, l. d. f., and down, l. Adolf. How's this 1 At her feet — what are you doing 1 Capt {aside). Following your instructions to the letter ! Bar. {to Adolf). How can you be so imprudent — in your situation 1 (to Captain) Sir, this gentleman is a friend of mine, who is, no doubt, surprised at my weakness in thus giving you my niece. Adolf Givini^ him your niece 1 Bah. Yes, my friend, yes ! Oh, I know what you will say — I know that in my i)lace you would have acted differently, but Adolf. And he accepts her 1 Bar. Of course. If he had dared to refuse, I [showing pistol.) Adolf. And you — you, mamselle, have nut piotested KiiiST. {aside). You told me not to say a word. Adolf. This is downright treason. Sir, I will not suffer Bar. But my good friend — my dear friend Adolf. Baron, you are imposed upon — I will bear this no longer — you do not know to whom you are giving your niece — I am Adolf de Court ray. Bar. "Eh! Capt. {aside). Ah! Adolf de Courtray ! ^o, %o—{ pulling a dispatch hastily out of his pocket and glancing over it.) Adolf Yes, Adolf de Courtray, lieutenant in the second regiment of Walloon Guards. Capt. {aside). Exactly so ! Adolf. Absent, without leave, from his quarters at Louvain. Capt. {aside). Exactly so ! Adolf. And who has risked the loss of his commission — who runs the chance of being arrested this moment Capt. \aside). E.vactlyso! {putting up paper.) Adolf. For the love he bears this lady. Bar. How — what — you are not Cajsar de Valkenberg de Adolf. No. sir, no! I am not the person you found in your garden — nor is there any truth in the story you have been told. Bar. Fiends and fury ! have I passed a whole night in sympathizing with a family that had no existence 1 {to Adoi.f) Sir— (^o Captain) sir, I will have satisfaction. I will have an explanation. Who are you, sir] Capt. The unhappy brother of the ill-fated Louise de Bar. Sir, you shall" repent this usase, whoever you are. {goes to c. D.) Hullo ! Pierre ! Louis ! Run ! call the watch— raise the neighborhood ! 22 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. " Capt. By all means, {aside) Now I have good reason for being here, it doesn't signify. Bar, If you attempt to escape I'll fire ! Capt. Oli, you needn't be alarmed, sir. {seats himself.) Bar. Was tliere ever such assurance 1 {to Adolf) As for you, sir, quit this house, and never let me see you more. Adolf. Oh, sir, you need not have given me that injunction ; I feel that I too have been imposed upon — that I too have been grossly de- ceived ; but I will first know by whom — I will first see that impostor un- masked, and then Krist. Indeed, Adolf ! Enter Katrtx, hastily. Kat. Oh, sir ! oh, mamselle ! we're all ruined — here's the city watch — the soldiers — all the neighborhood Bar. Aha ! Now, sir, now — {to Captain.) Enter an Officer of the Watch, icith Guard. Officer. What is the matter ? Bar. There he is, sir — that's the man. Officer ( going up to Captain, recognizing and saluting him). Who am I to arrest, sir 1 Bar. {in great astonishment). Eh 1 Capt. ( pointing to Adolf). That gentleman ! Adolf. Me ! Krist. Oh, Adolf ! Capt. " Adolf de Courtray, Lieutenant in the 2d regiment of Walloon Guards, absent, without leave, from his quarters at Louvain." [pass- ing over to him) You cannot be surprised, sir — you expected as much — there, you perceive, are my orders, {handing him the dispatch.) Ai>olf [reading). " To the Captain of the Watch." Capt. Which 1 have the honor to be. Bar. ) Krist. \ The Captain of the Watch ! Kat. ) Kat. [aside^. Well, for the head of the police, he certainly has the most extraordinary manners. Bar. I am positively thunderstruck ! How, sir ! a public officer, appointed especially to watch over the morals of a great city — to be surprised in a situation-- Capt. Wherein he had placed himself in order to prevent a clandes- tine meetinir, and to arrest the principal offender. Bau. Eh! nay — certainly — if it was with that intention. Capt. Harkye, Baron : when the head of a family is unmindful of wliat is i)assing in his own house, it is the business of a paternal gov- einmeut to act for him, and a hard task it has to execute. See, sir, here is an official report {taking it from Officer) of every misde- meanor which has occntied this night in Brussels, [handing it to him. Aside) My own arlventure is. no doubt, in the list. Bar. {aside). What's this 1 {reads aloud) " About ten o'clock last nin[ht a man was seen to descend from the balcony of the second floor window of the house of the Marchioness de " Capt. Hush ! don't mention names, {aside) There's my adventure, sure enough. Bar. Can I believe my eyes ? {forgetting himself) The traitress ! THE CAPTAI!; OF THE WATCH. 23 Capt. Eh' inside},. A; I live, my rival ! Excellent! {taking the pa- per from Jiim) 'J'liat's (Miougii; yi;u f^oe willi what vigilance Bau. {fnHoudy'^. A man! from itie second floor window ! Capt. Hiisli ! don't betray yourself; you know very well who it was. Bau. (C('iif>(sfd<- I ! Capt. Of course — it was you ! Bar. No such thinif ! I came out at the door. Capt. Indeed! Oh. we'll alter it then in the report, and put your name in, as you have confessed. Bar. 'Sdeath ! No— I— confound it! Capt. Just as you please. It shall stand as it is, provided you con- sent cheerfully to tlie marriage of that young gentleman with your niece. Bar. Never, sir. never' I Capt. Then I must coxxeci the report; my duty as Custos Morum Bar Stop, stop! I'M- 1 11 think of it. Capt. I felt assured you would, {to Kristi:ja) Mamselle, I have the pleasure to inform you that 1 have persuaded your worthy uncle to give his consent to your marriage with Lieutenant Adolf de Courtray ! Adolf Is it possible \ Krist. Oh. sir ! Bar. But— But Capt Bat he is arrested, yon would say — so he is, but I will take his word of honor not to quit this house i motions men off) without my permission ; and in the meanwhile, I liave some influence with his colonel, which I will gladly exercise in his behalf. Adolf. Generous man! Kat. Oh, if all the police were like him ! Bar. Still I must say Capt. Nothing, uidess yon wi.sh me to alter the report. Be satisfied tlie Marchioness doats upon you; I have means of ascertaining, and should she ever dream of proving false to you — 1 shall be at her elbow. Bai{. My dear sir, I may confide, then, in your vigilance? Capt. Yon may. {aloud) And I trust the adventures of this evening, Baron, will induce yi)u, as well as others, to rest perfectly satisfied with the good intentions, at any rale, of Tub C.\ptain of tub Watch. CUJRTAIN. STAGE DinECTIONS. R. mean? Right of Stage, facing the Audience ; L. Left ; C. Centre ; R. C. Right of Centre ; L. C. Left of Centre. D. P. Door in the Flat, or Scene running across the back of the Stage ; C. D. F. Centre Door in the Flat ; R. D. F. Right Door in the FhJt ; L. D. F. Left Door in the Flat ; R. D. Right Door ; L. D. Left Door ; 1 E. First Entrance : 2 E. Second Entrance ; U. E. Upper Entrance ; 1, 2 or 3 G. Fir.sl, Second or Third Groove. R. R. C. C. L. C. L. ^~ The reader iti supposed to be upon the Stage, facing the Audience. DE \A/'ITT'S ACTING PLAYS (Continued). No. M. r. 144. Lancashire Lass, melodrama, 5 acts. 12 3 34. Larkins' Love Letter.^, farce, 1 act.. 3 2 137. L' Article 47, drama, 3 acts 11 5 111. Liar (The), comedy, 2 acts 7 2 119. Life Chase, drama, 5 acts 14 5 16.5. LiviDi,' Statue (The), farce, 1 act. ... 3 2 48. Little Annie's Birthday, farce, 1 act. 2 4 32. Little Rebel, farce, 1 act 4 3 164. Little Ruby, drama, 3 acts 6 6 109. Locked In, comedietta, 1 act 2 2 85. Locked In with a Lady, sketch, 1 act. 1 1 87. Locked Out, comic scene 1 2 143. Lodjiers and Dodgers, farce, 1 act.. 4 2 189. Leap Year, musical duality, 1 act. . . 1 1 163. Marcoretti, drama, 3 acts 10 3 1.54. Maria and Magdalena, play, 4 acts . 8 6 63. Marriage at Any Price, farce, 1 act. 5 3 39. Master Jones' Birthday, farce, 1 act. 4 2 7. Maud's Peril, drama, 4 acts 5 3 49. Midnight Watch, drama, 1 act 8 2 15. Milky White, drama, 2 acts 4 2 46. Miriam's Crime, drama, 3 acts 5 2 51. Model of a Wife, farce, 1 act 3 2 184. Money, comedy, 5 acts 17 3 108. Mr. Scroggins, farce, 1 act 3 3 188. Mr. X., farce, 1 act 3 3 169. My Uncle's Suit, farce, 1 act 4 1 130. My Wife's Diary, farce, 1 act 3 1 92. My Wife's Out, farce. 1 act 2 2 193. ]My Walking Photograph, musical duality, 1 act Never Reckon Your Chickens, etc , farce, 1 act 3 New Men and Old Acres, comedy, 3 8 Nobody s Child, drama, 3 acts 8 Noemie, drama, 2 acts 4 No Name, drama, 5 .-cts 7 Not a Hit Jealous, farce, 1 act 3 Not So Had as We Seem, play, 5 acts. 14 Not Guilty, drama, 4 acts 10 Not Such a Fool as lie Looks, drama, 3 acts 5 171. Nothing Like Paste, farce, 1 act. ... 3 14. No Thoroughfare, drama, 5 acts and prologue 13 173. Off the Stage, comedietta, 1 act 3 176. On Bread and Water, farce, 1 act... 1 90. Only a Halfpenny, farce, 1 act 2 170. Only Somebody, farce, 1 act 4 One too Mauv for Him, farce, 1 act. 2 £100.WK), comedy. 3 acts 8 Orange Blossoms, comedietta, 1 act. 3 Orange Girl, drama, in prologue and 3 acts 18 Ours, comedv, 3 acts 6 94. Our Clerks, farce, 1 act 7 45. Our Domestics, comedy farce, 2 acts 6 155. Our Heroes, military play, 5 acts. . .24 178. Out at Sea, drama in prologue and 4 acts 16 147. Overland Route, comedy, 3 acts. . ..11 Peace at Any Price, farce, 1 act 1 140. Hi 104. 112. 185. 84. 117. 33. 3. 97. 66. 172. 1 1 3 4 8 5 3 4 5 3 3 6 .56. S2. Peep o' Day," drama, 4 acts 12 4 127. Peggy Green, farce, 1 act 3 10 23. Petticoat Parliament, extravaganza, in one act 15 24 H2. Photographic Fix. farce, 1 act 3 2 A COMPLETE No. M. P, 61. Plot and Passion, drama, 3 acts 7 2 138. Poll and Partner Joe, burlesque, 1 act 10 3 110. Poppleton's Predicaments, farce, 13 6 50. Porter's Knot, drama, 2 acts 8 2 59. Post Boy, drama, 2 acts 5 3 95. Prett> Hen se-Breaker, farce, 1 act.. 3 10 181 and 182. Queen Mary, drama, 4 acts.38 8 1.57. Quite at Home, comedietta, 1 act. . . 5 2 196. Queerest Courtship (The), comic op- eretta, 1 act 1 1 132. Race for a Dinner, farce, 1 act 10 183. Richelieu, plav, 5 acts 16 2 38. Rightfui Heir,' drama, 5 acts 10 2 77. Roll of the Drum, drama, 3 acts 8 4 13. Ruy Bias, drama. 4 acts 12 4 194. Rum, drama, 3 acts 7 4 195. Rosemi Shell, travesty, 1 act, 4 scenes 6 3 158. Schcjol, comedy, 4 acts 6 6 79. Sheep in Wolf's Clothing, drama, 17 5 37. Silent Protector, farce, 1 act 3 2 35. Sik-nt Woman, farce. 1 act 2 1 43. Sisterly Service, comedietta. 1 act.. 7 2 0. Six Months Airo, comedietta, 1 act. 2 1 10. Snapping Turtles, duologue, 1 act.. 1 1 26. Society, comedy, 3 acts 16 5 1 2 7 3 78. Special Performances, farce, 1 act.. 31. Taming a Tiirer, farce, 1 act 150. Tell-Tale Heart, comedietta, 1 act 120. Tempest in a Teapot, comedy, 1 act. 146. There's no Smoke Without Fire, comedietta, 1 act 83. Thrice Married, personation piece, lact 42. Time and the Hour, drama, 3 acts. . 27. Time and Tide, drama, 3 acts and prologue 7 133. Timothy to the Rescue, farce, 1 act. 4 153. 'Tis Better to Live than to Die, farce, 1 act 2 1:J4. Tompkins the Troubadour, farce, 1 3 29. Turning the Tables, farce, 1 act. . . . 5 168. Tweedie's Rights, comedy, 2 acts.. 4 126. Twice Killed, farce, 1 act 56. Two Gay Deceivers, farce, 1 act 3 12:3. Two Polts, fa.'ce, 1 act 4 4 198. Twin Sisters (The), comic operetta, lact 3 1 162. Uncle's Will, comedietta, 1 act 2 1 106. Up for the Cattle Show, farce, 1 act. 6 2 81. Vandyke Brown, farce, 1 act 6 3 Volunteer Review, farce, 1 act 6 W^alpole, comedy, 3 acts 7 Wanted, a Young Lady, farce, 1 act. 3 War to the Knife, comedy, 3 acts. . . 5 Which of the Two? comedietta, 1 act 2 Who is Who? farce, 1 act 3 Widow Hunt, comedy, 3 acts 4 William Tell with a Vengeance, burlesque Woman in Red, drama, 3 acts and prologue 6 Woman's Vows and Mason's Oaths, 4 acts 10 4 11. Woodcock's Little Game, farce, 2 4 4 54. Young Collegian (Cantab.), farce, 13 3 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 161. 4 10 2 4 8 2 i '^^^^^ of DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS AND DE WITT'S I ^HIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS , containing Plot, Costume, Scenery, TiL' e of Representation and every other information, mailed free and post paid. Address, LiBRftRV OF CONGRESS DE WITTS ETHIOHAK^ 0014 528 348 6 # Nothing so thorougli and complete in the ivay of Eth\ ^ " " / ^tuiaas lias ever been printed as those that appear in the folloiving list. Not only are the plots excellent, the characters droll, the incidents funny, the language humorous, but all the situations, by-jjlay, positions, pantomimic business, scenery and t.Hcks are so 2>l(iinly ^et doivn, and clearly ex- 2)lained, that the mertst novice could piut any of them on the stage. Included in this catalogue are all the most laughable and effective 2neces of iheir class ever produced. *** In ordenng, please copy the figures at the commencement of each play , which indicate the nimiber of the piece m " De Witt's Ethiopian and Comic Drasia." 1^° An-g of the following Plays sent, postage free, on receipt of price— V.'^ Cents Each.. Address, ROBERT M. DE WITT, JVo, 3S Hose Street, JV^ew York. J^" The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of Scenes. The figures in the columns indicate the number of characters, — 'SI. male; Y. female. *;,.* Female characters are generally assumed by males in these plays. No. M. 73. African Box, burlesque, 2 scenes. . . 5 6. Black Chap from Whitechapel, 1 s. 4 10. Black Chemist, sketch, 1 scene 3 11. Black Ey'd William, 2 scenes 4 24. Bruised and Cured, sketch, 1 scene. 2 40. Big Mistake, sketch, 1 scene 4 42. Bad Whiskey, sketch, 1 scene 2 43. Baby Elephant, sketch, 2 scenes.. . 7 78. Bogus Indian, sketch, 4 scenes 5 79. Barney's Courtship, Irish, 1 scene. 1 89. Bogus Talking Machine, Dutch 4 35. Coal Heavers' Revenge, 1 scene.. 6 41. Cremation, sketch, 2 scenes 8 12. Daguerreotypes, sketch, 1 scene — 3 50. Draft (The), sketch, 1 act, 2 scenes. 6 53. Damon and Pythias, 2 scenes 5 63. Darkey's Stratagem, sketch, 1 act.. 3 64. Dutchman's Ghost, sketch, 1 scene. 4 95. Dutch Justice, sketch, 1 scene 11 4. Eh ? What is it ? sketch, 1 scene. . . 4 52. Excise Trials, sketch, 1 scene 10 67. Editor's Troubles, farce, in 1 scene. . 6 ^%. Elopement (The), farce, 2 scenes. . . 4 25. Fellow That Looks Like Me, Is.... 2 51. Fisherman's Luck, sketch, 1 scene. 2 88. First Niglit, Dutch sketch, 4 scenes 4 17. Ghost (The), sketch, 1 scene 2 31. Glycerine Oil, sketch, 2 scenes 3 20. Going for the Cup, interlude, 1 scene 4 58. Ghost in a Pawnshop, 1 scene 4 70. Guide to the Stage, sketch, 1 scene. 3 77. Getting Square on Call Boy, 1 scene 3 82. Good Xight's Rest, sketch, 1 scene 3 83. German Emigrant, sketch, 1 scene. 3 86. Gripsack, sketch, 1 scene 3 3. Hemmed In, sketch, 1 scene 3 23. Hard Times, extravaganza, 1 scene. 5 48. High Jack, the Heeler, 1 scene.. 6 61. Happy Couple, sketch, 1 scene 2 68. Hippotheatron, sketch, 1 scene 9 71. In and Out, sketch, 1 scene 2 33. Jealous Husband, sketch. 1 scene 2 94. Julius the Snoozer, 3 scenes. 7 1. Last of the Mohicms, 1 scene.... 3 18. Live Injun, sketch, 4 scenes 4 36. Laughing Gas, sketch, 1 scene 6 37. Lucky Job, farce. 2 scenes 3 60. Lost Will, sketch, 1 scene 4 90. Lunatic (The), sketch, 1 scene 3 8. Mutton Trial, sketch. 2 scenes 4 19. Malicious Trespass, sketch, 1 scene. 3 No. 44. 96. 101. 49. 22. 27. 30. Musical Servant, sketch, 1 scene. . . 3 Midnight Intruder (The), 1 scene. . 6 Molly Moriarty, Irish, 1 scene 1 Nightin a Strange Hotel, 1 scene. ... 2 Obej'ing Orders, sketch, 1 scene... 2 100th Night of Hamlet, 1 scene 7 One Night in a Bar Room, 1 scene 7 One, Two, Three, sketch, 1 scene.. 7 Policy Players, sketch, 1 scene 7 Pompey's r-'atients, 2 scenes , . 6 Porter's Troubles, sketch, 1 scene.. 6 Port Wine vs. Jealousy, 1 scene.. 2 Pete the Peddlar, sketch, 1 scene.. 2 Painter's Apprentice (The), 1 scene 5 Polar Bear (The,) farce, 1 scene. ... 5 Recruiting Ofiice, sketch, 2 scenes. 5 Rival Tenants, sketch, 1 scene 4 Remittance from Home, 1 scene ... 6 Rigging a Purchase, 1 scene 2 Rival Artists, sketch, 1 scene 3 Stupid Servant, sketch, 1 scene 2 Streets of New York, sketch, 1 scene 6 Sam's Courtship, farce, 1 scene 2 Scenes on the Mississippi, 2 scenes. 6 Serenade (Tne), sketch. 2 scenes... 7 Scampini, pantomime, 2 scenes 6 Storming the Fort, sketch, 1 scene. 5 Siamese Twins, sketch, 2 scenes. .. 5 Slippery Day, sketch, 1 scene 6 Stage Struck Couple (The), 1 scene. 2 Sausage Makers (The), sketch, 2 s.. 5 Squire for a Day, sketch, 1 scene. . . 5 Stranger (The), sketch, 1 scene 1 Sleepwalker (The), sketch, 2 scenes 3 Three Chiefs (The), sketch, 2 scenes 6 Three, A. M., sketch, 1 scene 3 Two Black Roses (The), sketch.... 4 Tricks, sketch, 2 scenes 5 Three Strings to One Bow, 1 scene. 4 Take It, Don't Take It, sketch, 1 s. 2 Them Papers, sketch, 1 scene 3 Uncle Eph's Dream, sketch, 2 s ... 3 Vinegar Bitters, sketch, one scene. 6 Who Died First, sketch. 1 scene. . . 3 Wake up, William Henry, 1 scene.. 3 Wanted, a Nurse, sketch, 1 scene.. 5 Weston the Walkist, Dutch 1 scene 7 What Shall I Take ? sketch, 2 scenes 8 Who's the Actor ? farce, 1 scene... 4 Wrong Woman in the Right Place 3 Young Scamp (The), sketch, 1 scene 3 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 528 348 6 Hollinger Corp.