No. CCXLII. FRENCH’S MINOR DRAMA. t gating (ftfcition. SUDDEN THOUGHTS, % Jar«, in #ne gtct. BY THOMAS EGERTON WILKS, ESQ. ’ : r Bo r . i ■ ~ j K Twenty- three OToreU^^atrons._ £ric C 00 cent? ■ m ■XStf&Grr A .practical guide faV . TO WHICH ARE ADDED Description of tte Costume-Cart of the Characters -Entrances and Exits- Relative Positions of the Performers on the Stage, and the whole of the Stage Business. AS NOW PERFORMED AT THE PRINCIPAL ENGLISH AND AMERICAN THEATRES. box:. |p, ~ ~ a ^l Uge ’ Pe ^ Powder, Whiting, Mongolian, Ruddy Rouge, Violet Powder R3ox and Puff, Chrome, Blue, Burnt Cork. Pencils for the eyelids. Spirit Gum India Ink’ feP® 1 g“£ ^hes. Harlot, Wool, Craped Hair, in stron s • LE A RT, ^S FOR PRIQF^SPE CATALOG.’ rHHHHSI WM s ,s ||i;3 s I id' * 05 11 3 '. 1 8 Sw SUDDEN THOUGHTS. V AN ORIGINAL FARCE, IN' ONE A- G T - BY THOMAS EGERTON WILKS, Esq. AUTHOR OF iord Darnley , — Barber of Kensington , — Olive the Outlaw , — The Golden Fox . Etc., Etc. ’TTH ORIGINAL CASTS, COSTUMES, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS, CORRECTLY MARKED AND ARRANGED, BY MR, J. B. WRIGHT, ASSISTANT MANAGER OF THE BOSTON THEATRE. ' NEW YORK ! Samuel French & Sen, PUBLISHERS, No, 1351 Nassau Street, LONDON . Samuel French, PUBLISHER, 6© STRAND, /fCrd m SUDDEN THOUGHTS. SCENE I .-Gardens attached to a country hotel. Entrance to house L.- bell rings. * c . Enter Sims, l. dims. Rare times these for the green dragon ! why every room in the house is full, and fresh visitor's arriving eve^y moment Ah ? always told master, that when the Parliament Houses shut up for the season, we should have company enough driving down the road • some in search of pleasure, some in search of profit, and some in TWsway^^hfway arriVaIS • ^ COme ■ I** «*¥•] Enter Cabbage, followed by Nabbs, r. Cab. And so these are the gardens, are they * beautiful. T “ d ° r ° U U °‘ admire them ? T, ‘ e f are considered —Cab. Oh, they are very well, very well indeed, especially to those that never see anything better, but you’ll please to remember that I’m from London, and I ve seen the gardens in the middle of the squares • aye, and walked in them too. But go and order me a nice little lunch ; and stay, let a bed be prepared for me Sims. Certainly sir. [Bells ring.} Coming, coming. [Exit l. hey Ahem 1 Sa7, NabbS ’ U StrikGS me 1 look like a german, to a^hfafr Ah> that y ° U d0> MIster Cabba S e > and those clothes fit you Cab. So they ought, I made them myself! I say Nabbs, that was a capital idea, my putting you into livery, because in the first place \yhat we come for won t be suspected, and in the second place it givjes me an air of importance. Ahem ! I keeps my wally ! wS‘ , Ah ’ y° u ma y well say we shall not be suspected. Now, who the deuce would take me for a bailiff, come down all the way shonm»n ° n ’ * ^ ntleraan ’ s shoulder ; or you to be a tailor’s sliopman, come down with me to point out the debtor * Ahprn 1 rv y° ur t° n g ue , Nabbs, or only talk what we are now. about.) Let s leave the shop at home. Go to the twVrfm something comfortable, and if our man is here as tney told us, 1 11 send for you. Nabbs. And I can keep my own eyes open as well, take ray word 4 SUDDEN THOUGHTS. SCENE I. for it, Mr. Cabbage, if the party we want is here, he won’t very easily escape us. Exit r. Cab. Escape us 7 I should think not ! with a person of my talents engaged in the business we are sure to succeed. I don’t much care though to find him directly, for playing the gentleman is an amuse- ment to me particularly new and agreeable. How smart I look ! It strikes me I’ve made a few young ladies’ hearts ache to day ! There’s some very dashing looking people walking about the gardens I should like to scrape an acquaintance with some of them, but they are so proud and look at me in such a formal manner. I know what is the cause. It’s because I ve got nobody to introduce me ; but I’ll persevere. Now here comes a fine looking gentleman, perhaps he won’t be so lofty in his manners. Enter Impulse hastily , with an open letter, l. Imp. Frailty, thy name is woman ! Tho only question now is, whether I shall hang, drown, or shoot, myself! Oh, this fatal letter has flurried me ! this dreadful document has driven me demented ! Cab. Why, gracious goodness, if that isn’t the very man, that’s the very Mr. George Impulse that owes missis the money. Imp. Oh, Sophia, Sophia ! I did not expect she would exterminate my hopes in this manner ! But the die is cast, and I am cashiered ! Cab. Something vexes him; I’m afraid the writ wont raise his spirits ! Imp. Yes, ’tis too true, she despises me, rejects me, annoys me, cuts me ! I’m like the man compelled to sleep upon straw, I shall miss my Sophy ! Cab. I can’t think what he keeps muttering about. Imp. But let me curb these feelings, and dismiss her from my memory. I will do so, I will think of something else. Thus when I turn to things more pleasing, — (Turns and sees Cabbage.) Why that’s my tailor’s shopman ! What can bring him here ? A sudden thought strikes me ! Cab. Good day, Mr. Impulse, allow me sir, to — Imp. ( Interrupts .) Can’t possibly ; call again to-morrow. Cab. Ah, Mr. Impulse, you don’t know what my business here is. Imp. (Aside.) I’m afraid its to do my business ! Cab. Missis says you must settle with her. Imp. Or else she’ll settle m^ ? Cab. That’s just it ; and to tell you the truth I’ve brought Nabbs down with me — you remember Nabbs ? Imp. Nabbs ? Cab. Yes Nabbs — you know ! Imp. Oh, I recollect him perfectly well. Chancery-lane Nabbs as we used to call him. Cab. That’s him. But he was doubtful as to whether he should know you again, and so I came with him, to point you out. Imp. And can you have the heart to do such a thing, Cabbage 1 Cab. Why you see, hearts are not in our line of business, we deal in coats, waistcoats, and continuations. But Mr. Impulse, what a grand hotel this is, and what a grand company there is here ! Oh, I 8CENE SUDDEN THOUGHTS. l“t^1Z^op n £r ^ “ 8Cnt ' Cm “" “ d ^ a tailor. Imp. A sudden thought strikes me * Toll mn « u «ii* e t0bC ac 1“"“0dwi.h all tiiese dasliing^gentlcmen^nd Cab Ah, indeed, I should ! (Sighs.) w £“ d $^ my Imp. I will. Before the day is over vou shill hn ■ a- terms with every soul in the house p ’ ^ J shal be on ln timate room to the bagman in the bar But ppI ™ k 16 duke in tbe dinin g fere with me, nor wonder at mv Uolo emei phcr, you must not inter- upon sudden thoughts, and if / chancc^n^nt 1 ^’ 1 am apt to act Columbine, or somebody else instead of Tn el r°KK Ce y( ? U aS Colonel don’t interrupt me. 7 ' ° f Jack Cabba g e the tailor, why Imp. You woul^\9u would d thing *°,? et im ° fasMoni *'e society. Cab. Yes^nythiul ' °' * ld do aI, Y thmg, would you ? J me hand ' (Shakes tends a " d *« one, Imp. You have /lucky do^ " The? r, f fraction of a sixpence, we’ll join stocks and trade to^eth^Th at L ? ou what we’ll do, your stock of cash, and 111 Vive vonthl h y< sbal ! me h ulf Ahem ! and a benefit that wilfbe! 7 h benefit ° f lialf my Stock ’ Tmn w PitaI ' t Ko ' V much have you got ? intellfgence/Id sagadty k ' A " immenSe quantit Y in the sha P» of wit Cab. But how much money ? Cabbage * farthing ? rm in S reat distress > very great distress, enough. 1 Sh0uldn,t have J ud S ed fr oni your face, that looks well fed a face of credi’t ^my ^ood Cre ^ able face > or in other words, landlord Fll +nii‘ Y g00 iT s a,e not my own, they belomr to mv Egh ' every M /’ Cabba ^ which are likewise mv hV 7 ° W “’ 1 contract ed a few debts, raoneyTfearinJdfy™s write and T. ? ot so easily parted with as the instinctive hor?or7f thc Qu’een’ s Bench 8 ’ a T boU « h 3 sub j ect ’ an domiciled here, and here I am 1 ran a ' va >' flom L °ndon, Cab. Living in clover. canZ weuVaVnnless I meawhc 3 b ?; in S inCurred <* debt here, I run through it ’ tleat the debt as 1 trea ‘ed my fortune and Cab. What your friends assist you ? Cab. Then what’s the use of her love ? 6 SUDDEN THOUGHTS. SCENE I.] Imp. Right, quite right. Cabbage, give me your hand, you are a man of discernment. Cab. Ahem ! Rather. Imp. Just now too, I received this letter, which has considerably added to my embarrassment. For months have I been assiduously seeking to gain the consent of a young and lovely and wealthy girl, to take a trip with me to Gretna. Yesterday I thought I had succeeded, to-day she writes to me that nothing can induce her to wed without the consent of her guardian, General Dornton. Cab. And shall you apply to him ? Imp. What ? And get kicked for my pains as a penniless adven- turer ? No, no, that will never do. Cab. Won’t your mother interfere ? If she finds you will “marry and settle,” as the people call it, she may relent. Imp. That’s the deuce of it; my mother has, herself, selected a wife for me, some country dowdy, and it is because I refuse to humour her caprice in that instance, that she refuses to humour me by paying my debts. Cab. (Peeps at the letter in Impulse’s hand.) But I say, Mr. Impulse, that letter is directed to the Hon. Mr. Fitz-Mordaunt, how is that. Imp. That is soon explained. In the early part of my acquain- tance with the lovely Sophia, she one day remarked to me, that I resembled a gentleman named Fitz-Mordaunt, whom she had met a season or two previously. A sudden thought came across me, and I replied. Yes, my angel, and I am that very person. Cab. Lor ! did you ? Imp. I did ! and as I never thought it worth while afterwards to undeceive her, why she thinks me Fitz-Mordaunt, to this very day. But, ah, a young lady is coming this way ; by heavens ! ’tis she. ’Tis Sophia herself. Hence, away, vile Cabbage I Disappear ; I would be alone with my love. Cab. Hark ye, master Impulse, I’ll thank you to speak civil, and in that respect to take pattern by me, and as to disappearing, that’s nonsense, I shall not lose sight of you, depend on’t, and more than that, I shall expect to be treated as your friend and equal in every thing, and introduced to every fashionable person in the hotel. Imp. But my dear, my kind, my amiable Cabbage, gammon. Cab. My resolution is fixed, its as true as my needle, I shall expect to be introduced to every body from the duke in the dining room to the bagman in the bar. Imp. What the deuce shall I do ? This Cabbage is not green. Cab. Make up your mind ! No answer? (Goes to r.) Nabbs! Imp. Cabbage ! Cab. Hei*e I am ! Imp. I consent ! I agree ! But pray make yourself as much of the gentleman as you can. Cab. No need to tell me that, I understand it all, you’ll find me a perfect man of fashion. ( Swaggers about the stage.) Imp. Now to see if I can persuade her to change her mind. How shall I manage it ? A sudden thought strikes me ! SCENE I ] SUDDEN THOUGHTS. 7 Enter Sophia, l. Miss Dashwood ! Sop. Ah ! Mr. Fitz-Mordaunt ! Cab. (Aside.) Fitz-Mordaunt be hanged ! Imp. Oh, Sophia, this cruel note. Sop. I had intended not to have seen you again, and did not know, until lately, that you were staying at the same hotel as* ourselves. Yet, as we have met, listen patiently to what it is my duty to tell you. My guardian is so very kind to me, that common gratitude demands I should consult him upon so important an affair as my marriage. Imp. But, Sophia ! Cab. Introduce me. Imp. I will — presently. Cab. Do it directly ! Imp. I can’t this very instant. Cab. I shall call Nabbs ! Imp. But, Sophia Sop. Nay, hear me ! I will not deny that I entertain a warm affection for you. Imp. Angel ! Cab. Introduce me ! Imp. Scoundrel ! Hold yoar tongue Cab. I shall call Nabbs ! Sop. Such is the truth, dear Fitz. Cab. Fitz, indeed ! Fiddle-sticks ! Introduce me ! Sop. Yet I will not wed clandestinely. Imp. Oh, Sophia, is that determination fixed ? Sop. It is, indeed, and I shall call upon you, in mercy, not to endeavour to make me change it. Cab. I shall call upon Nabbs ! Sop. But, Fitz, pray observe this, if your family connections, and friends, are as good as you have told me, and as I am sure they are, why not apply to my guardian 1 He will not oppose our happiness. Imp. (Aside) Doubtful, I think ! Sophia, I understand your delicate Scruples, and respect them : as to my connections, I assure you, they are Cab. Introduce me ! Imp. A sudden thought strikes me ! Miss Dashwood allow me to have the pleasure of presenting to you, a very particular friend of mine, this is the Right Honourable Lord Bacon. This, my lord, is Miss Dashwood. Sop. I think I have had the pleasure of seeing his lordship before ? Imp. Nothing more likely ! he spends a good deal of his time in town. His family name is — is, Cabbage ! Sop. Indeed ! Cab. That’s a bad choice of names ! Imp. That’s true ! I had forgotton that ! Cabbage and Bacon ! His lordship’s coat of arms is very peculiar. Cab. Hush ! hush ! don’t talk about coats ! 8 SUDDEN THOUGHTS. 8CENE I.] Imp. His crest is a cauliflower argent, and his arms are supported by two tailors, vert ! Cab. Don’t talk about tailors. Imp. His family motto is singularly poetical — “ True as the needle.” Sop. Is his lordship an old acquaintance of yours ? Imp. Oh, very, and so is his amiable mistress ; indeed, to the lat- ter, I am greatly indebted. Cab. (Aside.) One hundred and ninety three pounds, seven shil- lings, and sixpence Sop. ( Crosses to centre.) Oh, indeed, then his lordship is about to be married, is he ? Pray my lord which is your favourite pursuit — science, or the fine arts ? Cab. O, its none o’ them, them, miss. Sop. May I ask the nature of your pursuits * Cab. Ahem ! I study how to improve the appearance of mankind ! Sop. A benevolent object ! I hope you include women in your views ? Cab. Oh, no I leave the women to their dressmakers ! Imp. I’m in agonies ! Sop. That remark is very sarcastic, my lord ; but farewell, Fitz- Mordaunt, I must return to the house ; and remember, (Aside to him) I shall doubt the sincerity*of your love unless you instantly apply to my guardian. [Exit, l. Imp. I shall lose her ! I shall certainly lose her, and all through my own folly. Cab. She’s a particular nice gal ! Imp. She is, she is, and egad, Cabbage, between you and I, the thought of losing her, gives me more pain than all the rest of my troubles put together. Cab. But why should you lose her ! I’ll assist you, and if you and I put our heads together, I dare say we can manage it. Imp. Excellent friend ! You shall assist me. Talking about that, you have not handed over to me the money you were so generous as to offer to lend me. Cab. ( Produces purse.) Oh, you shall have it ; but I did not offer to Imp. (Interrupts.) Yes, yes, I know what you are going to say, I know you wish me to accept it as a gift, but I cannot do so, no, I shall repay it some time or other. Cab. ( Giving money. ) Well, there it is , but it’s an expensive business this. Imp. And no wonder, either, when a man wishes to raise himself into a higher sphere of society than that he was born to move in ; he must expect to pay for admission, just, indeed, as he would at the door of a theatre. Cab. Ah, but when I go to the theatre I get free admissions ! Imp- Then of course, you are a patron of the drama, and my simile is spoilt. Ah, who is this ? Some new arrival, for I have not seen him before. Enter General, followed by Sims, l. SUDDEN THOUGHTS. 9 SCENE I.] General, And so your house is full 7 Situs. Almost, sir, and of most respectable company, I assure you. Gen. Fery well, that will do, I will stroll through these gardens. Imp. (Apart.) Sims, Sims, who is this gentleman 7 Sims. General Dornton, Sir. [Exit l. Imp. General Dornton ! Sophia’s guardian ! Cab. He’s a very genteel-looking man. Introduce me, Mr. Im- pulse ! Imp. I’ve got to introduce myself first of all, and how that’s to be managed, I know not. Ahem S good morning sir. Gen. Good day sir, good day ! Imp. I presume you have only just arrived, sir ? Gen. Only two or three hours back. Have you been here long 1 Imp. Some little time. Gen. Then I dare say you can tell me what I wish to ascertain, and that is, whether or not a gentleman, named St. Aubins has been here lately ? He is my nephew and heir, I have not seen him since, when quite a child, he went to India , hut he wrote to me, from Lon- don, a week back, to say he had finally left the East, and would meet me here. , Imp. A sudden thought strikes me ! ^General Dornton ! Dear General Dornton ! Gen. Ah, you know me then 7 Imp. Don’t be agitated ! I am your nephew ! I am St. Aubin ! Gen. Is It possible ? Why my dear nephew ! Imp. My dear Uncle ! Cab. Hallo ! That’s very bold ! Gen. Bless me the suddenness of this meeting has nigh overpow- ered me ! How like his poor mother, to be sure ! How do you do 1 how do you do ? Imp. I am quite well, sir, and delighted to see you well. (Aside.) This happy ruse will domesticate me with Sophia, I wonder whether I have got an aunt ? Gen. Well, I am delighted to see you ; but tell me nephew, how is it you have escaped being bronzed by Indian suns 7 Imp. Oh, sir, I saved my complexion by using Lavender water mixed with Eau de Cologne. Gen. Miraculous ! Cab. I must recollect that ! Introduce me ! Imp. I really cannot at present. Cab. Then I shall call Nabbs. Gen. But Henry, where is the friend whom you have so often mentioned your letter, and whom you said you should entice to En- gland, the rich planter, Mr. Dimmerton 7 Imp. A sudden thought strikes me ! My dear uncle, pardon my remissness,, allow me the pleasure, this is Mr. Dimmerton. Dimmy, my boy, this is my uncle, whom you have so frequently heard me mention in terms of affection. Gen. Glad to see you sir, very glad, Mr. Dimmerton. Allow me to congratulate you upon your safe arrival in England. Imp. Say something. Ca6. I don’t know wtiat to say. 10 SUDDEN THOUGHTS. [SCENE h Imp . Say something, sirrah ! Cab. It’s — it’s — it’s — particularly cold, sir. Gen. Why, this is what we English consider to be a fine warm day, but to one newly arrived from Calcutta, it doubtless appears chilly. But, Henry, I understood from you that your friend Dimmerton, was sixty odd years of age 2 Imp. Ahem ! So he is, sir. Gen. Is it possible ? Imp. Quite true, sir ; he is considered to bear his years remarkably well. Gen. Remarkably well, indeed ! I should not have guessed him to be near that age. But, Henry, you have not asked after your cousins or any of your relatives ? Imp. My dear sir, you must attribute my not having done so, to my thoughts being full of this joyful meeting with you, not the want of affection. Gen. No no, the latter, I am sure it is not ; but come let us proceed to the house, lunch is ready, and the girls will be delighted to see you. 1 have both Clarrissa and Sophia with me. Imp. Indeed! why that is fortunate. (Aside.) I shall see her ! I shall see her ! Yes, and egad, she’ll sec me ! I must mind how I man- age the affair 1 * Gen. Come, gentlemen, give me your arms. I am an old man remember, and want props. ( Places himself arm in arm between them.) Cab. I’m arm-in-arm with a live general ! Gen . Come along. Oh, I am so happy to see you nephew ! Ha! ha! ha! Come along, come along. [Exeunt laughing. SCENE II. — Apartment in the hotel ; Chairs , Tables, frc. Enter Sophia and Clarissa, r. Clarissa. Why Sophia, your bad spirits are I fear infectious, they are even producing an effect upon mine, which I neither like nor can shake off. Sop. Pray pardon me, my dear cousin, I will be more lively for the future. (Sighs.) Clar. And is that deep drawn sigh intended as a specimen of your liveliness ? If so, excuse me for saying, that it is not much to my taste. But where can the General be all this time ? I must enquire. (Rings bell.) Enter Sims, r. Pray where is the gentleman who brought us hither ? Sims, He has been walking through the garden, miss : but he is now coming this way, accompanied by two gentlemen. Clar. Two gentlemen ! Why, Sophia, do you hear that ? Sop. Yes, Clarissa. (Apart.) Alas! I cannot help fearing that I shall see Fitz-Mordaunt no more. C lar. Who can they be ? Sims - I don’t exactly know, miss, who they both are ; but I heard the old gentleman say that one was his nephew. SCENE II.] SUDDEN THOUGHTS. 11 Clar. His nephew ! Why, Sophia, then my cousin, Henry St. Aubin, has arrived at last. Suns. They are coining this way, miss. [Exit r. General laughs without. Sop. Clarissa, pray excuse me for a short period, my spirits are not sufficiently good to enable me to support this sudden meeting. Clar. Go then to your chamber, coz., and after a bit, I will come and tell you what sort of an animal this St Aubin has grown. ( Exit Sophia, l. u. e General laughs without.) Bless me! How merry the old gentleman is ! But here they come. (Goes up.) Enter General, Impulse, and Cabbage, l. Gen. Ha \ ha ! ha ! Capital ! capital ! Ah, Harry, you are a merry dog, and that’s the truth. Ah, Clarissa, my girl, come hither ; here is your long lost cousin, Henry St. Aubin Clar. My dear cousin ! Gen. Go and embrace her Henry. (Impulse does so-) Imp. My dearest cousin, this meeting is, indeed a happy one. Gen. And this Clary, is Mr. Dimmerton, a particular friend of your cousin's. Clar. I shall be happy to become acquaiated with Mr. Dimmerton. Cab. (Aside.) I suppose I must do the same as Mr. Impulse. ( Offers to embrace her . ) Clar. (Repulses him.) Dear me, a very rude person, I declare. Imp. (Aside to Cabbage.) Villain ! you will ruin us. My dear uncle, there is one more person whom I am most anxious to see. Gen. I know, 1 know, you mean Sophia. Imp. I do. Gen. Nor do I wonder at it, the peculiar situation in which you stand with regard to her, sufficiently accounts for that. Imp. What the deuce does he mean. Gen. I will send for her. Oh, she is here. Imp. Now, now, comes the most important point of my joke. Oh, if I can but persuade Sophia to allow this deception to exist. Cab. But what will you do if she knows us, and blows us r Imp. ' I must trust to sudden thoughts. Enter Sophia, l. u. e. General leads her to centre. Gen And now my dear little girl, here is your loved though un- known Henry St. Aubin. Take her, take her, Henry, f Passes her to r.) Take to your arms your loved your only sister ! Imp. Sister ! Cab. The devil ! Imp. Sophia, my sister ! Cab. A nice mess you’ve made of it. Sop. My dearest brother ! Imp. What is to be done ! Gen. Embrace your sister : ( He half turns, she sees his face, he by gestures , entreats her silence ; she does not. see the gestures but screo.ms vi®~ te fitly. The General, and Clarissa support her.) 12 fet?I>DEfc THOUGHTS [SCENE II. Gen . My child, my dear ward ! - the sudden joy has overpowered her. Sop. I — I am better now ! Can it be possible, or was I dreaming ? Speak, tell me, or I shall go mad, is my brother really here ? Gen. Really here t Why to be sure he is, look at him yourself, there he stands. Sop. (Aside.) I dare not look at those features again. Gen . Your sister is unwell, Henry ; speak to her, your voice may soothe her. Sop. Yes, yes, speak to me, speak to me, let me hear your voice, are you my brother ? Imp. A sudden thought strikes me! ( Speaks gruffly ) To be sure I am, sister. Sop. ThatVnot his voice. Imp ( Aside to General ) My emotion affects my voice. Gen. So I perceive. Sop. Yet, still I shall not fell satisfied until all is explained. Dear guardian, 1 must instantly see Lord Bacon. (Impulse stands before CABBAGE.) Gen. Lord Bacon 1 Why the great Lord Bacon has been dead many years. Sop. Yes, but I mean the little Lord Bacon, he whose family name is Cabbage, who has a cauliflower for a crest, and whose coat of arms is supported by two tailors. Gen. What’s all this rubbish, child ? Tailors, cauliflowers, cab- bage and bacon 1 Why, she’s gone distracted ! Imp. Keep behind me, if she sees you we shall be discovered, and I fear I shall never lead her to the altar. Cab. I’m afraid she will lead us both to the halter ! Imp. I tremble in my heart for the consequences. Cab. I tremble in my boots ! Sop. 1 must see Lord Bacon instantly. If that be not Fitz-Mor- daunt, it is the most extraordinary resemblance I ever witnessed. [Exit l. Gen. Clarissa, follow your poor cousin, she seems greatly dis- turbed. [Exit Clarissa, l. Imp. (Asicfe.) And not to be wondered at. Gen. Poor Sophia has suffered greatly by your sudden arrival, Henry ; but there are many people whose feelings are much excited and acted upon by sudden events, or impressions By the bye, do you know, or recollect the Impulses ? Imp. The impulses ? Indeed I do, I am the slave of them. Gen. Ah, that’s not what I mean : I mean the Impulses of Faulk- ner Hall, Gloucestershire. Imp. Oh, ah, yes, I perfectly well, sir, (Aside.) He knows my Family. Cab. Well, that is odd ! I wonder whether he knows the Cab- bages ? Gen. Then probably you recollect the late Squire Impulse 1 Imp, (Aside.) My revered dad! Oh, yes, very well indeed, he was an intimate friend of mine, in truth I may say that I was taught to regard him as a Father. [scene ii. SUDDEN THOUGHTS. 13 Gen. Ah, well, I was about to remark that ho was a singular instance of the influence of sudden feeling ; but still nothing, if I bo rightly informed, to his son, young George Impulse. Did you ever chance to meet with, or hear of him ? Imp. I — I — I believe there is such a fellow ! Gen. Oh, he’s a terrible scamp ! Imp. A scamp ! Allow me, sir, to say Cab. Hush ! hush ! Consider who you arc, and where you are, Mr. St. Aubin. Gen. Oh, I understand, this generous emotion, and it does you credit ; but in the present instance it is thrown away. Cab. Oh, decidedly so ! Gen. What, do you know him, Mr. Dimmerton ? Cab. Oh yes, very well, I’ve worked for him ! That is, I mean — I mean, I’ve worked to reform him ; but all in vain. Gen. I’m delighted, sir, to find you are of my opinion. Cab'. (Aside.) How polite the General is ! Iam delighted with fashionable society. Gen. Young Impulse is, in truth, a very worthless fellow. He has squandered away a handsome property, and besides that, what is much worse, he is subject to what, he calls, sudden thoughts ; but which I should style decided fits of roguery ; during which, he attempts all sorts of ridiculous deceptions. He had better never try any of these sort of schemes upon me, for if he docs, in spite of the friendship I en- tertain for his mother, and formerly did for his father, to prison he goes ! Imp. (Aside.) That’s pleasant ! Cab. ( Aside to Impulse.) Ha! ha! ha! I say Mr. Impulse, a precious piece of bother you have got into. Ha ! ha ! ha ! Imp.- You appear very determined upon this point General? Gen. I am, sir, I am ! Yet, still I am just ! Young Impulse is a knave, I fear : but I have no doubt he has been made the prey of bad associates. Oh, Henry, only let me catch any of his rascally friends at their deceptive tricks, and I will punish them with the utmost rigor of the law ! Cab. Oh lord, I am so faint ! Imp. (Aside.) I say, Cabbage, a precious piece of bother you’ve got into ! Cab. If we are discovered, what will be our punishment 1 Imp. Transportation ! Cab. Curse all fashionable society ! Gen. Bless me, Mr. Dimmerton, you look very poorly. Cab. I’m so particularly hot ! Gen. Indeed ! And just now you complained of the cold ’ Imp. Ah, yes ; but that, uncle, is the effect of living in a warm cli- mate ; it changes the constitutions of men in an extraordinary man- ner, and I have even known it, in one single hour, change a man’s name ! Gen. Wonderful ! Enter Sims. r. Sims. Beg pardon, gentlemen ; but is Lord Bacon here ? 14 SUDDEN THOUGHTS. ISCENE II. Cab. Lord Bacon ! Oh, Lord ! oh, lord ! Gen. No, sir, liis lordship is not here. Cab. No, sir, there’s no such a name here. Sims. Or, the Honourable Mr. Fitz-Mordaunt ? Imp. Ahem ! Gen. No, no such person. Imp. No, no sueli person. Sims. Thank you, gentlemen. [Exit r. Gen. I can’t conceive who this Lord Bacon can possibly be. Do you know Henry ? Imp. No uncle, I know no such person. Cab. No more do I, I know no such person. Gen. Bless me ! I regret to sec Mr. Dimmerton so very unwell. Can I order anything for him, Henry T To do him a service will transport me. Cab. (Aside.) I have done myself a service that will transport me. Imp. (Aside.) Something must be done, or vour agitation will discover all. A sudden thought strikes me ! My dear uncle, you see the fact is, this gentleman, Mr. Dimmerton, don’t blush, Dimmy. Cab. What the devil’s coming now “? Imp. He is subject to sudden attacks of the tender passion, and I can plainly perceive that the charms of my dear cousin Clarissa have buttered, his breastwork, and made a hole in his heart, big enough for a bodkin to pass through. Cab. Don’t talk about bodkins! Imp. I wish I could catch a glimpse of Sophia. Cab. Don’t leave me alone in fashionable society. Gen. (Crosses to centre.) Ah ! ha I And so that’s it, eh ? Well, I believe Clarissa’s heart is disengaged, so you may win it if you can! Imp. Now to seek my dear Sophia, and if possible win her consent to my plot. [Exit r. Cab. He’s gone and left me ! That’s not right ! If I should be found out I shall be locked in. Gen. Bye the bye, Mr. Dimmerton, how does the Slave Emanci- pation Bill work ? You don’t do much in blacks now ? Cab. No, sir, olive browns arc all the go. Gen. Aye, aye, I understand you, you mean the lighter eompiex- ioned ones, but I fancied that all sorts were included in the bill ? Cab. Oh, yes, every thing is included in the bill, and five per cent off for ready money. Gen. I scarcely understand that allusion. (Aside.) Unless it’s a sneer about the compensation amount. I suppose, Mr. Dimmerton, slavery is now nothing but a name ? Cab. Oh, is it though ! Why we’re at work eighteen hours a day in the hottest part of the season, that’s what I call warm work ! Gen. Warm work, indeed ! Enter Clarissa, l. Ah, Clarissa dear, how is Sophia ? Clar. Oh, she is quite recovered, and is walking in the garden with Henry. [scene II. SUDDEN THOUGHTS. 15 Gen. I am delighted to hear it. Now, Mr. Dimmerton, I shall leave you to amuse my daughter for a few minutes, and (Aside) a further insight into her character I have no doubt will strengthen your favourable impression. ( Aside to her.) Clary, my dear, Mr Dimmerton has fallen in k*ve with you. C/ar. Lor, pa ! Gen. It’s true enough, I can assure you, so I shall leave you two young folks alone together. Cab. Oh, lord ! Gen. But mind what you’re about. Ha ! ha ! No naughty tricks. Ha ! ha ! ha ! No naughty tricks, I beg. [Exit l. Cab. We’re quite alone! Here’s atrial forme! I ought to say something; but what shall I say? If I know, I’ll be hanged, and if I don’t know, I shall be transported. If it was Bet Blossom, the kitchen maid, I could manage it. Clar. My new spark does not appear inclined to speak, I suppose I must begin. I presume you have seen a great deal of the world, Mr. Dimmerton ? Cab. Yes, mum, I’ve been to the World’s End, in Duke street. C/ar. And did you keep a diary ? Cab. No, miss ; but father kept a dairy, and a precious lot of cows there used to be. She’s a nicish gal ! Come, come, there’s something in fashionable society after all. C/ar. Is not the heat very intense in India, Mr. Dimmerton ? Cab. Yes, miss, very, very indeed ! — For anything I know to the contrary. Clar. It does not appear to have affected your complexion. Cab. No, miss, I prevented that! Clar. How, pray ? Cab. What did he say ? Why, I prevented it by using lavender water, and — and — ode of polony ! (They go up.) Enter Impulse and Sophia, l. Imp. Then I am forgiven ? Sop. Yes, but this deception must be avowed. Imp It shall, after a short period ; but pray countenance it for a day or two. Sop. I will for that period, but no longer ; indeed, I cannot imag- ine, Fitz-Mordaunt, why you do not at once, make yourself known to my guardian. Imp. A sudden thought strikes me ! why you see Sophia, a disa- greeable circumstance occured — Ahem ! — renders concealment neces- sary — affair of honour — Ahem, — friend Lord Bacon, shot Colonel O’Shaughnessy through the nose — Ahem ! Sop. Well, for two days then you remain as Henry St. Aubin. Imp. A thousand thanks ! (Sophia goes to Clarissa.) And dur- ing that time, if I can’t get a consent, fair one, from you for a trip to Gretna, why I am no judge of woman’s heart. Cab. ( Comes down) I say, Mr. Impulse, I think we had better go, I’ve had enough of fashionable society. Nabbs is waiting, and besides all that, I’m so mortally afraid of being found out. Come, let’s go. 16 SUDDEN THOUGHTS. (scene II. Imp. Go ’—Never ! Imt tS™ 1 S 'L aU caU Nabbs - the hunter leTve tt JhTd' Ji?” “ h-^d hearted Cabbage. Go » TW '“ kCn? D ° es the should be discovered ? ° U n °' V ! But ' Mr ' Jmpulse, suppose we ktte/from thTrcalSt. Au^fa . h " j“»‘ >^ived a London for a week to come lle states tha t Le cannot leave — pon Enter General, l. ha^mt^Tof'twe'U imr^or"^ 0 " - quite readv, and after we r s »^> S&t? «ung„n^SX^ ! ZzCtr 1 Shail r"Lsee SO me- delighted ! y vvnat a pretty woman this is. Oh, I’m 4’^ nd ? ™*°^$men b,y - Dearest S °P bia > *> ba with envy no one? ’ W ° rCaUy are a ver ^ comfortable little party and need ■Lnter oims . l . a t„ la sa jUS -! ih T Ved hCr0who findi "f she should be happy to join your party 7 f rl* her corn .P hm ents, tlJi Gen. A lady? Why thi« l? i 7 * < Glvln 9 a card.) OU Cat S l £ C $:: rnVed ' Mrs? Impulse of Faulkner^Halh °“ 0< § gtiSTLSS?’ <*»'■ Show L??„ d "O' unwell I am. v *GE steals round to i. 7 1 means > show her in. [£xft Silts. Can- /mft EgaJ mean '° mana ^ thi, ? Cab. I feel Very NewVuth 'wflesdsh^ “ ncomfortabl « •' 9UI>DEN THOUGHTS. 17 ([SCENE II. Imp. Why I don’t wonder at that, for even should I be forgiven, you will be sure, being one of my rascally friends, to be sacrificed. Cab. Oh, curse all fashionable society ! Imp. But, Mr. Dimmerton ? Cab. Damn Mr. Dimmerton ! Imp. We must brazen it out to the last. (They «•» ex ^ n . My dear gnardian ’ P ra y be “ In > ! Augustus Fitz-Mordaun! Mrs. Imp. Augustus Fitz-Mordaunt ! my dear girl this is all decen B«r s e. slr S0U % my 'T onhy "at P^on is George S pulse . Speak sir, will you deny your name ? g Gen. Speak Mr. St Aubin ! Sop. Speak, Mr. Fitz-Mordaunt 1 Mrs. Imp. Speak, Mr. Impulse ! ’ merton. J “ St “ 1 sus P ected aI1 the wa y through ! Speak, Mr. Dim- Sop. Speak, Lord Bacon ! Imp. Go it Cabbage ! Cab. I’m an injured indiwidual » Lab ‘ But 1 11 have my revenge. Nabbs, Nabbs ! Enter Nabbs, r. That’s the man ! Nabbs. (To Impulse.) You are my prisoner. Gen. Hallo ; what does all this mean ? 1 ^ namely that George Z Js triSuT' 1 TT mESAI*™ -***.*» •ffi’Ji'tt bu^o'w “/ufyou^re^viteh as weu"^ J '° U ‘° be “ charming la,I . v . j V;.; — r Miw;u »s Renounce ^all yout^old ncc 110 7 °^ erve w ^ iat I am about to add. mode of life, and I wifi not *J“ is , d eeeptive iU regulated g 7^r d Donf. i v" 8iVC y° u an ^ independence! ^ debt J °“ Mrs 7»m tL.. 8 a P' eed ! ‘ lle bargain is struck 1 tion will be'adhered’tT ^ 1 m “ St haTC S ° mC proof that this resoI “- Imp. AnytWng— anything you like. this-youTusuS h tiym!;^t e ' Vhieh 1 mean t0 ™POse on you is Imp. Marry? ’ ¥”' Im t Z eS> i , nstan % marry a ladv whom I have selected SUDDEN THOUGHTS. 19 [SCENE II. Cab. Then I shall be obligated to take you after all. Look out I Nabbs. Gen. You are a very foolish young man. Mrs. Imp. And why cannot you marry *? the lady is young and beautiful. Imp. I will tell you why I cannot. For a long period have I been laboring to engage the affections of this young lady. (Takes Sophia's hand. ) I think, nay I know I have succeeded and am consequently bound in honour, if I marry at all, to marry her. I may be a very wild unwise fellow, but I never will cause a tear of sadness to dim the eye of innocence and love. Gen. Right, damme if you a’nt. And hark ye, you shall have my consent, if your mother Mrs. Imp. ( Interrupts .) Why General, that’s the very lady I had chosen for my son. Cab. Nabbs be off, you’re not wanted. [Exit Nabbs l. Gen. (Joins their hands.) Take her, she is yours. But mind Im- pulse, no more deception. Imp. I have done with it forever. Gen. And Mr. Cabbage you are forgiven this time, but never let us see your face again. Cab. I’ve lost my station in fashionable society forever. Clar. I’ve lost my little beau. Imp. But I have gained a women I adore, a mother I love and a friend I respect ; Now am I indeed perfectly happy ; but no a sudden thought strikes me ! To be perfectly happy I must know that our kind friends here look with smiling approval on the victim of Sudden Thoughts. SITUATIONS. Clarissa. Mrs. Impulse. Gen. Impulse. Sophia. Cabbage. R. H. CURTAIN. L. H. _ - . : r ' '-'a ■J FRENCH’S SCENES FOR AMATEURS. sionals. Measurement 16>£ in. by 12% in. Price Colored, each, 30 cents. Plain, each, 15 cents. BACK SCENES. The letters denote what borders and sides will go with the scenes. 1. Cottage, Interior (j b) 2. " Exterior ( af ) 3. Wood (a . 1 ) 4. Prison ,c l) 5. Field (a k ) 6. Castle (k) 7. Street ( g ) 8. Palace (d h) 9. Drawing-room (j) 10. Library (j) 11. Street, Foreign ( e ) 12. Roadside Inn with river and bridge (k, 13. Foreign Hotel ext .(af) 14. Ship Deck 15. Seascape ( k ) 16. Cave (c /) 17. Mountain Pass (6 fc) 18. Attic (6 j ) 19. Lodging House Room(j) 20. Villa (af) 21. 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EACH JSTEl'W' PUBLISHED IN FRENCH’S STANDARD DRAMA, T - .. m Allatoona Lancers Lucille Randall’s Thumb Wicked World Two Orphans Colleen Bawn 'Twixt Axe and Crown Lady Clancarty Never Too Late to Mend Lily of France Led Astray Henry V., new version Unequal Match May, or Boliy’s Delusion Allatoona Enoch Arden Weak Woman How She Loves Him Our Society Mother in Law Snowed In NEW _ PUBLISHED IN FRENCH’S MINOR DRAMA. _ . . rrt vv rv HPi -rvlr nr Wonderful Woman Curious Case Forty Winks | As Like as Two Peas Court Cards Happy Land Terrible Tinker Mv Uncle's Will asriETW PUBLISHED IN FRENCH’S LONDON EDITION Twenty Minutes Under an Umbrella Mr. Joffin’s Latch Key Watch and Wait Family Pictures Fatal Glass Ashore and Afloat Jeannette and Jeannot Bridal Wreath Gold Fiend Tom Bowline Narcisse, the Vagrant The Vampire Headless Horseman Our Geordie For Honor’s Sake Our Bitterest Foe By Royal Command Blow in the Dark Painless Dentistry Taking the Veil Rely on My Discretion Who Stole the Clock Love and Honor On the CI5 de Mary’s Dream Bitter Reckoning Eileen Oge Bathing An Old Score My Sister from India Maria Martin Among the Relics Nabob for an Hour An Old Man Village Nightingale Our Nelly Partners for Life Chopstick and Spikins Chiselling Birds in their Little Nests Pretty Predicam ant Seven Sins Insured at Lloyd's Hand and Glove Keep Your Eye on Her Jessamy’s Courtship False Alarm Up in the World Parted One in Hand, &c. 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