The Contrast [1]
an Uproar,' a comic opera in two acts. He shortly after- ward returned to his home at Boston, where, several years later (1797) another play from his pen, called 'A Good Spec, or Land in the Moon,' was produced. I have been unable to ascertain whether either 'May- day' or 'A Good Spec' was ever printed or not.
Tyler's modesty or indifference as to his literary rep- utation, as evidenced in his treatment of his plays, characterized his conduct throughout life with respect to his other works; so that, of the many productions of his pen that have been printed, the only one that bears his name upon the title-page is a set of Vermont Law Reports. And though early in life he acquired among literary circles a reputation as a witty and graceful writer of poetry and prose, it is doubtful whether he benefited much by his writings, either pecuniarily or in popularity, as an author. They were undoubtedly the recreation of his leisure moments, and though they were thrown off from time to time without ap- parent effort, they bear internal evidence of being the result of deep reflection and much reading.<3>
Tyler adopted the legal profession, married, settled in Vermont, became celebrated as a successful advo- cate, was elected a Judge, and later, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and died at Brattle- boro, in that State, August 16, 1826.
The success of the 'Contrast' was one of the pow- erful influences which aided in bringing about in this country a complete revolution of sentiment with re- spect to the drama and theatrical amusements. Up to the time it first appeared, the drama here had met with few friends, and but little favor.
A single company of English players, the so-called first "American Company," after a long and bitter struggle with the intolerance and prejudices of the Puri- tan and Quakers, had attained some slight favor in New- York, Philadelphia, and some of the Southern cities; but in New England the prohibitory laws against all the- atrical amusements were still in force and were rigidly executed. The Continental Congress, while not abso- lutely suppressing,<4> had set its seal of condemnation against the theater, so that the most reputable and law- abiding of our people were kept away from all theatrical amusements, if not from inclination, at least by the fear of deviating from the plain path of their duty. But immediately after the production of the 'Contrast,' a radical change of opinion in respect to the drama is apparent.
Plays by American authors followed in rapid succes- sion, the stigma against the theater gradually and com- pletely faded away; and when the first citizen of the United States, the immortal Washington, attended in state as President to witness a first-night performance of an American play, the revolution was complete. At Boston a number of the most prominent, intelligent, and influential citizens assembled in town meetings, and passed resolutions instructing their representatives to demand of the Legislature an immediate repeal of the laws against theatrical amusements, and upon such repeal being refused, they subscribed the necessary funds to erect a theater and invited the American Com- pany to visit Boston to give a series of performances there, which invitation was accepted. There was some interference on the part of the authorities, but the new theater was erected and performances publicly given there, while the prohibitory law became a dead letter.
It will be noticed that the frontispiece is from a drawing by Dunlap, which must have been done by him shortly after his return from England, where he had been studying art as a pupil under Benjamin West. It was evidently intended to represent the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Morris, Mr. Henry, Mr. Wignell, and Mr. Harper, in their respective characters in this play, with the scenery as given in the last act at the John Street Theater, the first season, but the inferior work of the engraver had made it of little value as likenesses.
The illustration to the song of Alknomook is from music published contemporaneously
Tyler's modesty or indifference as to his literary rep- utation, as evidenced in his treatment of his plays, characterized his conduct throughout life with respect to his other works; so that, of the many productions of his pen that have been printed, the only one that bears his name upon the title-page is a set of Vermont Law Reports. And though early in life he acquired among literary circles a reputation as a witty and graceful writer of poetry and prose, it is doubtful whether he benefited much by his writings, either pecuniarily or in popularity, as an author. They were undoubtedly the recreation of his leisure moments, and though they were thrown off from time to time without ap- parent effort, they bear internal evidence of being the result of deep reflection and much reading.<3>
Tyler adopted the legal profession, married, settled in Vermont, became celebrated as a successful advo- cate, was elected a Judge, and later, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and died at Brattle- boro, in that State, August 16, 1826.
The success of the 'Contrast' was one of the pow- erful influences which aided in bringing about in this country a complete revolution of sentiment with re- spect to the drama and theatrical amusements. Up to the time it first appeared, the drama here had met with few friends, and but little favor.
A single company of English players, the so-called first "American Company," after a long and bitter struggle with the intolerance and prejudices of the Puri- tan and Quakers, had attained some slight favor in New- York, Philadelphia, and some of the Southern cities; but in New England the prohibitory laws against all the- atrical amusements were still in force and were rigidly executed. The Continental Congress, while not abso- lutely suppressing,<4> had set its seal of condemnation against the theater, so that the most reputable and law- abiding of our people were kept away from all theatrical amusements, if not from inclination, at least by the fear of deviating from the plain path of their duty. But immediately after the production of the 'Contrast,' a radical change of opinion in respect to the drama is apparent.
Plays by American authors followed in rapid succes- sion, the stigma against the theater gradually and com- pletely faded away; and when the first citizen of the United States, the immortal Washington, attended in state as President to witness a first-night performance of an American play, the revolution was complete. At Boston a number of the most prominent, intelligent, and influential citizens assembled in town meetings, and passed resolutions instructing their representatives to demand of the Legislature an immediate repeal of the laws against theatrical amusements, and upon such repeal being refused, they subscribed the necessary funds to erect a theater and invited the American Com- pany to visit Boston to give a series of performances there, which invitation was accepted. There was some interference on the part of the authorities, but the new theater was erected and performances publicly given there, while the prohibitory law became a dead letter.
It will be noticed that the frontispiece is from a drawing by Dunlap, which must have been done by him shortly after his return from England, where he had been studying art as a pupil under Benjamin West. It was evidently intended to represent the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Morris, Mr. Henry, Mr. Wignell, and Mr. Harper, in their respective characters in this play, with the scenery as given in the last act at the John Street Theater, the first season, but the inferior work of the engraver had made it of little value as likenesses.
The illustration to the song of Alknomook is from music published contemporaneously