... TO WILLIAM MACREADY, ESQ. MY DEAR SIR, What can I do less than dedicate this Tragedy to you? This is a question which you cannot answer; but I can― I cannot do less; and if I could do more, I ought, and would. I was a perfect stranger to you: you read my play, and at once committed yourself respecting its merits. This, perhaps, is not saying much for your head — but it says a great deal for your heart; and that is the consideration which, above all others, makes me feel happy, and proud, in subscribing myself, Your grateful Friend and Servant, JAMES SHERidan Knowles. LONDON, May 20, 1820. PREFACE. THIS Play was written in great haste, and, no doubt, abounds in defects; but it is a question whether it would have been less imperfect, had I taken a year to compose it. It was resolved and executed in about three months, in the midst of very numerous and arduous avocations. To a distinguished individual who suggested to me the idea of writing it, I shall ever feel grateful. I owe the public an apology for the last act; and this is my apology - History gives two accounts of the manner of Appius's death: one, that he committed suicide; the other, that he was destroyed privately by the Tribunes.1 Had I selected for my catastrophe the latter incident, the character of the tyrant had stood too prominent; by adopting the former, I should have violated the respect due to a Christian audience. After having excited such an interest for Virginius, it would have been indecent to represent him in the attitude of taking the law into his own hands. I therefore adopted the idea of his destroying Appius in a fit of temporary insanity, which gives the catastrophe the air of a visitation of Providence. I am most sensible of the great degree in which I am indebted to the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden; and I beg them to believe that I feel more than I can very readily express. To forget what I owe to the Theatre where my Play was first performed,2 would be ungrateful; and, under any circumstances, to omit the acknowledgment of it would be unprincipled and mean. I take, therefore, this opportunity of thanking also the Company of the Glasgow Theatre. 1 The first account is that of Livy, the second is recorded by Dionysius of Halicarnassus as being a general suspicion. 2 Virginius was played in Glasgow before it came into Macready's hands. |