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Goldsmith's She Stoops To Conquer


Goldsmith, during the first performance of this comedy, walked all the

time in St. James' Park in great uneasiness. Finally, when he thought

that it must be over, hastening to the theatre, hisses assailed his

ears as he entered the green-room. Asking in eager alarm of Colman the

cause--"Pshaw, pshaw!" said Colman, "don't be afraid of squibs, when we

have been sitting on a barrel of gunpowder for two hours." The comedy

ad completely triumphed--the audience were only hissing the after

farce. Goldsmith had some difficulty in getting the piece on the stage,

as appears from the following letter to Colman:--"I entreat you'll

relieve me from that state of suspense in which I have been kept for a

long time. Whatever objections you have made, or shall make, to my play,

I will endeavour to remove, and not argue about them. To bring in any

new judges either of its merits or faults, I can never submit to. Upon a

former occasion, when my other play was before Mr. Garrick, he offered

to bring me before Mr. Whitehead's tribunal, but I refused the proposal

with indignation. I hope I shall not experience as hard treatment from

you, as from him. I have, as you know, a large sum of money to make up

shortly; by accepting my play, I can readily satisfy my creditor that

way; at any rate, I must look about to some certainty to be prepared.

For God's sake take the play, and let us make the best of it; and let me

have the same measure at least which you have given as bad plays as

mine."



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