Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from British Drama, a Collection of the Most Esteemed Dramatic Productions, With Biography of the Respective Authors, Vol. 14 of 14: Containing Alzira, Careless Husband, Provoked Wife, Recruiting Officer
Sir,
Though a prince is born a patron, yet a benevolent expansion of his heart gives nobler title to the homage of the arts, than all the greatness of his power to propagate them. There respect is, either way, so much your Royal Highness's unquestioned due, that he who asks your leave to offer such a duty, calls in question your prerogative, or means to sell his own acknowledgments.
They have not marked, with penetration, the distinction of your spirit, who dare look upon you as inclosed against the access of sincerity. The judgment and humanity of princes are obscured by difficulties in approaching them. Nor can the benefactors of mankind be so far inconsistent with themselves, as to interpose the obstacles of distance, or cold ceremony, between their goodness, and our gratitude.
Allow me, therefore, sir, the honour to present Alzira to your patronage: disclaiming, for myself, all expectation of your notice. It is just that I should give up my own small pretensions; but Mr. de Voltaire brings title to your Royal Highness's regard. The merit of his work will recommend him to your judgment: and the noble justice he has done her majesty's distinguished character, in his French preface to this tragedy, will, perhaps, deserve the glory of the son's partiality, in sense of reverence for the royal mother.
It were, indeed, some violation of respect and gratitude, not to devote Alzira to the hand that honoured her in public with an applause so warm and weighty, in her representation on the English theatre. - Here Mr. de Voltaire enjoyed the triumph due to genius; while his heroic characters at the same time made evident the force of nature when it operates upon resembling qualities. - When tragedies are strong in sentiment, they will be touchstones to their hearers' hearts.
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