<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN>
<div class="transnote">
<p class="bold">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</p>
<p>Original stage directions were usually in italic and placed in
parentheses ( ). A few inconsistencies—no closing parenthesis, use
of [ instead of (, no italic—have been left unchanged.</p>
<p>Stage directions were usually right-aligned with varying indentation
on the left, sometimes beginning on the same line as the dialog,
sometimes on a new line. This etext generally puts them on a new
right-aligned line(s) with an indentation on the left of several spaces.
They have been kept in-line with the dialog when it made sense to do so.</p>
<p>As noted under the list of <SPAN href="#DRAM">Dramatis Personæ</SPAN> ‘The
Passages put between inverted Commas are omitted in the
Representation’—meaning that this marked dialog was
omitted by the actors in the Theatre-Royal production
of the play. These passages are marked with <span class="omitted">a
small font and bold weighting</span> in this etext. The inverted commas
are shown as opening and closing double quotes: <span class="nowrap">“ and ”.</span>
Redundant inverted commas at the beginning of lines have
been removed.</p>
<p>The original text used the longform ſ, replaced here by the modern s.</p>
<p>The Table of Contents has been created and inserted by the transcriber.</p>
<p class="customcover">The cover image was created by the transcriber
and is placed in the public domain.</p>
<p>Some minor corrections to the text are noted at <SPAN href="#TN">the end of the book</SPAN>.</p>
</div>
<div class="figcenter illowp60" id="act1" style="max-width: 25em;">
<ANTIMG class="w100" src="images/act1.jpg" alt="" />
<div class="caption transnote">Image of the first page of dialog<br/>in the original 1785 book.</div>
</div>
<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" />
<div class="tpage">
<h1> <span class="fs60 lsp2">THE</span><br/> <span class="fs150">FOLLIES <span class="allsmcap">OF A</span> DAY;</span><br/> <span class="fs60 lsp2">OR, THE</span><br/> MARRIAGE <span class="allsmcap">OF</span> FIGARO.</h1>
<p><span class="fs135">A COMEDY,</span><br/>
<span class="fs70 lsp">AS IT IS NOW PERFORMING AT THE</span><br/>
<span class="fs135">THEATRE-ROYAL,</span><br/>
<span class="fs120">COVENT-GARDEN.</span><br/>
<span class="fs70">FROM THE</span><br/>
<span class="fs100 lsp">FRENCH OF M. DE BEAUMARCHAIS.</span><br/>
<span class="fs135 lsp"><span class="smcap">By</span> THOMAS HOLCROFT.</span><br/></p>
</div>
<p class="pfs70 lsp lht">AUTHOR OF DUPLICITY, A COMEDY, THE NOBLE<br/>
PEASANT, AN OPERA, &C.</p>
<div class="figcenter illowe17" id="i_sep">
<ANTIMG class="w100" src="images/i_sep.jpg" alt="" /></div>
<p class="pfs100 lsp2">LONDON:</p>
<p class="pfs120">Printed for G. G. J. and J. <span class="lsp">ROBINSON</span>,<br/>
<span class="smcap">Pater-noster Row</span>.</p>
<p class="pfs80">M DCC LXXXV.</p>
<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" />
<h2 class="nobreak transnote" id="CONTENTS">TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h2></div>
<table class="autotable transnote" width="50%" summary="">
<tr>
<td class="tdl"><SPAN href="#PROLOGUE">PROLOGUE,</SPAN></td>
<td class="tdr">Page vii</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl"><SPAN href="#ACT_I">ACT I.</SPAN></td>
<td class="tdr">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl"><SPAN href="#ACT_II">ACT II.</SPAN></td>
<td class="tdr">25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl"><SPAN href="#ACT_III">ACT III.</SPAN></td>
<td class="tdr">53</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl"><SPAN href="#ACT_IV">ACT IV.</SPAN></td>
<td class="tdr">74</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl"><SPAN href="#ACT_V">ACT V.</SPAN></td>
<td class="tdr">90</td>
</tr>
</table>
<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_iii"></SPAN>[Pg iii]</span></p>
<h2 class="nobreak" id="ADVERTISEMENT">ADVERTISEMENT.</h2></div>
<p class="drop-capy">Though to thank the Public is to thank
nobody, since no particular Person takes
this Sort of Compliments to himself, yet
were I not to feel that Gratitude, which
individually I know not where to pay, I were
unworthy of past, of present, or of future
Favours.</p>
<p>An Author’s Thanks to the World at
large may be seen under two very different
Aspects: For, to thank the Public is to tell
the Public he is successful; which, supposing
it true, it would be strange if they did not already
know; it appears therefore only to be
taking an Opportunity of indulging his Vanity:
And yet to thank them seems his
Duty, since his Silence might not only be
construed a want of Respect, but an arrogant
Self-confidence that, when they applauded or
approved his Work, they only did him justice.
The Reader must determine which of
these Faces he will please to view.</p>
<p>I am so well convinced that the best Writer
stands in need of Indulgence, and that he<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_iv"></SPAN>[iv]</span>
only does well by Comparison, and might
do much better, that I shall find little Mortification
in subscribing to the Opinions of
those who shall tell me I am in this latter
Predicament.</p>
<p>Readers are divided into two Classes; the
one will allow an Author much more than
he merits, and the other much less; but
the principal Excellencies of <i>The Follies of a
Day</i> are so known to be another’s Right,
that for me to claim them would be ridiculous.
Some, however, have affirmed that it
is a mere Translation, who have never seen,
read, or heard the Original; if they had, indeed,
they would have been still more culpable.
Few will trouble themselves to examine
the precise Extent of my Claims; nor,
if they did, would they have an Opportunity
’till M. <i>de Beaumarchais</i> shall think proper to
publish <span class="smcap">La Folle Journée</span>. The Public
in general are so willing to overlook Defects,
and applaud wherever they can, that to complain
of, or be angry at the Few who seek for,
and wish to find, Errors only, can proceed alone
from that Self-love which is so inherent and<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_v"></SPAN>[v]</span>
irritable in all bosoms, and so difficult to
subdue.</p>
<p>To enumerate all the Obstacles encountered
and overcome in bringing this Comedy
on the English Stage, would be to indulge
this Vanity; which it is every wise Man’s
Pride, and every prudent Man’s Interest to
resist. It may, however, afford some Pleasure
to be informed, that, finding it impossible
to procure a Copy of the original French,
though a Journey to Paris was undertaken
expressly for that Purpose, the Copy made
use of in the composing <i>The Follies of a Day</i>,
was taken by Memory, only, during eight or
nine Representations; that I furnished the
Plot, Incidents, Entrances, and Exits, and
gave some other occasional Hints; that the
remainder was the Work of a young Frenchman,
whose Talents and whose Heart are
an Ornament and an Honour to his Country;
and that, after it was brought to <i>England</i>
and received by Mr. <i>Harris</i>, it was
translated, cast, copied, recopied, studied,
and, in one of its longest Parts, re-studied,
and played in little more than a Month.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_vi"></SPAN>[vi]</span>
The Attention and Care of Mr. <i>Harris</i>, and
the Merits of the respective Performers in
playing, as they did, under such Circumstances,
need not my Encomiums. Had the
Town known the peculiar Exertions, of those
especially who performed the longest and most
essential Parts, the applause would have been
endless. From me they are justly entitled to
my warmest and sincerest Thanks.</p>
<p class="p2">
<span class="smcap">Upper Mary-le-Bone Street,<br/>
<span class="pad4">Feb. 21, 1785.</span></span><br/></p>
<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_vii"></SPAN>[vii]</span></p>
<h2 class="nobreak" id="PROLOGUE">PROLOGUE,</h2></div>
<p class="center">Spoken by Mr. <span class="lsp">DAVIES</span>.</p>
<div class="poetry-container">
<div class="poetry">
<div class="stanza">
<div class="drop-capy indent3">To-night, a Child of Chance is hither brought,</div>
<div class="verse indent2h">Who could be neither <i>borrow’d</i>, <i>begg’d</i>, nor <i>bought</i>;</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Nay, so alert was said to be the Droll,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">’Twas well affirm’d he was not to be <i>stole</i>;</div>
<div class="verse indent0">But hence dispatch’d, back’d by Apollo’s warrant,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">A messenger has <i>kidnapp’d</i> this Wag-errant;</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Poetic Fugitive, has hither dragg’d him,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">And, safely here arriv’d, has now ungagg’d him,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">To plead before this Court, his whole amenance;</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Where, should you sentence him to public Penance,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Oh, sad reverse! how would he foam and fret,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">And sigh for Paris and his sweet <i>Soubrette</i>!</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Where twice ten thousand tongues are proud to greet him,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">And wing’d Applause, on tip-toe, stands to meet him;</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Where the grim Guard, in nightly rapture, stands,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">And grounds his musquet to get at his hands;</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Where the retentive Pitt, all prone t’adore him,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Repeat his <i>Bon mots</i> half a bar before him;</div>
<div class="verse indent0">While every <i>Bel-Esprit</i>, at every hit,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Grows fifty-fold more conscious of his Wit.</div>
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<div class="verse indent2">If <i>far fetch’d and dear bought</i> give Trifles worth,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Sure you’ll applaud our <span class="smcap">Figaro</span>’s second birth.</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Nought of his present merit must we say;</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Bear but in mind, <span class="allsmcap">OUR</span> Day’s a <span class="smcap">Spanish</span> Day.</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Cupid, in warmer Climes, urg’d by the Grape,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Calls not each petty violence a Rape!</div>
<div class="verse indent0">But oft his Votaries leaves intoxicate,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Hence <span class="smcap">Figaro</span> himself is illegitimate.</div>
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<div class="verse indent2">Sanction’d by you, howe’er, this little Blot,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">So much in fashion, will be soon forgot;</div>
<div class="verse indent0">That Signature which each kind hand bestows,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Shall make him well receiv’d where’er he goes!</div>
</div></div>
</div>
<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" />
<h2 class="p2 nobreak fs135" id="DRAM">DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.</h2></div>
<table class="autotable" width="70%" summary="">
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Count Almaviva,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Lewis</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Don Guzman,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Quick</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Doctor Bartholo,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Wilson</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Figaro,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Bonnor</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Antonio,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Edwin</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Basil,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Wewitzer</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Doublefee,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Thompson</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Bounce,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Stevens</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Courier,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Jones</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Crier of the Court,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Bates</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Servant,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mr. <span class="smcap">Newton</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Page,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mrs. <span class="smcap">Martyr</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td> </td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Countess,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mrs. <span class="smcap">Bates</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Marcelina,</td>
<td class="tdl">Mrs. <span class="smcap">Webb</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Agnes,</td>
<td class="tdl">Miss <span class="smcap">Wewitzer</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdl">Susan,</td>
<td class="tdl">Miss <span class="smcap">Younge</span>.</td>
</tr>
<tr><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td> </td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="tdc" colspan="2">Counsellors, Guards, Vassals.</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p class="p2 pad4 pfs120"><span class="fs120">☞</span> <i>The Passages put between inverted Commas are omitted
in the Representation.</i></p>
<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" />
<div class="width30">
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_1"></SPAN>[Pg 1]</span><br/></p>
<p class="p2 pfs120 lsp2">THE</p>
<p class="p1 pfs240">FOLLIES <span class="allsmcap">OF A</span> DAY.</p>
</div>
<div class="figcenter illowe17" id="i_sep2">
<ANTIMG class="w100" src="images/i_sep.jpg" alt="" /></div>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
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