Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
CHARLOTTE
She has only a mantua-maker who waits for her at home. But, as I am to give my
opinion of the dress, I think she cannot go yet. We were talking of the fashions
when you came in, but I suppose the subject must be changed to something of
more importance now. Mr. Dimple, will you favour us with an account of the public
entertainments?
DIMPLE
Why, really, Miss Manly, you could not have asked me a question more malapropos.
For my part, I must confess that, to a man who has travelled, there is
nothing that is worthy the name of amusement to be found in this city.
Except visiting the ladies.
CHARLOTTE
DIMPLE
Pardon me, Madam; that is the avocation of a man of taste. But for amusement, I
positively know of nothing that can be called so, unless you dignify with that title
the hopping once a fortnight to the sound of two or three squeaking ddles, and
the clattering of the old tavern windows, or sitting to see the miserable mummers,
whom you call actors, murder comedy and make a farce of tragedy.
MANLY
Do you never attend the theatre, Sir?
I was tortured there once.
DIMPLE
CHARLOTTE
Pray, Mr. Dimple, was it a tragedy or a comedy?
DIMPLE
Faith, Madam, I cannot tell; for I sat with my back to the stage all the time,
admiring a much better actress than any there—a lady who played the ne woman
to perfection; though, by the laugh of the horrid creatures round me, I suppose it
was comedy. Yet, on second thoughts, it might be some hero in a tragedy, dying so
comically as to set the whole house in an uproar. Colonel, I presume you have been
in Europe?
MANLY
Indeed, Sir, I was never ten leagues from the continent.
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