AustLit

The writer for the Monitor describes the arrival in the newspaper's office, 'a few days ago', of 'a youth of an open and ingenuous countenance', 'a native of Windsor'. The youth brought with him a copy of a tragedy in blank verse that he had written and requested an opinion on its merit.

Although fearful that the work would have to be condemned, the writer (and reader of the play) states: we sat down to peruse the first tragedy in blank verse composed on this side the equator, which we ever heard of. On going through the work, we felt very considerable interest in the tale, the scenes and the characters generally.

The Monitor offers advice on possible changes to the play (including doing away with the blank verse) and suggests that it be performed at Levey and Simmons's Theatre Royal. The Monitor further notes its intention, subject to the author's approval, to publish 'a sketch of the tale, and of the scenes, with specimens of the dialogue'.