Vulgar words in A Book of the Play - Studies and Illustrations of Histrionic Story, Life, and Character (Page 1)

This book at a glance

ass x 4
bastard x 2
damn x 2
make love x 1
            

Page 1

~   ~   ~   Sentence 149   ~   ~   ~

In "The Devil is an Ass," he describes the demeanour of a gallant occupying a seat upon the stage.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 428   ~   ~   ~

There was a disposition to damn whatever might appear.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 946   ~   ~   ~

Thus we find in "Humphrey Clinker," the mayor of Gloucester eager to condemn as a vagrant, and to commit to prison with hard labour, young Mr. George Dennison, who, in the guise of Wilson, a strolling player, had presumed to make love to Miss Lydia Melford, the heroine of the story.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 2,858   ~   ~   ~

The new-comers know nothing of the foregone part of the drama; and having no context with which to connect allusions in the fourth and fifth acts, are apt to damn without consideration that which they are no judges of-- And what they cannot comprehend deny.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 3,940   ~   ~   ~

To recite an epilogue while seated on the back of an ass was a favourite expedient of the comedians of the early Georgian period, while the introduction of comic songs and mimicry--such as the scene of "The Drunken Man," and the song of "The Four-and-Twenty Stock-Jobbers," which Mr. Harper performed on his benefit-night in 1720--was found to be a very attractive measure.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 5,043   ~   ~   ~

The authentic professor of histrionic art may even have been addressed occasionally by his illicit opponent in something like Edmund's very words: Why bastard?

~   ~   ~   Sentence 5,050   ~   ~   ~

Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land; Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund As to the legitimate: fine word "legitimate."

~   ~   ~   Sentence 5,469   ~   ~   ~

Early comedians, such as Joe Haines and Pinkethman, now and then entered upon the scene, "seated upon an ass," to deliver "an occasional epilogue," with more mirthful effect.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 5,471   ~   ~   ~

In Tom Brown's works, 1730, there is a print of Haines, mounted on an ass, appearing in front of the stage, with a view of the side boxes and pit.

Page 1