Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1882 — The Beggars’ Opera. [ARTICLE]

The Beggars’ Opera.

Dr. Swift had been observing once to Mr. Gay what an odd, pretty sort of thing a Newgate pastoral might make. Gay was inclined to try at such a thing for same time, bnt aftewards thought it would be better to write a comedy on the same plan. This was what gave rise to the “Beggars* Opera.'* He began on it, and when first he mentioned it to Swift, the Doctor did not quite like the project As he carried it on he showed what he wrote to both of us; and we now and then gave a correction or a word or two of advice, but it was wholly of his own writing. When it was done, neither of us thought it would succeed. We showed it to Congreve, who, after-reading it over, said: “It would either take greatly, or be damned confoundly. ’* We were all, at the first sight of it, in great uncertainty of the event, till we were much encouraged by overhearing the Duke of Argyle, who sat in the next box to us, say, “ It will do—it must do! I see it in the eyes of them !” This was a good while before the first act was over, and so gave us ease soon; for the Duke had a more particular knack than any one living in discovering the taste of the public. He was quite right in this, as usual; the good nature of the audience appeared stronger and stronger every act, and ended in a clamor of applause.— Pope.