EPILOGUE INTENDED FOR 'SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER.'
This epilogue was first printed at pp. 82-6, vol. ii, of the
'Miscellaneous Works of' 1801. Bolton Corney says it had been given to
Percy by Goldsmith. It is evidently the 'quarrelling Epilogue' referred
to in the following letter from Goldsmith to Cradock ('Miscellaneous
Memoirs', 1826, i. 225-6):--
'MY DEAR SIR,
The Play ['She Stoops to Conquer'] has met with a success much beyond
your expectations or mine. I thank you sincerely for your Epilogue,
which, however could not be used, but with your permission, shall be
printed*. The story in short is this; Murphy sent me rather the outline
of an Epilogue than an Epilogue, which was to be sung by Mrs. Catley,
and which she approved. Mrs. Bulkley hearing this, insisted on throwing
up her part, unless according to the custom of the theatre, she were
permitted to speak the Epilogue. In this embarrassment I thought of
making a quarrelling Epilogue between Catley and her, debating who
should speak the Epilogue, but then Mrs.
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