
Transcriber's Note:
A lively comedy that captures the clash between New‑England restraint and the flamboyant energy of the young American city, this play follows two friends whose very different upbringings set the stage for sharp, humorous conflict. When a modest Bostonian visits the bustling streets of New York, he encounters a world of fashionable intrigue, witty banter, and the temptations of urban life, all while trying to stay true to his genteel values. The dialogue sparkles with the kind of clever repartee that once delighted audiences of London’s stage, inviting listeners to laugh at the absurdities of pretension and pride.
Beyond the laughs, the work offers a vivid portrait of post‑Revolution America, revealing how emerging social attitudes wrestle with lingering Puritan sensibilities. As friendships are tested and romantic entanglements unfold, the characters embody the broader cultural “contrast” of a nation finding its own voice. Listeners will enjoy both the spirited humor and the thoughtful glimpse into a formative moment in early American theater.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (126K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Starner, Brownfox and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2009-06-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1757–1826
Best remembered for writing The Contrast, often called the first American comedy, this lively early U.S. playwright also built a serious career in law and public service. His life moved from Revolutionary-era Boston to the Vermont bench, bringing together theater, politics, and the young nation’s sense of itself.
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