Note 51 — Chapter XIV · 1888. ‘MACBETH’—‘THE DEAD HEART’—‘RAVENSWOOD.’

Another play was written for him on the subject of ‘Mahomet,’ which he was inclined to bring out; but here again authority interposed, and “invited him,” as the French so politely have it, to abandon his purpose. It was at the end of the summer season of 1879 that our manager, after naming these pieces, spoke of others which he had in reserve, either revivals or wholly new ones. It is interesting to think that he had thought of the stormy and pathetic ‘Gamester,’ which has ever an absorbing attraction; ‘The Stranger’ also was spoken of; but their treatment would have offered too many points of similarity to Eugene Aram and other characters of “inspissated gloom.” On this occasion, when speaking of “the romantic and pathetic story” of Emmett, he announced a drama on the subject of Rienzi, which his friend Wills had prepared for him, but which has never yet seen the light. Years have rolled by swiftly since that night, and the author has often been heard to bewail the delays and impediments which hindered the production of what he no doubt considered his finest performance. Another great drama long promised and long due is ‘Coriolanus,’ for which Mr. Alma Tadema has designed scenery.