and philosophic mind.

But Mrs. Warren was not entirely given over to the serious occupations
of literary work. We find her on intimate terms with Mrs. Adams, the
two of them in their daily association calling each other _Portia_ and
_Marcia_.

Who actually played in "The Group" when it was given a performance is
not recorded. We know, however, from records, that it was given for the
delectation of the audiences assembled "nigh head quarters, at Amboyne."
This evidence is on the strength of Mrs. Warren's own statement.
Sanction for the statement appears on the title-pages of the New York,
John Anderson, issue of 1775,[6] and the Jamaica-Philadelphia, James
Humphreys, Jr., edition of the same year.

I have selected this play, "The Group," as being an excellent example
of the partisan writing done at the time of our American Revolution,
and no one can afford to overlook it, although its actable qualities,
according to our present-day judgment, are doubtful.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Mrs. Warren was born at Barnstable, Mass., September 25, 1728, and
died at Plymouth, Mass., October 19, 1814.

[2] The/Blockheads:/or, the/Affrighted Officers. /A/Farce. /Boston:/
Printed in Queen-Street,/M,DCC,LXXVI./

[3] On the title-page of the Boston edition there appears the
following proem: "As the great business of the polite world is the
eager pursuit of amusement, and as the Public diversions of the season
have been interrupted by the hostile parade in the capital; the
exhibition of a new farce may not be unentertaining."

[4] The /Motley /Assembly, /A /Farce. /Published /For the
/Entertainment /of the / Curious. /Boston: /Printed and Sold by
Nathaniel Coverly, in /Newbury-Street, / M,DCC,LXXIX./

[5] Mrs. Warren's biographer, Alice Brown, quotes the list, as
follows, the persons satirized being in parentheses: Lord Chief
Justice Hazlerod (Oliver); Judge Meagre (E. Hutchinson); Brigadier
Hateall (Ruggles); Hum Humbug, Esq., (Jno. Erving); Sir Sparrow
Spendall (Sir Wm. Pepperell); Hector Mushroom (Col. Murray); Beau
Trumps (Jno. Vassall); Dick, the Publican (Lechmere); Monsieur de
Francois (N. R. Thomas); Crusty Crowbar, Esq. (J. Boutineau);
Dupe,--Secretary of State (T. Flucker); Scriblerius Fribble (Leonard);
Commodore Bateau (Loring). The significance of these names will be
apparent to student of local Colonial history.

[6] The /Group,/ A / Farce: / As lately Acted, and to be Re-acted, to
the Wonder/ of all superior Intelligen