Possibly some suspicion attached to the dramatist by reason of his being an Irishman and a Roman Catholic.

In any case, the Licenser found much to object to in "Alasco." The play was in rehearsal at Covent Garden; but so many alterations and suppressions were insisted on, that its representation became impracticable.

We may note a few of the lines expunged by the Licenser: With most unworthy patience have I seen My country shackled and her sons oppressed; And though I've felt their injuries, and avow My ardent hope hereafter to avenge them, &c.
Tyrants, proud lord, are never safe, nor should be; The ground is mined beneath them as they tread; Haunted by plots, cabals, conspiracies, Their lives are long convulsions, and they shake, Surrounded by their guards and garrisons! Some slanderous tool of state, Some taunting, dull, unmannered deputy! The words in italics were to be expunged from the following passages: Tis ours to rescue from the oblivious grave _Where tyrants have contrived to bury them,_ A gallant race--a nation--_and her fame; To gather up the fragments of our state, And in its cold, dismembered body, breathe The living soul of empire._ Fear God and love the king--the soldier's faith-- Was always my religion; and I know No heretics but cowards, knaves, and traitors-- _No, no, whate'er the colour of his creed, The man of honour's orthodox._ It is difficult now to discover what offence was contained in these lines, and many more such as these, which were also denounced by the Licenser.

Shee expostulated--for he was not a meek sort of man by any means, and he knew the advantages of a stir to one aiming at publicity--appealed from the subordinate to the superior, from the Examiner to the Chamberlain, then the Duke of Montrose, and wrote to the newspapers; but all in vain.

The tragedy could not be performed.
That the stage lost much it would be rash to assert.