Manse." It
was only when the dry bones were clothed and breathed into by the actor's
personality that the dramatizations lived. One can recall no plot that
moves naturally in these versions; the transformation of the story into
dialogue was mechanical, done by men to whom hack-work was the easiest
thing in the world. Comparing the Kerr play with the Burke revision of it,
when the text is strained for richness of phrase it might contain, only
one line results, and is worth remembering; it is Burke's original
contribution,--"Are we so soon forgot when we are gone?"

The frequency with which "Rip Van Winkle" was dramatized would indicate
that, very early in the nineteenth century, managers of the theatre were
assiduous hunters after material which might be considered native.
Certainly _Rip_ takes his place with _Deuteronomy Dutiful_, _Bardwell
Slote_, _Solon Shingle_ and _Davy Crockett_ as of the soil.

Irving's "Sketch Book" was published in 1819, and, considering his vast
interest in the stage, and the dramatic work done by him in conjunction
with John Howard Payne, it is unfortunate that he himself did not realize
the dramatic possibilities of his story. There is no available record to
show that he either approved or disapproved of the early dramatizations.
But there is ample record to show that, with the beginning of its stage
career, nine years after publication, "Rip" caught fire on the stage both
in America and in London. Mr. James K. Hackett is authority for the
statement that among his father's papers is a letter from Irving
congratulating him upon having made so much from such scant material.

The legendary character of Irving's sources, as traced in German
folk-lore, does not come within the scope of this introduction. The first
record of a play is Thomas Flynn's appearance as _Rip_ in a dramatization
made by an unnamed Albanian, at the South Pearl Street Theatre, Albany,
N. Y., May 26, 1828. It was given for the benefit of the actor's wife, and
was called "Rip Van Winkle; or, The Spirits of the Catskill Mountains."
Notice of it may be found in the files of the Albany _Argus_. Winter, in
his Life of Joseph Jefferson, reproduces the prologue. Part of the cast
was as follows:

Derrick Van Slous--Charles B. Parsons
Knickerbocker--Moses S. Phillips
Rip Van Winkle--Thomas Flynn
Lowenna--Mrs. Flynn
Alice--Mrs. Forbes

Flynn was a great friend of the elder Booth, and Edwin bore Thomas as a
middle name.

In 18