The Gross, Samuel Eberly 1843-1913 creator text utu 2017 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats "The Merchant Prince of Cornville: A Comedy" by Samuel Eberly Gross is a theatrical comedy written in the late 19th century. This engaging play offers a mix of romance, idealism, and commentary on materialism, focusing on the character of Hercules Whetstone, a wealthy merchant and mayor who seeks to win the heart of the refined Violet. The narrative juxtaposes lofty ideals with the mundane realities of wealth and love in a whimsical manner that characterizes the comedic style of its time. At the start of the play, the audience is introduced to the idyllic setting of an orchard by the sea, where the poet Ideal and the charming Violet engage in playful and flirtatious banter, hinting at deeper themes of romantic aspiration and poetic fancy. As the scene unfolds, it becomes clear that Violet is not only charming but also weary of proposals related solely to wealth, as she is introduced to her suitor, Whetstone. The characters provide a lively commentary on the values of their society, including discussions of love entwined with commerce and the pursuit of happiness amidst material concerns, setting the stage for a tale rich in humor and romantic entanglements. (This is an automatically generated summary.) The play on which Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac" was said to be based. The charge of plagiarism was upheld by a United States court. Release date is 2017-01-22 Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive) Original publication data not identified Man-woman relationships -- Drama Women -- Drama PS Original publication data not identified 40037879 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54014 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54014 UtSlPG 260607 20260610134238.0 54014