The Merchant Prince of Cornville: A Comedy: Play Guide and Free Edition
The Merchant Prince of Cornville: A Comedy: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Merchant Prince of Cornville: A Comedy is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Gross, Samuel Eberly (1843–1913).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"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.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Merchant Prince of Cornville: A Comedy
- Author credits: Gross, Samuel Eberly (1843–1913)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Man-woman relationships -- Drama
- Women -- Drama
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Humour
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
- Category: Romance
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


