supposed to divine the location of the chest and free the treasure from the spirits of the dead. The dupes, thoroughly frightened but still determined, finally raise the chest from the earth and agree to carry it to Washball's house, where the treasure can be divided on the following day. (Air 14) Scene 3. Meanwell persuades Lucy to marry him despite her uncle's objections. (Ast 15) Scene 4. Washball decides to increase his share of the treasure by informing the king's tax collector of the discovery. The wealth could then be divided between Washball and the king. The collector agrees to appear at Washball's house. Scene 5. The treasure hunters gather at Washball's home and are astonished when Washball appears with the king's agent. Hum secretly informs the collector of the nature of the prank, while the rest of the group angrily berates Washball for betraying his fellows. The chest is pried open, and its contents are revealed—bricks and stones. The dupes are despondent. Their aspirations are dashed, and their gullibility is now a public spectacle. The situation- is eased by the appearance of Lucy and Meanwell, who have just been married and now seek Washball's blessing. The dupes all repent of their foolishness and resolve to live better lives in the future. (Airs 16-IS and a Country dance) Epilogue. The principal characters appear on the stage, some singing fragments of songs, and each comments on the play's reception by the audience. (Closing Song) Notes References Kirk, Elise Kuhl. American Opera University of Illinois Press, 2001. English-language operas Operas by Samuel Adler Ballad operas 1762 operas 1976 operas Operas Works published under a pseudonym Satirical works Pennsylvania in fiction