A Peculiar Position by Scribe (Show and Tell Project)

A Peculiar Position is a farce in one act by Eugene Scribe and J.F.A. Bayard. I could not find much else concerning the history of this play as it is one of his least well known writings. It can be found in the book Camille and other plays edited with an introduction to the well-made play by Stephen S. Stanton. Scribe himself was born in December of 1791 and is well known for perfecting the well-made play.
     Although A Peculiar Position is only one act, it follows the well-made play model. To sum up the plot of the play, Carlo and Barbara are lovers, but Barbara's mother will have nothing to do with Carlo since he is a soldier. Luckily for the two Carlo is stationed close by and can visit during his free hours. We learn from Barbara that her mother has chosen her a suitor in the form of Pepito who is described as a "nasty mischief-making, tattling, babbling fellow." (Page 1 of the script.) In order to fend off Pepito's advances, Barbara states that she is married, which sends him in a fluster. The countess arrives and her predicament is that her husband is to be arrested, and she can't have that. Champignon arrives to sell his wares, but the countess first eyes him with suspicion. Once it becomes clear that Champignon means no ill will towards the duchess, he leaves, but the duchess switches his passport without his knowing. Upon his leaving Barbara declares Champignon as her husband to flabbergast Pepito. Later the major Lascari arrives to arrest the Duke. Champignon denies being the duke or an accomplice, but his papers tell a different story. As such he takes it upon himself the guise of the duke, wearing his clothing, and eating his food. At dinner the duchess continually has to stomp his foot in order to not give the situation away that he is a married man playing royalty. At some point it is believed that Champignon has tempted to woo Barbara and Carlo takes it upon himself to defend her honor with a duel. Champignon of course refuses the duel. The major shows up and it seems that Champignon's execution is eminent. The major reveals that he has new orders to release the duke, and Champignon is let free to be in the arms of his wife.
     Scribe does not go any further into the story of Carlo, Barbara or Pepito. The last we see of the characters is Carlo telling Champignon that he is ordered to be executed on account that he is supposedly the duke. The love triangle is never resolved in the play, which is an interesting choice since the situation was only used as a plot device to further along the action of the play. I think it noteworthy the use of passports in the play. I do not believe that papers had a photographic identifier on them, but were all words. With Champignon being close in stature to the Duke it makes it very convenient to change out his passport to both shift the focus to Champignon so that the Duke is not being looked for, as well as to give the Duke means to leave the country without being observed. This of course puts Champignon into a rather peculiar position as he states multiple times throughout the play.