Helvetic liberty, or, the Lass of the lakes. An opera, in three acts. Dedicated to all the archers of Great Britain. By a Kentish bowman
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Translator tentatively identified as Charles, 3rd Earl Stanhope on the basis of his radical leanings, extensive Swiss upbringing, election in Geneva as 'King of the archers' and residency in Chevening, Kent.
The 'author's' preface is conceived as a dissertation on the importance of the longbow. After conversing on this matter, the author claims to have been inspired to retell the story of William Tell for his fellow Toxopholites (lovers of archery). It makes no reference to the French source-text.
He goes on to indicate that his text has been refused by the theater because of its political content, which is, "too much in favour of the liberties of the people… I found politics to be the forbidden fruit, lest the people's eyes should be opened and they become as gods, knowing good and evil". Despite this, he had had published anyway, calling himself, "an admirer of that propitious Deity, Liberty: which ever enlivens and embellishes the very rocks and deserts of that country she deigns to make her residence". Signed, A Kentish Bowman, Newington-Butts (a place just outside London).