poacher's love for hare is no less than his. If, then, that friend demand, why a poacher rose against a hare, this is my answer, not that I loved hare less, but that I loved eating more. Had you had rather this hare were living, and I had died quite starving-or that this hare were dead, that I might live a jolly fellow? As this hare was pretty, I weep for him; as he was plump, I honour him; as be was nimble, I rejoiced at it; but, as he was eatable, I slew him. There is tears, for his beauty; joy, for his condition; honour, for his speed; and death for his toothsomeness. Who is here so cruel, would see me a starved man? If any, speak, for him have I offended-Who is here so silly that would not take a tit-bit? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so sleek that does not love his belly? If any, speak, for him have I offended."

"You have offended justice, Sirrah," cried one of the magistrates, out of all patience at this long and strange harangue, which began to invade the time that had awakened his appetite. "Then, (cried the culprit, guessing at the hungry feelings of the bench,) since justice is dissatisfied, it must needs have something to devourHeaven forbid, I should keep any gentleman from his dinner-so, if you please, I'll wish your Lordship a good day, and a good appetite."

The magistrates, eager to retire, and somewhat pleased with the fellow's last wish, gave him a reprimand in exchange for his hare, and let him go.

STAGE FEELING.

"Garrick roused the feelings more than any actor on record, and, most probably, suffered as much from their exertion." A gentleman once making the above remark to Tom King, the comedian, he received this reply:-" Pooh! he suffer from his feelings! Why, sir, I was playing with him one night in Lear, when, in the middle of a most passionate and affecting part, and when the whole house was drowned in tears, he turned his head round to me, and putting his tongue in his cheek, whispered--« D—n me, Tom, it'll do."-So much for stage feeling.

THE UNSUCCESSFUL CLUB.

It was once proposed, by some wits, to establish a club, thus entitled, the members of which were to consist of those who had failed in dramatic writing. One damned farce entitled

a Man to be a Member," instanter. If an author's comedy was withdrawn after the second night, he must be ballotted for; but if his tragedy was hissed off, during the first act, he came in by acclamation, and might order what dinner he pleased,-A perpetual president was elected, who had attained that eminence by a long course

VOL. II.

D

of condemnation-He could boast that, during a seven years' probation, his most endurable dramatic bantling was a melo-drama, that set every body to sleep. He wore a silver catcall at his button-hole, and expressed his hopes that he should grow more stupid as he grew older; and that, some night, if the acting was as intolerable as the dialogue, he should have to boast of the people in the pit tearing up the benches, and trying what was the thickness of skull possessed by acting managers.

CAPRICE OF GABRIELLI.

THE Viceroy of Sicily once invited the famous Gabrielli, (during her engagement at Palermo,) to a dinner given to the principal nobility. As she did not appear at the hour appointed, a messenger was sent to say, that the company waited for her. She was found reading in bed. She desired the messenger to make her excuses, and to say, that she really had forgotten her engagement. His Excellency was willing to overlook this impertinence, but when he repaired, in the evening, with his guests, to the Opera, Gabrielli played her part with the utmost negligence, and sang all her airs in an under tone. The Viceroy, who was passionately fond of music, threatened

to punish her. She became more obstinate, and declared that they might make her cry, but they never should make her sing. His Excellency, at this declaration, grew enraged, and actually sent her to prison for twelve days. During this time, she gave sumptuous repasts, paid the debts of the poor prisoners, and distributed large sums in charity. The Viceroy was obliged to give way, and she was, finally, set at liberty, amidst the acclamations of the poor, whom she had relieved.

With Gabrielli in some degree we sympathize, because her punishment was absurd, and she was the wonder of the age she lived in. It is only when similar airs are assumed by artists of second or third rate importance, that they become ridiculous and contemptible.

ROYAL THEATRICALS.

THE princes of the House of Brunswick have generally been partial to theatrical entertainments. George II. frequently visited the theatres, notwithstanding the imperfect knowledge which he had of the English language prevented his enjoying the beauties of the drama, as much as he otherwise might have done. This monarch was at Drury Lane Theatre, when the Culloden despatches were presented to him from the Duke

of Cumberland, his darling son. The instant his Majesty had opened them, and collected the substance of the contents, he started up, while the tears streamed from his eyes, and in some glorious ejaculation, thanked his God, and announced the victory. Garrick immediately caught the transporting sound. The orchestra, by his orders, struck up "God save Great George our King," and the whole audience, in rapturous enthusiasm, joined the chorus.

Prince Frederick of Wales possessed a taste similar to his father, and was very fond of instructing his children, at an early age, to repeat moral speeches out of plays; and, with this view, he desired Mrs. Devenish, whose first husband was Mr. Rowe, the poet, to have a correct edition of Rowe's works printed, which that lady accordingly did. The press was corrected, and the dedication was written, by Mr. Newton, afterwards Bishop of Bristol.

While his family were still very young, the prince had plays at Leicester House, in which the children of his Royal Highness sustained the principal characters. These were under the direction of the celebrated Quin; and it was in reference to the instructions he then gave Prince