been bafely mifconftrued into wickedness; for Mr. Garrick and himself, (Mr. Foote) had re ceived remonftrances and cruel reflections from certain performers, alledging that they fufferéd in their reputations, and as reputations were not flender materials, in confequence thereof, Mr. Garrick and himself from motives of generofity had yielded to such importunity and allegations, and had cheerfully facrificed that part of the entertainment; as by fo doing they added happiness and private peace to others, however beneficial the continuance of it might have been to the theatre; and ardently hoped their conduct on the occafion, was such as merited not only the pardon, but the approbation of the audience, and which fhould ever be their study to merit and obtain. This declamation inftead of pacifying, was treated with marks of anger and contempt, and an universal cry for Wilkinson!-Wilkinson !—On which Mr. Foote advanced once more, and faid, as for his own peculiarities, if they could afford the leaft entertainment, Mr. Wilkinfon was at full liberty to exercife his talents to their utmost extent; and then added archly, (for the which I have reason to think, the manager did not find himself in the leaft obliged) he believed, nay was affured, Mr. Wilkinson might as far as refpected Mr. Garrick, without any restrictions, take the € 5 fame freedom. The cry was for me immediately to appear, and that without delay; Mr. Foote promised I fhould be inftantly produced, and took leave with a general plaudit. For, as Mrs. Bellamy obferves, Mr. Town and John Bull, would have their own way and not be in the leaft controlled. It may eafily be supposed mine was a perplexed state, being in every point circumstanced very disagreeably, and not a friend to fpeak to me. On Mr. Foote's return to the greenroom, he laid hold of my arm, and said, I must go on the stage that moment. "And what must I do when I am there?" fays I. "O!" replied he, "any thing what you like, and treat them with as much of me as you please." "Aye," but fays I, "what does Mr. Garrick fay? for without his orders I cannot proceed." "Hey-why now-Hey!" fays Garrick, "Why now, as they infift, I really do not fee, that I am bound to run the hazard of having a riot in my theatre to please Sparks and the rest of the Covent-Garden people ;-and if they are not satisfied with your ferving up Mr. Foote as a difh-why, it is a pity, as I to-day obferved, but you could give me; but that you fay is not poffible with any hopes of fuccefs.Why now-hafte-they are making a devilish noife; and fo, as you have begun your d-d taking off-why go on with it, and do what comes into your head, and do not in future plague me with your cursed tricks again. So Sam Foote popped the Exotic on the stage; there was no time to be loft, as they feared bad confequences. I was afraid to go on, but on the stage I was actually pushed by Mr. Garrick and Mr. Foote, and my hair did stand on end like quills upon the fretful porcupine. The curtain was dropped, and the branches alfo down on each fide. My fright was apparent, but Mr. Town foon cheered my spirits, as there was not one diffenting voice in the whole audience. I began, and very freely with Mr. Foote, and then was for retiring, but the cry was, "No, no-go on, go on!" and many said aloud, "Damn it, take them all off!" I took the hint, and was encouraged at fo furious a rate, that I went through a long courfe of mimicry with great eclat, having permiffion, as I thought: My diftrefs of the morning all vanished, and was exchanged for the moft delightful feelings in the evening; being all elated, and on a fhort reflection, relying on Garrick's declaration, as the words of truth, when he had twice declared nothing could pleafe him or Mrs. Garrick more than a well executed likenefs of himself as an actor: but note, good reader, in this point I had not acted with honour, but duplicity; for whenever he had jokingly asked me "What fort of a 3 fubject I could make of him?" I always answered, "I never could form any resemblance whatever; for his manner and tones were fo natural, and his voice fo melodious, that any imitation was impoffible." This he greedily fwallowed and believed (charming flattery!) but in the close of my performance, that remarkable night, the audience were wonderfully surprised and tickled, on beholding fo unexpectedly a resemblance of the incomparable Rofcius, which increased my spirits to fuch a degree, that "As I had, in blood step'd in so far, "Returning were as tedious as going o'er” I determined to give the audience a good meal, and finding my first attack had made a favourable impreffion in their opinions, I advanced without mercy, cried havock, and produced Mr. Garrick in three characters. LEAR.-Beloy'd Regan, thou wilt shake to hear What I fhall utter-thou coud'ft ne'er have Thy fifter's naught: O Regan! she has ty'd This speech set me a-going, prepared for what followed, and caufed great effect by my being lucky in the thought and the application. I had two long plaudits for pronouncing a few words; but those words were in Garrick's manner and required time they were from Biron, a part he had only first performed the year before, the play being revived and altered to fhew Mrs. Cibber to advantage; and has of late seasons proved equally. fo to Mrs. Siddons. BIRON.-I come to him 'Tis Belford I suppose, he little knows Of what has happen'd here; I wanted him, I was not contented on this burst of encouragement, but spoke as Garrick, from HAMLET-For O! it cannot be But I am pigeon-liver'd, and lack gall villain! Why, what an afs am I? this is most brave, A Cullion!-fie upon't!—About, my brain ! And at the last line I made my finish and exit in his manner, with loud acclamations, and was |