obtain for the actor a mental reputation, by virtue of the paraphernalia bestowed on the production of the works of the author: and a little more reflection will convince all, that Shakspeare's noblest plays had been far better acted, and much more elaborately produced, in both the patent theatres, than at any time they were under the management of this noble fellow, who stepped forward, with "responsibilities to him most serious," to advance the drama as a branch of national literature and ART!!

After such a flourishing address as the one we have been examining, it was but natural to suppose that some wonderful collection of talent had been engaged, to delight and astound the citizens of London-that the rival theatre possessed none to be compared to it, and that "scenic illusion" was altogether out of the question, save and except at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden. I will therefore subjoin a list of the respective forces-name opposite to name, as far as principals are concerned, with which the two theatres were to carry on their respective operations:

I will defy any unprejudiced person, in looking over the two lists, to deny that the Drury Lane is by far the most effective one, and the parties named in it better able to represent any sample of the drama. In comedy we were both bad enough, Heaven knows: in tragedy (the managerial cock's own dunghill) we completely passed him by; in opera

and ballet we had full treble his force, and in "scenic illusion we laughed him to scorn. But then he was in possession of "the voice of the public press," (as before described,) and for the moment they who read, believed all they did read. What do they believe NOW? What does he believe himself? Why, what Rochefoucault believed, when he asserted, "Le vrai moyen d'être trompé, c'est de se croire plus fin que les autres."

CHAPTER XI.

Doubts respecting Killigrew's patent solved, and the hopes of a good fee dissolved-Liston's retirement-Mr. Percy Farren-An actor's want of judgment-Exemplification of the royal visit-The valuable contents of one house, and the valueless contents of another-Garrick and Mrs. Piozzi-Virginius, Caractacus, and other Romans-Mr. Otway and the other "rum-uns "-Presentation of a piece of plate -A difference of opinion-Restoration of the text of Shakspeare— Joan of Arc-Value of a tail — Epigram · - Barry O'Meara-A dwarf-A painter's last work not his last work-Dependence on a play-bill-How to know the contents of a parcel before you open it -and how to tell a good lie.

THE rumours which had been at various times afloat respecting the existence of Killigrew's patent, some asserting that it perished in the fire of 1809 which destroyed Drury Lane Theatre, others that it was in pawn with certain bankers for certain sums of gold-others that it never existed at all-were at the beginning of this season (1837-38) silenced altogether. The harpies of the Lord Chamberlain's office, with noses as sensitive for a fee as a ferret's for a rat, despatched a missive to Drury Lane Thea

KILLIGREW'S PATENT.

281

tre to inquire by what authority I had presumed to announce its re-opening. It was not an altogether unnatural proceeding on their part; because, having done all in their power to render its opening a more hazardous speculation than usual, their consistency would have been at stake, had they not tried to prevent its opening at all. At the same time be it known, that the running patent of George III., granted in 1816, expired the beginning of September this year; and as there was a large sum paid for it, there seemed to be the prospect of another large sum being to be paid for its renewal. When informed that I opened the Theatre Royal Drury Lane under Killigrew's patent, I was called upon to produce it. I might have refused; because it was the bounden duty of the Lord Chamberlain's people to know of its disposition: but to prevent any confusion, I apprised the gentleman who waited upon me that its purchase from the Covent Garden proprietors was completed on the 17th of December, 1813, by the payment of a balance of 9,5617. 19s. 5d. due to them thereon; and producing a tin box entrusted to me for the occasion, by that valuable index to all such matters, Mr. Dunn, I displayed before the wondering eyes of the disappointed official the document itself, bearing the signature of "Howard," with the appendage of his lordship's ponderous seal of power.

A manager who is not an actor can have but one object in view-the honourable fulfilment of his engagements by every honourable means. Having no