was free, and had its reward in public approbation: the bill of fare was suited to gratify the taste of the people, and accommodation afforded them in houses adapted for such exhibitions, both for seeing and hearing. This was our pastime. "Look now what follows," like a mildewed ear, blasting those wholesome times. Houses of enormous bulk, (more calculated for gymnastic exercises, or for Spanish bull-fights, than the elegant and delectable display of mental talent), are substituted in their room. Excessive rents are the consequence; and the further mischievous effects of increased prices will, I fear, be fatal to the establishments. Let the proprietors of both theatres look to this: let them consult with each other, and consider their best interests. I would not have them weep over the folly they have committed in the expenditure of capital. "What is done cannot be undone :" but where they can untie a mischief, "it were well it were done quickly.”

I will tell them what to do to relieve them from embarrassment, and how to fill their houses. Reduce their prices to the old standard; reduce their establishments in arithmetical proportion; and give genuine dramas. Suffer neither managers nor actors to fill their boxes with orders; the public will do it: and if their performers have merit, they will be sure to have applause from a generous and discerning public, without depending upon their private friends.

Yours, Sir,

AN OLD STAGER.*

Vide MORNING CHRONICLE, December 4, 1817.

To JOHN BRITTON, Esq. TAVISTOCK PLACE.

DEAR SIR,

Thursday Night, December 4, 1817.

THE gout, having had notice to quit my premises, begins to manifest signs of moving, and I have reason to hope will be off in a few days; wind, frost, and snow, permitting.

May you live a thousand years!

You must come and rummage for the illustrated antiquities you mention. I am at a loss to guess what you mean.

I send you the Chronicle: you will see The Old Stager has thrown down the gauntlet.

Yours always,

B. O.

TO MASTER R. R. OAKLEY, AT THE REV. MR. POTTICARY'S,

BLACKHEATH.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

Tavistock Place, December 7, 1817.

I HAVE great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your letter; and as it is the first you have written to me, I shall take care to preserve it.

It also gives me pleasure to find, that I am likely soon to see you; and I can feel little doubt that your attention to your studies will entitle you to the indulgence Mr. Potticary is disposed to give you; and I shall hope, that when you come home for the holidays, you will fill up your time in such a way as to deserve the indulgence about to be granted to you.

I am pleased to find that you went so cheerfully to school it was likewise gratifying to your mother to

to you

witness it. Indeed, how could you do otherwise? The kindness of Mr. Potticary, the attention of his assistants, and the tenderness of Mrs. Potticary, and her amiable daughters, cannot fail of making school more desirable than being at home; especially when you consider the happy opportunity it affords you, of laying the foundation of your future happiness and fame, by storing your mind with useful learning. And here let me impress upon you the necessity of close attention to the mathematics; to acquire which, I am proud to see you so sedulous. You will perceive, by my mention of the mathematics, that I hold them first in my estimation; but, at the same time, the Latin and Greek must be diligently attended to, as, without a perfect knowledge of those languages, you will not be qualified to fill situations of consequence and distinction, which a well grounded education can alone lead you to aspire to.

Your mother and sisters came home on Wednesday last, and yesterday Elizabeth went to Tooting to pass a short time with Mrs. Parrott. I am getting better, and hope shortly to be upon my legs again.

Your loving Father,

B. O.

To MRS. PARROTT, TOOTING.

MY DEAR ADRIANA,

Royal Exchange, December 9, 1817.

I AM pleased to find by Mr. Waymouth, that you are expected to dine with him to-day. He pressed me to give you the meeting, which I should gladly do, but that I durst not encounter the night air. The amiable Mrs. Waymouth is one of those whose acquaintance I would recommend you to cherish; and Mr. Par

rott will find, in Mr. Waymouth, the gentleman and the friend. I shall be sorry should I find that Mr. Parrott's attack of Sunday should prevent your going.

I am much better: the pains in my joints have subsided, and I feel stronger upon my legs; so much so, that I intend shortly (should the weather be fine), to have a ramble with you through the village.

My best wishes to Mr. Parrott, and my love to yourself and Elizabeth.

B. O.

To MISS ELIZABETH OAKLEY, MR. PARROTT'S,

TOOTING.

MY DEAR ELIZABETH,

Royal Exchange, December 11, 1817. TELL your sister, who has reproved me for not going to see her, that I have been laid up with the gout for four weeks; that previously to the attack I was unwell for a fortnight; and that, previously to that, she passed a fortnight at my house, and previously to which she was married on the 4th of October: all which periods of time will tolerably well account for the time and place where I have been. Tell her also, that for the whole time I have mentioned, I have not been out of my house after dark, except when I went with her to Bond Street, and to the play. Tell her likewise, that I shall personally call upon her on Saturday next, to demand of her why I am reproached for not going to see her since her marriage. Tell her that I have been married twenty-seven years, and in all that time she has only been twice to see me. Tell her, she is a Parrott; and that, like a Parrott, she prates too much.

Now, between you and me, I tell you, Elizabeth, that

I do not think she is worth going to see. She has never manifested any affection for me; she has no regard for you, or any of your sisters; and I do not think she has much for her husband. Entre nous: It is to you I mean to pay the visit you have been a good girl good girl you have kept up a correspondence with your sisters and mamma you have studied quietly at Tooting, while your host and hostess have been going to Waymouth - you have a proper fear of the headach, and I hope you have a proper fear of your God: indeed, altogether, I think you are a good wench.

I have not any thing to say to your sister; of course you will not tell her any thing; but you have my permission to say to Mr. Parrott, that I esteem him, and wish him well.

As I have said you are a good girl, I need not say that I am affectionately yours, or that I am sincerely your wellwisher, or that I hold you in high estimation, or that I am your kind father, or any such stuff; but that I am, in plain truth, neither more nor less than

B. OAKLEY.

To JOHN EASTHOPE, ESQ. NORTH CRESCENT.

MY DEAR SIR,

Tavistock Place, December 27, 1817.

THERE needed no document to satisfy Mrs. Oakley, the young ladies, and myself, of the high birth and talents of the deserving females, whose interest you have so warmly espoused. Mr. Easthope's (I will not say, "unvarnished tale,") elegant drawing, and outline of the fair candidates for liberal patronage, was too well coloured not to arrest and interest the attention of those