I'll to 'em, faith-avast!-before I go, Have I not promis'd Sal to see the show? [Pulls out a play-bill. From this same paper we shall understand What work's to-night :-I read your printed hand. First let's refresh a bit, for faith I need it; I'll take one sugar-plumb *, and then I'll read it. [Reads the play-bill of Zara, which was acted that evening. At the The-a-tre Royal, Drury-Lane, will be pre-sen-tated a Tragedy, called Sarah. I'm glad 'tis Sarah, and a tragedy; For Sal shall see her name-sake, and for me, I'll skip the names-I would not give a pin- } [Reads, To which will be-ad-ded a new Masque. Zounds! why a masque? we sailors hate grimaces; Above-board all! we scorn to hide our faces. * Tobacco. But But what is here, so very large and plain? And give her three round cheers, with hand and heart. [Going off, he stops. I wish you landmen, tho', would leave your tricks, It must not be omitted, that, in the course of this season, was revived Sir John Vanbrugh's Comedy of the Mistake, taken from le Depit Amoureux of Moliere. When it was ready to be presented before the public, Garrick deferred it to the month of March, with a generous design to give the first night' VOL. I. T to to Mrs. Pritchard for her benefit. From two such writers as Moliere and Vanbrugh, no wonder that we have a most excellent comedy. The scenes are carried on with abundant variety, presenting the most lively situations, all connected with dramatic skill. The quarrel between Don Carlos (Garrick) and Leonora (Mrs. Pritchard) is written in Vanbrugh's highest vein of humour, and was inimitably acted. The two lovers are resolved to part for ever, but their affections are too deeply planted in their hearts, and nature overcomes their capricious resolutions. The French critics tell us, that this amorous quarrel, and the reconciliation that takes place, is an imitation of the ninth Ode of Horace, lib. iii. which begins, Donec gratus eram tibi, and has been imitated by several English poets. If Moliere took his hint from that beautiful little poem, he he shewed his taste and his comie genius to great advantage. What follows sprung from his own fancy. The two servants, Sancho and Jacinta, saw the behaviour of their master and mistress, and scorn to follow their example. They enter into altercation; they express their mutual disdain; they exchange presents; she returning the thimble, the pincushion, the scissars, and even the garters, which she had received, while her lover gives her back a tobacco-stopper, a pen-knife, and other trinkets. All this is in imitation of Carlos and Leonora, and then, like them, they rush to one another's arms. Garrick and Mrs. Pritchard gave universal delight, and Woodward and Mrs. Clive convulsed the audience with fits of laughter. The play was often repeated during the remainder of the season, and has been since acted with great applause. CHAP. T 2 CHAP. XXIV. The CHINESE FESTIVAL-The Newspapers full of inflammatory Paragraphs A Number of Dancers imported by Noverre, the Contriver of the Spectacle-The Public resolved to oppose the Dancers, because à French War had broke out GARRICK obtains the King's Command, and hoped there would be no Riot in his Presence-Acts RICHARD III.-The King chiefly struck with the LORD MAYOR A Violent Riot The King withdrew The Show not exhibited Benches and Scenes demolished-The CHINESE FESTIVAL never performed-The Farce of the APPRENTICE-FLORIZEL and PERDITA from the WINTER'S TALE-The Tragedy of ATHELSTAN, by Dr. BROWNE The Subject related in HUME's History-The Play contains a strong Moral Lesson, fit to be duly considered by all Rebellious Spirits Dr. HILL publishes a Petition from the Letters I and U to DAVID GARRICK, Esq.— GARRICK'S Epigram in Answer to the Doctor. Septem ber 1755, to *June 1756. AN unexpected storm gathered over Garrick's head in the begin Jover ning of this season. He had em ployed the summer in planning schemes for the enter |