Macbeth. But he and she were better suited to the march of Dryden's Muse in All for Love:' Antony and Cleopatra were very finely acted by them, and Palmer put sufficient stage-bustle and fire into Ventidius. Congreve perhaps never had more justice done to him; the cast of his Love for Love' will prove this: Tattle, King; Valentine, Farren; Sir Sampson, Moody; Scandal, Bensley; Foresight, Parsons; Jeremy, Baddeley; and Ben, Yates: Angelica, Miss Farren; Mrs. Frail, Miss Pope; Mrs. Foresight, Miss Sherry; Miss Prue, Mrs. Abington. Their singers were Vernon, Dubellamy, Bannister, Miss Prudom, Mrs. Wrighten, Sheridan, their great chief, though never inattentive to his fame, now did nothing to extend it. He wrote no more himself, though the Critic said he did; but he did not look after dramatic talent in others, when he could find nothing better than 'The Dissipation' of Miles Peter Andrews to occupy such fine actors as we have enumerated. Even his Prologue and Epilogue were spoken by King and Abington; and, we suppose in compliment to its weakness, the comedy was followed by that most interesting of pantomimes, Robinson Crusoe.' Andrews had merely wire-drawn 'Bon Ton' into five acts.

CHAPTER VII.

First appears in Bellario-Lewis and Mrs. Mattocks, the Philaster and Arethusa-Highly applauded in Angelina—Another suitor, Don Jerome of the Duenna-Letters from Wilson-Lodgings at 9s. per week-Her intimates-Dr. Brodie-Mr. Francis Twissthe Booths—the Whitfields-Her low salary-How this can be called liberal-Harris and his friend-Alarming symptoms as to her health-Her farce on the subject of Polygamy-Walks for her bread in the Pantomime-Dr. Grey sends her into the country-The Ancient Law' sent to both Harris and Colman-Disagreeable business, too, on the stage-Seems not averse to a second marriage-Dr. Brodie rather particular-Goes in male attire to a masquerade-Marquis Carmarthen's calls upon her -Remembered in her "Simple Story "-In June visits Standingfield-Kemble's letter to her about Henderson and Sir Giles Overreach-Returns to town-Holcroft-his life contrasted with Gifford, another shoemaker-Reform, the "Ecce Homo "-Part of Mrs. Inchbald's letter to Mr. Harris.

HAVING announced her first appearance in Bellario at Covent Garden, in the year 1780, and shown something of the strength, to which she was at least a useful accession, we are to look at her reception in town, and the impression it made upon her. She confesses that she felt herself dull. Her kind friend Davis, who lodged in the

same house with her, brought her the newspapers in the morning following her début; and those cautious distributors of fame, that must annoy some established friends, did not entirely assure her doubting mind. But she had not been announced as a star of magnitude, and was content to twinkle in her humble sphere. A few of the features of this performance shall be preserved. Lewis and Mrs. Mattocks were the Philaster and Arethusa. Nothing could be more absurd. Mrs. Mattocks in comedy, however broad, was a striking and valuable actress; she was a counterpart of Lewis; but in tragedy, as he supplied the want of pathos by bustle and vehemence, so she expressed the passion of love with the most decided extravagance; and as she was never beautiful, it became disgusting. Mrs. Inchbald had but little freedom or grace in her action; she spoke, too, rather timidly than affectionately-rather emphatic than natural. Perhaps from embarrassment as to her hair, she kept her page's hat on, even when presented to the Princess; and all through, except in the wood-scene, where propriety might have let it remain, until forcibly thrown off. The remembrance of Mrs. Yates was too strong for her best effort; that lady was still on the stage, though the majesty of her figure disqualified her for the page. The play should not have been done at all, unless another Powell had started and brought genuine pathos along with him; then

he might have sustained such a Bellario. 'Tom Thumb,' on this occasion, commenced his lasting reign. She does not say any thing of her efforts, until she mentions Angelina in The Fop's Fortune.' In this lovely part she was highly complimented. Mr. Harris himself saw her performance, and it was the first time of his seeing her act. Thus a little fortified, she opened her battery upon the manager as a writer of farce, and Wilson seconded her with friendly zeal. The letters she received sometimes raised her hopes, and at others drove her to despair. When urging her suit to Mr. Harris, he " played the orator, as if himself might wear the golden prize:" and this was discovered, in fact, to be within the range of his speculation; for at length, on the 20th of December, 1780, Wilson wrote to Mrs. Inchbald the following proposal of marriage :

"DEAR MADAM,

"I most earnestly intreat you will not take offence at my addressing you on a subject upon which my happiness so materially depends; as it is a matter I have well considered, before I could gather courage, I hope I shall not offend you by saying I sincerely love you, and will by a uniformity of conduct convince you how much I am attached to you. I have a great many faults, not one of which but is easily erased. I have unfortunately been acquainted with ladies who

have had as many faults as myself, therefore a reform there was not to be expected: with you, should I ever be so happy, I would be every thing you could wish me; my conduct, in every respect, should be framed to your wish; my whole life should be devoted to render you happy. For God's sake, whatever is my doom, do not let me lose your friendship. Honour me so far as to let me know my fate as early as possible: a state of suspense is of all states the most miserable. I know your prudence will not suffer you rashly to enter on a second marriage, without minutely deliberating on the consequences. Give me but leave to speak to you on this subject, and I shall then hope, by time, to convince you it is my wish to do every thing that can render me worthy your attention. I am, sincerely,

"Your devoted friend and well-wisher,

(Signed)

"Wednesday morning, 10 o'clock.

"RD. WILSON."

No. 15, King Street, Soho." [20th Dec., 1780.]

To this letter, without even the delay he must have looked for, she returned one of those decisive rejections which showed that she did not balance about the offer; and speaks of "her own temper as so uncertain, that nothing but blind affection in the husband could bear with it." This requisite honest Dick was as little likely to bring, as any man acquainted with a town life. His

VOL. I.

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