the lady took the liberties of beauty not well shielded by principle, and the husband saw them without pain. It is singular enough that Mrs. Inchbald should herself be engaged at CoventGarden Theatre to fill the very line of character which Mrs. Hartley had previously sustained. She was, like her, tall and striking in her figure, with a similar style of features, and, like her too, had golden hair. It was for this woman that Smith of Drury Lane, at his maturity, made a fool of himself-deserted his wife, with the greatest respect for her all the time, and, like a green boy, would have given up the whole world, as he told Garrick," rather than desert his Rose."

In Ireland, to the disgrace of undiscriminating hospitality, they were courted by many persons of distinction, and were adopted as the stars of the ascendant in the dramatic hemisphere. This commerce is now well understood -the poor actors are really not feasted for their own sakes; they are, like other delicates of the season, a garnish only at the tables of vanity, and their early display there is the test of the owner's importance.

Mr. Inchbald and his wife boarded with a Mr., Mrs. and Miss Winstone; and he painted a portrait of the young lady while they staid here. Mrs. Inchbald now, in turn, was for some time indisposed; but she usually accompanied her husband to the theatre. Her brother Slender visited

them in August, and went to Bath, and returned to them. He staid however to witness her first appearance on the stage, which took place on the 4th of September, 1772, in the character of Cordelia-her husband supporting her, and being supported by her, in Lear. We will not imagine it a striking début; knowing too well the sure effect of impediment in utterance; the languor that attends a slow and measured speech, always dreading some intractable word in the declamation; and what it gains in correctness more than lost in the check imposed upon the language of passion.

There are many points of similarity in the minds and positions in life of Mrs. Inchbald and her illustrious predecessor Susannah Centlivre. As she had begun her theatrical readings at Standingfield, she probably saw the memoir of that lady, and it might in some degree regulate her own future course. Like herself, Mrs. Centlivre was early in life deprived of a father's care, and suffered under the embarrassments of scanty provision. The resource of the author of The Wonder' had been the girlish fancy to see the world; that is London, and try the fortune of her beauty and sprightly manners. She had met with some singular and romantic adventures on the journey; had become both a writer for the stage, and an actress: the parallel had not hitherto

been very imperfectly made out, and Mrs. Inchbald might now determine to draw it still forward, till it should embrace a fame and a fortune equally distinguished. Years after, when Mrs. Inchbald saw this achieved, she wrote, before 'The Busy-body,' a sketch of her predecessor's life, and mingled her own personal feelings in the language selected to record it.

On this occasion of her first appearance on the stage she would recollect that her model had not been much followed as an actress, and for a time it might discourage her application; however, her husband, though not insensible to amusement, was himself a very steady and zealous actor; and although not fond of repeating her parts before him, she became at last obedient to his wishes, and they spouted (as she plainly calls it) at home and in the open air, till at length she hit upon a better tone of declamation than she had set out with.

On the Sunday which followed her début, she went with her husband and a party to Wales, returning however the next day to business; and his desire to amuse her led him to show her King's Weston on this occasion they had a chariot. Bath she visited with an agreeable party on the 13th: they walked to the chapel, cathedral, the theatre, not forgetting the bath itself; and on the 18th, Mr. Inchbald having completed his engagement at Bristol, they left it, and arrived in

London, without any striking occurrence.

She soon re-established that intercourse with her sisters, which seems an irresistible instinct in her, and led to the happiest results for them: unconsciously she was then preparing in her mind a source of bounty, which never dried up, and upon which their age and infirmities could finally draw, when every other channel of supply had become either exhausted or diverted.

CHAPTER III.

With Mr. Inchbald revisits Standingfield - Voyage to Leith Engages with Digges-Glasgow rather discouraged - Matrimonial disputes-Acts Shore at Edinburgh-Catholic ChapelMr. Inchbald a painter-Mr. Sterling's attentions-Consults the Priest-Superior to a female friend, why?-Indiscreet in corresponding-Male party of pleasure; an accident-GreenockEdinburgh again; and again Mr. Sterling-Sail for Aberdeen; but obliged to land and journey in the Thespian fashion-Ague and fever-Moves with the Company-Present from the Manager-Performs Imogen-Loses her wedding-ring - Studies French with a master-Mr. Inchbald disputes with the audience -A riot in consequence - They quit Edinburgh, and resolve upon a visit to France.

AFTER remaining a fortnight among her London friends, Mr. Inchbald and she went to Bury in the stage, and from Bury they took a chaise to visit her relations at Standingfield. The good old lady her mother and Deborah came back in the chaise with them to Bury: they saw their friends after the play, at the Ship, where they gave a supper at parting, and then returned to London, that they might go by sea to Scotland, where they were engaged to act with Digges. On the 10th of October they embarked, and her