that he vowed he could no longer bear to be separated from his dear Bettina-as he called her-and particularly from her English guineas. Weighty reasons were given him why he should not remain in England, which he took, and speedily departed, as she hoped for ever. The following are the receipts of her first fifty nights : . . . . 8. d. Oct. 7 Mandane Covent Gar.1 510 1 0 7 486 18 0 8 Drury Lane 338 10 6 10 346 14 6 13 Covent Gar. 374 50 17 Drury Lane 434 8 0 20 Covent Gar. 423 11 6 22 Drury Lane 494 7 6 Nov. 4 Covent Gar. 415 11 0 5 • Drury Lane 404 15 6 6 Covent Gar. 470 17 6 6 Drury Lane 457 0 11 520 10 0 13 Clara (Duenna) Cor. Gar. 508 10 0 17 495 196 19 Drury Lane 512 10 0 21 Covent Gar. 483 6 0 24 Drury Lane 416 16 6 26 Covent Gar. 437 11 0 28 Drury Lane 459 8 0 Dec, 1 Covent Gar. 393 3 6 3 Drury Lane 431 8 6 5 Mandane Covent Gar. 419 8 6 7 Clara Drury Lane 480 13 6 8 Mandape 366 36 : 10 Covent Gar. 379 5 6 £ s. d. Brought forward 11,520 14 6 Dec. 12 Mandaue Drury Lane 356 10 6 15 Covent Gar. 341 3 6 17 Drury Lane 361 14 6 31 Clara Covent Gar. 452 7 6 Jan. 2 Drury Lane 296 11 6 7 Mandane Covent Gar. 333 2 0 Feb. 6 Rosetta 504 9 0 9 Drury Lane 450 10 0 12 Covent Gar. 437 70 13 Drury Lane 316 10 6 16 Covent Gar. 423 15 0 18 Drury Lane 344 10 0 20 Covent Gar. 416 8 6 22 Polly (benefit) 514 90 23 Rosetta Drury Lane 275 0 0 23 284 50 27 :: Covent Gar. 416 i 0 Mar. 2 Polly 336 19 6 Drury Lane 356 17 0 6 Covent Gar. 283 6 0 9 Drury Lane 265 0 0 11 Rosetta (com, of their Ma jesties) Covent Gar. 596 96 13 Mandane Drury Lane 404 0 0 15 Rosetta Covent Gar. 362 3 0 .. . £20,645 3 6 Receipts of the first fifty nights, 20,645l. 35. 6d. Mrs. Billington did not enjoy good health ; she had occasion, three or four times during the season, to decline performing. On the 12th of January she sent the following note to Mr. Lewis : “Dear Sir,— It grieves me to the heart that I am not able to play this evening, my throat being so chafed as not to leave me a single note in my voice. I have tried all possible means, but, for my misfortune, they have not afforded me that relief I expected. I hope, as I have but a slight fever, I shall soon be restored, and next week, if you please, I will perform twice at Covent Garden, My anxiety to perform this evening has much increased my malady. • Yours, &c. “E. BILLINGTON." When the oratorios began, both theatres claimed her. Drury Lane announced that by her articles she was bound to sing at each iheatre alternately; and Covent Garden, the same day, said, Mrs. Billington not being under articles to sing in any oratorios at Drury Lane, alternately with those of Covent Garden, she will sing the remainder of the season solely at Covent Garden. Mr. Peake, the Drury Lane treasurer, then published the following award of Sir Henry Bate Dudley, to whom the subject matter in dispute had been referred : “ Sloane Street, March 9, 1802. " Sir, I am sorry to learn from your letter of yesterday that there should have been any necessity for your application to me, as the referee nominated by the proprietors of both theatres, respecting the engagement of Mrs. Billington. The agreement between Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Harris, in my presence, very simply and plainly stipulated that the vocal performances of that lady should be equally apportioned between them, for the interest of both theatres, in oratorios as well as dramatic entertainments. I can have no hesitation, therefore, in compliance with your requisition, hereby to award that the proprietors of Drury Lane have a mutual and an equal claim of right with those of Covent Garden Theatre, in the musical performances of Mrs. Billington, during the present season. “ I have the honour, &c. · H. B. DUDLEY. “ To R. B. Sheridan, Esq., and Jas. Richardson, Esq.” Notwithstanding the above, Mrs. Billington did not sing at the Drury Lane oratorios. They delayed the commencement of their season from night to night, while the business was under discussion, and only opened two out of the eleven nights, and then assisted by Madame Mara. In March Mrs. Billington played Merope for Banti's benefit, who on that occasion played in male attire, for the first time. Curiosity was on tiptoe to see these two great singers in the same opera. The performances drew an overflowing house. The stage was so crowded with ladies as well as gentlemen that the performers had scarcely room to The worthy Signor Zachariah Banti, to be sure of laying hold of the money, had the pit-door barricadoed, and posted himself there with some of his friends. An immense crowd collected ; the rush was so great that away went barricades and Banti together ; he'was carried forward, willye nillye-money-box, and all--in the van of the crowd, to the very front of the orchestra—and when he recovered the use of his legs, he gazed around him, and, in disappointed anguish, exclaimed, Oh, sacra Maria ! de pit is full—de gallery full—and no money in de box! What will my Brigida say when I shall have nothing in my box for her ?" On the 2d of June Mara took her farewell benefit; Billington sang for her: a duet was composed for them to display their mutual accomplishments, and the contest was executed on both sides to the utmost pitch of scientific expression; never was there a more transcendent exercise of ability. Woodward, the celebrated caricaturist, took advantage of the rage for singing, and published in April “The Musical Mania for 1802,” delineated in six characteristic plates, with metrical elucidations, and a bravura dedication to Mrs. Billington. The last time of her appearing on the English stage was for Mrs. Crouch's benefit at Drury Lane, on the 3rd of June, 1802, in Mandane. Lord Kinnaird, as one of the committee of the Opera House, engaged Mrs. Billington at 2500 guineas for the season. This being an infringement upon Banti's engagement occasioned a fracas; upon her remonstrance the noble Lord very politely replied, ment was not worth a farthing, and if she was inclined to encounter a lawsuit, they were ready to meet it.” Taylor protested against the power of Lord Kinnaird, as his trustee, to make engagements, but this difficulty was settled by Mr. Gould becoming the proprietor of the opera, who gladly ratified Mrs. Billington's engagement, and reconciled the ladies. Billington was prima donna of the opera 1803, 1804, 1805, and 1806, and was also engaged at the oratorios, ancient concerts, &c. &c. &c. at this period. When Grassini arrived in England, both being prima donnas, neither would give precedency to the other, even in the position of a name in the bill, and, in order to reconcile matters, they were singly and alternately announced. Nov.-VOL. LIV. NO. CCXV. " that her engage 2 A The grand triumph however was when these splendid artists were brought together in the same opera, which was with some difficulty effected. Winter composed for thiese two beautiful women « Il Ratto di Proserpina" in three weeks; it was his chef-d'auvre, and the only opera in which they appeared together. In December, 1804, Mrs. Billington again had nearly lost her life by the mistake of her servant, who gave her an overdose of medicine, in which laudanum was the principal ingredient. Medical aid was immediately called in, but it was some days before she entirely recovered. In May, 1805, an alarm of fire in her house in Cadogan Placc so greatly discomposed her that she afterwards took refuge with her friend Lady Hamilton. In 1807, Pratt wrote the following lines, and presented them to her: “Methought a voice, distinct and clear As ever mored attention's ear, The force of wonder not of love." In March, 1808, Mrs. Billington, Naldi, and Braham, gave concerts at Willis's Rooms for six nights. These were continued during the two following seasons at Ilanover Square Rooms. In March, 1817, she announced to the nobility, gentry, and her friends, that it being the last season of her public performance, she intended to take a benefit on the 6th of June. She then retired (too early the barmonic world said) in the plenitude of her vocal powers, and her last strains were given in Bianchi's admired aria, “Taci O Levinia,” in the most enchanting style. In June, 1812, she gave an exquisite treat to a large party at her residence in Fulham Fields (now called Sussex House) : his Royal llighness the Duke of Sussex and many distinguished persons were present. A small band of the best artists was led by Salomon, and the vocalists comprised the first talent of the country. Every effort was made to induce her again to appear in public; to one very pressing application she wrote as follows: “Fulham, Thursday. “Sir,--I beg to acknowledge your very polite letter, which would not have remained so long unanswered, but that I liave been in deep allliction for the loss of a worthy, good, and amiable friend. I am very sensible of your kind expressions, but I have for these last two years made up my mind never to appear in public again ; consequently, I am obliged to decline your offer. Sir, I beg to reinain your very obliged and obedient “E. BILLINGTON." for a song.' Shortly after she was given over by her physicians, but almost miraculously recovered. When Kean attracted all London to Drury Lane Theatre, Mrs. Billington sat in the orchestra to witness his performance, she was recognized by the audience, and the gallery called out “Silence Fellesent once more surprised his wife" in her shady blest retreat,” in July, 1817. His visit, wholly unexpected, excited no small alarm to the lady; the gentleman, it appears, after fifteen years' absence, had again suddenly discovered how dear she was to him, and, wonderful to relate, declared he could no longer live without the society of his beloved wife; (there was not the least suspicion that he had heard of her great increase of wealth). Although she did not hesitate to avow how much she despised him, in spite of the advice of her friends he possessed such an unaccountable influence over her, that, contrary even to her own wishes, she, in less than a month, returned with him to Venice, and quitted England, her friends and connexions, for ever, On the 18th of August, 1818, she was taken ill at her house, St. Artien, near Venice, and died there on the 25th of the same month. Into whatever human errors this extraordinary singer might have been betrayed, she possessed an excellent heart, and a truly benevolent disposition; unprotected talent, and unfriended distress, were sure of all the assistance that she could afford them, and her benevolence was wholly without ostentation. Hospitality was another prominent feature in her character ; it is impossible to describe the anxiety with which her friends implored her not to leave the country with a husband who had treated her so ill when abroad, whom for sixteen years she had so liberally supported; and who, in so extraordinary a manner, had, all at once, declared that he could not live without her. Their efforts only produced the following reply:-“My husband requires me to go, and it is my duty to comply.” Eleven years after her death, June, 1829, a rule was moved for in the Court of Common Pleas, to show cause why John Dawson, an attorney of the court, should not be called upon to deliver up to Mr. Fellesent (husband of the late Mrs. Billington) certain title-deeds, leases, and other documents, which had been deposited as security for 65001., lent by that lady to a friend, as well as other large sums; the rule was granted, but afterwards dismissed. In the September following, the whole of her property, about 45,0001., was transferred to Mr. Fellesent; and the day after, the brother of her first husband laid claim to the property—but the application came too late, BOOTH, WILKS, CIBBER, AND DOGGETT. Barton Booth was an actor of great talent; after Betterton's death he was kept back by Wilks, in favour of his friend Mills, who was a very inferior actor to Booth. When Addison's “ Cato” was produced the hero was ered to Cibber, who refused it; it was then given to Mills, who declined acting it, on the ground of its being too old for him ; it was then given to Booth, who was so eminently successful in the representation of the character as to be universally allowed to be at the head of his profession. His popularity was perhaps in some measure assisted by the party-feeling which the production of the play had created. This was in 1712. Booth had previously been restless in his station in the theatre, on account of the partiality shown to Mills to his great detriment, and feeling that he had an equal right with themselves to partake of the profits. It will be necessary, before farther mention is made of Booth, to show the state of the theatre at that period. On the 19th of Nov. 1709, the two patents granted to Davenant and Killigrew were regularly surrendered to the crown, through the Lord Chamberlain, and licences were granted to open both houses, which was attempted, but without success. The Lord Chamberlain had repeatedly suppressed the performances of Rich, who tried to regain the favour of the court by submission and the surrender of the patents. “Anve, R.-Whereas we have thought fit, for the good government of the stage, and the better entertainment of the town, and encouragement of the undertakers, that only one company of comedians shall be hereafter allowed and established by our royal licence, under the direction of the Chamberlain of our household for the time being. " And whereas, William Collier, gentleman, Mr. Robert Wilks, Mr. Thomas Doggett, and Mr. Colley Cibber, have been represented to us, by reason of their long experience, and other good qualifications, as fit persons to be undertakers, and to have the management of our said company, we therefore, reposing especial trust and confidence in you, the said William Collier, Robert Wilks, Thomas Doggett, and Colley Cibber, do give and grant unto you full power and authority, to form, constitute, and esta. blish for us, a company of comedians, with full and free licence to act and represent in any convenient place, during our pleasure, and no longer, all comedies, tragedies, and other theatrical performances (musical entertainments excepted), subject to such rules and orders, for their good government therein, as they shall receive from time to time, from ye Lord Chamberlain of our household. “And we hereby further revoke and make void all former licences and powers granted by us to any person for that purpose. Given at our court at Hampton Court, this 6th day of November. 1710, in the ninth year of our reign. By her Majesty's command, “ SHREWSBURY." To which the following answer was returned : “Sir,-We are willing to accept of her Majesty's licence, and to act on such days in the Haymarket as his Grace the Lord Chamberlain shall appoint. We hope our ready submission will entitle us to his Grace's favour in case we are not able to support the company under the loss of Saturday. “ We are, Sir, “ Robr. Wilks-Tho. DOGGETT, “ C. CIBBER. “ Thursday, Nov. ye 16, 1710." Saturday, mentioned in the above letter, was reserved by the Lord Chamberlain for the performances of operas. When, on the 21st, Wilks removed his company to Drury Lane, and Aaron Hill commenced the operas, the closing of the theatre on the Saturdays was done away with. These two documents show the value of the patents, about which so much has been said, and so often referred to by the possessors of the two national theatres ; they will also show the policy of Mr. Sheridan's purchasing Killigrew's dormant patent of Mr. Harris, for which 16,5001. |