rical career. When a boy, he left his parents and joined an itinerant company of comedians. In this situation, before he was eighteen years of age, he was noticed by some gentlemen of Norwich, who spread such a favourable report of his talents, that the manager at that place sent him an invitation to join his company, with the offer of twenty-five shillings per week. As his salary had never before exceed nine or ten shillings, this invitation was accepted.

After performing a short time at Norwich, he, with his wife, whom he had just married, was invited to Bath, where he soon acquired the "gale of favour," and for a considerable time was the principal favourite of the town. His fame at length reached the metropolis; and Mr. Harris engaged him at Covent Garden.

His first appearance on that stage was in 1787, in the character of Archer. He was received with universal applause, and for some time had no competitor in the light and foppish characters of the drama. When Mr. Munden was engaged at this theatre, Mr. Bernard retired from London, and performed at Plymouth, Dover, and Guernsey. In a short time, however, he returned to Covent Garden, where he continued till 1797, when he came to America.

Mr. Bernard appears to have been held in high estimation in London; and his secession from Covent Garden was deeply regret

ted by publick admirers as well as private friends.

During his residence in London he produ ced several dramatick entertainments, which met with approbation. One of these, called The Poor Sailor, or Little Bob and Little Ben was written partly for the purpose of bringing forward a young person, whose talents, Mr. B. thought were not properly estimated. While residing in Plymouth, he kept a vocabulary of sea-phrases, which he found of service in the composition of this piece. The songs, which the writer of this article is well assured were the entire production of Mr. Bernard, were printed and given away, at the doors of the theatre. They were highly, applauded; but, from the unwillingness of the publick to look favourably, on a man in the two-fold capacity of author and actor, they were attributed to some other pen, and the real author never received the credit which was justly his due. Mr. B. is likewise, the author of several fugitive pieces of poetry, which are now in the possession of the editor, and shall decorate some of the future numbers of the Polyanthos,

In 1793, a society called The Strangers at Home, was founded at Garrick's Head, which for "wit, harmony, regularity and consequence," eclipsed every club in London. Among the founders of it were Mr. Bernard and Mr. Fennell. A right reverend divine, Mr. Harley, was chaplain, and Mr. O'Keefe poet laureat, to the society. O'Keefe had enga

ged to write a constitutional song; but failing to produce it in season, the following was written at a few hours notice, by Mr. Bernard.

CONSTITUTIONAL SONG of the STRANGERS, AT HOME;

Consisting of a Catalogue of Plays and Farces.

I.

DICK Ranter, the spouter, a king at quotation,
To elope with Miss Kitty receiv'd invitation;
Her letter ran thus-All the World is a Stage,
So say what you will, 'tis Bon Ton to engage.

II.

Dick snatch'd up a pen, overjoyed at the task,
And thus, he replied-My sweet Virgin Unmask'd,
Trip to Scotland you want, but should I be inclin'd,
The Critick now asks, would You know your own Mind ?

III.

Comedy of Errours might fall in our way,

Reparation might Bellow, or Duellist slay;

Love for Love, though enchanting, it may not last long,
And The Grey Beards would tell us we're All in the Wrong,

But just As you like it, without Much Ado,

Ways and Means we will find to see fam'd Fontainbleau:
A Bold Stroke, Neck or Nothing, Dick Ranter's your man,
There are More ways than One, so Stop him who can.

V.

My Belle's Stratagem's good, yet Contrivances find,
The Hypocrite play, your Duenna to blind;
This Elopement a Clandestine Marriage she'll ‘gage,
For Love laughs at Locksmiths in every age.

VI.

She would and she would not, I'll ne'er say of you,
The Komance of an Hour you ne'er had in view;
The Ramp, not The Fool, your intent has displayed,
Therefore Miss in her Teens shall not die The Old Maid.
VII.

The Positive Man will bet high we're undone,
While Adventurers as Chances will take Two jo One.

School for Scandal will state in The Liar's gazette,
Three Weeks after Marriage, A Wife to be let.

VIII.

Duplicity's rock Just in Time will I shun,

And from Gamesters and all their vile tricks will I run; In their deep Road to Ruin I never will halt,

But still bear in mind Every One has his Fault.

IX.

The way to get married 'tis plain you have found,
Yet Maids as they are all my senses confound;
By wives as they were fix your dress and your mind,
And A Gure for the Heart-Ach we ever shall find,

X.

Our Cholerick Fathers will melt and grow mild,

When The Padlock of Hymen secures The Spoiled Child; And The Wags with Odd Ditties wil new tune their

throats,

When the sweeter d of Nature has sown her wild Oats.

Man and Wife we must never Cross Purposes play,
Lest Separate Maintenance lead us astray;

"Tis The Way of the World, Reprisals to make,

But avoid Lor's Quarrels, they're all from Mistake."

If you seek a Divorce, never marry again,

For A Wife of Two Husbands on wedlock's a stain;
Let the sweet Voice of Nature our passions still tune,
And each month of our lives be a new Honey Moon.
XIII.

The Will of my father I hear has a flaw,
The West-Indian asserts he's the true Heir at Law;
But with Love in a Cottage we'll Cheap Living find,
And mum-I've The Secret for Raising the wind.

XIV.

At the soft Midnight Hour I'll wait your approach,
In a chaise for The Heiress, I hate The Stage Coach;
Wedding Ring shall be ready, and I'll tell you what,
AWord to the Wise, we'll rehearse Tit for Tat.

XV.

The Agreeable Surprise you shall often obtain;
But of Love's Labour lost you must never complain,
Nor chide The Inconstant, of mirth when brim full,
If he join in the laugh or the roar of John Bull.

The last line of verses 5 and 15 have been lately altered, and verses 12 and 13 added, by the author.

Mr. Bernard's first appearance on the American stage was made at New-York, Aug. 17, 1797, in the character of Goldfinch, in the Road to Ruin. He was engaged by Mr. Wignell, and at the opening of the winter campaign was introduced to the Philadelphia audience in the characters of Ruttekin and The Liar. He continued at that place till the summer of 1803.

In the autumn of 1803, he was engaged by Mr. Powell, manager of the Boston the atre. He appeared in the character of Humphrey Gubbins, in the Battle of Hexham, and received from a brilliant audience the most unequivocal demonstrations of applause. His professional talents and reputable conduct in private life have recommended him to the publick favour.

Curiosity is fixed on the figure of men who have filled any unusual space in the publick eye. Mr. Bernard's person is of the middling size and well made, his complexion ruddy and hair dark. His great power in varying his features enables him, as it were, to identify himself with the person he is to represent. To this the his voice and the accuracy of his ear greatly contribute ; while his eye has the happy fac ulty of looking the passion he means to express. To these advantages for forming an actor,

compass

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