it ;" and all was by the angry lady as easily pronounced as if it had been faid to her cook-wench. By the bye, though fhe was a comic actress beyond compare, when in her proper line, as Mrs. Heidleburgh, Widow Blackacre, &c. yet her Portia was as truly bad as her own imagination (however contemptible it might be) formed Mr. Foote's Shylock would be. But this tender Catherine (and there fhe was clever) almost fobbed for her dear Foote when the Author was prohibited, and his Lordship, who sent the decree, did not escape her deprecations: but the fecret lay here; Becky, I mean Mrs. Cadwallader, her part in the farce, being stopped, was as great a difappointment to her as an actress, as the Author being filenced was to Mr. Foote. He felt like Shylock, which he had been rehearfing, and regretted the money this ftoppage would lofe him, three thoufand ducats in that, besides other precious jewels. The incomparable Clive outwardly grieved for Foote, and acted it very well, though tragedy was not her forte, but was inwardly affifted by her anger, and all her tenderness being really moved for the lofs of her dear Mrs. Cadwallader; and certainly very few fuch inftances of great acting ever was or will be produced in competition with her performance of that character. She there (as Cibber says in his preface) outdid her ufual outdoings. She was

the terror of poets, managers, actors, actreffes, and musicians-O rare Kate Clive!-there was no refource left but to change the farce, stick up fresh bills, explain the unavoidable neceffity for fo doing, and requeft the ufual indulgenceas to what farce-the ftale Diverfions of the Morning was the only fubftitute. These precautions taken, Mr. Foote went home to dinner as sheepish and with as little appetite as I had done fome weeks before on my general lecture day, and I dare answer for him with as little relish; for those who are bleffed with fuperabundant fpirits, when once they are funk, are quite chop-fallen.

I retired with a mediocrity of temper on this occafion like an eafy gentleman, though really forry for Mr. Foote: I was also forry for the loss of my Irish lady, whom I had just taken into keeping; but as my wants were not pinched, this little fracas did not deprefs me. The audiences in London generally have great confideration, and though difappointed and vexed at not seeing this long promifed favourite farce of the Author, with the new fcene, were convinced that Mr. Foote fhould rather claim their pity and encouragement than their condemnation, as he loft not only by his house being in fome degree prejudiced that night, by the peremptory order of high office, but also his profits from the managers for

eight or ten nights, which alluring profpects were rendered impracticable, great expectations being daily increased by Mr. Foote's repeated puffs in the public papers, not omitting the humour and excellence to be expected from Wilkinson's new. character of Mrs. O'Shocknefy. The substitution of the Diversions of the Morning was received. rather like a new favourite than a repeated old piece, which is generally the cafe in London when-ever the Chapter of Accidents caufes disappointments, and every one is thoroughly convinced whatever has happened wrong is not in confequence of neglect or defign. Nothing will ftronger poffefs minds in general, or warp them to obftinate ill-nature fo certainly as an idea of falfehood, art, or the being entrapped by the finifter theatrical views behind the curtain.

Good fortune had whirled her wheel fo pleafantly, take her for all in all, till Christmas 1758, that my univerfal acquaintance made me quite an indifferent spectator, and ideas of being a great man, which had so often been crushed and lain dormant began to rear again, not without strong hopes of honours accompanied, I affured myself that halcyon days would some time come; nay, to place my hopes on infallible grounds, a gipsey at Norwood, near Dulwich, fortold wonders; and every wonder, to fuit my prophetic fancy, fhe

affirmed, and I, with a faith as strong as a sensible methodist, believed all.

Mr. Foote, be it understood, had not acted at the Hay-Market, with or without permiffion of the Lord Chamberlain, from the time of his memorable giving Tea; nor from the year 1747, at Covent-Garden; he had not acted at either theatre till one night in the fpring for Mifs MACKLIN'S benefit, Tuesday, April 24, 1753. Her play was the Orphan; fhe acted Monimia, Mr. Foote acted Buck; but his name (for what reason I cannot guess) was not inferted in the bills. The first acting of the Englishman in Paris was as follows.

THEATRE-ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN.

BENEFIT OF Mr. MACKLIN.
Saturday, March 24, 1753.

THE FAIR PENITENT. The part of CALISTA to be performed By Mifs MACKLIN,

Being the first time of her appearing in that character, and the fourth upon any stage.

And the part of HORATIO to be performed By Mr. BARRY.

To which will be added, a new Comedy of two acts, called The ENGLISHMAN in PARIS. Being an Answer to a French Farce, called THE FRENCHMAN IN LONDON. With an occafional Prologue between Mr. MACKLIN and his WIFE, Addreffed to the PIT.

And an EPILOGUE, by Mifs MACKLIN.

All written by Mr. FOOTE.

Nothing under the full price will be taken during the performance.