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1759.

to think he was. As to their "been every Night to see me, uncle upbraiding his brother with "and sent for me and told me as keeping their circumstances a "well as Every Body he consecret, he was indeed surprised at "verses with, that he had it; for to be sure what he, David, "not seen Acting for ten Æt. had run out had been more "years before. In short, 31. owing to his own wilfulness than "were I to tell you what they any great miscarriage in trade. "say about me, 'twould be too But run out he had, and, let him "vain tho' I am now writing to a live never so warily, must run "Brother."

out more; and indeed let Peter Nor is it less clear that another only reflect a little seriously, and feeling checks him, the fear that he will hardly say that the trade he has already said too much. they have could ever be sufficient However, he adds, so willing is to maintain himself and a ser- he to be continued in his dear vant handsomely. "As for the Peter's affections, that were he "stage," he continues, gathering certain of a less income with boldness again to speak of it, "I more reputation, he would gladly "know in the General it deserves take to it. He has not yet had "your Censure, but if you will his name in the bills, and has "consider how handsomely and only played the part of Richard "how reputably some have liv'd,

"as Booth, Mills, Wilks, Cib-cured him a distinguished place in the "ber, &c. and admitted into, and Leicester-house councils. On the Prince's "admir'd by, ye best Companies; his services were no longer required by death his affairs became embarrassed, "and as my Genius that way (by "ye best Judges) is thought Won"derful, how can you be averse "to my proceedings when not "only my Inclinations, but my "Friends who at first were sur"pris'd at my Intent, by seeing "me on ye stage are now well "convinc'd 'twas impossible for "me to keep of. As to Company, "ye Best in Town are desirous of "mine, and I have received more "Civilities and favours from such "since my playing than I ever "did in all my life before. Mr. "Glover (Leonidas I mean)* has

the politicians with whom he had acted, and he suffered much from the neglect of sensibly retrieved his position by a sucthose great folks. But he afterwards very cessful speculation in the copper trade, and lived sufficiently long, not only to punish Mr. Pitt by writing him down in a book, but to be mistaken, with his small cocked hat, his accurately dressed wig, and his bag, for "the tall gentleman," the veritable author of Junius, who was seen throwing a letter into Woodfall's office in Ivy-lane. Horace Walpole, coupling him with the London lordmayor in March 1742, calls the pair "the "greatest coxcomb, and greatest oaf, "that ever met in blank verse or prose" (Coll. Lett. 1. 151); but this was his invariable tone in speaking of assailant any of his father. He could not even forgive Colman for being the nephew of Sir Robert Walpole's rival Pulteney (Lord Richard Glover was a merchant of Bath), and is dreadfully impatient of the that day, whose popular speaking, clever success of the Jealous Wife (Coll. Lett. writing, and influence in the city, pro-Iv. 124).

the Third, which brings crowded on the stage, the very patriots audiences every night, and Mr. from Whitehall, in the agony of Giffard returns the service he has their struggle with Walpole,

done him very amply. flocking to that wretched little 1759. However (as though again theatre in the lowest and most Et. 31. in dread that he may be vulgar of the suburbs! Has not showing too little regard to his the Prince's confidant, Mr. Glover, objectors), let "dear Peter" send been every night to see him? him a letter next post, and he'll And, since he wrote last to Lichgive a full answer, not having field, even grave Mr. Lyttelton time enough at present. He has has been there, the Prince himnot a debt of twenty shillings self is daily expected, and he has upon him; "so in that," he con- been praised and encouraged cludes, "be very easy. I am by that fiery young orator Mr. "sorry my sisters are under such Pitt, who, already reckoned the "uneasinesses, and, as I really greatest actor in the House of "love both them and you, will Commons, has given eager wel"ever make it my study to ap- come to an actor reported to ❝pear your affectionate Brother, be even greater than himself. "D. Garrick." "Sometimes, at Goodman's

The post brings back the letter "fields," writes Gray to Chute, asked for, but as far as ever from "there are a dozen dukes of a the tone desired. Peter still"night."*

protests, urges, entreats, casts Shall we wonder, then, that discredit on Giffard, and, while writing again on the 10th of Nohe washes his own hands of the vember "to Mr. Garrick at Lichconsequences he sees impend-field Staffordshire," little David, ing, warns David against them beginning with professions of with such persevering emphasis, extreme sorrow that his "Dear that, but for each day's felt and "Brother" should still seem so palpable increase to the actor's utterly averse to what he was so unexampled success, it might greatly inclined to, and to what have gone hard with him in this the best judges think he has the epistolary war. But how should greatest genius for, should go on he now turn back with the in- to say that the great, nay, incentives that on the other side credible success and approbation urged him on-plebeian Good- he has met with from the greatest man's-fields lighted up with the persons in England, had almost splendour of Grosvenor-square made him resolve (though he is and St. James's! grand people's "Did I tell you about Mr. Garcoaches jammed up in the nar-"rick, that the town are horn-mad after: row alleys between Temple-bar "there are a dozen dukes of a night at and Whitechapel! and, though "I am stiff in the opposition." Works, "Goodman's-fields sometimes, and yet he has not yet been three weeks 11. 185,

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sorry to say it, against dear suring him once more of what Peter's entreaties) to pursue it, the letter very amply exhibits, as he shall certainly make a for- that it is his greatest desire to tune by it if health continues? continue his "affectionate He then talks of money affairs in "Brother, D. Garrick." the old strain; and as to Giffard, But not Pitt, nor Lyttelprotests that £30 was all he had ton, nor Glover, nor the Prince ever lent that manager in former himself, can yet entirely break days, which sum was paid long down the obdurate resolution of ago. He adds, that at present he Peter, who proves well worthy of receives from Giffard (though this his name. There are some signs was a secret) six guineas a week, of relenting, nevertheless; as and was to have a clear benefit, even the rock, may yield at last and the benefit was to be very to melting influences. He cansoon, and he had been offered not, of course, save David the £120 for it, and dear Peter can- pain of feeling that he has innot imagine what regard he flicted irreparable hurt on the meets with, and on the occasion respected mercantile position of of that benefit the pit and boxes Mr. Peter Garrick of Lichfield; are to be put together, and he shall but he brings himself to close his have all his friends (who still letter by saying, that though he continue so though his brother is never can approve of the stage, not to be brought over), and if yet he will always be David's afhis brother will only come his fectionate brother. Well, for lodgings shall cost him nothing. even such scant mercies, the "Mr. Littleton, Mr. Pit, and brother is thankful. In the first "Several other Members of Par- flush of a success that might well "liament were to see me play have spurned at every kind of "Chamont, in ye Orphan, and Mr. control, the good-hearted little "Pit, who is reckon❜d ye greatest fellow continues as eager to pro"Orator in the House of Com-pitiate this formal, unsympathis"mons, said I was ye best Actor ing, intolerant old vendor of "ye English Stage had produc'd, claret and sherry, as if he were "and he sent a Gentleman to me himself still the hobbledehoy "to let me know he and ye other youth of fourteen looking up "Gentlemen would be glad to with timid deference to his re"see Me. The Prince has heard vered superior of twenty. Every "so great a Character of me that point of complaint, as if each "we are in daily expectations of were the first and not the dozenth "his coming to see me." And so time of urging, he meets with rethe gossiping, kindly, anxious spectful argument or loving reletter ends, with another entreaty monstrance; and, as to the althat Peter will let him know what leged injury to him in his merhe resolves upon, the writer as- cantile position, he has now to Oliver Goldsmith's Life and Times. I.

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tell Peter that their uncle, he has guineas for a ticket; and (for a it on good authority, will be re- climax) that next week he deconciled to him, "for even the signed buying £200 of his stock

"Merchants say 'tis an out of his profits of playing. So, 1759. "honour to him, not Other- as to the business between them, Et. 31. "wise. As to hurting you and the selling off of their joint "in yr affairs," he goes on (his stock in London, if his brother letter bears date the 24th Novr), should want more money than "it shall be my constant En- his share comes to he will sup"deavour to promote yr welfare ply it. In conclusion he admits "with my all. If you should that the trade is rather better "want Money, and I have it, you than it was, but, his mind being "shall command my whole, and quite turned another way, he "I know I shall soon be more desires to be released from it as "able by playing and writing to soon as possible. "do you service than any other "way."

Now, that this was a highly practical, business-like letter, Backed by which honest puf- though written by a flighty stageposes, may he not again venture player, even the obstinately unto tell his brother that he is very believing Peter appears to have near quite resolved to be a felt. It went, at any rate, straight player? as he has the best judg-to the heart of the partnership ment of the best judges, who to affairs between them; and, howa man are of opinion that he ever reluctantly, he would seem shall turn out (nay, they say that to have made up his mind to already he is) not only the best accept it as the best of a bargain tragedian but comedian in Eng-that must be any way a bad one. land. "I would not,” he prettily But one matter he should like to interposes here, "say so much have cleared up. Had his brother "to any body else; but as this really been playing Harlequin, as re"may somewhat palliate my ported, before he came out at Good"folly, you must excuse me. Mr. man's-fields?

"Littleton was wth Me last Night, Here was a question to be ad"and took me by ye hand and dressed to a man whom the great "said, he never saw such play- and noble were delighting to "ing upon ye English Stage be- honour, who was charming the "fore." And for other more whole town both in comedy and practical proofs of his success, tragedy, nay, who had just come he tells Peter that he has had out as an author, and whose farce great offers from Fleetwood; that of the Lying Valet, acted (not at they have had finer business than Drury-lane, but) at Goodman'seither Drury-lane or Covent- fields six days after the date of garden; that Mr. Giffard himself his last letter, was taking prohad given him yesterday twenty digiously, and was approved of

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by men of genius, and 'thought Walpole. "The Duke of Argyll the most diverting farce that ever 66 says he is superior to Betterwas performed. "I believe you'll "ton."* "We are all wrong, if "find it read pretty well," he "this is right," said Quin, continues, addressing Peter with decisively. "I' faith, Bra- Æt. somewhat more courage than "cey," said Cibber, taking usual, and sending him a copy; snuff, and turning to his an"and in performance 'tis a cient partner in theatrical glory "General Roar from beginning Mrs. Bracegirdle, "the lad is ❝to end; and I have got as much "clever!"

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"Reputation in ye Character of Justly was Garrick proud of "Sharp, as in any other character that opinion; for only a year be"I have perform'd, tho far dif- fore, the Apology had given proof "ferent from ye others." of what a masterly critic Cibber Far different, indeed! as dif- was, and all the old man's preferent as Romeo from Sir John judices and tastes went strongly Brute, as Othello from Fondle-counter to the admission thus wife, as Richard from Jack wrung from him. That it was Smatter, as Shakespeare's Lear given, however, and in still from Colley Cibber's Master stronger terms, may fairly be inJohnny, as eighty-four from fif- ferred from what Garrick goes teen. Yet even such was the on to say to his brother, in this surprising versatility now dis- letter dated the 22nd December. played with consummate ease by "You perhaps would be glad to this greatest of actors; who "know what parts I have play'd. alone, of all performers on re- "King Rich, Jack Smatter in cord, seems to have hit the con-"Pamela, Clody Fop's Fortune, summation of the actor's art in "Lothario Fair Penitent, Chamont being able to drop altogether his "Orphan, Ghost Hamlet, and shall own personality. "All the run 'soon be ready in Bays in ye "is now after Garrick," writes "Rehearsal, and in ye part of "Othello, Both which I believe "For his benefit on the 18th of "will do Me and Giffard great "March," says Mr. Boaden, "he amazed service. I have had great suc"the town by repeating" (he had first played it on the preceding 22nd of Fe- cess in all, and 'tis not yet bruary) "after his performance of King "Lear, his Master Johnny, a lad of fif

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*The whole passage is too characteen, in the Schoolboy. The farce was teristic not to be given. "All the run is written by Colley Cibber, who was still "now after Garrick, a wine-merchant, "living; and he might, and very probably "who is turned player, at Goodman'sdid, see that wonderful junction of "fields. He plays all parts, and is a very "eighty-four and fifteen by the same ac"tor." Memoir, VII-VIII (Gar. Cor.) "The "stage," said the play-bills of the night, "will be formed into an amphitheatre, "where servants will be allowed to keep "places." Account of the Stage, IV. 24.

66 good mimic. His acting I have seen, "and may say to you, who will not tell it “again here, I see nothing wonderful in "it; but it is heresy to say so: the Duke "of Argyll says he is superior to Better "ton." Coll. Lett. 1. 189.

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