an astounding comedy by a Dublin staymaker, Kelly, who had set up to be a sort of "Brummagem" Churchill, made a specialité of theatrical criticism, and had actually written a satirical poem on the stage, in feeble imitation of the grander satirist. These were claims to insure him respect with Garrick's easy nature; but it must be said, his appeal for the consideration of his comedy was so obsequious, that it was difficult to resist. The manager was to make perfectly free with it; for he was not one of those writers who "agonized at every pore," when they were told of an amendment. He only asked that the manager would let him know, as soon as convenient, if he was really an incorrigible blockhead in dramatic literature? He had already submitted some "wretched stuff," but would now seriously set to work on a comedy; some friends of his having "so worked upon his vanity" as to make him think it would succeed. He did not like sitting down, even to begin, until he got some encouragement. He was a stranger to Garrick at the time, and the proceeding seemed a little "cool." But he was encouraged to go on, and the result was the highly successful comedy of "False Delicacy," which had a surprising "run," and was one of the genuine successes of Garrick's era.

The success of this fade composition is one of the mysteries of the stage. It was of course given out that the piece was elaborately prepared by Garrick to

I refer readers to Mr. Forster's humorous description of the comedy in his Life of Goldsmith. The play was so successful, and Garrick said so much of it, that Lord Pembroke was eager to be back from Paris to see it, though he said, with true aristocratic pride, that he could expect very little from such a name as "Kelly," especially if there be an "O" before it. Some wonderful things in politics and in the drama have been done by men with this objectionable "O" before them.

VOL. II.

gratify his spleen, and damage the success of Goldsmith's play. But it had long been in Garrick's hands, and a promise had been given. More reasonable seemed the complaint, that it had been fixed for the week of the Doctor's comedy: but the manager felt he was not bound to go out of his way to serve the man who only a few weeks before, had come into his pit to ridicule a new tragedy, and make a disturbance. But a little later, we shall see what were the relations of the great actor, with that great poet and dramatist.

CHAPTER III.

DRURY LANE.-GARRICK IN SOCIETY.

1768-1769.

AT the end of the season the King of Denmark had come to London, having exhausted all the attractions of Paris. Having seen many of the established London shows, he expressed a wish to see the wonderful actor; and a company was hastily got together, to play "The Suspicious Husband," and "The Provoked Wife."* It was curious, certainly, that a tragedy like "Macbeth,” which would have appealed to the eye of a foreigner, was not selected. He was diverted with an English farce the humours of "Mungo "-and allowed the piece to be dedicated to him. That strange prince, whose tour, through London and Paris, was one whirl of masquerading and shows, was pleased with the great player, and there is still in the family, the hand

*Sir John Hawkins is amusing on this. He says that Garrick "received an order from the Lord Chamberlain" to entertain his Majesty by an exhibition of himself" in six characters." "On his way to London," goes on the Knight, "he called on me, and told me this, as news. I could plainly discern in his looks, the joy that transported him; but he affected to be vexed at the shortness of the notice, and seemed to arraign the wisdom of their councils by exclaiming, 'You see what heads they have!'" The truth was, Garrick was seriously embarrassed, for his performers were all scattered, and with difficulty, he secured Miss Bellamy and Woodward. Yet Sir John's picture of Garrick's little affectation, is not overdrawn. This is the charm of those old memoirs; even such natures as Hawkins and Boswell, had the art of writing dramatically, and had observation for character, and unconsciously touched in quite a portrait. There is nothing of this, in the "personal recollections, &c.,' that now issue from the press.

some snuff-box with the king's portrait, set in jewels, on the lid. But, with all his pride at this compliment, he must have been shocked to hear of the death of the old partner of his triumphs -the unique Lady Macbeth-the incomparable Pritchard. From the strange rough Gainsborough, who swore profusely with his pen, came the news: "Poor Mrs. Pritchard died here "-at Bath-" on Saturday night, at eleven o'clock: so now her performance being no longer present to them, who must see and hear before they can believe, you will know, my dear sir-but I beg pardon, I forgot-Time puts all in his fob, as I do my timekeeper--watch that, my dear "*

Another death was that of Palmer, but forty years old, a true and airy comedian, with an agreeable figure and person, and a pleasant coxcombry in his manner even off the stage, which would have pleased Elia, as "highly artificial." No more would he now "top the jaunty part." The old line were dropping away slowly.

By this time, the fitful Arthur Murphy thought there had been a "cool" of sufficient length between him and Mr. Garrick. That friendly Irishman, Bickerstaff, volunteered the office of mediator. Garrick had been talking with him, and Murphy's name being mentioned, spoke with eager warmth and kindness, which Bickerstaff at once reported. He told Garrick that Murphy felt these expressions deeply, and only wished for a handsome opportunity of putting an end to all their little quarrels, and proposed that they should

He signs himself

"Who am I but the same, think you?-T. G. 'Impudent scoundrel," adds Mr. Garrick.

meet some night at his "hovel" in Somerset Place, and have a little evening together with Samuel JohnGarrick's answer is so frank and generous, that

son.

it should be preserved :

"DEAR BICKERSTAFF,

"You are a good Christian. I shall with the greatest pleasure meet the company you mention, at your house. As I am almost upon my theatrical death-bed I wish to die in charity and goodwill with all men of merit, and with none more so-as he wishes it too-than with Mr. Murphy.

"I am, dear sir,

"Most truly yours,

"D. GARRICK.

"P.S. Pray let us meet, as if we had never thought unkindly of each other."

But in the next month Garrick was to pay the usual penalty for Mr. Murphy's "friendship." The latter's sensitiveness began to be disturbed about a loan of £100 from Garrick, the only security for which was the profit of some play to be written in future. Garrick was not able to bring out the new play, "Zenobia," that season, and sent it back to the author for safe custody, possible alteration, &c. This Murphy resented. He did not like the air of putting his plays pawn, as it were-" which is to work itself clear, the Lord knows when. This is the old trait of business, and I much wish to avoid it." "What a pity!" replied Garrick, with infinite temper, "that your natural good humour and good sense will now and then fail, when you are to judge of me!" He then shows how

in