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Just at this most interesting (to me at least) part of my dream, some mischievous wag played off one of his practical jokes on me, by placing a piece of lighted paper on my shoes, the pain of which awoke me, and interrupted the only conversation that, sleeping or waking, I am likely to hold with Royalty.

When I was thoroughly awake, as I could distinctly remember every circumstance of my dream, I fell into a reverie on the subject of the conduct and character of some of my School-fellows. A celebrated French philosopher has observed, that many men would be cowards if they dared:-at Westminster this is in a manner reversed; for many who are vicious would be virtuous, if they dared. The love of praise and the fear of ridicule, gives a loose character to many a welldisposed boy, whose heart revolts at the sentiments which his tongue is frightened into uttering. Many naturally studious are idle, and many naturally steady are

unruly, through the dread of being bullied or laughed at as Muzzes or Spoonies, or through the hopes of being praised and esteemed for those very acts, which their consciences remind them are most undeserving of it.

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No. III.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1815.

Urbi festus erat. PROPERTIUS.

I shall make no apology to my readers for inserting the following copy of verses on the Westminster play.

ON Wednesday last, when grave Minerva's

sway

To Thespis' lighter festival gave way,
'Twas sweet to view from half past five till six
The seniors pacing back from Mistress Vick's;
To hear the well-known, oft repeated din

From longing Town-boys of "Pray take me in :"
Some beg in vain, while happier in their prayers,
Some jump exulting up the College stairs.

At length the Abbey clock with iron tongue, Gives the glad signal to th' expecting throng:

The doors are opened, and a thousand cries
Of "Orders,"
," "Tickets," all at once arise:
Lo! on the stairs prepared the Juniors stand,
Stop each in turn, and pea-shooters demand;
With swaggering airs, and tuck'd up gowns look

gay,

While this night's triumphs half their cares repay.

And now each fear dispell'd, each danger past, The youthful audience reach the gods at last: Some happy few, O luxury most rare!

The dusty pleasures of the window share;
Whilst others, forc'd alas! too high to go,
Spit forth their malice on the beds below;
Or pelt with orange peel the vulgar crew,
Who to the scabs their wondering course

pursue :

Where raised aloft, and destined to enjoy
The tricks and mischiefs of each spiteful boy,
Envying they view the realms below, where sit
The gayer tenants of the upper pit-
But hark! Olympus thunders forth applause,
The master enters, and the curtain draws;
And now the audience who in raptures cry
Bravo, and clap, and laugh, they know not why,

Though they've learnt nought of Latin all the

while,

Nod learned nods, and smile a knowing smile ;.. Now Dromo's strength, and now the child admire,.

Glycerium's shriek, and Davus' loose attire,
Declare in every line what force they see,
Till welcome "Plaudite" proclaims them free;
And the tired gods rejoicing haste away,
Hoping new pleasures in the morrow's play.

I have received the following criticism on the Westminster Play, which I have much pleasure in laying before my readers.

MR. BROWN,

As the editors of the papers, who have published any account of Terence's Andria, as performed at Westminster on Wednesday evening, (considering themselves, I suppose, as visitors,) have contented themselves with laudatory criticisms only, I presume that an impartial critique on that

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