66

my spirits; for I should have been wretched if it "had been necessary to postpone the production,

66

or that my personal application should have in"volved a disappointment either to you or to the ublic.

66

"My health has sensibly and materially amended "within the last two days, though I am still a prisoner "to my chamber, but whether invalid or convalescent 66 my mind must ever remain equally impressed with "a grateful sense of your gentlemanly attention and "politeness.

“With every wish for the prosperity of the estab"lishment confided to so talented a director, I have • the honour to subscribe myself,

Notwithstanding the great success of Sardanapalus,* which was produced on Thursday, April 10,

* On the evening of the performance, Count D'Orsay, who, with the gifted—gifted alike in personal and mental advantages—Lady Blessington (both such intimate friends of the deceased illustrious author) had witnessed its success, promised me a sight of the véritable letter, and lava ring, presented to him by the poet, which he sent enclosed in this note :

I was determined not to let "the Mardyn matter” die a natural death. Having about four years previously been in repeated communication with ANNE soi-disante COUNTESS OF ANNESLEY, it struck me that these letters were not written by her; and by a comparison of their handwriting with those of the notorious William Dimond, then a resident in Paris; (several of which were in the library of the theatre), a posse comitatus, appointed to investigate the business, came to the conclusion, that the whole affair was nothing else than a hoax got up by that person. I wrote word of my suspicions to a member of the Drury Lane committee at that time on a visit to the French metropolis, who confirmed them by stating, that no such persons as either St. Dizier or Dimond were known at No. 11, Rue Meroménil, (to which address and from which address our correspondence was sent and received!) and, although actively assisted by the police, he had not been able to trace out either party. A minute inquiry into the entire transaction, for which in the first instance there was not

"Mon cher Monsieur BUNN,

"Je vous envoye la lettre et la bague que vous désirez voir: toutes "les deux sont, selon moi, bien caractéristiques. Vous meritez, "mieux que personne, de connoitre tout ce qui s'attache à ce grand "homme; vous l'avez prouvé par vos études passés, et la preuve presente, qui nous a enchanté à Drury Lane.

time, convinced me that it was a trick: but if it was not one, the lady, then alive (and now for aught I know), never thought proper to denounce the shameful abuse of her name. Whichever conclusion was the more correct one, it is, beyond question, only a common act of justice to the reputation, personal and literary, of one of the greatest poets to which the world has ever given birth, to submit such a series of interesting documents to the general scrutiny of his countrymen, that they may at all events have an opportunity of judging for themselves.

176

CHAPTER IX.

Jephtha's Vow-a rash one-How to make a splendid fortune-The Lord Chamberlain in a dilemma-Three kings-one real one, and two dummies-Mr. Braham and Mr. Macready-Mr. Liston and His Majesty "ego et rex meus”—The Page and the Peer-A good performer a bad judge-Captain Fitzclarence and his motherHow, in reality, to cast a play of Shakspeare, and to lay out a stage -Difference between profit and expenditure-House of Lords— Marquis of Clanricarde-Duke of Devonshire-Duke of Wellington -Lord John Russell-Another defeat-Saints and sinners-Lord Stanley's notions of compensation very correct.

THE impression which, during the management of Monsieur Laporte at Covent Garden theatre, the dramatic representation of the Israelites in Egypt had made upon the town, now led to the preparation of another sacred subject-Jephtha's Vow, on precisely the same scale. The musical part of the task, entrusted to that clever cobbler, Mr. Rophino Lacy,* who had arranged its predecessor, was prepared alto

* I do not seek by this expression to under-rate Mr. Lacy's talents, which are considerable :-but from having, in defiance of good taste and justice, made a villainous part of the choice morceaux in some of Rossini's operas, instead of giving any one complete, he

gether with great attention; and its announcement continued before the public, until the day preceding its proposed performance, when it was suddenly withdrawn. It is a very extraordinary circumstance, that a repetition of the Israelites in Egypt, which had been so highly popular the preceding season, was this year interdicted; and yet the very same power which issued that interdiction, gave a licence for the representation of Jephtha's Vow. Mr. Lacy and others strenuously advised me to announce, that the licence for the former Oratorio having been revoked, it would be presented without action; but that a licence for the latter one having been granted, it would be presented with action. In times like these, there can be little doubt that an announcement of such glaring incongruity would have drawn on the disposing powers a considerable portion of very deserved ridicule; but in exposing them to its test, the manager would be exposing himself to their resent

ment.

I can perfectly understand, that the Lord Chamberlain of the day had a very difficult game to play— for, by refusing a licence for the present, he would exhibit the impropriety of having granted one for the past; and by granting a licence at all, he would be

thinks himself on a par with that renowned composer; thereby verifying the remark, that a speedy fortune might be made, by purchasing such people, at what you think of them, and by selling them, at what they think of themselves.