"Memoirs of Hayley," to whom it was addressed, affords a proof. Its object, as it would seem, was to endeavour to mortify Mrs. Siddons, by magnifying the theatrical talents of her sister:

"Hampstead Heath, July 27, 1784.

"MY DEAR SIR,-You have it in your power at once to confer a great favour on me, and do eminent service to a good and lovely girl. Your "Lord Russell," appears in the course of next week, at the Haymarket. Miss Kemble, who acted the very delicate part of Harriet, in "The Guardian," is to personate your " Lady Margaret ;" and I will venture to promise she shall execute all you could desire within the compass of so small a character. If her natural timidity could once be overcome she would make a distinguished figure in her profession, as her mind is every way stronger and more cultivated than that of her sister. Her diffidence in herself is her chief enemy; and I know not how it can be dislodged, but by praise, when she has deserved it. If therefore you, whose approbation is fame, would bestow a dozen lines on her performance of Margaret, you will be guilty only of an honest stratagem to procure her that confidence in her own abilities, which I am certain will operate to her future advantage. You know what you should hope to find in the representative of old Bedford's daughter, and no one can describe it half so well. If you will oblige me with a few verses, which I may send to her in your name and in your hand-writing, the day after she has trod in your buskins, you will, as I observed before, prove the best friend she ever met with. You are one of the few people whom one can VOL. III.

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venture to solicit in the cause of an honest woman. You have my assurance, that your lines shall not be printed without your immediate permission. I shall persuade her you came up incog. to see your own play, returned into the country next morning, and, not knowing her address, intrusted me with the delivery of your compliment. I shall attend every representation of your play, and will transmit you a faithful account of its success, which I do not doubt of. Your "Lady Russell," though patronised by a number of clamorous friends, will prove only a piece of beautiful imbecility. I saw her in Sigismunda twice: her voice is hardly audible; and her face, though handsome, exhibits no variety of expression. If I can prevail on you to oblige me, let me beg you will write the lines on a separate sheet of paper, and inclose them in your letter. I shall pay with cheerfulness for a packet of a pound weight on such an occasion. With my best compliments to the fair Eliza, whom I entreat to back my petition,

"I remain your ever faithful and affectionate

"GEORGE STEEVENS.

"P. S. On second thoughts, if you will allow the verses to go into The St. James's Chronicle, after they have been presented to the lady, you will do her cause more extensive service: but, without your leave, they shall be circulated only among her friends, in manuscript. I am sure she will be more flattered by your notice than by any present which could be made her.

"I hear you have re-purchased all your works from Dodsley; a circumstance I much rejoice in. Is it true? If it is, we may expect, I hope, a handsome edition. Pray

The next morning he inveighed against them for having neglected his injunctions, and on demanding some reason for their treachery," Arrah, master," said the spokesman, "do we not know you?-sure 'twas your own swate self that was on the stage; and shower light upon us, if we go to the play-house to hiss our worthy master."

GRIMALDI'S LAMENT ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE STAGE.

[Addressed to his Son.]

Adieu to Mother Goose!-adieu-adieu

To spangles, tufted heads, and dancing limbs, Adieu to Pantomime-to all-that drew

O'er Christmas' shoulders a rich robe of whims.

Never shall old Bologna-old, alack !—
Once he was young and diamonded all o'er,
Take his particular Joseph on his back

And dance the matchless fling so loved of

yore.

Ne'er shall I build the wond'rous verdant man,

Tall, turnip-headed,

carrot-finger'd-lean;

Ne'er shall I, on the very newest plan,

Cabbage a body;-old Joe Frankenstein. Nor make a fire, nor eke compose a coach

Of saucepans, trumpets, cheese, and such sweet fare;

"Sorrow hath ta'en my number ;"-I encroach No more upon the chariot ;-but the chair.

Gone is the stride, four steps, across the stage!
Gone is the light vault o'er a turnpike gate!
Sloth puts my legs into this tiresome cage,
And stops me for a toll,-I find, too late!
How Ware would quiver his mad bow about
His rosin'd tight ropes-when I flapp'd a

dance!

How would I twitch the Pantaloon's good gout

And help his fall-and all his fears enhance!

How children shriek'd to see me eat !-How I Stole the broad laugh from aged sober folk! Boys pick'd their plums out of my Christmas pie,

And people took my vices for a joke.

Be wise, (that's foolish,) — troublesome (be

rich)—

And oh, J. S. to every fancy stoop!

Carry a ponderous pocket at thy breech,

And roll thine eyes, as thou would'st roll a hoop,

Hand Columbine about with nimble hand,
Covet thy neighbour's riches as thy own:
Dance on the water, swim upon the land,

Let thy legs prove themselves bone of my bone.

Cuff Pantaloon, be sure-forget not this:

As thou beat'st him, thou'rt poor, J. S. or funny!

And wear a deal of paint upon thy phiz,

It doth boys good, and draws in gallery mo

ney.

Lastly, be jolly! be alive! be light!

Twitch, flirt, and caper, tumble, fall, and throw!

Grow up right ugly in thy father's sight!
And be an "absolute Joseph," like old Joe!

CLOUGH AND SHUTER.

CLOUGH had a very peculiar idea of amusement. The most diverting thing in the world to him, was a public execution; and he would sooner have failed in being at the play house on the night he was to act, than to have omitted attending the unfortunate culprits to Tyburn, and to be a spectator of the horrors of death in so ignominious a manner. One night, he

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