Dibdin thought proper to make an affidavit, that he was not; for, as Bickerstaff's name was then odious to the public, the fate of the entertainment seemed to depend upon the Town's giving credit to Mr. D.'s affidavit. Nevertheless, on the first night of the representation of the piece, part of the audience testified their displeasure for some time, till Mr. King came on and begged leave to read a paper, put into his hands by Mr. Dibdin, the purport whereof was, that Mr. D. had positively sworn that Mr. B. was not the author, and that the public should be made acquainted with the author's name in a day or two. The farce was then allowed to be performed without further opposition, and, at the conclusion, Mr. Dibdin was obliged to appear and declare "He was the author both of the words and music;" which asseveration appeased the audience and the piece was repeated several nights.

THEATRICAL EXPENSES.

THE expenses of Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres exceed 2007. per night. In 1765, those of Drury Lane were less than 70%. a night. The company consisted of about 160 performers, among whom were names of high celebrity. Garrick was at the head of the company, with a salary,

per night, of 21. 15s. 6d.; Yates, the famous comedian, and his wife, 31. 6s. 8d.; Palmer, and his wife, 27.; King, 17. 6s. 8d.; Parsons, 11. 6s. 8d.; Mrs. Cibber 24. 10s.; Mrs. Pritchard, 21. 6s. 8d.; Mrs. Clive, 17. 15s.; Miss Pope, 13s. 4d.; Signor Guistinelli, (chief singer,) 1. 3s. 4d.; Grimaldi, and his wife, (chief dancers) 17.

ARTHUR MURPHY'S NOSE.

THE bust of this celebrated dramatic writer was executed by Turnerelli, who then resided in Greek Street, Soho. A gentleman, who had been long intimate with the deceased, happened to call, just as the cast, covered with a napkin, was brought into the shop, the clay being still moist. Being curious to see what was beneath the napkin, and finding, on inquiry, that it concealed the features of his respected friend, the covering was, at his request, moved. The resemblance was, in every respect, striking, except that the nose stood awry. The workman had, it seems, in removing it from the back premises, given it a fillip, and, with a dexterous fillip on the other side, the sculptor, to whom this was pointed out, set it right. But for this, it might have passed current in after times, among his admirers, on a view of

the bust, that the fine, manly features of Arthur Murphy were somewhat disfigured by a wry

nose.

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER."

It is related by Goldsmith, that during the first performance of the comedy of " She Stoops to Conquer," he walked all the time in St. James's Park, in great uneasiness; and when he thought it must be over, he hastened to the Theatre. His ears were assailed with hisses as he entered the Green-Room, when he eagerly inquired of Mr. Colman, the cause. "Psha! Psha !" said Colman, "don't be afraid of squibs, when we have been sitting on a barrel of gunpowder these two hours." The fact was, that the comedy had been completely successful, and that it was the farce which had excited those sounds so terrific to Goldsmith.

In the "Posthumous. Letters " of Mr. Colman, there is a letter from Goldsmith, on the subject of the comedy, which, notwithstanding his merits and his own reputation, he felt some difficulty in putting on the stage. The letter is addressed to George Colman, the elder, who

VOL. III.

P

was then manager of Covent Garden Theatre, and is as follows:

"DEAR SIR,-I entreat you'll relieve me from that state of suspense, in which I have been kept for a long time. Whatever objections you have made, or shall make, to my play, I will endeavour to remove, and not argue about them. To bring in any new judges of its merits or faults, I can never submit to. Upon a former occasion, when my other play was before Mr. Garrick, he offered to bring me before Mr. Whitehead's tribunal, but I refused the proposal, with indignation; I hope I shall not experience as hard a treatment from you, as from him. I have, as you know, a large sum of money to make up shortly; by accepting my play, I can readily satisfy my creditor that way; at any rate, I must look about to some certainty to be prepared. For God's sake, take the play, and let us make the best of it, and let me have the same measure at least which you have given as bad plays as mine.

I am,

Your friend, and servant,
OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

"GEORGE COLMAN, ESQ.

OLD GRIMALDI'S DREAM,

MR. GRIMALDI, senior, had a dream, terrific in its nature, and one that made such an impression on his mind, that nothing could efface it; and he used to relate it thus:-That the Devil