■f * 
 
 /■ 
 
OJorttcU HtttoKC0ttg iCibratg 
 
 aitliaca, ■Nfta ^orfe 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY 
 
 COLLECTED BY 
 
 BENNO LOEWY 
 
 1854-1919 
 BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
Cornell University Library 
 PN 2598.C71A3 
 
 Posthumous letters from various celebra 
 
 3 1924 027 119 134 
 
r 
 
 XI 
 
 Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924027119134 
 
POSTHUMOUS LETTERS, 
 
 ADDRESSED TO 
 
 F. COLMAN, AND G. COLMAN, the Elder, 
 
 ^c. ^c. 
 
Printed by A. and R. Spottbwoode, 
 Frinter».8treet, London. 
 
POSTHUMOUS LETTERS, 
 
 FROM 
 
 VARIOUS CELEBRATED MEN; 
 
 ADDRESSED TO 
 
 FRANCIS GOLMAN, AND GEORGE COLMAN, the Elder: 
 
 WITH 
 
 ANNOTATIONS, AND OCCASIONAL REMARKS, 
 
 By GEORGE COLMAN, the Younger. 
 
 EXCLUSIVE OF THE LETTEES, ARE, 
 
 AN EXPLANATION OF THE.,IMpTIVES OF WILLIAM PULTENBY (AFTERWARDS 
 EARL OF BATH) FOR HIS ACCEPTANCE OF A PEERAGE; 
 
 ' AND 
 
 PAPERS TENDING TO ELUCIDATE THE QUESTION RELATIVE TO THE PROPORTIONAJU SHARES 
 
 OF AUTHORSHIP TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ELDER COLJ^A^T ASD GARRICK, 
 
 IN THE COMEDY OF THE CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PRINTED FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, IN THE STRAND; 
 AND W. BLACKWOOD, EMNBURGH. 
 
 . 1820. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Some friends whom I consulted were of opinion that, many of 
 the following Papers required certain explanations, relative to 
 family and theatrical Occurrences, which must be given by myself: 
 it was determined, therefore, that they should undergo my sole 
 arrangement, and be brought before the publick " in my own 
 •way :" — 
 
 Now, nothing can be more out of my way than sorting a heap 
 of old writings, and reducing such a chaos to order. 
 
 In the present instance, too, some difficulties arise which no- 
 body can conquer ; for all the elements I have to adjust do riot 
 furnish means of producing that complete organization which 
 may be desired: — the mass, (as is almost always the case with 
 posthumous letters,) is not only entangled, but defective; — so 
 that, were I even a professed and practised clearer of intricacy, 
 
VI 
 
 instead of an habitual offender against precision, it is now impos- 
 sible, through downright dearth of the " semina rerum,'" to ex- 
 hibit a thoroughly connected work. Uniformity may be extracted 
 from a jumble of sufficient miaterids ; but 'there can be no perfect 
 harmony in a system that requires component parts which are 
 unattainable. 
 
 I have attempted too many compositions, such as plays and 
 poems, in which some method is necessary : a method, however, 
 which almost comes a volunteer to him who cultivates Fancy's 
 ground-work ;>— the tales a poet has to tellj for the most part, 
 strike out for themselves, in their mere progress, a kind of 
 orderly combination, — as young trees spontaneously dispose 
 their shoots, with little or no trouble to the planter ; — but the 
 plodding business I have here undertaken is such as the little 
 exuberance of imagination which I may possess would impede, 
 and which the paucity of my documents will riot sufficiiently ad- 
 vance : with an embargo, therefore, upon invention, on one side, 
 and a famine visiting matter of fact, on the other, r— I am in 
 a dilemma! 
 
 Notwithstanding these obstacles, I have iStiJl endeavoured to 
 class the papers, as much as it has, in my humble judgment, 
 appeared practicable, by a plan which I hope will facilitate pe*- 
 
Vll 
 
 rusal J and which, for the further convenience of readers,; I now 
 beg leave to point out. 
 
 i'i'r, \ . >:M''' 
 
 The letters to my grandfather, Francis Colman, having all 
 (except one) been addressed to him during his residence abroad, 
 as Minister from the King of Great Britain, at the Court of Tus- 
 cany, occupy the first pages of- this collection, according to their 
 precedence in the order of time. 
 
 Of the letters to my father, George Colman, those from Wil- 
 liajn Pulteney,: Earl of Bath,, are printed in sequence, without the 
 interruption of any other person's correspondence ; — and so are 
 those relative to my father's translations of Terence's Plays, and 
 Horace's Art of Poetry ; — the theatrical letters are similarly kept 
 together ; — and those from Garrick, in which theatrical, domes- 
 tick, and other topicks are blended, close the whole series. Ac- 
 cording to tUis arrangement, the other letters, which I call (for want 
 of a better term) miscellaneous, fall eg.sily into the places which 
 I teave assigned them. — This, Ihave conceived to be the least 
 perplexing mode, even if all the lajanuscritpts had been carefully 
 dated, which, however^ is not the case, — many, of them wanting 
 the date of the year* some of the month, aad some beadngrno 
 date at all: but I have tried to observe a regular piQg<ressiona' 
 
viii 
 
 thijougbput each; of these separate Jdivisions, or subdivisions^ as 
 far as any date, or any fact mentioned, by which I might ascer- 
 tain or conjecture a date, would enable me. 
 
 
 Some of the letters from celebrated men, in tjbis collection, 
 possess little further interest than that of having been written by 
 them 5-^- but the epistolary smaU-talk o^ distinguished persons, 
 or a specimen of their familiar styde, or a note from them of the 
 most trivial description, are interesting to perhaps nine readers 
 out of ten : and, if this be admitted, it is trusted that no very 
 grave censure will fall upon the editor who prints even their 
 tittle-tattle, —provided it be not that dross from the ore of a su- 
 perior mind which (as in too many instances, such as in the 
 works of Swift,)' 'the author never intended to expose, and never 
 «AoM/rfha;ve been exposed, to publick inspection. 
 
 In respect to the thea;trical letters, — -the history of our stage, 
 and the biography of it's retainers, have been detailed, by 
 various hands, down to the present day : but, notwithstanding 
 this- harvest of dramatick information already gathered , in, 
 tbeTe are still innu*nerable gleaners in the field ; — by such re- 
 searchers, something may be picked up, here ; something which, 
 if not hitherto entirely unknown, may be supplemental to, and 
 
IX 
 
 corroborative of, what has been previously told : — at all events, 
 these papers were never in print before. * 
 
 Fidelity to the manuscripts has been observed ; and many of 
 the earlier epistles, . being printed ad Mteram, will be found to 
 teem with^barbarisms in grammar, style, orthographyj^^ and punc- 
 tuation ; — imperfections common among eminent men of former 
 days, but which, now, might 'make " even Butchers weep !" 
 
 It does not occur to me that any further statement is necessary, 
 as preliminary to the letters ; for, wherever any thing, in the 
 course of them, has appeared to need elucidation, the annotations 
 will throw as much light upon them as may be expedient, or as 
 much as I happen to have obtained : — to extend the preface, 
 would, therefore, be a trespass upon the reader's patience. 
 
 Geomge Colman, the Younger. 
 
 * While this book was in the press, I accidentally discovered that one letter (the 
 first from General Lee) had been previously published. I know not by what means 
 it appeared ; — the original manuscript is, certainly, in my possession. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 LETTERS TO FRANCIS COLMAN. 
 
 Letter P*ge 
 
 I. From William Pulteney, afterwards Earl of Bath l 
 
 IL — George Dodington, afterwards Lord Melcombe 3 
 
 IIL — John Gay, — the Poet 7 
 
 IV. — William Pulteney 10 
 
 y. — George Dodington 13 
 
 VL — The Earl of Chesterlield 15 
 
 VII. — James Payzant 17 
 
 Vm. — G.F.Handel 19 
 
 IX. — OwenSwiny 21 
 
 X. — The Same 2,5 
 
 XL — Stephen Horseman -27 
 
 XIL — G. F. Handel 28 
 
 XIIL — C. H. Williams 30 
 
 XIV. — William Pulteney 31 
 
 XV, — The Same 34 
 
 XVL — The Same 36 
 
 XVIL — The Earl of Essex 39 
 
 Approaching Termination of the Life of Francis Colman .i 40 
 
 a:2 .^ -:•>., 
 
XII 
 
 Page 
 
 Letter from Francis Colman to his Wife • 41 
 
 Letter from Mary Colman to Mrs. Tyndall 42 
 
 The Care of George Colman (on the Death of his Father) undertaken by the 
 Earl of Bath 43 
 
 LETTERS FROM WILLIAM PULTENEY, EARL OF BATH, TO 
 GEORGE COLMAN, THE ELDER. 
 
 These Letters (including two from the Countess, of Bath) begin at page 45. and 
 
 continue to page 76. 
 
 ACCOUNT of William Pulteney's motives for accepting a Peerage ; — beginning 
 at page 76. and continued to the end of page 83. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS- TO GEORGE COLMAN, THE ELDER. 
 
 Letter Page 
 
 I. From John Wilkes 84 
 
 11. — R. Shepherd 88 
 
 III. — Christopher Smart 90 
 
 IV. — Voltaire 91 
 
 V. — Charles Lee 94 
 
 VL — The Same 100 
 
 VIL — William Cowper, — the Poet 103 
 
XUI 
 
 LETTERS TO THE ELDER COLMAN, relative to his TRANSLATIONS 
 OF TERENCE'S COMEDIES, and HORACE'S ART OF POETRY. 
 
 Letter , Page 
 
 I. From James Booth 106 
 
 IL — Bonnell Thornton .:'... 108 
 
 III. — Thomas Winstanley , 112 
 
 IV. — Matthew Guthrie J 13 
 
 V. — Joseph Warton , 121 
 
 VL — The Same 122 
 
 VIL — Horace Walpole 123 
 
 Vm. — Thomas Warton 125 
 
 IX. — Edmund Malone 126 
 
 X. — William Vincent 127 
 
 XI. — Joseph Warton 128 
 
 Xn. — S. W^. Vernon Sadleir .....". 130 
 
 XIII. — Jonathan Shipley 131 
 
 XIV. — John HinchlifFe 133 
 
 XV. — Thomas Davies 134 
 
 XVL — Horace Walpole 135 
 
 LETTERS ON THEATRICAL SUBJECTS TO GEORGE COLMAN, 
 
 THE ELDER. 
 
 I. From SamuelJohnson 137 
 
 IL — The Same 139 
 
XIV 
 
 Letter Page 
 
 III. From William Smith 141 
 
 IV. — J. Stonhouse 143 
 
 V. — Joseph Reed I** 
 
 VI. — Charles Holland 146 
 
 VII. — David Ross 147 
 
 VIII. — Thomas Linley 150 
 
 IX. — Charles Macklin 153 
 
 (X.) (Answer to Macklin) 154 
 
 XI. From Charles Macklin 155 
 
 XII. — William Kenrick J 58 
 
 (XIII.) (Answer to Kenrick) 160 
 
 XIV. From William Kenrick 161 
 
 XV. — Catherine Clive • 162 
 
 XVI. ^ William Smith 163 
 
 (XVII.) (Answer to Smith) 164 
 
 XVIII. From James Love 165 
 
 (XIX.) (Answer to James Love) 166 
 
 XX. From James Paine 167 
 
 (XXI.) (Letter from G. Colman to Dr. Elmer) 169 
 
 XXII. From the Dean of Bristol 170 
 
 XXIIL — J. Ferguson 171 
 
 XXIV. — William O'Brien 173 
 
 XXV. — William Smith 177 
 
 (XXVI.) (Answer to Smith) I77 
 
 XXVII. From William Smith 178 
 
 XXVIIL — Oliver Goldsmith ISO 
 
 XXIX. — William Smith 181 
 
 XXX. — Charles Macklin .„ 182 
 
 XXXI. — William Smith 185 
 
 XXXIL — The Same 186 
 
 XXXIIL — The Same 188 
 
 (XXXIV.) (Answer to Smith) 190 
 
 XXXV. From William Smith 192 
 
XT 
 
 Letteu Page 
 
 XXXVI. From the Magistrates in Bow Street 193 
 
 (XXXVII.) (Answer to the Magistrates) - 194 
 
 XXXVIII. From Henry Woodward 195 
 
 XXXIX. — William Ramus : 196 
 
 XL. — Charles Macklin : 197 
 
 XLI. — Several Actors of Covent Garden Theatre 198 
 
 XLIL — Thomas Aug"= Arne 201 
 
 XLIII. — Arthur Murphy 203 
 
 XLIV. — Thomas King 205 
 
 (XLV.) (Address to Garrick, on presenting him with a Medal) 207 
 
 XLVI. From James Colborne 208 
 
 XLVII, — The Same 209 
 
 (XL VIII.) (Colman to Foote) 210 
 
 XLIX. From Samuel Foote 213 
 
 L. — John Henderson 214 
 
 LI. — John Edwin 216 
 
 LII. — John Henderson 218 
 
 LIII. — Horace Walpole 220 
 
 LIV. — Richard Cumberland 221 
 
 (LV.) (Answer to Cumberland) 223 
 
 LVI. From Sophia Lee 224 
 
 LVII. — Richard Cumberland 226 
 
 LVm. — The Same 22? 
 
 LIX. — The Same 229 
 
 N. B. It would have been better to have headed the foregoing theatrical letters, 
 ' To and From George Colman ;' but, as the Book was printed before the Table of 
 Contents was written, the mode of placing the Answers to some of the letters in^o- 
 rentheses (as above) has been adopted. 
 
XVI 
 
 LETTERS FROM DAVID GARRICK TO GEORGE COLMAN, THE 
 
 ELDER; 
 
 Beginning at page 231. and continued to page 325. : — included in these are two 
 letters from Colman, at pp. 318. and 320. 
 
 ADDENDA; 
 
 Relative to the Comedy of the Clandestine Marriage ,■ beginning at page 327. and 
 continued to the end of the Book. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 ;e 14. line S. toiame, read am. 
 
 28. last line, for nous contenterons, read nous nous contenterons. 
 
 30. in the note, line 2. from bott. for satirical, read satirical, 
 
 54. The I<etter,^bere, should have been headed • From WiUiain Pulteney.' 
 
 57. line 4. for yuo, read yo«. 
 
 94. in a note, line 3. from bott. for to disobedience of Orders, read of disobedience to orders. 
 101. line 11. tor four five, read four or jive. 
 116. line 2. for sfranger, reaA strange. 
 119. last line, for /eosf, read/eate. 
 144. line 10. for Coventry Garden, read Covent Garden. 
 153.. .line 6. for io any thmg in my power, read to do any thing in Vny power. 
 187. line 6..dele oTwi. 
 
 198. first line of the note, for thee, read the. 
 201. line 4. for Cviley, read Catky. 
 216. line 6. of the note, for tha the, read that he. 
 241. in a note on C?aiTO», dele the comma after as; and (in the same note,) iox connoiseurs, read con- 
 
 noisseurs, 
 245. line 1. at the word Lacy an asterisk should have been placed, as a reference to a note. 
 255. line 7. for m^Ai sen/erf, read might have served ; and, in the last note of the same page, for a little 
 
 more, read a Utile less> 
 528. last line but one, for the Continuator, read *Ae last Continualor. 
 
 342. at the end of the first Document, place a double comma, instead of a single one, to mark the 
 quotation. 
 
 Mem. In page 208, where 1600Z. are mentioned, it should have been fully explained, jn a note, 
 that this sum was not demanded, by Foote, as the purchase money for his theatre, but as a life 
 annuity to him, for his patent. He died soon after the first half-year of the annuity had become 
 due. 
 
LETTERS 
 
 TO 
 
 FRANCIS COL MAN. 
 
 From William PuUeney. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 Mks. Pulteney was afraid that her letter to Mrs. Gumley was 
 lost, not hearing from you sooner, but I told her that I supposed 
 you must be in a great hurrj so near the time of your departure, 
 and that you could not be so regular a correspondent, as in a 
 little time you would be obliged to be, with the Secretarys of 
 State. 
 
 I am glad to hear you will make Chevening your way to 
 Dover, but you may depend upon it that we will force you to 
 
 B 
 
stay one night at least. Mr. Williams shall be extremely wel- 
 come, and I shall be proud of beginning an acquaintance with 
 him. Your coach will be filled with your own family, if you 
 could persuade John Gay to come on horseback with you I shall 
 be glad of it, because the affair is over which was to have 
 brought me to Town, so that he cannot return with me. 
 
 I will not tell you how well I wish you, till I take my leave 
 of you, but you may depend upon it that no one is more de- 
 sirous of serving you, or with greater sincerity than I am. 
 
 Your affectionate friend 
 
 & humble servant 
 
 W. PuLTENEY.* 
 
 Ch evening 
 Saturday 6 o'clock in tKe afternoon. 
 
 * William Pulteney (afterwards created Earl of Bath, and of whom more will 
 be subsequently said in the course of these letters,) married a sister to the wife of 
 Francis Colraan. Mrs. Gumley, mentioned in the above, was mother of these 
 ladies. 
 
From George Dodington. * 
 
 Monday the 18th July O. S. 1721. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 The Bearer of this is a young Lady of my Acquaintance, who 
 I beg Leave to recommend to be employ'd under you, in the 
 King's Service, whenever you stand in Need of any Body ; I do 
 really believe that she will very well acquitt herself of any thing 
 you lay upon her, & promise myself that you will find her as 
 able as willing, to serve under you: I believe indeed I had not 
 given you this Trouble if I had had any thing in my own Power 
 to offer worth her Acceptance, but being laid aside, myself, & 
 considering your Circumstances, I thought it would be an Injus- 
 tice to deprive you of the Pleasure of doing for a Person every 
 way so worthy ; or seem to show a Distrust of your Readiness, 
 to do all that you can for her Satisfaction, the very first Oppor- 
 tunity that happens, which, I do not in the lest doubt, will 
 be very soon. 
 
 * Geoege Bubb Dodington, afterwards Lord Melcombe. — See Note to his 
 Second letter in this Collection. 
 
 B 2 
 
Your Friends have diverted themselves mightily, with your 
 sending Lord Towneshendes Letter back to him ; & as I have 
 always been one of those, who have been as free to give you 
 Advice, as you have been not to follow it, I must repeat to 
 you, what I have often told you ; that your Witt will be your 
 Undoing; for tho' I must confess, that it is very natural for 
 any Man in his Senses, to send back a Minister's Letter if he 
 should be so unlucky as to be afflicted with it ; yet the Force 
 of Custom is such, that the utmost a Man in a moderate Situ- 
 ation can with Prudence, do, under such a Visitation, is not to 
 read them ; & indeed the Presumption in so young a Man, of 
 pretending to write as well, as a first Minister, may do you as 
 much Hurt att Court, as the unaffected Coolness, & Gravity, as 
 to Stile, & Matter, wou'd do you amongst your younger Ac- 
 quaintance : & tho' I suppose You think your self secure, that 
 your Conceits will not be comprehended, I submitt it to your 
 Consideration, if such an Accident should happen, what must 
 be the Consequence of it. 
 
 To talk seriously ; I am very sorry to tell you that I think 
 Affairs here, in a very ill Situation ; I do not see much Likely- 
 hood of the Stock * coming to any thing considerable ; you are, 
 
 South-Sea stock. 
 
no doubt acquainted with what has been done in Parliamentj 
 relating to it ; Contracts are, for a little while, suspended ; & 
 upon what you owe the Company, you muste pay 10 pr. Ct. so 
 that I think the Quid valeant Humeri will be much more ne- 
 cessary to be applied to your Pockett, than to any thing else, 
 which I know is inexhaustibly : You wrote to Mrs. Colman 
 about buying several things ; she was so kind as to send to talk 
 with me about getting them * ; I thought, upon the first Hear- 
 ing, that they wou'd amount to near 5^400 ; & I must confess, I 
 did advise her not undertake it, tho' I do not very well know 
 your Affairs ; & the rather, because, when you meet, & have 
 settled together exactly what your Fortune is, & how to be come 
 att, if, then, you judge that it is an Expence convenient, or 
 prudent for you to make, if you will send me your Commis- 
 sions I will take Care to have them well executed. 
 
 As to Politicks, it is my Opinion that this Administration 
 cannot stand ; I think there must be a Change of Persons, 
 
 * It is a point of no consequence, — but I cannot account for my grandmother's 
 apparent ubiquity, as to residence. From the preceding letter, it is to be supposed 
 that, she accompanied her husband, on his first journey from England ; from the 
 present, it appears that he left her behind him ; and from that which immediately 
 follows, (written only two months afterwards) she seems to have gone with him to 
 Italy. — I understand that, she went abroad with him, in the first instance, then 
 came back, leaving Jiim at Florence, and returned with him after a visit he had 
 made to London. 
 
6 
 
 or of Parties ; I wish I may be a false Prophet : There has been, 
 and is, in Town, a very strong Repport of the Tories coming in ; 
 a little Time will, now, show what is in it : In Case this Accident 
 should happen, I desire you would lett me know, whither stay-r 
 ing where you are, would not be better for you, than any thing 
 you can propose att home j because may be, I may find Friends 
 enough amongst them, to gett you continued, att least I will en- 
 deavour it, but not without your Orders : I hope nothing of this 
 kind will happen, but as I have a sincere Desire to serve, or to 
 endeavour to serve you, it is right for me to know your Opi- 
 nion, upon all Events, how distant soever. 
 
 I am, with the most sincere Afiection, & Esteem, 
 
 Dear S\ 
 
 Your most faithfull 
 
 & most obedient Servant. 
 
 Geo. Dodington. 
 
 All your friends give their Service ; Ld. Stanhope, Ld. Lum- 
 ley, & myself sett out, for Eastbury, to-morrow. 
 
From John Gay. * 
 
 My Dear Colman, 
 I HOPE you will believe me that Nobody interests himself more 
 in your welfare than I do j I was mighty sorry I had not the op- 
 portunity of seeing you before you left England ; I wish you may 
 
 * John Gay, the poet and dramatist ; — his works and life are so well known, 
 that the following quotations may be thought redundant : but they bear upon points , 
 in the present letter, wherein he mentions " the cholical humour in his stomach ;" 
 and advises his friend " never to sink under a disappointment." 
 
 " Gay, in that disastrous year" [1720] " had a present from young Craggs of 
 some South-Sea stock, and once supposed himself to be master of 20,000/. His 
 friends persuaded him to sell his share ; but he dreamed of dignity and splendour, 
 and could not bear to obstruct his own fortune. He was then importuijed to sell as 
 much as would purchase an hundred a-year for life, •which, says Fenton, mil make 
 you sure of a clean shirt and a shoulder of mutton every day. This counsel was re- 
 jected ; the profit and principal were lost, and Gay sunk under the calamity so low, 
 that his life became in danger." — Johnson's Lives of the Poets. 
 
 " It is supposed that the discountenance of the Courtfsunk deep into his 
 
 heart, and gave him more discontent than the applauses or tenderness of his friends 
 could overpower. He soon fell into his old distemper, an habitual colick, and lan- 
 guished, though with many intervals of ease and cheerfulness, till a violent -fit, -.at 
 last, seized him, and hurried him to the grave, as Arbuthnot reported, with more 
 precipitance than he had ever known. He died on the 4th of December, 1732, and 
 was buried in Westminster Abb^." — Ibid. 
 
8 
 
 find every jthing to your advantage, & every thing agreeable ; I 
 own my not writing to you has the appearance of ForgetfiiUness, 
 but there is no acquaintance you have thinks and talks of you 
 oftener. you see I endeavour to persuade you into the same 
 opinion of me, that you must be convinc'd I have of you, because 
 I have, on many occasions, singled you from the rest of my 
 Friends to confide in. I don't mention your happiness in Love, 
 I wish you happiness in every thing beside. I hope Mrs. Col- 
 man met with no difficultys in your journey ; I am sure she will 
 find none while she is with you. I live almost altogether with 
 Lord Burlington and pass my time very agreeably. I left Ches- 
 wick about three weeks ago, and have been ever since at the Bath 
 for the Cholical humour in my stomach that you have heard me 
 often complain off; Here is very little Company that I know ; 
 I expect a summons very suddenly to go with Lord Burlington 
 into Yorkshire, you must think that I cannot be now and then 
 without some thoughts that give me uneasiness, who have not 
 the least prospect of ever being independent ; my Friends do a 
 great deal for me, but I think I could do more for them. Mr. 
 Pulteney & Mrs. Pulteney had some thoughts of the Bath, but 
 I fancy their journey is put off; I saw them at Cheswick just 
 before I left it. you'l hear before my Letter can reach you 
 of poor Lord Warwick's death ; it has given me many a me- 
 lancholy reflection ; 1 lov'd him, and cannot help feeling con- 
 
cern whenever I think of him. Dear Colman be as cheerfull 
 as you can, never sink under a disappointment, I give you the 
 advice which I have always endeavourd to follow, though I hope 
 you will have no occasion to practise it ; for I heartily wish you 
 may be always cheerfull ; and that you may always have very good 
 reasons to be so. 
 
 I am 
 
 Dear Colman, - 
 
 Yours most sincerely. 
 
 J. Gay. 
 
 Bath, Aug. 23. 1721. 
 
 My service to Mrs. Colman — direct to me at White's, if you 
 will give me the pleasure of hearing from you. 
 
10 
 
 From William Pulteney. 
 
 London, Sept' 21st, 1727. 
 
 Sir, 
 I HAVE the favour of yours of the 6th Instant, N S., adver- 
 tising me of the Bill of two hundred pounds which you had 
 drawn on me for the Damask. It is since come to hand and I 
 have given directions for the payment of it. 
 
 In an assembly of Ladys at my house a few nights ago, it was 
 upon mature consideration determined, that Red and Green were 
 the best and most lasting Colours for furniture in London. The 
 lonquille, which you said was made for the Cardinal Fleury, 
 * would not keep clean two years in this smokey Town, therefore if 
 you please the Pattern of that may be made in Red, but the 
 Yellow colour is by no means proper, in short Mrs. Pulteney 
 leaves the whole to you desiring to have the Damask very rich 
 and the Pattern very large. 
 
 Now I have given you this trouble I must take a farther 
 liberty, and you must not be angry with me if I chide you a little 
 
11 * 
 
 for your extravagance ; What makes you throw away your money 
 in Presents ? I am much concernd for your expense on my ac- 
 count, and I blame you for it on any other body's, believe me 
 Coleman, there are very few people worth valuing so much as to 
 make oneself a farthing the poorer for them, for my part, I 
 own that I am grown quite out of humour with the world, and the 
 more I grow acquainted with it, the less I like it. There is such 
 a thing as Cunning, there is falshood and there are views of Self- 
 interest that mix themselves in almost all the friendships that are 
 contracted between man and man, These make friendsh^ips 
 hardly worth cultivating any where I am sure no where Worth 
 being at any considerable charge to preserve it. Do not mistake 
 what I have said. I mean it not particularly to any one person, 
 but in general I am sure what I have said is true. 
 
 I am sorry you have . now so little hopes of returning to Eng- 
 land to see your friends. Perhaps Mr. Hedges's leaving of Turin 
 will make it more difficult, for until Mr. Finch getts there, you 
 will be the only Minister the King will have in those parts. I 
 should think Mr. Hedges, whom I take to be a man of real 
 worth and honour, and who has besides a great deal of good 
 nature, might be a proper person to recommend you to the 
 Ministers, to get you an advanced Character, I will wait on him 
 as soon as he comes over and try to engage him in it. This is 
 
 c 2 
 
12 
 
 the only way I can propose doing you any service for the present, 
 when it is more in my power you shall not want the assistance of 
 those that have call'd themselves your friends, & have hitherto 
 done you so little good. If I have moralized too much in the 
 former part of my letter, I assure you it is this consideration has 
 made me do so. 
 
 Mrs. Colman is pretty well, but by nursing herself up too 
 much, she is so chilly that she can scarce stir abroad without 
 catching cold. I wish your circumstances would allow your living 
 together, because I believe a hot country would agree perfectly 
 well with her 
 
 Mrs. Pulteney is much yours and I am 
 Very sincerely 
 
 Your affectionate friend and servant 
 
 Wm. Pulteney. 
 
 I showd Mrs. Pulteney my letter and she bid me add a Post- 
 cript, to explain that the red and green should not be mixed, 
 but half the Quantity of one Colour, and half of the other, and 
 that the Green should be a full deep colour. 
 
13 
 
 From George Dodington, * 
 
 London, the 27'" June O S. 1728. 
 
 Dear S' 
 I HOPE this will be given you at Paris, by M' Walpole. I 
 think we have got your arrears, of which I give you Joy. You 
 
 * When this letter was written, in June, Mr. Francis Colman was meditating an 
 excursion to his native country ; but it is evident, from that which soon follows, that 
 he did not reach Dover before the end of December in the same year ; his wife, who 
 it seems had previously come home, returned with him at the expiration of his visit 
 to England. 
 
 The political character of George Bubb Dodington (afterwards Lord Melcombe) 
 is as well known as his Diary. Cumberland, in his Memoirs of his own Life, speaks of 
 Dodington's writing " small poems with great pains, and elaborate letters with much 
 terseness of style, and some quaintneSs of expression ;" of his " lolling in his easy 
 chair, in his lethargic way," and emitting " gleams of wit, and flashes of irony ;" 
 and of his love of splendour in his houses and equipages ; which passion was not ac- 
 companied with the best taste. His anxiety, here shewn, about Italian silks, brocades, 
 
 and boxes of flowers, may be illustrated by the following extracts. " Neither was 
 
 he less characteristic in apparel than in equipage ; he had a wardrobe loaded with 
 rich and flaring suits, each in itself a load to the wearer, and of these I have no doubt 
 but many were coeval with his embassy above mentioned," [to Madrid] " and every 
 birth-day had added to the stock. In doing this he so contrived as never to put his 
 old dresses out of countenance, by any variation in the fashions of the new; in the 
 mean time, his bulk and corpulency gave full display to a vast expanse and profusion 
 of brocade and embroidery, and this, when set off with an enormous tye-periwig and 
 
14 
 
 must own but one piece of Italian silk sent to me, & that is the 
 Green one, brocaded, Say I sent for one & left the Choice to 
 you ; as also but one Box of Flowers, which you sent me for 
 M" Colman, who I have sent one to, & kept the other. 
 
 I heartily wish you a good Journey, & ame 
 
 Dear Colman, 
 
 entirely Yours, 
 
 Geo. Dodington. 
 
 deep laced ruffles, gave the picture of an ancient courtier in liis gala habit, or Quin 
 in his stage dress ;" &c. &c. 
 
 " When he paid his court at St. James's to the present Queen upon her nuptials, 
 he approached to kiss her hand, decked in an embroidered suitof silk, with lilac waist- 
 coat and breeches, the latter of which, in the act of kneeling down, forgot their duty, 
 and broke loose from their moorings, in a very indecorous and uncourtly manner. 
 
 " I had taken leave of Lord Melcombe the day preceding the coronation, and 
 found him before a looking-glass in his new robes, practising attitudes, and debating 
 within himself upon the most graceful mode of carrying his coronet in the procession. 
 He was in high glee with his fresh and blooming honours, and I left him in the act 
 of dictating a billet to Lady Hervey, apprising her that a young lord was coming to 
 throw himself at her feet." Memoirs of Richard Cumberland, written by himself. 
 
15 
 
 From the Earl of Chesterfield. * 
 
 I receiv'd \yith a great, deal of pleasure the favour of your 
 letter, and have, as farr as I was able, obey'd your commands in 
 relation to Marquis Riccardo j that is, I have been to wait 
 upon him, & to_ ofFer him what services I could do him here, 
 which are non e at a ll, since (as you very well know) it is impos- 
 sible to break through the inhospitality of this Country enough, to 
 make any foreigner pass his time tolerably here. He has been 
 ill of a feaver almost ever since his arrivall, and seems to have so 
 indifferent an opinion both of our Climate and our Politeness, 
 that I believe he will not stay very long. 
 
 * This was Philip Dormer Stanhope, the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, whose memory 
 is much more admired for his brilliant talents than it is respected for his ethics. 
 «' Chesterfield's Letters to his Son," says Doctor Johnson (perhaps a little too 
 severely), " inculcate the morals of a strumpet with the manners of a dancing- 
 
16 
 
 I am very sorry you could imagine that an absence of seven 
 years or even twice that time, could remove you from the thoughts 
 of one, who always thought of your friendship and acquaintance 
 with the utmost satisfaction ; and must take this opportunity of 
 desiring in reality, what I shall soon be oblig'd to desire 
 in form; which is the honour and pleasure of your Corre- 
 spondence. I hope too, that our long acquaintance, will justify 
 me in desiring that it may be upon a freer foot, than barely 
 from His Majesty's Minister at Florence, to His Majesty's 
 Minister at the Hague. 
 
 I shall set out for Holland in about six weeks to begin 
 my Apprenticeship to that Trade, which you are already 
 Master of; I am sensible of the difficultys of it; and the 
 little hopes I have of succeeding in it ; but as the King 
 (from having a better opinion of me than I deserve) has oblig'd 
 
 master." Johnson was no judge of manners, if he himself may be judged from his 
 own practice of them. — In this letter, the noble Earl speaks with great modesty of 
 " beginning his apprenticeship" at the Hague, to which place he was appointed am- 
 bassador in the year 1728, — for his address in Holland preserved Hanover from a 
 war, in consequence of which the King made him High Steward of the Household 
 and a Knight of the Garter. 
 
17 
 
 me to undertake it, I must endeavour to go through it, as 
 well as I am able. 
 
 I am with the greatest truth and regard 
 your most obedient 
 
 humble Servant 
 
 Chesterfield. 
 
 London Nov. y" 20'\ 
 
 From James Payzant. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 I RECEIVED this day, with great pleasure, both your letters of 
 29 and 30* inst. N. S. acquainting me that I shall soon have 
 the honour of seeing you here. I shall take care to pay the bill 
 of 601. You have drawn upon me. 
 
 I hope this will meet You at Dover : I have desired my friend 
 Mr. Minet to deliver it to You so soon as he hears you are landed, 
 and to do You all the service he can towards forwarding Your 
 Journey hither. 
 
 D 
 
18 
 
 I rejoice to hear You enjoy Your health better than when You 
 left Florence. 
 
 I waited upon Mr. Dodington this morning, who longs very 
 much to See you. He is gone, out of Town but will return on 
 Saturday next, he desires that You will send word to his House 
 in Pall Mall of Your Arrival in Town, which I shall likewise be 
 very glad to know. 
 
 I am with the greatest truth and Esteem 
 
 D'S-^ 
 Your most obedient 
 
 humble servant 
 
 Ja. Pavzant. 
 
 Whitehall 26 Dec. 1728. 
 M"" Colman. 
 
19 
 
 From George Frederic Handel. * 
 
 19 
 Londres ce — de Juin 1730. 
 30 
 
 Monsieur, 
 Depuis que j'ay eu I'hohneur de vous ecrire, on a trouve 
 raoyen d' engager de nouveau la Sig™ Merighi, et come e'est 
 une voix de Contr'alto, il nous conviendroit presentemdflt que 
 la Feme qu'on doit engager en Italie fut un Soprano. J'ecris 
 aussi avec cet ordinaire a Mr. Swinny pour cet feffet, en luy 
 recomandant en meme tems que la Femme qu'il pourra Vous 
 proposer fasse le Role d'home aussi bien que celuy de 
 Feme. H y a lieu de croire que Vous n'avez pas encore pris 
 d'engagement pour une Femme Contr'Alto, mais en cas que cela 
 soit fait, il faudroit s'y en tenir. 
 
 • Handel's fame as a Musical Composer precludes a necessity for any description 
 of him, here. The engagement of Performers, for the Italian Opera, in the Hay- 
 market, seems infra dignitatem, for the representative of His Britannic Majesty; 
 but, from Handel's Letters, and those of Smny, which follow, it is to be supposed that 
 the agency of the Minister at Florence, in respect to these matters, was official : — 
 In this letter, the writer expresses impatience for intelligence, " pour en informer 
 LA CouR." See the next note, on the letter -from Swiny. 
 
 D 2 
 
20 
 
 Je prens la Liberte de vous prier de nouveau qu'il ne soit pas 
 fait mention dans les Contracts du premier, second, ou troisieme 
 RoUe, puisque cela nous gene dans le choix du Drama, et est 
 d'ailleurs sujet a de grands inconveniens. Nous esperons aussi 
 d' avoir par Votre assistance un home et une Feme pour la 
 Saison prochaine, qui comence avec le mois d'Octob^ de 
 I'anee Courante et finit avec le mois de Juillet 1731, et nous 
 attendons avec impatience d'en apprendre des nouvelles pour 
 en informer la Cour. 
 
 II ne me reste qu'a vous reiterer mes assurances de I'obliga- 
 tion particuliere que je Vous aurai de votre JBonte envers moi a 
 cet egard, qui ai I'honneur d'etre avec affection respectueuse 
 
 Monsieur 
 
 Votre 
 tres humble et obeissant 
 
 Serviteur 
 George Fkideric Handel. 
 
 A Monsieur Monsieur Caiman, Envoye extra- 
 ord'"'^ de S. M. Britanique, aupres de 
 S. A, B. le Due de Toscane a 'Florence. 
 
21 
 
 From Owen Swiny. * 
 
 Bologna July 18th, 1730, 
 
 I AM favoured w**" y" of y" 15* instant, & shall En- 
 deav^ to observe punctually w* you write about. I find y' 
 
 * " The most apparent difficulty to be got over, in this affair," [the union of the 
 two theatrical companies, in London] " was, what could be done for Swim/, in con- 
 sideration of his being obliged to give up those actors whom the power and choice 
 of the Lord Chamberlain had, the year before, set him at the head of, and by whose 
 management those actors had found themselves in a prosperous condition. But 
 an accident, at this time, happily contributed to make that matter easy. The in- 
 clination of our people of quality for foreign operas had reached the ears of Italy, 
 and the credit of their taste had drawn over from thence, without any more parti- 
 cular invitation, one of their capital singers, the famous Signior Cavaliero Nicolini : 
 from whose arrival, and the impatience of the town to hear him, it was concluded 
 that operas, being now so completely provided, could not fail of success ; and thai, 
 by making Swim/ sole director of them, the profits must be an ample compensation 
 for his resignation of the actors. This matter being thus adjusted," &c. &c. 
 
 Apology for the Life qfColley Cibber. 
 
 The Biographia Dramatica,under the article of " Swiny, Owen, Mac," tells us that 
 he was " a gentleman born in Ireland, formerly a manager of Drury-Lane Theatre, 
 and afterwardfi of the Queen's Theatre in the Hay Market. On leaving that office 
 he resided in Italy several years, and at his return procured a place in the Custom- 
 house, and was keeper of the King's Mews. He died the 2d October, 1754,' &c 
 
 In the Introdtcction to the last quoted work, it is stated, that Swim/ was " a mere 
 adventurer, without property, who had been employed, by Mr. Rich, as under- 
 
22 
 
 Senesino or Carestini are desired at 1200 G' each, if they 
 are to be had ; Im'e sure that Carestini is Engaged at Milan, 
 & has been so, for many Months past : and I hear y* Senesino, 
 is Engaged for y'^ ensuing Carnival at Rome. 
 
 manager," &c. ; — and further, that, — " It was then resolved, [1 708] That the 
 Theatre in the Hay Market should be appropriated to Italian operas, and that in 
 Drury-Lane to plays. The one given to Swiny, and the other continued with Rich 
 and Brett." — From the revolutions happening in theatres, Swiny vias obliged to 
 shift his ground, occasionally, according to the operations of official controul ; — 
 being, at one time, conductor of Italian operas only ; then, of plays ; at length, 
 Colley Gibber thus mentions him, as " reduced to his Hobson's choice of the 
 opera :" 
 
 " Swiny being thus transferred to the opera, in. the sinking condition Collier had 
 left it, found the receipts of it, in the winter following, 1711, so far short of the 
 expenses, that he was driven to attend his fortune in some more favourable climate, 
 where he remained twenty years an exile from his friends and country ; though there 
 has scarce been an English gentleman, wlio, in his tour to France or Italy, has not 
 renewed, or created an acquaintance with him. As this is a circumstance that many 
 people may have forgot, I cannot remember it without that regard and concern 
 from all that know him : yet it is some mitigation of his misfortune, that, since his 
 return to England, his grey hairs, and cheerful disposition, have still found a general 
 welcome among his foreign and former domestic acquaintance." 
 
 Gibber's Apology. 
 
 It appears from the present letters, that although Swiny left England in 17H, 
 (according to Colley Gibber's account,) he still kept his interests alive in respect to 
 the Opera-house in the Hay Market. Those who wish for further particulars con- 
 cerning him, are referred to Colley Gibber's book above mentioned, and to the Intro- 
 duction of the Biographia Dramatica. 
 
23 
 
 If Senesino is at liberty (& will accept y" offer) then the 
 affair is adjusted if Sig™ Barbara Pisani accepts the offer I 
 made her, which I really believe she will. : 
 
 If we can neither get Senesino, nor Carestini, then M' Handel 
 desires to have a man (Soprano) & a woman contrealt, & y' 
 The price (for both) must not exceed one Thousand or Eleven hun- 
 dred Guinea?, & that the persons must sett out for London y'= 
 latter end of Aug* or beginning of Septemb", and y* no 
 Engagem* must be Made w**" one with* a certainty of getting the 
 other. 
 
 Several of the persons recomended to M' Handel (whose 
 names he repeats in y" letters I received from him this Morning) 
 are I think exceedingly indifferent, & Im'e persuaded wou'4 
 never doe in England : & I think shou'd never be pitch'd onj 
 till nobody else can be had. 
 
 I have heard a Lad here, of a*" 19, years old, w**" a very 
 good soprano voice (& of whom there are vast hopes) who 
 Im'e persuaded, would do very well in London, and much better 
 than any of those mentioned in M"^ Handel's letter who are not 
 already engaged in case you cannot get Senesino. 
 
 I have spoken with him and with y' person under whose 
 direction he is, & they both of 'em hearken w*** pleasure to 
 
24 
 
 a proposal of going for London, & they have promised me to 
 accept of no offer, till they have an answer from me, which I 
 cannot give 'em till . I hear from you, & That you approve y' 
 person w'^'* I suppose you will in case you do not fix on some 
 other person. 
 
 I write this letter to you in great haste, being just on my 
 departure for Rome, being obliged to wait on Lord Boyn & 
 M' Walpole, in y* tour w*''' they are making : our stay there, 
 will not be above Ten days, then we shall sett out for Flo- 
 rence ; but we design to visit Leghorn, Pisa, Lucca &c. first. 
 
 I expect an answer from Sig™ Barbara Pisani, by the next 
 post, w"*" will meet me at Rome : as soon as I receive it 1 11 
 let you know her resolutions, & then you may provide a 
 Woman in her room in case she does not accept my offer, & 
 on my arrival in Florence we'l settle what is to be done about 
 y^ young Lad I mention, in case you do not find one y* is 
 better for our purpose, in y* mean time. 
 
 th 
 
 I shall say no more at present, but conclude mye Self w' 
 respects to Mrs. Colman, 
 
 Y' very much obliged & most 
 
 Obed' hum"'= Ser*, 
 
 Owen Swiny. 
 
25 
 
 I should be glad to know whether you got Senesino ; my 
 addresse is chez Mess' Rizzi & Macirone Banq" a Roma. 
 
 Having not time to answer Mr. Handel's Letter, this day, 1 
 hope you will be so good as to let him know y' I shall Endeav' 
 to serve him to the utmost of my power, & y* I shall do nothing 
 but w* shall be concerted by you. 
 
 A Mong^ Mon^. Colman Resident 
 de Sa Majeste Britanique a 
 Firenze, 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 Rome, July 29*^ 1730. 
 
 I WAS in hopes of y'' Hon' of a Letter from you, to let me 
 know whether Senesino had accepted the offer of 1200 G' If he 
 does not, 7%ew, we must provide a Soprano Man Sc a Contrealt 
 Woman (tho the Merighi stays) at ab* 1000 G' (both) or, There- 
 ab*' — w*'' an absolute condition of their being in London by y'= 
 end of Septem""' 
 
26 
 
 I told you I had a young Fellow in View w"' a good Voice & 
 other requisites, in case Senesino (or some other fit person) cou'd 
 not be Engaged — I have rec' no answer, as yet, From the 
 Sig™ Barbara Pisani, but hope to have one by y^ next week's 
 ordinary — as soon as I receive it, I shall not fail to give you 
 the purport of it. 
 
 We set out, from hence, this day Se'night or Sunday y* B**" 
 of August & we make the best of our way for Florence, by 
 Perugia, Gorton a &c. 
 
 My Lord Boyn & Mr. Walpole make their best compliments 
 
 to you & y' Lady — I am w* respects to her 
 
 Y' Oblig'd Serv- 
 
 • Owen Swiny. 
 
 A Monsr Monsr Colman Resident de 
 Sa Maje^ Britaniq 
 
 Firenze, 
 
27 
 
 From Stephen Horseman. * 
 
 London 7th the 21. 1730. 
 Hon** fFriend 
 
 I HAVE herewith enclosed a printed [a word in the MS. is here 
 omitted] which I mentioned to Thee in my Last, and which I have 
 sold to the King of Portugal for one hundred Pounds : If I have 
 any thing else newer Curious I shall always communicate it to 
 Thee : in Thine of the 7^' of ffeb'^ past Thou advised that 
 the Spring Clocks was arrived Safe and was also so kind as to say 
 Thou would remit mej;he Money, Trade has been very dull and 
 consequently money very Scarce if Thou will be so good as to 
 order it to be paid to me now I shall acknowledge it as a very 
 great favour I am with gratitude for all Thy ffavours and 
 with Sincere Love 
 
 Thy much obliged ffriend 
 
 Stephen Horseman. 
 
 * Stephen Horseman was a well-known clock-maker in London; and the 
 phfaseology of his letter leaves little or no doubt of the religious sect to which he 
 belonged : It is a curious sample of the mild spirit in which an honest Quaker is 
 moved to dun. 
 
 E 2 
 
28 
 
 From George Frediric Handel. 
 
 a Londres -L d'Octobra, 1730. 
 16 
 
 Monsieur, 
 Je viens de recevoir I'honneur de Votre Lettre du 22 du pass6e 
 N. S. par la quelle je vois les Raisons qui vous ont determine d' en- 
 gager S' Senesino sur le pied de quatprze Cent ghinees, a 
 quoi nous acquiescons, et je vous fait mes tres humbles re- 
 merciments des peines que vous avez bien voulu prendre dans 
 cette affaire. Le dit S' Senesino est arrive ici il y a 12 jours et 
 je n'ai pas manqu6 sur la presentation de Votre Lettre de lui payer 
 a compte de son salaire les cent ghinees que Vous .Lui aviez 
 promis. Pour ce qui est de la Sig'" Pisani nous ne I'avons pas 
 eiie, et comme la saison est fort avancee, et qu'on comencera 
 bientot les Operas, nous nous passerons cette annee cy d'une autre 
 Feihe d'ltalie ayant deja dispose les Operas pour la Compagnie 
 que nous avons presentement. 
 
 Je Vous suis pourtant tres oblige d'avoir songe a la Sig'* 
 Madalena Pieri en cas que nous eussions eu absolument besoin 
 d'une autre Ferame qui acte en homme, mais nous contenterons 
 
29 
 
 des cinq Personnages ayant actuellement trouve de quoi supplier 
 du reste. 
 
 C'est a Votre genereuse assistance que la Cour et la Noblesse 
 
 devront en partie la satisfaction d' avoir presentement une Com- 
 
 pagnie a Leur gre, en sorte qu'il ne me reste qu'a Vous en mar- 
 
 quer mes sentiments particuliers de gratitude et a Vous assurer 
 
 de I'attention tres respectueuse avec la quelle j'ay I'honneur 
 
 d'etre 
 
 Monsieur 
 
 Votre tres humble et tres obeissant 
 
 Serviteur 
 
 George Fredikic Handel. 
 
 A Monsieur Monsieur Colman Envoye 
 Extraordinaire desa MajesteBritan- 
 ique aupres de son Altesse Moyale le 
 Grand Due de Toscane 
 
 d Florence. 
 
30 
 
 From Charles Hanhury Williams. * 
 
 Genoa y« 23d of November 1730. 
 
 I TAKE this opportunity to thank you for Y'' & for all fa- 
 vours rec"* in Italy and elsewhere & whish for nothing more 
 than the opportunity of showing You what a real esteem and 
 friendship I have for you & how desirous I am of serving you 
 any where : 
 
 * Afterwards Sir Charles, being installed Knight of the Bath in the year 1746. 
 It is said of him that " the author of Satirical Odes penn'd excellent despatches ;" 
 and that " he was the soul of the celebrated coterie, of which the most conspicuous 
 members were, Lord Hervey, Winnington, Horace Walpole (late Earl of Orford), 
 Stephen Fox, (Earl of Ilchester,) and Henry Fox, (Lord Holland,) with whom, in 
 particular, he lived in the strictest habits of intimacy and friendship." He was envoy 
 to the court of Dresden, then minister plenipotentiary to the court of Berlin, and 
 afterwards ambassador to the court of Petersburg. In the latter part of his life he 
 laboured under mental derangement. Many of his poetical effusions (which are 
 chiefly political and satyrical) are extant, in the Foundling Hospital for Wit. An 
 account of him is given in Mr. Coxe's Tour in Monmouthshire, 
 
31 
 
 The Gentleman that brings You This Is the same I wrote to you 
 about being Him that Comes to study There. All favours you do 
 him will be the same as done to my self: & I hope therefore 
 you'll oblige him in all You Can. I shall take a further Opper- 
 tunity from England to beg pardon for this trouble & to Enquire 
 after your & Y' Ladys & the Young ladys health : to both I beg 
 my Compliments. I am D' S' 
 
 Y' sincere friend & hum^'*" Serv* 
 
 C. H. Williams. 
 
 From William Pulteney. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 I HAVE not writ to you this long time, nor do I design to 
 trouble you with many letters by the Post. It is a very danger- 
 ous conveyance, I should be unwilling to do you any harm, 
 and I must disguise my sentiments extremely, if I enter the least 
 into the consideration of Publick Affairs, without abusing those 
 Fools (I mean our Ministers) who have had the conducting 
 them. Do not be frighten'd at what I have said, for this comes 
 to you by a very safe hand ; Sam Gumley was with me about an 
 hour ago, and told me he design'd to sett out for France to^ 
 
32 
 
 morrow morning, and intended to make you a visit at Florence 
 before he return' d. If I would send him a letter in half an 
 hours time, he said, he would charge himself with delivering it 
 safely into your own hands. I have not much to write to you, 
 nor much time to write any thing in, but I send you some 
 other writings will entertain you much better than I am able to 
 do it. He will give you a sett of the Craftsman, which you 
 must putt like the Monks into that part of your Library which 
 they call Ulnferno ; and be sure like them, to read these books 
 more than any in the rest of the Library ; there are some other 
 Pamphletts which as old as they are will be new and entertain- 
 ing to you. 
 
 I hear our Fleet has orders to sail soon, and S' Charles 
 Wager is to conduct D. Carlos to Italy. Maj. Gen. Clayton is 
 to have the command of two English Battallions which are to 
 be put on board the Fleet, and we have hopes given us that 
 five months after D. Carlos shall be well settled in Italy, Spain 
 has promised to sign an Act of Approbation of the last Vienna 
 Treaty. Good God what are we come to ! that we must be 
 courting folks, and begging they would give us leave to do 
 them a piece of service; would any one imagine that at the 
 very time we are doing this Job for them we should not have 
 Interest enough with them to obtain a security for our rightful 
 
33 
 
 possessions ? but on the contrary the works are still carrying on 
 before Gibraltar, and the Governor of it expects every hour to 
 be besieged. An English Fleet at Leghorn,- and two English 
 Battallions in Italy, will very probably encrease your Expence 
 considerably, I am afraid those who should, will not think of 
 encreasing Your Salary in proportion. 
 
 M'' Pulteney is too lazy to write herself to M" Colman, 
 but has desired me with my own to present her service to you 
 both, and returns you many thanks for a fan she has received. 
 We have bespoke you a Piece of useful Plate, which shall be 
 sent to you by the first opportunity. 
 
 I have not time to say any thing more, for to tell you the 
 truth, a Pamphlett came out a few days ago supposed to be 
 writ by S' Rob. Walpole himself wherein, I am treated with 
 great acrimony ; It is necessary I should reply, and speedily too, 
 so that if I can I must dip my Pen in gall, after it has told you 
 that I am with the greatest truth and sincerity 
 
 Most affectionately 
 
 Yrs. 
 W'" Pulteney. 
 
 Arlington street 
 Juney 12th O.S. 1731. 
 
34 
 
 London, Aug'. 25'" 1Y31. 
 
 Dear Colman 
 I HAVE not troubled you with many letters, not caring to 
 write to any one by the Post, and especially not to those I may 
 chance to prejudice by my Correspondence. I have been lately 
 at Tunbridge not on my own, or M" Pulteneys account, but for 
 the sake of my little girl, who has been much afflicted with an 
 Ague,, but is now by the Waters perfectly recovered. We 
 have had a most dreadful hot Summer in England, I reckon 
 you have been roasted at Florence notwithstanding which I 
 should be glad to hear M"^" Colman is in good health, and more 
 likely to bring a boy soon into the world than the Dutchess of 
 Parma, by the by, I am told that you among others are one 
 appointed to peep into the Lady's Privitys, and watch narrowly 
 that no Pretender be imposed upon the world, perhaps you may 
 not be displeased with the Office, but as your Friend, I am best 
 pleased to hear that his Majesty is likely to pay for your peep- 
 ing, and that you have obtained an additional Pay of three 
 pounds a-day. I heartily rejoyce at it, & I know D' Colman that 
 you deserved this long ago ; but in the present Treaty making 
 Age, there is but one way for a Foreign Minister to gett into 
 
35 
 
 favour, & become considerable, and that is by trying to make a 
 
 Treaty as well as the best of them. This I understand you have 
 done, & upon the Success of it give me leave to congratulate 
 
 you and Father Ascanio. The great Horace himself .1 dare say 
 
 could not have done better than it will appear you have done, I 
 
 wish you could have got an Article inserted in this Treaty, 
 
 whereby the Venus of Medicis and half a dozen other of the 
 
 best Statues and Curiositys of the Gallery should be given & 
 
 yielded to us, by way of acknowledgment for the services done 
 
 to Don Carlos, and the great Dukes great Diamond I think 
 
 ought to be yours to compensate your trouble as a Midwife, and 
 
 a Minister. 
 
 M" Pulteney has received a letter from the Dutchess of 
 Buckingham, it is filled with praises of you & M" Colman, 
 and gives a long account of all your Civilitys. such a number 
 of English, as have lately passed through Florence must have 
 been extreamly expensive to you, but Don Carlos's future fa- 
 vour must make up all. I expect to hear of your being his 
 chief favourite, for which reason I have sent you a silver 
 Terrene, (if that be not nonsense, but it is as good sense 
 as a silver Ink horn) in which I beg you would give Don Carlos 
 the first Ollio, he eats in Italy. I cannot yet tell you by what 
 
36 
 
 Ship it is to be sent, but you shall soon have notice and the Bill 
 of Loading. 
 
 Many of your Friends desire their services, but I have not 
 room or time to tell you their names. M'' Pulteney sends her 
 compliments to you & M'' Colman and I am Dear S' w*'' great 
 truth and affection 
 
 Your sincere friend and 
 humble Servant 
 
 W" Pulteney. 
 
 From William Pulteney. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 Tho' I writ to you a few Posts ago, yet I must trouble you 
 with another letter. M^ Sandys a very particular friend of mine 
 has desired me to acquaint you* that his Brother in Law M'. 
 Archer is coming to Florence, and he hopes you will shew him all 
 the Civilitys in your Power. I assured him that my recommend- 
 ation would be needless, for you was so Polite & so well bred, 
 
37 
 
 that I was corjfident a Gentleman of M' Archer's Rank and dis- 
 tinction, could not be a quarter of an hour in the Town, but 
 Monsieur L'Envoy would be with him. Howevet least any 
 assiduity in paying your Court to Don Carlos *, should by 
 accident make you less inquisitive about your own Countrymen, 
 I take liberty to acquaint you that M' and M'' Archer will 
 be w*'' you ^oon, and as they are both of them acquaintances of 
 mine & M" Pulteney's, I hope you will be particularly civil to 
 them, & do them all the honours you can. 
 
 Young Master, I suppose, thrives apace, and under M" 
 Tyndall's hand to be sure every thing grows as it should 
 
 * Don Caklos, Infanta of Spain. " The Parliament of Great Britain meeting 
 on the 13th of January (1731), the King in His Speech declared that the great tran- 
 quillity of Europe was restored and established by the last treaty of Vienna : that 
 Don Carlos was actually possessed of Parma and Placentia : that six thousand 
 Spaniards were quietly admitted and quartered in the Duchy of Tuscany, to 
 secure, by the express consent and agreement of the great Duke, the reversion 
 of his dominions : and that a family convention was made between the Courts 
 of Spain and Tuscany, for preserving mutual peace and friendship in the two 
 houses." 
 
 Smolkfs History of England. 
 
38 
 
 do. * I hear that Lord Essex setts out for the Court of Turin in 
 about ten days, but probably he will stay some time at Paris. This 
 day is to conclude a very tedious Sessions of Pari*, and on 
 Saturday the King begins his journey to Hannover where he will 
 not stay above two months. I hope our Court and that of Prussia 
 are going to be reconciled, I am sure it is for their mutual 
 interest to be on good terms w*** each other, & the delay of 
 the match with the Princess of Mecklenburgh makes me conclude 
 what I wish, will be true, that a match will at least be made with 
 our Princess. 
 
 Lord Chesterfield is going to drink the Scarborough Waters, 
 which I am sorry to think he stands so much in need of, but 
 
 * Mrs. Tyndall, it is supposed, was a kind of gouvernante in the family. By 
 " Young Master," is meant George Colman the elder ; who, it may be conjectured, 
 from this paragraph, and the date of the letter, was born early in the year 1732, if 
 not in the year preceding. His biographers state that he was born about the year 
 1733 : — his growth did little credit to the hand of Mrs. Tyndall ; for the elder Col- 
 man, like old Mr. Shandy, was " very short " which circumstance may elucidate one 
 or two jocular allusions to his stature, in Lord Bath's subsequent letters. 
 
39 
 
 perhaps a little quiet & regularity will sett him up again ; but at 
 present he is in a bad way. 
 
 I wish you all happiness, & am dear Sir 
 
 Your most obed' humble serv* 
 
 W'' PULTENEY. 
 London, June 1" 1732 
 
 From the Earl of Essex. 
 
 My Dear Colman, 
 
 As the formal letter * is now over, give me leave to write to 
 
 you as from an Old freind, who is sorry he is so near you, & 
 
 can't come quite to Florance to make you a Visit, I need not 
 
 asure you if you come this way I shall be extreamly glad to see 
 
 * The formal letter must have been the official opening of Lord Essex's corre- 
 spondence (on his arrival at Turin) with a diplomatic brother. There is, certainly, 
 nothing " formal" in the present morceau ; which is an admirable specimen of the 
 utter contempt evinced by many men of rank, in his Lordship's day, for pedantry, in 
 their familiar epistles. 
 
40 
 
 you. I should be very much obliged to you if you would let 
 your Steward buy me a good Parpisan cheese, and some Morta- 
 dello's, & send them to this place, and lett me know how many 
 dozen of Florance one of your Chests Holds, & if itts a good 
 time of Year to send me some White & Red ; y* White I should 
 be glad to have of the sweet sort, and when I have your answer, 
 I will send you word what Quantity I would have, & you will lett 
 me know to whom my Banquer shall Pay the Monn'y- & I 
 should be very glad to know what Prises the marble Tables made 
 at Florance come to, & what are the Common sises you have 
 of those with Birds & Flowers in them. I beg a thousand 
 pardons, my Dear Colman, for giveing^ you all this trouble. Pray 
 my compliments to M" Colman, & am, in a great hurrey my 
 Dear S' 
 
 Most faithfully Y'' 
 
 Essex. 
 
 Turin August y 26"" 1 732. 
 
 The British Resident at Florence was now approaching that 
 solemn period which terminated his residence in this world. Mr. 
 Francis Colman's declining state of health is evident, from the 
 subsequent letter ; and, in that which follows it, his death is 
 mentioned, quaintly enough, in a Postscript ! 
 
41 
 
 From Francis Colman to his Wife. 
 
 Pisa December 1732. 
 My Dearest Life 
 
 You know I am positively forbid writing till I find myself 
 
 stronger in health, so that I will only trouble you with these few 
 
 lines to wish you & the two dear little ones * a continuation of 
 
 all health & happiness, & to tell you that I hope I begin to 
 
 gather a little strength here, though the weather has been very 
 
 cold ever since my arrival here, however I have one of the 
 
 warmest & pleasantest little bed chambers that ever I saw, the 
 
 Sun coming in from 15 in the morning till 23 hours at night 
 
 & in the next room I have a chimney. The wild fowl is so 
 
 extraordinary good here that I shall send you a taste of it next 
 
 * His children, George and Caroline. They had, each of them, as my father 
 boasts, in a posthumous pamphlet, " the honour of a royal godfather and godmother, 
 as children of a British Plenipotentiary," from whom they took their several names. 
 
42 
 
 Thursday morning by the Procaccio which arrives at Florence 
 that night. 
 
 I can add no more at present than that I am with the utmost 
 affection, 
 
 My Dearest Dear 
 
 Yours for ever 
 
 F. COLMAN. 
 
 My service to M'^ Tyndall. 
 
 From Mary Colman to Mrs. Tyndall. 
 
 * 
 
 Madam 
 Mrs. Colman being uncertain whether she shall return to 
 Florence to morrow or No, desires that you will take all possible 
 Care of the Child, and notwithstanding You will be obliged to 
 
 * Who Mary Colman was, is uncertain : probably, a sister of Francis, whose 
 death she announces. 
 
43 
 
 attend the Consul who will be with you to morrow, yet she begs 
 that you would at the same Time leave the Child in the safest 
 hands, as likewise take care of every Thing committed to your 
 Charge, especially. Dear Pecce, and not leave her to Cry but to 
 take her with you every where where you properly can ; which 
 at present concludes from 
 
 Mary GoLMAN. 
 
 Pisa, Ap'20, 1733. 
 
 P. S. M' Colman departed this Life this Morning at 35 
 Minutes past 7 o' Clock. 
 
 To M^^ Tyndall, Florence. 
 
 On the demise of Francis Colman, the care of his son, George, 
 (since known as George Colman, the elder,) was undertaken by 
 his aunt's husband, William Piilteney, afterwards Earl of Bath. 
 To the merest smatterer in english History, and in times no 
 further back than the reigns of Queen Anne, George the First, 
 and Second, the character of William Pulteney must be very 
 
 G 2 
 
44 
 
 familiar. Of his oratory, his political acrimony, his playful oc- 
 casional poetry, his pleasantry in conversation, and his domestic 
 qualities, (in which last there appears to have been a mixture of 
 affection, generosity, and avarice,) every body, who reads, has 
 read, and still may read. 
 
 Among all the obloquy heaped upon William Pulteney, on 
 his loss of popularity, through his acceptance of a Peerage, (his 
 reasons for which acceptance are given in the following pages, 
 and will be quite new to the world,) nothing, perhaps, galled 
 him more than the Odes of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. 
 Satire can laugh, while it kills reputation ; and the death-wounds 
 of ridicule inflict a double torture. * 
 
 It will be seen that the earliest of the following letters were 
 written to my father when he was a boy, at Westminster School ; 
 and Lord Bath naturally and pleasantly varies the style of his 
 correspondence with him, according to the gradations in life of 
 his protege. 
 
LETTERS 
 
 FROM 
 
 WILLIAM PULTENEY, EARL OF BATH, 
 
 TO 
 
 GEORGE COLMAN, THE ELDER. 
 
 Dear Colley. 
 I AM very unwilling to give any opinion what may be best for 
 you to do, and therefore will referr it absolutely to Doctor Nicol *, 
 for my own part I am inclined to think one year more in 
 Westminster College^ if you study hard, & employ your time 
 well, may be of great service to you j but if, the Doctor thinks 
 
 Then head-master of Westminster School. 
 
46 
 
 it any disadvantage to you, to stay only second Boy, and that you 
 are at present fit and proper to go to the University, let him 
 tel me which you would go to^ that I may use my Interest, to get 
 you chosen in the manner you wish to be. 
 
 I hope your promises are sincere, I am sure they are made on 
 proper considerations, for as you have little or nothing of your 
 own to depend on *, you must rise in the world by your merit 
 only, & such friends as are able and willing to assist you. 
 Among these you may always depend upon me, provided you 
 deserve my friendship, and to encourage you to study hard, & 
 improve yourself by all manner of ways, wherever you shall be I 
 will tell you that I look upon you, almost like a second Son, & 
 will never suffer you to want any thing whilst it is in my power 
 to procure it you. 
 
 Lady Bath and I , desire our services to the Doctor and 
 M" Nicpl, & hope to hear from him upon this subject, for 
 
 * His mother, however, on her decease, left him, as I have been told, six thousand 
 pounds. 
 
47 
 
 til I hear from him, I can determine nothing. It is not impos- 
 sible but I may be in England before the Election * 
 
 I am 
 Your friend & Servant 
 
 Bath. 
 
 Paris Feby. 2S* 1750 N.S. 
 
 Our services to M'' Coleman 
 
 To Master George Coleman at the College at 
 
 Westminster School London 
 Angleferre 
 
 * This does not allude to a parliamentary Election, but to tihe Election of 
 King's Scholars from Westminster School to the Universities of Oxford and 
 Cambridge. 
 
48 
 
 Coleman 
 I HAVE wrote to Doctor Nicols to let him know how well satisfyed 
 I am at your remaining one year longer at Westminster School. 
 I perceive, notwithstanding my having declared strongly my 
 opinion for your stay, that it was in some measure agreed you 
 should leave the School this Election, & that if Lady Bath, had 
 not accidentally gon to England, you had been chosen this year 
 to Cambridge. A step perhaps might have been of ill conse- 
 quence to you, for the rest of your life, but I hope now you will 
 think of studying as you ought, extreamly hard this whole year, 
 that you may make as good a figure as ever any Boy did, at the 
 next Election, where I shall most certainly be, to judge how you 
 have employ'd your time, and whither you mean to entitle 
 yourself to my friendship and assistance, both which you shall 
 most assuredly have, if you deserve them. Consider therefore 
 as you ought, that you have little or no fortune of your own to 
 depend on, that I am naturally inclined to have an affection for 
 you, and next to my own Son, look upon you, as one I ought to 
 provide for, in the best manner I am able, but should you not 
 
49 
 
 merit my love, no other tye can lay me under the least obligation 
 to take care of you. 
 
 reflect on this be a good Boy, & take care to con- 
 tinue me 
 
 Your friend & serv* 
 
 Bath. 
 
 Paris May 29" 1 750 N. S. 
 
 2o 
 
 Mr. Coleman Kings Scholar 
 at Westminster 
 
 in Deans yard 
 Angleterre Londxm 
 
 Dear Colman 
 I INTENDED to have wrote to you by M'. Douglas, but forgot 
 it; however my letter by being frank'd, will put you to no ex- 
 pence, and it is to acquaint you that you may draw for your 
 Quarteridge on Lady Bath, in the manner you mention in your 
 letter to me. I recommend to you to stick close to your Studys, 
 
 H 
 
50 
 
 you have Parts equal to any Scheme of Life, but without daily 
 labouring to improve them, & furnish yourself with Knowlege, 
 the best Parts will be of little use. You know how well I intend 
 by you, but then you must endeavour to deserve my Kindness, 
 & render yourself an Object worthy of my Care and Attention. 
 
 I am 
 
 Your friend & serv* 
 
 Bath. 
 
 London Feb' 29* 1752. 
 
 To 
 Mr. George Colman*, Sttcdent 
 ofXK Church 
 
 in 
 
 Oocford. 
 Free 
 Bath. 
 
 * The precise time of his being admitted a Member of the University at Oxford, 
 is ascertained by the following Certificate of his Matriculation : 
 
 OxonieB JuTiij 5"". Anno Domini 1751. 
 
 Quo die comparuit coram me Georgius Colman Ox. ^d. X" Arm. fil. sub- 
 
 scripsit Articulis Fidei & Religionis; & juramentum suscepit de agnoscenda 
 
 suprema Regias Majestatis potestate ; & de observandis Statutis, Privelegiis, & Con- 
 
 suetudinibus hujus Universitatis. St. Niblett, V. C. Dep. 
 
51 
 
 D Colman 
 
 Two or three dkjs ago I had your letter, and am glad to hear 
 you got well again to Oxford, where I hope you will return to 
 your Studys with double diligence^ in consideration of the little 
 interruption your London journey gave to them. 
 
 I have got from M". Guidott, a List of such Law Books as will 
 be proper for the beginning of your Studys, but as you are not 
 to begin those, till you have finished at the University^ it is need- 
 less to purchase those Books, till you return to Town, unless you 
 can find some of them in Booksellers Shops, of good Editions, 
 and to be sold cheap. Lay by the List, till your return to 
 London. 
 
 I am 
 
 Your good friend 
 ' Bath. 
 
 London 12"' Feby 1754. 
 
 To 
 Mr. George Colman 
 of Christ Church College 
 Oxford. 
 Free 
 Bath 
 
 H 2 
 
52 
 
 Dear Colman 
 I HOPE you have employ'd the long time you have now been 
 without interruption at Oxford, usefully, and as you ought to do. 
 You must consider that you have nothing to depend upon, for 
 your future maintenance, but your parts, and your Industry, 
 apply yourself therefore strictly to your Studys, and improve 
 those Talents God Almighty has given you, in such a manner, as 
 to enable you to make a figure in the station you shall be placed. 
 You know that you have been for some time entered in the So- 
 ciety of Lincolns Inn, where you shall in about a year or more 
 come to reside, and Study the Law. Keep M^ Murray the Sol- 
 licitor Gen' * always in your Eye, and let him be the Example 
 you propose to follow, perhaps to exceed. I propose you shall take 
 your Batchelor's degree at Oxford, then come to Lincolns Inn, 
 but not quit the College, til you are obliged to do it. but conti- 
 nue taking your other degrees in the University. At present I 
 would have you come to Town for the X'mas Holydays, you 
 stay w**" me in my House for about three weeks, but not be at 
 
 * Afterwards Attorney General, then Lord Mansfield, Chief Justice of the King's 
 Bench, and created an earl, in 1776. 
 
53 
 
 your Mama's where you have opportunitys of stroling idly about 
 the Town, wherever your inclination may lead you, not that 
 you shall be unreasonably confined at home, but have liberty now 
 and then to visit your favourite play Houses, as well as your 
 friends and acquaintances. If it be necessary you should acquaint 
 your Tuteur, or the Sub Dean of the College, for leave to come to 
 London, you may do it in my name, or shew them my letter. 
 
 Your humble servant 
 
 Bath. 
 
 You may sett out in three or four days. 
 
 London 20* Jan' 1755. 
 
 D' Colman, 
 
 About three weeks or a month ago, you wrote to Lady Bath, 
 
 desiring to come to Town for the Christmas Holidays, to this 
 
 letter, I suppose she then sent you an answer, and I am now 
 
 going to explain more fully to you both our meanings. 
 
 Gur intention is, to give you such an Education, as, with the parts 
 you have, may enable you to get your own Living, and hereafter 
 
54 
 
 make a figure in the world ; But this must be done (and can be 
 done no other way) by hard Study, and constant application ; You 
 must not think of trifling away any of your time in vain and idle 
 amusements, such as those can afford, who are born to Estates, 
 Your Subsistance must be got by toil and drudgery in the Pro- 
 fession you have chosen ; But then, let me tell you, you will 
 enjoy every shilling so got with much greater satisfaction ; Let 
 me place M'. Murray the present Attorney General before your 
 eyes, look stedfastly towards him, and see what a rapid progress 
 he hath made towards wealth and great reputation. You have 
 as good parts, and are as able to pursue his steps if you will 
 exert the same diligence, all I can do is to furnish the means, 
 and give you such assistance as may be necessary by money and 
 good advice. Think not therefore of losing an hour's time from 
 your studys, whilst you are at Oxford, but employ them in such 
 occupations, as may be proper for your future Profession I mean 
 in a Classical way whilst you are at the University, such as read- 
 ing often, and sometimes translating parts of Demosthenes or 
 Tully's Orations and such like exercises, and when you have 
 taken your Batchelor's Degree, I promise to take you from the 
 University, and place you in some Chambers in Lincolns Inn, of 
 which Society you have already been some time a Member; 
 When you are there I tell you before hand, that I will have you 
 closely watch'd, and be constantly inform'd how you employ 
 
55 
 
 your time; I must have no running to Playhouses or other 
 Places of publick diversion, but your whole time must be given up 
 to attend the Courts in Westminster-hall during their Sittings 
 in a morning, and your Evenings must be employ'd at home at 
 your own Chambers, in assiduous application and Study, till you 
 have fitted yourself to make a figure at the Bar. 
 
 I left it to your own Election what Profession you would be 
 of, you chose being a Lawyer, and I approv'd your choice, the 
 beginnings of all things are somewhat hard, and to shine in this 
 Profession, requires vast application ; Think therefore of what I 
 have said, and make a grateful return to me for the Expenses 
 I am at and what I design further to do for you, and take this 
 advice from 
 
 Your sincere friend & servant 
 
 Bath. 
 
 To 
 
 Mr. George Colman 
 
 Stvdent of Christ Church 
 
 Oxford 
 Free 
 
 Bath 
 
56 
 
 Dear Colman 
 As you have now taken your Batchelor's degree in the Uni- 
 versity, it may be time for you to come to London, to apply more 
 particularly to that Study, which is to become Your profession and 
 your Livelihood, I therefore recommend to you, when you are 
 at Lincolns-Inn, where you have been enter'd for some years, 
 and where I have now taken you Chambers, that you study hard 
 in the Evenings, and attend diligently the Courts of Westminster 
 Hall in the mornings, constantly informing yourself from friends 
 and from Books, of all the proper ways to Signalize yourself in 
 your profession. The Chambers which I have taken for you, are 
 but small, but fitting enough for the present, they are up one 
 pair of Stairs, and I chose them so rather than upon the Ground 
 floor, which is always damp, there are four small rooms, in 
 which there are some Presses and Shelves for your Books, which 
 you will bring with you from Oxford, and to which we will add 
 such further Law Books as may be necessary. 
 
 At first I Suppose for a few days you must lye at your 
 Mother's, till we can get a Bed, Chairs and such other things to 
 furnish your Chambers ; When you grow a man of Eminence in 
 
57 
 
 your Profession, you may get into a better Apartment, if you 
 think fit, but that must be your own doing ; I furnish you only 
 with the means of rising, and recommend to you, never to stop 
 in your Career, till yuo have got to the Head of the Law. 
 
 I tell you before hand, that I shall have you closely watch'd, 
 that you do not idle away your time, in running to Playhouses 
 and such other diversions, as I know you are fond of; Such 
 amusements will not agree with your circumstances, who are by 
 Industry to get your own Livelihood. Revolve what I have now 
 said to you often in • your mind, and resolve to do as I have 
 directed you j You may then come to Town as soon as you 
 please, advertising your Mother, whom I never see, of the day 
 your propose to be with her. 
 
 If there be any little matters to pay at the University, you 
 
 may draw upon Lady Bath or me for the money ; Should you 
 
 have a mind to keep your name upon the College Books, till you 
 
 have taken your Master's Degres in the University, let me know 
 
 what it will cost, tho' I do not see it can be of any great use 
 
 to you. 
 
 I am 
 
 Yours 
 
 Bath. 
 
 London 27"" March 1755. 
 
58 
 
 Send me word likewise what day you propose to be in Town, 
 because upon fur'ther thoughts, I believe it will be more con- 
 venient for you to lye, and be with me, till we see you settl'd 
 at Lincoln's Inn, Lady Bath will take care to get you a bed 
 ready. 
 
 To 
 M' George Caiman 
 Student at Christ Church 
 Oxford 
 Free 
 
 Bath. . 
 
59 
 
 The two following Letters, from Lady Bath, being written to her 
 " Dear Nep," (as she elegantly abbreviates her nephew,) at her 
 Lord's request, they are inserted here : — they contain the Peer's 
 general principles of advice, not improved by passing through 
 the strainers of his Countess. We hear of cancelling obligations 
 by the manner of conferring them ; and, although her Ladyship 
 breathes regard, there is something in the air of her protection 
 rather chilling to gratitude. 
 
 " I believe," says the celebrated Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, speakr 
 ing of Lord Bath, " his own disposition was naturally compas- 
 sionate and generous ; but his unfortunate connexion with a wife 
 of a very contrary disposition, and to whom he was too good- 
 naturedly compliant, had checked the tendency of his own heart, 
 and induced a fat^l habit, which he must find it difficult to ajter 
 at so advanced an age." 
 
 1 2 
 
60 
 
 Piccadilly March 
 
 Dear Nep. I rec' your letter yesterday, and Lord Bath had 
 one likewise from you sometime ago, He desires me to write the 
 answer for us both & has told me in part what I shou'' say, It 
 is this, That whilst you do well, and endeavour to improve your- 
 self as you ought, that you may depend on having all proper and 
 reasonable assistance from us. 
 
 We shall think now, soon, of sending for you from Oxford, 
 to place you in Lincolns Inn, where my Lord has taken care to 
 have you enter'd some time ago. there you must study hard, 
 attend the Courts of Westminster that constantly, and soon 
 vender yourself able to get your own Livelihood, besides our 
 assistance. 
 
 As for your Quarteridge It shall be ready when Ever you send 
 for it, and likewise the four Guineas, for your Bach-rs degree, 
 and the sixteen, as you say is usual to give your Tutor, tho' 
 neither My Lord nor Dor Newton remembers such a Custom, 
 but Lord B — ^h apprehends it is y* you have not paid your Tutor 
 quart — ly ever since you have been in College, which he says 
 
61 
 
 « 
 
 you ought to have done out of your Allowance, and now the 
 whole amounts to sixteen Guin-y at the rate of four a year. 
 However it be the money shall be ready when you draw for it, 
 and you may be sure of being deny'd nothing, whilst we think, 
 and are persuaded you may deserve it. 
 
 You to be sure will acquaint Lord Bath before you quit the 
 
 univer-ty and take his Advice & directions in Every thing. 
 
 I am most 
 sincerely & affectionately 
 
 Y' friend &c 
 
 A Bath. 
 
 London Julyy' IS"" 
 
 Dear Nephew 
 I THANK you for your letter dated the 12^'' The assurances 
 you give me that you are, & will continue to be Assiduous in 
 the business you are about gives me great Satisfaction, your 
 own good sense will inform you better than I am able to do, how 
 necessary it is, to lay in a good Stock of Learning, (now is your 
 Time) & be assur'd the brightest parts will make no figure in 
 
62 
 
 the great World, without that, which must be got by. Study and 
 great Application. 
 
 I wish you health, & you may rely upon ray 
 Friendship, & be assur'd, I shall do every thing in my power to 
 advance you. for I am most affectionately yours 
 
 A Bath 
 Lord Bath,, & Pulteney, are at Scarborough. 
 I have never seen your Mother since I return'd 
 last to England. 
 
 Dear Coley 
 I HAD some time ago your Lincolns Inn Letter, but without a 
 syllable of news from Searles, or a word even of speculative 
 Politics from Chancery Lane. Must I from hence inform you 
 what is doing in your own Body ? why I can tell you that M". 
 Ord, is to be made Chief Baron in Scotland, & some other 
 Promotions of a high nature, that at present shall be a Secret. I 
 can assure you ; that I shall be a little angry, if you do not send 
 me any pamphlet y' comes out, that bears the least character ; if 
 they are too; bulky to put into one Cover, split them, and send 
 them in a couple, or three. I hope your encreased Revenue, will 
 
63 
 
 now enable you to add a Cotelet to your dinner, and a couple of 
 oysters more to your Supper, but I Charge you to throw none of 
 it away idly, in running after Plays, which I know is your favorite 
 diversion ; Apply yourself diligently to your Studys, and endea- 
 vour to rise in your Profession faster than any body ever did 
 before jovt-j It was said of Doctor Barrow who was a great 
 MatliemaCicianj when he was Head of Trinity College in Cam- 
 bridge, that speaking once of Sir Isaac Newton who was an 
 under graduate, He said, I have a youiig Man under me who 
 Knows more of Mathematics than I do, or than any body else 
 does. Now I would have my Lord Chancellor say the same 
 thing^of you, when he is sitting in Lincolns Inn Hall, that he 
 has a Young Man, in the very same quadrangle where he is 
 sitting, who is d rising Genius, & will soon out strip them all. and 
 become a second Bacon. 
 
 Lady Bath sends you her service & 
 
 I am 
 
 , ' '■:■':' Yours Bath 
 
 Bath Oct' n* 1755. " 
 
 To 
 
 Mr George Colman at Ms ., 
 
 Chambers 
 
 in 
 
 Lincolns Inn 
 
 Free London 
 
 Bath. 
 
64 
 
 Dear Coley 
 I SUPPOSE you had such a vast deal of business on the Circuit, 
 and got so much money on it, that you had no time to loose in 
 writing letters. We have had but two from you since you left 
 us, & those extreamly short, one of them as short as yourself, 
 and t'other as a Shrewsbury Cake. You must know that I ex- 
 pected a circumstantial and historical relation of every thing that 
 happened on the Circuit, how many Causes you carried, by dii^t of 
 learning and ingenuity, to the surprise of the two stupid Sages t)f 
 the Law, and to the astonishment of all the heavy Stagers of the 
 Circuit. I should have been glad to have heard likewise, of all 
 the misfortunes which happened to you on the Road, how many 
 shirts and other things your awkward Footboy lost you in your 
 Journey, & how much leather you lost, by your lame hackney 
 horse ; M'. Douglas is loosing his money here at Lottery Tickets, 
 but perhaps he may get a rich Wife, by it at last. He has won 
 many an old Woman's heart here, by an excellent Sermon he 
 preach'd, but I want to have him, by his gallantry, get a young 
 one w*** ten thousand p'^'. Lord Pulteney came to us yes- 
 terday, and stays about a week, soon after which. We are in ex- 
 pectation of you, to lavish away some of that money you got so 
 plentifully, and with so much ease in your legal peregrination. 
 
65' 
 
 The first thing an honest man has to do, is to pay his just debts, 
 & consequently I shall have niy Twenty Guineas refunded, 
 with what Interest you think fit. I hear you often dined w"* 
 the Sheriff & with the Judges, but you will eat more luxuri- 
 ously with us, for we have Venison & whit-Ears at every meal. 
 Lady Bath will be glad to see you, and so, you may be sure shall 
 I, Your most affectionate friend Bath 
 
 Tunbridge Wells July y"= 29"' 1758. We had very bad weather, 
 and abundance of rain, I hope it has not been general for the 
 sake of the Corn. 
 
 Dear Coley 
 I THANK you for your letter, and am glad to hear of your 
 notable success at Oxford, you say you got two Guineas, by 
 saving two Men from hanging. I wish you was to have two 
 guineas a piece for every Man in Oxford that deserves to be 
 hanged, and then the University would be of some use to you. 
 At Worcester I doubt you will get but little, but get acquainted 
 
 K 
 
66 
 
 with 2 or 3 Roguish Attorneys, & they will lay you in a stock 
 of Causes for next Assizes, when you are to be no longer at 
 my Expense. M''. Lake Miss Seare, Lord Pulteney and M'. 
 Douglas drank your health on Sunday last and wished to con- 
 vey you a few Bottles of the Claret we drank it in. This letter 
 I direct to Shrewsbury whiph is the surest place to find you in. 
 If you are concerned in the Tryal of any Rape the Ladys desire 
 you would send a minute and circumstantial account of all that 
 passed at it, and what you [hiatus) In the House of Lords we 
 had a debate about bringing in Irish Cattle. The Duke of New- 
 castle made use of this Expression [hiatus *] to the Soldiers. 
 Upon which some Wag, (for the House was vastly crowded) 
 dropd the following Epigram 
 
 Since Beef adds more Courage to Soldiers in Battle 
 I consent to the bringing in Irish Cattle. 
 But add then a Clause to the Bill, which annuls 
 All free Importation of l7-ish Bulls, 
 
 * This hiatus is not valde deflmdvs s for, from the trace lof a letter or two in the ob- 
 literated manuscript, and from the context of the epigi'am which follows, it is to be 
 conjectured that the Duke of Newcastle's . expression was, " Beef gives additional 
 courage to the Soldiers," — or words to that effect. The wag who dropped the 
 epigram was, most probably^ Lord Bath. 
 
67 
 
 I hope the two Horses, as well as the Master and the Man, 
 hold out well and will all return to Town again in good health 
 and flesh ; If you bring back with you alLthe money you pick 
 up on the . road, no matter what way, your horse will find you 
 more weighty on yOur return, than in your setting out Adieu 
 D' Coleman dont fail to write to me as oflen as you can for I 
 wish you very well & am sincerely 
 
 Y" Bath. 
 
 London March 23" 1759 
 
 To 
 
 Mr Coleman upon the Oxford 
 Circuit at Shrewsbury 
 Free Shropshire 
 
 Bath 
 
 Dear Coley 
 I HAVE had two letters from you, to which I would sooner 
 have returned an Answer, but that you have been so much upon 
 the Ramble, that it was uncertain where to catch you whether 
 picking up money on the road, or distributing Justice jfrom the 
 Bench. I fancy the likelyest place to meet you, is in Lincolns 
 
 K 2 
 
68 
 
 Inn, to which I- direct this, to invite you to Tunbridge, when all 
 your Legal Affairs are finished. Doctor Bartholomew is here 
 and expects you, but I cannot say there are many here, of your 
 female Acquaintance, perhaps D' Douglas may spare you a Lady 
 or two, for he has abundance that belong to him, and to his 
 Lottery Table. We have had the hottest weather I ever felt, 
 which I believe (tho' very troublesome) to us all, is of great use, 
 to us Water drinkers, at least I am sure they agree very well 
 w*'' me, & have done me much service. Come to us when you 
 please, you will find the Room ready. Excellent Soopes every 
 day at dinner, & most admirable fish, fresh from the Salt-Sea. 
 Adieu 
 
 Bath 
 Tunbridge Wells Aug' 6* 1761 
 
 To 
 
 Gforge Colman Esg^ at 
 his Chambers in 
 
 Lincolns Inn 
 JUmdon 
 {Free, Bath) 
 
69 
 
 Dear Colly, 
 I THANK you for your letter, and I have had one like\yise from 
 Miss Seare, in answer to that which you gave her from me. I 
 find she does not think of coming to Town, til towards the 
 Spring ; I suppose you dance every Ball night Country Dances 
 w**' his R. H. the Duke of York, why do you not try to be 
 appointed his Attorney General. He has I hear made Moisy 
 his Physician. Are you in pursuit of any other more material 
 business, such as following any fine Woman, with a fortune of 
 100,000? or do you design to return to us again, just as wise, 
 and witty as you went, with only a little less money in your 
 Pocket. Lord Pulteney wants much to see you and hopes you 
 may be grown, a little, since he left you. We are all pleased 
 w* the Genius *, we suppose you wrote it on the Road, & sent 
 it to Town ; it is extreamly pretty, and well writ. You have no 
 
 * A Series of Essays under the title of the G^ius, written by the elder Cobnan, 
 appeared in the St. James's Chronicle ; — they were discontinued after the fifteenth 
 number. 
 
70 
 
 doubt heard of the rude and foulmouthed Attack made 
 M' Pitt in the House of Commons, by one Col. Barry, whor 
 the world blames most extreamly, so that I suppose the Ge; 
 man will be muzzled for the future. Doctor Douglas sends 
 his Compliments, Lord Pulteney, & Lady Mary Carr, who 
 just going to sitt down to dinner with me, send their serv 
 & I am 
 
 Dear Coley 
 
 Yours affectionately 
 I 
 
 Dec 18th 1761 
 
 To George Colman Esq' at 
 Bath 
 
 [Free, Bath) 
 
 Dear Coley, 
 Why are you so suspicious of my being angry with you ? ' 
 assure you, that the only reason why I did not take you witl 
 was, because I apprehended your stay in London, might b 
 
71 
 
 solutely necessary with regard to Lord Fs * affairs, as it was not 
 til the morning we sett out, quite determined, whether we were 
 to proceed by Arbitration, or by your proving of the Will. I 
 wish now, that you had been with us j the Waters which have 
 done us all much goodj might have been of use to you likewise, 
 after your Illness, and you would have had an opportunity, of 
 making acquaintance with a vast number of Princes, and Prin- 
 cesses, with whom you might have play'd at Whist every night, 
 for two pence a Corner. D"" Douglas has struck up a great Inti- 
 macy with the Bishop of Augsburgh, he often dines with him, 
 and constantly swallows a large Quantity of Toka, as it agrees 
 greatly w* the Spa Waters. We have here at least an hundred 
 English Lords Gentlemen and Ladys j Balls now and then ; a 
 Pky three times week ; w*'' a tolerable sett of Strollers, that do 
 pretty well in Comedy, but make wretched work, with a french 
 Tragedy. I suppose you are often at Hampton, make my Com- 
 pliments to M', & M" Garrick, I should have said my Love to 
 her, but whisper that only in her Ear, for he must know nothing 
 of the matter. I was not a very dangerous Man when I left 
 
 * Viscount Pidteney, only son to the Earl of Bath; — he died on the 16th of 
 January, 1763 ;— his death was most severely felt by his father. 
 
/5S 
 
 England, but the Waters are rejuvenescent, and bid him bews 
 of me when I return, for I shall be quite another Creature. 
 Churchils Poem upon Hogarth is worth the Postage, send it n 
 but if it be long, it will cost a huge Summe, and then perhs 
 you may hear of somebody coming this way, that may 
 willing to bring it, & Witt pays no Duty, either on importatic 
 or exportation. * General Seabright brought me two Pamphl( 
 one of which I think well writ it is call'd the Constituti 
 asserted, printed for Beckett, pray tell me who was the Auth 
 I am told that Wilkes call'd t'other day at my House, & asl 
 how I did? pray when you see him, tell him I am pretty wi 
 but very angry with him, for kindling such a flame in our p( 
 Country, which God knows, when it will be extinguished. C 
 poor good King deserves better usage. Send me all the C 
 
 * Lord Bath's parsimony, in trifling matters, was, sometimes, laughable. I 
 the following anecdote from my father : — In a rural lane, through which the n( 
 Earl often passed, in his carriage, a gate was placed across the road, which 
 opened for travellers by an ancient female. His lordship, one day, touched 
 the appearance of the old woman, gave the word to halt ; — the out-riders eel 
 the order, — the coachman pulled up, — the cavalcade stood still; — and Wil! 
 Pulteney, Earl of Bath, stretching forth his hand from his Coach-and-Four, 
 
 decked with coronets, threw to the venerable object of his bounty a ) 
 
 penny ! 
 
73 
 
 Chat news you can pick up, whether in Lincolns Inn, in Grub 
 Street, or S*. James's j let it be private Scandal, or Political 
 falshoods, any thing will amuse us, at this distance aufi do no 
 manner of harm, for we shall have forgbt it all, before our 
 return. ). ■.. 
 
 I have wrote you a long letter, considering that I have this 
 morning, drank eight large Glasses of Water^ & as I find 
 my Head begins to ake, I will take my leave, assuring you 
 that I am 
 
 Your true friend & 
 
 humble Servant 
 
 Bath 
 
 Spa July y* 13* 1763 
 
 To 
 
 Mr. Colman at Lord Baths 
 House in 
 
 Piccadilly 
 
 London 
 
 Angleterre 
 
74 
 
 Shrewsbury May y* 21" 1764 
 Dear Coley 
 
 I THANK you for your letter, and the enclosed Poem in it, 
 which is in my Opinion the severest, & the best of all Ch — Is *, 
 works ; He has a great Genius, & is an Excellent Poet, there 
 are, to be sure, some as fine Lines, as ever were writ, & some 
 as low prosaick Trash as ever came from Grub street. One may 
 plainly see that all his Works, are what the french call. Pieces 
 rapporte. He has always a vast number of loose Verses, lying 
 by him, which he can bring into any Poem, that he wants to 
 enlarge to the Price of half a Crown, & so stickes them in, as 
 he wants them. I cannot however in the main, approve of such 
 abominable abilse. You know I never was famous for great 
 partiality to Ministers, I am acquainted with very few who are 
 at present such, & I never would be one my self, tho' often 
 offered it. from these considerations you may be sure ; that it 
 is not any fondness of mine for great Men, that makes me dis- 
 like this Poem, but really it is so scandalously abusive, & 
 scurrilous, that no one who has the least decency can approve 
 such Billingsgate stuff, running a muck, as Pope calls it at once 
 upon all mankind. I wish you had come down with us instead 
 
 * Churchill's. 
 
75 
 
 of Peele, but our Whist party would have been spoiled by Re- 
 mends Illness, who has been in some danger from a violent 
 Fever. On Monday next we remove from hence & go to 
 Wolverhampton. 
 
 I am 
 
 Yours 
 
 Bath. 
 A Monsieur 
 
 Monsieur Colman 
 a L'hotel de Modem 
 Rue de Jacob Fauxbourg S' Germains — 
 a Paris 
 
 Dear Coley, 
 
 I HAVE sent you two of the Prints you saw yesterday ; pray 
 
 present one of them, in my name, and with my humble service 
 
 to M" Garrick,* and let her know, if she will knock to pieces 
 
 any Old deal Box, and make a kind of a frame and hang the 
 
 * It is whimsical to observe Lord Bath's acquiescence in his Protege's theatrical 
 connexions. All the Earl's repeated admonitions to Coley, " not to throw away his 
 money and time idly, in running after plays, of which he knew he was fond," but to 
 stick to the Law, and follow the steps of the Attorney General, end in a request to 
 
 L 2 
 
16 
 
 Print up, in any Chamber that belongs to her, it will be doing 
 me, and the Picture, more honour than either deserve, fix a 
 day, when Garrick & you will come & dine with 
 
 Your humble 
 rpg Servant 
 
 Mr. Colman. BatH. 
 
 The letters from Lord Bath are, here, brought to a period ; 
 and the subjoined explanation of his motives for quitting the 
 House of Commons, and accepting an Earldom, is inserted as a 
 curiosity. The MS. is in my father's hand-writing. 
 
 « On Wednesday October the Fofurth, 1756, I overheard the 
 following Conversation between L** Bath & M' Hooke, Author of 
 the Roman History, in the Parlour at Isleworth. When I came 
 
 procure his Lordship the honour that a Print (probably his own portrait) may be 
 hung up by Mrs. Garrick. The Elder Colman dedicated his Play of the Jealous Wife 
 to his patron, in the year 1761, about three years before the present letter appears to 
 have been written. All this refutes the report, which obtained general belief, that he 
 forfeited Lord Bath's aflFection and favour, through his persuit of the Drama. 
 
77 ; 
 
 into the room I found that they were conversing on the Subject 
 of His Lordship's quitting the House of Commons. As this was 
 a subject on which I had never heard L** Bath ever utter a single 
 syllable before, I listened with great attention, & believe that I 
 remember most of what was said, nearly in, the very words, but 
 am sure that I have not made the least addition, or any alteration 
 in the Circumstances. 
 
 " Upon my first entrance into the Room, L^ Bath was just clos- 
 ing an Account of a Conversation between himself and The King, 
 by which it appeared that the Partisans in the Opposition had 
 had. some differences among themselves. Upon this occasion 
 His Majesty made use of these words to L^ Bath. " As soon as 
 '* I found you were at variance among yourselves, I saw that I 
 " had Two Shops to deal rmth, and I rather chose to come to 
 " you, because I knew that your aim was only directed against 
 " my Minister, but I did not know but the Duke of Argyle 
 " wanted to be King Himself." These words, it was agreed 
 both by L** Bath & M' Hooke were suggested to His Majesty by 
 Sir Rob* Walpole. 
 
 " M' Hooke then said that he had always looked upon his 
 Lordship's conduct in that affair as a mystery, and so did most 
 other people, who cried, " It is strange that Will Pulteney should 
 " be taken off by a Peerage, when we all know that he might 
 
78 
 
 " have had one, whenever he would, for many years before." 
 But that he had conversed with some of his Lordship's friends, 
 who, though they also looked on his conduct as a mystery, still 
 believed that he had good and honest reasons foi" what he did. 
 
 *' His Lordship replied that he certainly had, that Ihere were 
 several curious Anecdotes relating to that affair ; and some par- 
 ticulars known to no soul living except the King & himself; that 
 he had never made any minutes of those transactions, but, that 
 he could easily recollect all the principal circumstances ; which 
 he would at times endeavour to do, in hopes that M' Hooke, as 
 he had a fine pen, would, if he survived his Lordship, work up 
 those materials into a sort of History of this affair; that this he 
 was desirous of having done for the sake of truth, and therefore 
 could wish that these particulars might be made public, while 
 some of the parties concerned were yet living and unable to deny 
 their authenticity ; that a regard to Truth, & the furnishing ma- 
 terials for genuine History was his chief motive, for that, as to 
 his own character, conscious of his integrity, he had never said 
 so much as he had now mentioned to any one before, or taken 
 the least pains to vindicate himself. He then told the following 
 story. When it appeared that L** Bath, then M' Pulteney, was 
 at the head of the House of Commons, that no supplies could 
 be raised, no business carried on, & that S' Robert Walpole 
 was in imminent danger, M' Pulteney received a Letter from 
 
79 
 
 the Duke of Newcastle, signifying that " his Grace had a mes- 
 " sage to deliver to him from the King, & desired 1;hat M' Pul- 
 " teney would meet him [appointing that^or some other 
 " particulai: evening] at eight o'clock at M' Stone's in the Privy 
 " Garden." To this Letter M' Pulteney returned an answer to 
 this effect : " that he was very ready to receive any message 
 " from The King, but that he absolutely refused to receive 
 " any such message by meeting his Grace by stealth, at his 
 " Under Secretary's, in the dark: that if the Puke had any 
 " thing to say to him from His Majesty, his Grace must 
 "come to him a,t his own house, by daylight, in sight of all 
 " his servants. He further desired the Duke not tO; impute this 
 " behaviour to pride, for that it was necessary for a person at 
 " the "head of a party to manage his reputation iij this manner." 
 To this the Duke replied to this purpose : " that he thought M' 
 " Pulteney was entirely in the right in using so much delicacy 
 « and precaution ; that he would wait on Ijim at his own house, 
 " in the manner he prescribed, accompanied by Lord Chancel- 
 '^ lor." This produced a further answer from M' Pulteney, sig- 
 nifying : " that in order to put himself on an equality with his 
 " Grace, who proposed bringing the Chancellor, he also thought 
 " proper to call in an aid on his side, viz. Lord Granville." In 
 consequence of these Letters, the Duke of Newcastle and 1J 
 Chancellor came to gether to M' Pulteney's, and found him, ex- 
 pecting their arrival, in company with L** Granville. The Duke of 
 
80 
 
 Newcastle then told M' Pulteney, that he had a message to him 
 from The King, which was to desire " that M' Pulteney would ac- 
 " cept of being at the head of the Treasury, and the nomination of 
 " those other persons whom he would have put into power ; & 
 " that, as S' Robert Walpole found it expedient to retire, that 
 " M' Pulteney would promise to preserve him from persecution." 
 This was the substance of what was said by the Duke of New- 
 castle, to which M"^ Pulteney made answer to the following effect : 
 " That he utterly disclaimed all aiming at Power, that he would 
 " accept of no places, that what he aimed at was not merely a 
 " change of men, but measures also, and that he would never 
 " come in to carry on the same system of corruption : That as 
 " to promising His Majesty to secure S"^ Robert Walpole, he 
 " neither would, nor could, make any such promise : That if his 
 " Grace would read Cardinal De Retz he would find, that a 
 " Party was like a Serpent, that the Tail pushed on the Head ; so 
 " that if he promised, he should engage for more than he was 
 " able to perform : That, however, he was no bloodthirsty man, 
 " that he had no sanguinary views, & that he wished S' Rob* 
 " might be able to escape by his innocence, & the rather, because 
 " he had once incautiously said in the House of Commons, that 
 " he would persue S"" Rob to his destkuction. This had been con- 
 " sidered by many as a very cruel speech, but all he meant by it 
 " was the destruction of S' Rob* as a minister, not as a man ; he 
 " meant a destruction of his power not of his person. But, in 
 
81 
 
 " short, as to a promise, for the reasons above, he could make 
 " none, so that if any such promise was expected, his Grace's 
 " treaty with him must here break oiF, before it was begun." 
 The Duke then complained that he was dry, and some wine 
 being called for, M' Pulteney filled out a glass, and told his 
 Grace with a smile " that he would drink to him in the words 
 " of Brutus. 
 
 « If we should meet again, His well, 
 If not, why then this parting was well made." 
 This story ended, L** Bath observed that during this conference 
 and some others on the same occasion, L** Chancellor did not 
 say a word ; nor L*^ Granville, till he was nominated by him to 
 be put in as Secretary of State. Just at this time dinner came 
 in, & interrupted the conversation. After dinner this convers- 
 ation was resumed, & took a different turn, but had more the 
 air of general chat, in the course of which L** Bath said " that it 
 " was he who nominated Lord Winchelsea to be placed at the 
 " head of the Admiralty ; a secret which he had never men- 
 " tioned to any body before, & which Lord Winchelsea him- 
 " self was not acquainted with to this day, but imagined that he 
 " was brought in by Lord Granville. That, after he had brought 
 " in Lord Granville, he wrote to his Lordship, when abroad 
 « with the King, in the last war, to inform him that the high 
 " favour in which he stood with the King had created many jea- 
 
 M 
 
82 
 
 " lousies in the rest of the ministry, who would certainly get him 
 " out, if he relied solely on the favour of the King, & did not 
 " take care to secure himself by forming proper connections and 
 " dependences." To this Letter he received an answer from 
 Ldrd Granville, telling him " that he made no doubt of standing 
 " his ground by being so high in his Majesty's favour, that he had 
 " even shewed L"^ Bath's letter to the King, who told him upon 
 " the occasion that, He knew indeed that several little plots 
 " were formed against him, but that He would keep his Lordship 
 " in, in spite of their teeth. In about a fortnight after their 
 " return from abroad, he was turned out." 
 
 ' Among many other particulars which fell from Lord Bath on 
 this occasion, & which from the confusion and irregularity of 
 the conversation I cannot well recollect, I particularly remember 
 the following. " When things began to draw to a Crisis, and the 
 " parties in the Opposition saw themselves soon likely to come 
 " in, they became at variance with each other concerning who 
 " should have the best places. This it was that occasioned 
 " that speech of the King*s mentioned in the beginning of 
 " this account, and destroyed, said L^ Bath, that glorious 
 '* scheme which I had laid of bringing about a reconciliation in 
 " the Royal Family on a proper foot, & retiring with honour 
 " myself. When I found (continued he) what they were driving 
 
83 
 
 " at, I went to the Prince of Wales, and first asked him whether 
 " the others in the Opposition had not been there before me. 
 " The Prince franklj owned that they had been with him. I 
 " then told him that I found that their views were directed to 
 " the securing rich preferments to themselves, — but that my 
 " sole aim was to reconcile His Royal Highness to the King on 
 " a proper foot, & to make him appear in a right light as 
 " Prince of Wales. To convince him of this, I only begged to 
 " come alone, & confront all the rest in His Royal Highness's 
 " presence ; upon which the Prince appointed a meeting at his 
 " House in Pall Mall, at eight o'clock that evening. I went ac- 
 " cordingly, and found them there before me, vis:.. The Duke of 
 " Argyle, Lord Chesterfield, Lord Gower, Lord Cobham, & 
 " Lord Bathurst. Each of these spoke in his turn, and I an- 
 " swered each successively. When we had all spoken, The Prince 
 " said that he thought M"^. Pulteney acted from the best motives, 
 " & delivered it as his resolution that he would go in with 
 " him. This was so sore a mortification to the Duke of Argyle 
 " that it is thought to have been the occasion of his death." 
 
 M 2 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS 
 
 TO 
 
 GEORGE COLMAN, THE ELDER. 
 
 From John Wilkes. * , 
 
 Naples March 25. 1765. 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 I HAD your most friendly letter, by Monsieur de Beaumont, but 
 I have not been able before this to write to you, Your idea was 
 so closely join'd with that of poor Churchill, that for a long time 
 I sought to avoid it, and tho' it return'd upon me in my late 
 pursuits, I cou'd not cherish it, as I us'd to do. My grief began 
 a little to abate, when the additional shock of Lloyd's f death 
 
 * The politicks, the writings, the wit, the conviviality, the debauchery, of John 
 Wilkes, — all the striking featiires of his life, character, and even of his face, — 
 are notorious. 
 
 t The poet, contemporary with Churchill. 
 
85 
 
 almost overset me. I have try'd ever since by journeys, and a 
 variety of company, to recover the even tone of my mind, but I 
 am at times more melancholy than it is almost possible for you 
 to conceive a man of so good animal spirits to be. 
 
 I had fully open'd my mind to Lloyd as to my idea of 
 the second -volume of our friend's Works, and he had un- 
 dertaken to write a short preface, and to correct the press. 
 I beg'd> him likewise to announce the edition I had pro- 
 jected at our dear Churchill's desire. I wish you would 
 take upon yourself the publication of the second volume, 
 and tell the world how you lov'd the man, as well as honour'd 
 the poet. If you think worth while to enquire for my 
 letters to Lloyd, yoii will find in them a variety of hints, wliiich 
 perhaps may be of use. You must give me leave, in my own 
 edition, to take the opportunity of the notes on the Rosciad, to 
 speak of you not only as an author, who does my country honour, 
 but as a friend too, who will ever be dear to me. 
 
 I have taken a house in a very pleasant situation, which comr 
 mands this town, and the finest bay in the world. I shall be 
 there in a few days, and mean to give myself entirely to 
 our friend's Works, and to my History of England. I wish 
 to equal the dignity of Livy. I am sure the greatness 
 
86 
 
 and majesty of our nation demand an historian equal to 
 him. 
 
 I live much retired, in the bosom of philosophy, [hiatus] 
 not in the least peevish, nor angry at the world. I live 
 thus retir'd meerly to attend to what I take to be my pre- 
 sent business, and I form no idle resolutions de fuga soeculi 
 et contemptu mundi. My warmest wishes follow you and 
 a few more. I only regret that my ill stars will not let me be in 
 the same degree of latitude with you. I wou'd soon make it 
 the same place too. 
 
 The foreign gazettes are very impertinently sending me 
 into the service of the King of Prussia, or Sardinia, or 
 I know not what republicks. I hope my friends do me 
 more justice at home, and think of me, as I do of myself, 
 ever in the Service of England, and for my life unalienably 
 attach'd to my native country. The most unjust and cruel 
 persecutions, the most unmerited outlawries, shall never warp 
 ffly allegiance. 
 
 I long for your Terence, and the moment it is printed I hope 
 you will order Becket to send it to me. The Jesuit's edition, 
 
87. 
 
 which I wish'd to have got for you, was sold the day before to 
 the Duke de Choiseul. 
 
 I hope Lloyd's works will be reprinted in twelves. Such 
 an edition would certainly succeed. IJe was indeed a very 
 pretty poet, as well as a very amiable man. I find he had 
 subject of just indignation against Thornton .- so had CfmrcMU. 
 I am a little inclin'd to revenge both their quarrels. Our 
 dear friend wish'd I would. What is your opinion? If you 
 wish him to be sav'd, he will owe his salvation only to you. All 
 this is quite between ourselves. 
 
 I have desir'd M' Becket to send me what is most valuable 
 from the English Press, and I beg you to give him directions 
 from time to time. 
 
 I am, with very great truth and regard, 
 my dear Sir, 
 
 Your affectionate friend and 
 
 most humble Servant, 
 
 John Wilkes. 
 
 To 
 
 George Caiman) Esqr 
 at Mr Becket's 
 
 Pookseller near Surry Street 
 in the Strand 
 inghilterra London 
 
88 
 
 From R. Shepherd. 
 
 Sir 
 Your Favour was sent to me to this Place ; having first laid 
 some Time in Duke Street, or you would have received an ear- 
 lier Answer to your Enquiries concerning the Genuineness of 
 Churchill's Sermons. He used laughingly to say, they were none 
 of hiis : whose they were, the Public if they could might find out. 
 I alway suspected them to have been Compilations ; & Compil- 
 ations of his Father's : for he himself I am persuaded would not 
 have submitted to that kind of Drudgery ; they would either have 
 been his own, or Transcripts, had they been entirely from his 
 own Desk : & accordingly some of them have been said to be 
 Transcripts from a D' Stevenson ; but I have never given myself 
 the Trouble to enquire minutely into the Truth of such a Report. 
 If I should in future have an Opportunity of looking into such 
 an Author, your Enquiry will induce me not to pass it by. 
 
 Though you evaded my Suggestion, the good Humour with 
 which you took it hath tempted me to go a Step farther, & propose 
 
89 
 
 to you a Subject. As you hold a Pen in utrumq. paratam, equally- 
 successful in Prose & Verse : a new Boethius, on the Consolation of 
 Christianity, would I conceive form not only a useful, but a 
 pleasing Work. I have often thought of it myself: but had much 
 rather see it in your Hand for a hundred Reasons. 
 
 I am, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient 
 Humble Servant 
 
 R Shepherd 
 
 Brighthelmston 
 Sept' 27. 
 
 T6 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 Richmond' 
 Surry 
 
 N 
 
90 
 
 From Christopher Smart.* 
 
 S' James's Park next door 
 to the Cockpit Fabry y= 27"" 1766. 
 
 Sir, 
 I FIND myself reduced by the necessity of the case again to tax 
 such of my friends as are disposed to do me the honour of 
 their names 
 
 I am with much respect 
 
 Your obliged Servant 
 
 Christopher Smart. 
 
 I observe from the conversation in general on your late per- 
 formance, that either your benevolence has won you more affec- 
 tion, or your wit commanded more applause (both I suppose) 
 than that of any person in my memory. 
 
 * Christopher Smart was a poet of some celebrity ; — his lighter poems are his 
 best. He was engaged in a variety of publications : — at one period of his life, he 
 was confined for madness, and he died a prisoner for debt. A collection of his poet- 
 ical pieces was published in the year 1791, with some memoirs of his life prefixed to 
 them. An account of him is, also, given in Chalmers's General Biographical Dic- 
 tionary. The performance, to which the postscript alludes, must have been the Co- 
 medy of the Clandestine Marriage, written, jointly, by my father and Garrick. 
 
91 
 
 Fram Voltaire.^ 
 
 au Chateau de ferney par geneve 
 15» 9bre 1768. 
 
 Si je pourrais ecrire de ma main, Monsieur, je prendrais la 
 liberie de vous remercier en anglais du present que vous me 
 faittes de vos charmantes comedies ; et si j'etais jeune je viendrais 
 les voir jouer a Londres. 
 
 * This letter, though in the hand-writing of an amanuensis, is apparently sub- 
 scribed by Voltaire himself. It was written, I suppose, on the occasion of my father 
 having presented to him (with his other Dramas) the Play of the English Merchant, 
 founded on Voltaire's comedy of " L'Ecossaise." The celebrated and lively French- 
 man has dictated his present epistle with his usual tournure, and with his vanity 
 floating on the surface. He cannot help informing the Author who has built upon 
 his ground-iivork of the great success of his awn play ; of its having been (though 
 only composed for his private amusement) acted in all the theatres of Europe, from 
 Petersburg to Bruxelles ; arid of the admirable portrait he has drawn in it, of an 
 original whom he never saw. 
 
 The phrase of " furieusement embelli" is somewhat equivocal ; and looks a little 
 like a sneer, couched in the compliments bestowed upon the English poet. 
 
 N 2 
 
92 
 
 Vous avez furieusement embelli I'Ecossaise que vous avez 
 donnee sous le nom de freeport, qui est en effet le meilleur per- 
 sonnage de la pi^ce. vous avez fait ce que je n'ai ose faire, vous 
 punissez votre freron a la fin de la Comedie. j'avais quelque 
 repugnance a faire paraitre plus longtems ce polisson sur le the- 
 atre ; mais vous etes un meilleur Sherif que moi. vous voulez 
 que justice soit rendue ; et vous avez raison. 
 
 Lorsque je m'amusai a composer cette petite Comedie pour la 
 faire representer sur mon theatre a ferney, notre societe d'acteurs 
 et d'actrices, me conseilla de mettre ce freron Sur la Scene, 
 comme un personnage dont il n'y avoit point encor d'exemple. 
 je ne le connais point, je ne I'ai vu, mais on m'a dit que je 
 I'avais peint trait pour trait. 
 
 Lorsqu'on joua depuis cette piece a Paris, ce croquant etait a 
 la premiere representation} il fut reconnu des les premieres 
 lignes ; on ne cessa de battre des mains, de le huer, et de le 
 bafouer ; et tout le public k la fin de la piece le reconduisit hors 
 de la Salle avec des Eclats de rire. il a eu I'avantage d'etre jou6 
 et berne sur tons les theatres de I'Europe depuis Petersbourg 
 jusqu' a Bruxelles. il est bon de nettoier quelquefois le temple 
 des muses de ses araignees. il me parait que vous avez aussi vos 
 frerons a Londres ; mais il ne sont pas si plats que les notres. 
 
93 
 
 Continuez Monsieur h enrichir le public de vos tres, agreables 
 ouvrages. J'ai I'honneur d'etre avec toute I'estime que vous 
 meritez, 
 
 Monsieur, 
 
 Votre tres humble et tres 
 
 obeissant Serviteur 
 
 VoLTAiEE gentilhomme 
 ord" de la chambre du Roy 
 
 A Monsieur 
 Monsieur Caiman, Directeur 
 des Spectacles etc" 
 
 A Londres 
 
94 
 
 From Charles Lee* 
 
 Warsaw May f 8*^ 1769. 
 
 Vf Coleman 
 You must undoubtedly think me a very extraordinary person, 
 that on a slender acquaintance I shoud have saddled you with 
 the curation of my aflPairs, and afterwards not think it worth my 
 while to write to you even a civil note such as a common ac- 
 quaintance who had conferr'd no obligation might have expected; 
 the truth is I have expected evry day to be ascertain'd of my 
 destiny, and then intended to have given you a circumstantial 
 
 * The republican Spirit of Charles Lee, which blazed forth so strongly in the fa^ 
 mous American War, received a damper fi-om those in whose cause it flamed. He 
 was a Colonel in the English Army, (and had served also in Poland) when he 
 thought proper to commence fighting the battle of the Colonies against the mother 
 Country. He, accordingly, rendered himself very conspicuous, in the western world, 
 as a Major General, under Washington ; till, in the year 1778, he was found guilty, 
 by an American Court Martial, to disobedience of orders, misbehaviour before the 
 enemy, and disrespect to the Commander in Chief ; — which sentence was, after- 
 wards, confirmed by Congress. 
 
95 
 
 plan of my operations, but as this day is as remote, in alL ap- 
 pearance, as ever I shoud be guilty of a monstrous neglect in 
 any farther delaying to pay the tribute of friendship which Iso 
 sensibly owe ; believe. My dear Sir, I most sincerely love and 
 honour you, and this love and honor is founded on so solid a 
 basis that I have dar'd to neglect a form which wou'd not be par- 
 don'd by a Person who is not really an object of love and esteem 
 I have been in this place two months waiting for an opportunity 
 to join the Russian army, and I am afraid that 1 shall be obliged 
 to wait a month longer, the communications being fill'd with the 
 oflfals of the Confederates (who are themselves a banditti) that 
 it is impossible to stir ten yards without an escort of Russians, 
 The English are less secure than others as they are esteem'd the 
 Arch-enemies of the holy-faith — A French Commedian was the 
 other day near being hang'd from the circumstance of wearing a 
 bob-wig (which by the Confederates is suppos'd to be the uniform 
 of the English nation) — I wish to God that three branches of 
 your Legislature wou'd take it into their heads to travel thro' the 
 woods of Poland in bob wigs, — the first opportunity that will 
 offer will be the present Embassador who it is said will now be 
 succeeded in ten days, but this has been so long said I begin to 
 despair of any opportunity offering till the whole is over — The 
 Turks have already got a drubbing at Chot-sin. If I should not 
 arive till all is over, I have made a wise journey of it — I be- 
 
96 
 
 lieve it wou'd break my heart as I have an unspeakable curiosity 
 to see this campaign the in fact I believe it will be but a ridicu- 
 lous one, if not quite like that of Harlequin and Scapin, it will re- 
 semble that of Wilks and Talbot,* the Russians can gain nothing 
 by beating their Enemy and the Turks are confoundedly afraid, 
 I wish by practice to make myself a Soldier for purposes honest, 
 but which I shall not mention ; I think after the Campaign of 
 passing thro Hungary and spending the ensuing winter in the 
 South of Italy Sicily or some of the Islands in the Icarian or 
 ^gean Sea, (you are a Scholar and know where these seas are,) 
 — as to England, I am resolv'd not to set ray foot in it, till the 
 virtue which I believe to exist in the body of the People can be 
 put in motion — I have good reasons for it, my spirits and tem- 
 per were much affected by the measures which I was witness of, 
 measures moderate laudable and virtuous in comparison of what 
 has been transacted since — to return solemn thanks to the 
 Crown for the manifestly corrupt dissipation of its enormous re- 
 venues and an impudent demand on the Publick to repair this 
 dissipation is pushing servillity farther than the rascally Senate 
 of Tiberius was guilty of; in this light it is consider'd by all those 
 
 * The papers entitled the " North Briton," written by Wilkes, occasioned a duel 
 between him and Lord Talbot. 
 
97 
 
 I converse with of every nation even those who have the least 
 Idea of the dignity of liberty ; the Austrians and Russians laugh 
 and hoot at us, in fine it is look'd upon as the consummation of 
 human baseness, as the coup de grace to our freedom and na- 
 tional honour — You will say it is being a pleasant Correspondent, 
 giving you my comments on what passes under your own eyes, 
 and being intirely silent on the transactions of this Country which 
 you may be suppos'd to have some curiosity to be acquainted 
 with — You will scarcely think me serious when I assure you 
 that I am as totally a stranger to em as yourself, as any Man in 
 England, as My Lord Mayor Humphry Gates I am sure must 
 know fivety times more of the matter I see that the Country is 
 in one general state of confusion, fill'd with devastation and 
 murder, I hear every day of the Russians beating the Confede- 
 rates, but as to what the Russians what the Confederates, what 
 the body of the Nation propose, I am utterly ignorant tho no 
 more I believe than They are themselves ; their method of carry- 
 ing on war is about as gentle as ours was in America with the 
 Shawenese and Dellawars the Confederates hang up all the Rus- 
 sians (generally by the feet) who fall into their clutches, and the 
 Russians put to the sword the Confederates ; the Russian Cos- 
 sacks have an admirable sang froid in these executions j the other 
 day at a place call'd Rava forty or fivety Confederates were con- 
 emn'd to the Bayonet, but as They were tolerably well dress'd. 
 
98 
 
 They were desir'd to strip for the ceremony, the Cossacks not 
 chusing to make any holes in their coats, the situation of the 
 King is really to be lamented ; notwithstanding he wears a Crown, 
 He is an honest virtuous Man and a friend to the rights of man- 
 kind I wish we cou'd persuade a Prince of my acquaintance f? 
 
 I cou'd say many things on this subject digna Uteris nostris, sed 
 non committenda ejusmodi periculo, at aut interire aut aperiri 
 aut intercipi possint — I hope your kindness has not entail'd any 
 trouble upon you with respect to my affairs :]:, I hope M' Ayre 
 has been punctual in his payment, I wrote to him from London 
 acquainting him with your powers — If you shou'd pass by M' 
 Hoar's, I beg you will tell him that I writ to him from Munick 
 
 f Expressions are here omitted, replete with treason and low abuse, disgusting to 
 all but the gentry of that School which has train'd several of it's disciples to the 
 gallows. More of Lee's radical rancour would have been expunged, in this and his 
 following letter, if it had not been thought that it's mere virulence were an antidote 
 to revolutionary poison ; upon the principle that. Vice 
 
 " to be hated needs but to be, seen." 
 
 % Affairs which were foisted upon Mr. Colman, as it is evident, from the expres- 
 sions in the beginning of this letter ; and he ultimately declined to communicate 
 with LeCf considering him a dangerous correspondent, whose political principles of 
 action were utterly repugnant to his feelings. 
 
99 
 
 requesting him to send me if possible a letter of credit to Warsaw, 
 and to give credit to a Captain William Spry for surveying my 
 lands in S' John's, how does the hallowed Juliet ? it is incon- 
 ceivable how much I am interested for the success and welfare of 
 that girl — If she does not succeed (but this is impossible) I wisl^ 
 you coud perswade her to marry me and settle in America ; my 
 respects to M" Coleman, and that I am most sincerely hers — 
 Adieu, My D" Friend, et tibi perswadeas te a me fraterne amari — 
 
 XHharles Lee. 
 
 My love to Rice, and that when He can find time and matter 
 I wish He wou'd write — the best news he can send me, is his 
 being married to the Princess of Wales or any Widow with 
 vast interest and income — are the women blind or mad in not 
 seizing so inestimable a prize ? 
 
 Direct to me Chez le Prince General de Podolie — Varsovie 
 — You know Fawkner, ask him if he did not receive a long 
 letter from me from this place, I am apprehensive it has mis- 
 carried, for the post are frequently cut of by the confederates, 
 tell him from me (but this I request You will not mention to a 
 third Person) that I hope He will not sell any land to purchase 
 a company. He had better borrow the money, all I can muster 
 shall be at his service which will go a good way — I forgot to 
 
 o 2 
 
100 
 
 mention this in my letter for God sake, make Rice procure me 
 one of Elliots Dragoon casks, if S' William Erskine is about 
 Town He may ask him for one in my name — it is for the K. of 
 Poland — it must be sent to M' Montagues in Lincolns Inn 
 fields. ****** 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 Vienna March y* 16* 1790 
 
 My D' Coleman 
 As I do not know who M' Gratton is or how to direct to him, 
 I must beg you will thank him for his letter — I suppose He is 
 a Person you have employ'd to superintend my small affairs — 
 I dare say He is able and honest from your confidence, and 
 I am extreamly happy not only on my own account but on yours 
 principally that You will be discharg'd from any farther trouble* 
 
 * Gorton was the name of the person to whom this paragraph alludes ; — he was 
 Treasurer of Covent Garden Theatre, and a private agent of Mr. Colman : — turn- 
 ing over Lee to this Factotum indicates the desire to get rid of a disagreeable 
 correspondent. 
 
101 
 
 He will oblige me in desiring M' Hoare to send a letter of credit 
 for me to Leghorn as I certainly set out in three days for Italy 
 — I have recover'd my force in some degree, but am yet far 
 from right — my plan is to bathe in the sea for six weeks, and 
 then go through a course of waters at Viterbo or some others that 
 are recommended to me in the upper Valois I should have likd 
 to have embark'd in the Russian fleet — some days I find myself 
 in health spirits and strength sufficient to undertake it — but I 
 am journalier — and on the whole therefore had better let it 
 alone — but I shall regulate myself by my future feelings — I 
 long to be with you in England (I mean with you and four five 
 whom I sincerely love) but dread the agitations I shoud be 
 thrown into by the too slow progress of publick virtue — let the 
 hallow'd S" George Savile, honour and the genius of England 
 triumph over tyranny corruption Grafton North and the Devil — 
 and I will hasten to participate the joy — or shou'd the sword of 
 our good Angel be unsheath'd, my puny dagger shall contribute 
 its mite of annoyance to the breast of despotism and wickedness * 
 You will excuse my not delivering myself like a man of this 
 world — I never can, on so heating a subject — I wish I cou'd 
 
 * Who would grieve if this Colonel, in the English Army, after breathing the 
 language of the Cato-Street Conspirators, had undergone their fate ? 
 
102 
 
 muster up wit or news to entertain you, but I am unfurnish'd 
 with both, unless you will consider as an article of news my 
 being enamour'd of a Royal family — but I really am smitten 
 with the reigning one of this Country — the women are all di- 
 vinely handsome gracious unaffected and civil without the air of 
 protection. — the Emperor will I believe one day make a figure, 
 at least comparatively with the sad automata of scepter'd herd — 
 He sent for me the other day, and sufFer'd me to converse with 
 him for an hour — as He was curious to have a detail of the 
 Turkish war — I was not much surpris'd at his having so good 
 an idea of this, but eou'd not help admiring his general know- 
 ledge of what has pass'd in America — of the geography of the 
 Country, and what is more, of the interest of Great Britain with 
 respect to it — in short I have heard of Monarchs (who are more 
 concern'd in the subject) not quite so well acquainted with it — 
 since I began this letter, I am told a circular letter of credit will 
 be better, on Leghorn Genoa, and Milan if M' Gratton will in- 
 form M' Hoare of it — He will oblige me — if Davers is in Town, 
 let him know I have receiv'd his letter — and will answer it from 
 Venice ask my Lord Thanet, if He has receiv'd a long letter from 
 me — I wish You wou'd make Rice write to me He has time. 
 You have none — let him give me the politicks and the progress 
 of cuckoldom — let him diirect to me at Venice — I find by 
 
103 
 
 M' Gratton's letter — M' Eyre has not yet paid — He must do it 
 — Adieu, My D' Coleman 
 
 Yours most affectionately 
 
 C Lee 
 
 My service to M" Coleman — and if You see Fawkner desire 
 He will write to me at Venice I have sent him two letters, one to 
 Hall without receiving an answer 
 
 Fronf William Cowper.* 
 
 Dear Colman, 
 
 For though we have not had any intercourse for more than 
 
 twenty years, I cannot find in my heart to address you by any 
 
 other stile ; ^nd I am the rather encouraged to the use of that 
 
 in which I formerly addressed you, by a piece pf intelligence that 
 
 * CowfJia, THE Poet. 
 
104: 
 
 I received not long since from my friend Hill, who told me that 
 you had enquired after me of him, and had said something about 
 an intention to write to me. I took pretty good care that you 
 should not be ignorant of my having commenced author, by 
 sending you my Volume, the reason why I did not send you my 
 second, was because you omitted to send me your Art of Poetry, 
 which in a splenetic mood I suppose, I construed into a prohibi- 
 tion. But Hill's subsequent Information has cured me of that 
 malady so far as you were concerned. 
 
 Once an Author and always an Author. This you know, my 
 friend, is an Axiom and admitts of no dispute, in my instance at 
 least it is likely to hold good, for I have more leisure than it is 
 possible to dispose of without writing. Accordingly I write 
 every day, and have every day been writing since I last published, 
 till at last I have made such a Progress in a new Translation of 
 Homer, into Blank Verse, that I am upon the point of Publishing 
 again. Hitherto I have given away my Copies, but having in- 
 dulged myself in that frolic twice, I now mean to try whether it 
 ihay not prove equally agreeable to get something by the bargain. 
 I come therefore humbly to sollicit your Vote and Interest, and 
 to beg that you will help me in the circulation of my Proposals 
 for I shall print by Subscript On such occasions you know a 
 man sets every wheel in motion, and it would be strange indeed. 
 
105 
 
 if not having a great many wheels to move, I should leave unat- 
 tempted so important a one as yourself. As soon as I have your 
 permission I shall order my Bookseller to send you some Papers. 
 
 The News informed me of your illness, which gave me true con- 
 cern, for time alone cannot efface the traces of such a friendship 
 as I have felt for you, no, nor even time with distance to help it. 
 Thig News also told me that you were better, but to find that you 
 are perfectly recovered, and to see it under your own hand will give 
 the greatest pleasure to one who can honestly subscribe himself 
 to this day 
 
 Your very Affectionate 
 
 W« COWPEB. 
 
 Dec' 27. 85 
 Olney — Bucks. — 
 
 I enclose this with a Letter to Johnson my Publisher, to whom 
 I am obliged to have recourse for your address. 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 Bath 
 
LETTERS 
 
 TO 
 
 GEORGE COLMAN, THE ELDER, 
 
 RELATIVE TO HIS TRANSLATIONS OF TERENCe's COMEDIES, AND 
 
 HORACE S ART OF POETRY. 
 
 From James Booth.* 
 
 Dear Sir 
 I CAN delay, no longer, to return you my best Thanks, for the 
 Fine present you have made me, of your Terence ; but the ever- 
 lasting Obligation you have conferr'd on me, by letting the World 
 
 * Few Lawyers of this day are ignorant of the name and reputation of the late 
 James Booth. Precluded, at that time, as a Roman Catholick, from practising at the 
 Bar, he obtained great celebrity, and affluence, as a Conveyancer. In Caiman's Te- 
 rence, the play of the " Brothers" is dedicated, by the translator, to Mr. Booth, from 
 whom he had received great marks of kindness, and friendship. 
 
107 
 
 know, in so public a manner, that you reckon me among the 
 number of your Friends, deserves every degree of acknowledge- 
 ment, in my power. My own Labours would never have pre- 
 serv'd the memory of me, from Oblivion, above half a dozen 
 years, beyond the Grave, but by annexing my Name to so perma- 
 nent a work, as M' Coleman's Translation of Terence, you have 
 made my reputation almost immortal : Yet, it flatters me still 
 more, to be thus persuaded, that you love me, and that you think 
 me, sincerely, in earnest, when I profess myself to be. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 with infinite Regard 
 
 Your most oblig'd 
 
 most affectionate and 
 
 most humble servant 
 
 Ja : Booth 
 
 Bloomsbury 
 22. Ap. 1765 
 
 p 2 
 
108 
 
 From Bonnell Thornton* 
 
 April 22 
 
 Dear Colman, 
 I HAVE been trying your Terence (for w"'' I thank you) by read- 
 ing the Original all the way along with it. Upon my life you 
 have astonish'd me — I hardly thought it was possible to have hit 
 off the expressions so happily — I can easily perceive you flag a 
 little now and then, I mean in the numbers, and 1 could almost 
 wish in some places the numbers, (where the Dialogue is broken) 
 had been a little less hard ; but in the longer speeches you have 
 been prodigiously happy. The language upon the whole is mightily 
 the thing ; not affected by stepping out of the way for less modern 
 
 * Bonnell Thornton claims no mean rank among the scholars and wits of his 
 time, from his various literary compositions. He was the elder Colman's colleague 
 in the periodical Essays entitled the " Connoisseur ;" and that which renders his opi- 
 nion, expressed in the present letter, of more authority, is, his having published, in 
 blank verse, a translation of seven of Plaiitus's plays ; — five of the seven versions 
 were done by himself: — of the two others, one (the Captive) is by Warner, and the 
 second (the Merchant) by Colman. Warner, afterwards, gave all the rest, which 
 were left unfinished by Thornton, 
 
109 
 
 phrases. Indeed I think it the happiest version of any author 
 possible. What a sweet thought it was ! but then it requires a 
 good English Linguist to execute it. — Hie labor, hoc opus. — 
 Quod sibi quivis — et quae sequuntur. 
 
 I say nothing of your Notes, because I wouldn't allow myself 
 time but barely to skim them over -at present — but surely they 
 are very pleasing. 
 
 I have only had time to go through the Eunuch, (the first that 
 opened to me) — No mistakes struck me in my cursory reading 
 — one passage I suppose I myself did not understand before — 
 'tis at bottom of p. 136 — and top of 137 of your Version — 
 You say. 
 
 Other ills may be told — 
 One would think the obvious mean^ of incommoda alia sunt ,di- 
 cenda, was other ills may be called incommoda. But you, who 
 have examined it, must know best.* 
 
 * In the later editions, (I know not how it may stand in the .first,) the read- 
 ing is " lighter ills may pass for inconvenient ;" which tallies with Thornton's 
 construction, and that of Madame Dacier, " le mot, mal a propos, est •pour des 
 accidens ordinaires." Did Thornton misquote, or do the editions vary ? 
 
110 
 
 You have put me entirely out of love with the hare Idea of my 
 Plautus. Had I ever before ever so little confidence about it, I 
 now quite despair, so far am I from being spur'd and encouraged 
 by what you have done. As you are got into the track, I really 
 wish you would pursue it, or, could I bring myself to think I could 
 travel with you (so lazy am I and so fearful withall) I could wish 
 to be a Comes jucundus in via with you. Be it as it may, I most 
 sincerely desire you will bestow a thought on it, with or without 
 me. 
 
 Supposing the whole of Plautus will not bear translating (which 
 I much suspect he will not) a judicious selection might at least 
 be made of him. Besides, he is a queer crabbed fellow, and is 
 enough to put any one, but one of your perseverance, quite out 
 of all patience with him ; and I question after all whether he is 
 worth the trouble, take him alltogether. But of this more 
 hereafter. 
 
 Now to my own affair. — 
 
 I hear Garrick is either come or coming to come. Will you 
 not entirely forget the MS. I put into your hands, but at a proper 
 
Ill 
 
 time take occasion to mention it to him ? * — I mean, after you 
 yourself have looked into it, and think it in the least worth a 
 second thought about. 
 
 The beginning of this note might seem written purely as a 
 sugar-plumb to you to induce you to swallow down the end of it 
 more glibly ; but I am certain you will believe me in this and 
 every particular 
 
 Yours in all sincerity & affectibn, 
 
 BoNNELL Thornton. 
 
 * This seems to allude to some drama which Thornton had written, with a view 
 to it's representation on the Stage. If so, his intention proved abortive, for he is 
 only mentioned in the Biographia Dramatica on account of his translations of 
 Plautvs. 
 
112 
 
 From Thomas Winstanley.* 
 
 Friday April 27" 
 
 M"^ Tho' Winstanley's comp*' to M' Colman, hopes he will 
 accept of his thanks for his valuable present, in the following 
 lines which he would have sent him sooner had he not been 
 indisposed. 
 
 Siccine captat adhuc purus te sermo Terenti,+ 
 
 Ut juvet eloquio jam decorare novo ? 
 Nee mirum : interpres quas reddis adultus, agendo 
 
 In scenis aderas baud minor ipse puer. 
 
 * When this letter was written,' Thomds Winstanley y/as Captain of the King's 
 Scholars, in Westminster School ; — and to the King's Scholars Colman inscribes 
 his version of the Eunuch ; he sent them, no doubt, his translation of Terence, as 
 a present. — To make the turn of the Epigram in this letter clear, it should be un- 
 derstood that, when Colman was a King's Scholar, he was reckoned a very good 
 Actor in Terence's Comedies, which are represented at Westminster, by the boys in 
 College, previously to the Christmas holidays. 
 
 t The following paraphrase may serve to give the EngUsh reader some idea of the 
 point in the Latin tetrastick : 
 
 Is, then, your love for Terence still so true, 
 That His pure style is graced again by You ? 
 Well may the Man whole Dramas thus translate. 
 Whose Parts the Boy so well could personate. 
 
113 
 
 From Mathew Guthrie. * 
 
 St Petersburg Sept- 12*0. S. 1775 
 
 jy Sir, 
 A man from the frigid Zone, in consequence of having read 
 your Elegant translation of Terence with your commentations, 
 has taken the Liberty of sending you a Small present of little 
 Value but some curiosity. It consists of some rude Musical In- 
 struments in common use in the internal parts of this Empire 
 (Russia) where no foreign custom has found an Enterance for 
 many centurys, and where modern improvements in Music and 
 almost every thing Else, have never been heard of. I mean to 
 be understood as Speaking of the interior parts of the Empire 
 far removed from the Sate of Government, for certainly in the 
 place of my ordinary residence S' Petersburg there are few of 
 the fine arts that have not found their way. Some of the 
 Instruments I send you I think resemble those that we are 
 told were introduced upon the Grecian Stage whilst in its rude. 
 
 • This letter will be found to contain as much learning, antiquarian research, 
 pleasantry, and good sensei as bad spelling, and punctuation. Doctor Mathew 
 Guthrie practised, I am told, as a physician, at St. Petersburg, and was much 
 esteemed by the Emperor of Russia. 
 
 Q 
 
114 
 
 Simple, confin'd State, and probably you may find with me a 
 resemblance between the unequal flutes which I send you, and 
 those so often mentioned as accompaniments to the Ancient 
 Drama at its first appearance, they are piped upon by our 
 Russian Shepherds and I think answer to Horaces description, 
 
 Tibia non ut nunc, orichalco vincta, tubseque 
 Mmxda; sed tenuis, simplex q; foramine pauco 
 &c 
 
 The Learned Montfaucon was at a loss to conceive how a double 
 flute could create an agreeable harmony yet supposed that it was 
 even more in use with the Ancients than the single ; but I am 
 of opinion if he had heard one of those rustics mentiond above 
 play upon it his infidelity would have been removed, at least it 
 pleases my untaught Ear. he also supposes that the two Flutes 
 were in fact separated, but that the several Pipes of each joind 
 in the mouth of the Player ; this opinion seems to be confirmd 
 by those sent both with regard to construction and manner of 
 playing upon them, he also Says " that the flute at first had 
 but three holes and that they were afterwards multiply 'd to seven 
 and even ten." certainly these strengthen this assertion and are 
 good Samples of the flute whilst in its rude unimproved state 
 with only three holes. — I shall make one observation more 
 upon them, that I think they are not unlike the unequal flutes 
 in the Mouth of Francisco Ficaronis female Minstrel whom you 
 
115 
 
 have given us a plate of, and those She is playing on Seem by 
 the application of her fingers to have also but three Holes. As 
 to the Flutes that were termed by the Ancients Right and Left 
 handed I can pick up nothing in this part of the World that 
 throws any light upon the Subject (altho I have met with an- 
 other of their instruments in common use as I shall mention 
 after I have given Some description of those I Send) for I sup- 
 pose there must have been something in their construction that 
 made the name applicable. You will find in the Case another rus- 
 tick Shepherd's Pipe made of Wood and the Bark of a Tree that I 
 think is as well intitled from its appearance to the Honor of the 
 Original Bucolic Pipe as any thing I have seen, altho I must 
 confess that the captivating Pipe of Theocritus must have had 
 a little more Sweetness in it or he would have found some difii- 
 culty to have charmed Lycidas the Goatherd out of his Crook. 
 It has Six Stops and is used here to swell the Chorus of a Rustic 
 Song simular perhaps to that which was the Father of Drama, it 
 is sung by one voice but a number of Boors join the Chorus 
 and sing in parts, I wish from my heart I had the learn'd D' 
 Burney's Technical Pen to give you a description of both the 
 Vocal and instrumental parts Secund. Art. but I am a judge of 
 no composition but a Bolus or Pill, so you must take the will for 
 the deed, however thus much I can inform you of that it has 
 a deep harsh Note and serves to swell the Chorus altho it does 
 
 Q '2 
 
116 
 
 not add much to the Melody. Besides this Pipe they accom- 
 pany the Chorus with a stranger sort of an instrument consist- 
 ing of two Bunches of hollow, oval, Brass Grapes I believe I 
 must call them, for they resemble very much Clusters of Grapes 
 when suspended over the Players Head one in each hand, which 
 he shakes and occasionly strikes together so as to keep time to 
 the Music, this Performer throws himself into a Number of 
 Bacchick postures and has much the appearance of one half mad 
 with Liquor. I am almost tempted to hazard an opinion that 
 this very figure has made its appearance in Antique Musical 
 Groops but from the great resemblance his instrument bears to 
 grap's he has always been taken by the Moderns for a mad 
 Bacchanalian, I wish Sir you that are so founded in these Sub- 
 jects would pursue this hint and see if there is any thing to 
 confirm it. They are commonly strung like these sent, upon 
 wooden Spoons for the advantage of striking the convex sides of 
 their mouths together which I suppose they find answer better 
 than common sticks. 
 
 The next instrument you'll find in the Case I dont know what 
 name to give it but take it to be the Mother of your Giiitares, 
 Lutes, &c. and certainly has the most rude Simple appearance 
 that ever stringed instrument bore, it is certainly in its first 
 State of invention from both its Shape Materials and Number 
 
117 
 
 of Strings being only two, and the whole formed by the hand of 
 the Shepherd himself, as indeed are all the rest, but the Brass 
 Grapes — It is surprizing what execution the Russ Boors have 
 upon these instruments considering their Simplicity, and what I 
 admire most is the Ease with which they fill for a lenth of 
 time the pipe cover'd with Bark which you need only try to be 
 a judge of — 
 
 upon the whole I take all these to have been the musical in- 
 struments of the Ancient Sclavonians or Slavi that possessed the 
 tract of Country afterwards called Russia and that escaped Rurick 
 and the Waraeghians or Rossians who over ran and took pos- 
 session of the Country as I find non of them in those parts where 
 the invaders came from. 
 
 I have also visited our new conquered Provinces Moldavia 
 and seen part of Walachia inhabited by Greeks who are cer- 
 tainly riot descended from the Heros that bore the same name in 
 the Ancient World, for a race of more igijorant lazy dastardly 
 People I never saw however what makes me mention this part 
 of my travels is to take notice to you of finding the Pipe of Pari 
 consisting of Seven unequal reeds in common use in Moldavia, 
 The performer upon it always accompanys a Groop of itinerant 
 Minstrels who are the only musicians they have in those Parts 
 which I had the clearest proof of at a Ball which the Nobility of 
 
118 
 
 the province gave to Prince Orlof Ambasador plen' at the 
 Congress, the Field Marshal RomansofF, Sir Charles Knowles &c, 
 they could muster no other music and we danced Greek dances 
 to Pans Pipe, another instrument resembling a Violin, a sort of. 
 Tabor, and the Voice of a BaM who was perhaps singing Homer 
 in Modern Greek, or might be celebrating our activity in the 
 Whirling Ring, with extempory Song like Mr. Barretti's Spa- 
 niards for any thing I knew to the contrary. 
 
 If I remember right it has been a matter of inquiry amongst 
 the moderns, in what manner the Ancient Greeks join'd their 
 Winding dance, which they threw into so many gracefull figures ; 
 whither by joining hands or laying hold of a string. It is 
 danced to this day by the" modern Greek Ladys exactly in the 
 same manner that I have seen it painted, they form a long 
 Single line by each Lady laying hold with one hand of the 
 end of a handkerchief, and they twist this line into a great many 
 gracefull figures, according to the fancy of the first or leading 
 Nymph, in a sort of gracefull flowing minuet Step, however 
 these people seem to think Activity in every shape as much 
 below them, and seem to adhere as religiously to the Graces as 
 my Lord Chesterfield. There is a considerable resemblance 
 between this last mentioned Dance and a Polonoise only with 
 the difference of a Single instead of a double line, and I make 
 no doubt but the Poles have taken it from the Greek one as the 
 
119 
 
 countrys border one another, but they seem to have thought a 
 Line of males no bad addition and a hand sufficient without a 
 Kerchief. 
 
 When upon this Musical Subject, I must take notice to you 
 also of a Company of Buccarin Tartars who have traveld from 
 their own country down here to show their dexterity upon 
 the Rope, and given me an opportunity of seeing the Drum I 
 realy believe in its first state of invention, it consists of an 
 Earthen Pot that Bellys towards the top and coverd with a 
 piece of dryed Lambskin which they beat with two round Sticks 
 without Nobs at the Ends, which would be unnecessary as they 
 apply the whole surface of the Stick to the parchment. 
 
 A pair of these Pot Drums, a Sort of Tabor coverd only of 
 one side and hung with Iron rings, and a skreaming Pipe ; is the 
 music with which they exhilarate the Spectators during the per- 
 formance, and I make no doubt but that it has the proper effect 
 in Buccari altho the four instruments dont produce Six different 
 Sounds. 
 
 One would be almost tempted to suppose that those People 
 derived their name from Bugca as their face is almost all Cheek. 
 I cant help making an observation upon the performance of those 
 Eastern Neurobati, that altho they perform some difficult feast 
 
120 
 
 upon the rope (which is a thick Hare one and they dance it 
 barefooted) yet there is that Asiatic Lentor attends them which 
 I have observed every where in the East that I have visited ; 
 they have nothing of that activity which accompanys European 
 Performance. One thing more offers it self before I take ray 
 leave The Finnas or Finns the ancient inhabitants of these 
 countrys bordering the Gulph where we now dwell, have the 
 Bagpipe in a very rude State and from its venerable Simple ap- 
 pearance I strongly suspect it to be the Parent of our Scotch 
 one (as I am resolved to Send you no Orphan) for considering 
 that its principale residence is in the Highlands, and that thp 
 Western Islands were often visited by the Baltic Gentery it 
 seems very probable that they had the Honor of introducing 
 that war-breathing Bulga. but at the same time I dont mean 
 even to hint that they have the most distant claim to the 
 Pibrogh, the Cronogh, or any of these Noble Strains which the 
 Highlanders have taught it, on the contrary, I have the best 
 opportunity of judging of their merit by hearing the mean 
 Original — 
 
 I think Sir I have now exacted a sufficient Share of your pa- 
 tience in return for my present, so will now quit Scores ; and 
 assure you that I am your 
 
 admirer and obedient Humble Servant 
 
 Mathew Guthrie M. D. 
 
121 
 
 From Joseph Warton. * 
 
 Wint. D« 
 7. 1782 
 
 My Dear Sir 
 I AM really & sincerely obliged to you, for giving me a sight 
 of your Art of Poetry, & for the Honour you intend doing me, 
 in inscribing it to me & my Brother. I shall send it to you by a 
 safe Hand the middle of next week, & shall take the free- 
 dom of an old friend in making some Queries (queries only ?) 
 about some Expressions that you may alter or not, just as you 
 see good. At Xmas, but not till after Jan. 6, I shall try to call 
 on you if in Town. I was extremely mortified to find you passed 
 thro this Town without calling on us. Who is the man that at- 
 tacks my brothers' History so violently ; virulently I should have 
 
 * Of Joseph Wabton, D.D., and his brother Thomas Warton, B.D., any 
 account would be superfluous. This letter is, palpably, written previously to pub- 
 lishing Colman's translation of Horaces Art of Poetry; which he has dedicated to 
 these learned and celebrated gentlemen. 
 
122 
 
 said? What can possibly make a man so angry on such a 
 subject ? 
 
 All here desire their best Comp*" 
 & I am dear Sir very faithfully & affectionately Y" 
 
 Jos. Warton 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 Soho Square 
 London 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 Wint. 
 
 Dec. 11. 1782 
 My Dear Sir 
 
 I HOPE & trust you will receive your poem safe as I send it 
 
 by a safe Hand. I sincerely & without Compliment think it 
 
 done extremely well, & with the force & freedom of Dryden's 
 
 manner. I hope you will fully explain your Hypothesis. 
 
 I am 
 
 D'Sir 
 
 very faithfully Y" 
 
 J. Warton 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 
123 
 
 From Horace Wdl/pole. 
 
 * 
 
 Strawberry hill 
 
 May 10. 1783. 
 
 Dear S' 
 for so you must allow me to call you, after your being so kind 
 as to send me so valuable and agreeable a present as your 
 translation of Horace, I wish Compliment had left any terms 
 uninvaded, of which Sincerity coud make use without suspicion. 
 Those woud be precisely what I woud employ in commending 
 your Poem j & if they proved too simple to content my Grati- 
 tude, I woud be satisfied with an offering to Truth, & wait for 
 a nobler opportunity of sacrificing to the warmer Virtue. 
 
 If I have not lost my memory, your Translation is the best I 
 have ever seen of that difficult Epistle. Your expression is 
 easy & natural, & when requisite, poetic. In short. It has a 
 prime merit, it has the air of an Original. 
 
 * The late Horace Walpole, afterwards Lord Orford .• — of whom it is as needless 
 to say any thing as of the Wartons ; and for the same reasons. 
 
 R 2 
 
124 
 
 Your Hypothesis * in your Commentary is very Ingenious. I 
 do not know whether it is true, which Now cannot be known ; 
 but if the Scope of the Epistle was, as you suppose, to hint in a 
 delicate & friendly Manner to the Elder of Piso's Sons, that he 
 had written a bad Tragedy, Horace had certainly executed his 
 plan with great Address; &, I think, nobody will be able to 
 show that any thing in the Poem clashes with your Idea — Nay, 
 if he went farther, & meant to disguise his object, by giving his 
 Epistle the air of general rules on poetry & tragedy, he atchieved 
 both purposes, & while the youth his friend was at once corrected 
 & put to no Shame, all other Readers were kept in the dark, 
 except you, & diverted to different Scents. 
 
 Excuse my commenting y' comment, but I had no other way 
 of proving that I really approve both the Version & Criticism 
 than by stating the grounds of my applause. If you have wrested 
 
 * See the letter to the Wartons, prefixed to Colman's version, for a full explan- 
 ation of this hypothesis, which is against the published opinions of Doctor Hurd, 
 Bishop of Worcester ; and enforced in a delicate gentlemanly style, too rarely found 
 in controversies upon points of literature. Hurd was equally polite and dispassionate, 
 when he said to the Bishop of Salisbury, — " Give my compliments to Colman, and 
 thank him for the handsome manner in which he has treated me, and tell him, that 
 I think he is right." 
 
125 
 
 the sense of the original to favour your own hypothesis, I have 
 not been able to discover your art, for I do not perceive where it 
 has been employed. If you have given Horace more meaning 
 than he was intitled to, you have conferred a favour on him, for 
 you have made his whole Epistle consistent, a beauty all the Spec- 
 tacles of all his Commentators coud not find out — but indeed 
 they proceed on the profound laws of Criticism, you by the Laws 
 of Common Sense, which marching on a plain natural path is very 
 apt to arrive sooner at the goal, than they who travel on the Ap- 
 pian Way, which was a very costly & durable Work, but is 
 very uneasy, & at present does not lead to a quarter of the 
 places to which it was originally directed. I am S', with great 
 regard 
 
 Y' much obliged (& not for the first time) 
 and most obed. humble Ser' 
 
 HoR Walp OLS 
 
 From Thomas Warton. 
 
 Dear Colman 
 I AM exceedingly obliged to you for your very kind Present. 
 I think your Theory is most ingeniously and rationally sup- 
 
126 
 
 ported ; and that many obscure and doubtful passages are cleared 
 up, and placed in a new point of view. I much like the simple 
 Elegance and vigour of your Translation 
 
 I am, my Dear Sir, 
 
 , very sincerely your's 
 
 T. Warton. 
 
 Trin. Coll. Oxon. 
 May 11* 1783. 
 
 From Edmund Malone. * 
 
 M' Malone presents his Comp'' to M' Colman, and returns 
 him many thanks for his most obliging present ; — and requests 
 his acceptance of an unpublished pamphlet on the inexhaustible 
 subject of Shakespeare, in which, by a singular coincidence, M' 
 M. finds he has had the good fortune to stumble on a motto, 
 that has likewise attracted the notice of M' Colman. 
 
 Thursday May 6. 
 
 1116 Cotniaentator on Shakspeare. 
 
127 
 
 From William Vincent. * 
 
 Dear Sir 
 I RETURN you my best acknowledgements for the. present of 
 your translation, & if it will be any satisfaction to you to hear 
 that you have gained a suffrage to your opinion, — I do assure 
 you you have one, in me. the Original, tho' a study of no small 
 labour, has ever been in parts obscure to me — in those parts, I 
 meanj which you particularly complain of, — but the point you 
 more especially wish to elucidate, is as far my judgement goes, 
 made perfectly clear. 
 
 There is a particular which strikes me as adding much to the 
 probability of your conjecture of the Elder Piso's attempting a 
 tragedy, — which is, that according to the fashion of the age, 
 every man of Education attempted to write in verse, & most of 
 
 * The writings of the late Dr. Vincent are familiar to the learned. He was Un- 
 der-Master of Westminster School; then Head-Master; then Dean, of "Westminister^ 
 He had clearness of head, and great strength of arm : I have smarted,, sundry times, 
 under the influence of the latter. 
 
128 
 
 them for the Stage, — Jul. Caesar produced an OBdipus ; Sueton. 
 cap. 56. in Julio. & Augustus would have done as much if he 
 could — Sueton. Octavi. 85. if this observation should please you, 
 I imagine instances enough might be collected to satisfy a Sca- 
 liger or an Heinsius — believe me 
 
 y^' very faithfully 
 
 W: Vincent 
 
 Deans Yard. 
 May 9* 
 1783. 
 
 From Joseph Warton. 
 
 Wint May 
 12. 1783 
 
 My Dear Sir 
 I THANK you very heartily for your Epistle to the Pisos, & for 
 the kind address with which you have honoured me. Orndsti me. 
 There would be as much Affectation as Insensibility, if I denied 
 it did not give me much pleasure. I cannot help believing but 
 that Your Work will become a popular book. Your Translation 
 
129 
 
 is not only exact, but surely most elegant & clear. And I like 
 the notes much. One I must point out, that on the disad- 
 vantages of the Chorus, p. 29. tho I used to be of a different 
 opinion ; but I think what you say unanswerable ; particularly 
 where you observe, what has not been observed before, " that 
 if the Chorus be revised, all the other Part of the Ancient Tragedy 
 must be revised along with it." — I see you have paid the 
 Bishop * many handsome Compliments, yet I still think many 
 parts of his Commentary are tortured & far-sought. When I 
 come to Town I shall not fail giving myself the pleasure of 
 visiting you, & I hope you will not forget Us, but pass some 
 Days with us in the Autumn. 
 
 I am Dear Sir 
 Your affectionate & obliged 
 
 friend & ser* 
 
 J. Warton 
 
 Hurd, Bishop of Worcester. 
 
130 
 
 From Vernon Sadleir. * 
 
 Dear Sir 
 Having some Friends on a visit who ingross my time, it has 
 been impossible for me to read your Translation of Horace's 
 Ars poetica with the attention due to all your productions, I 
 have, however, seen enough to promise myself great pleasure in 
 this very pleasing mark of your remembrance and politeness, 
 especially in the judicious notes and observations 
 
 I love you for your friendly dedication to the Wartons and I 
 admire that liberal Spirit with which you could prefer those 
 excellent Men to so many of higher rank in Life who would 
 have been proud of the Compliment — I think you have finely 
 gilded the Pill for the Bishop, for a Pill it is, notwithstanding 
 all the delicacy of expression — 
 
 * OF whom I know nothing. 
 
131 
 
 I hope you will gather many Convert^ to your opinion on this 
 
 celebrated Epistle — 
 
 Believe me, dear Sir, 
 
 Your much obliged 
 
 and faithful Servant, 
 
 S W Vernon Sadleir. 
 Southampton 
 
 15* May 1783 — 
 
 From Jonathan Shipley. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 I RETURN You my best thanks for your most obliging present, 
 after giving myself a little time to estimate the value of it. Indeed 
 your Translation appears to me to be close correct & elegant ; 
 
 * Doctor Shipley, Bishop of St. Asaph, opposed Government during the whole 
 of the American War. On a published Speech of this prelate, " intended to have 
 been spoken" in the House of Lords, it has been observed that, " amongst all the 
 productions, antient or modern, it would be difficult to find an instance of more con- 
 summate elegance." He possessed talents for poetry. — His sermons, charges, and 
 parliamentary speeches, were printed in two volumes, in the year 1 792. 
 
 s 2 
 
132 
 
 abounding in very happy turns, & writ in that familiar stile 
 which it is so difficult to preserve without running into those flat 
 prosaic Verses w"'' are to be found in your , quotations from our 
 celebrated Authors ; not excepting even the Essay on Criticism. 
 That easy epistolary Stile was y'' last attainment of Pope 
 himself. 
 
 I have often thought that We wanted some Anecdotes of y" 
 Piso Family to explain y" Art & Intent of y^ Epistle address'd 
 to them. Bishop Hurds Hypothesis is not true, because it 
 evidently leads him into forced constructions, & endless refine- 
 ment without much Taste ; which I take to be in some degree the 
 general Character of his Lordship's writings, as well as of his 
 Exemplar Warburton's. Whether your Conjectures are strictly 
 Truth I cannot say ; but they look so very like it, that they will 
 answer my purpose almost as well. They help me to find a 
 natural meaning & a propriety of address in some Passages 
 which I hardly knew what to make of before. It would be 
 ingratitude to detain You longer with these grave & trifling 
 reflections in return for the pleasure and amusement You have 
 given me. 
 
 I am Dear Sir, with very sincere respect. 
 
 Your oblig'd & obedient 
 
 hurnble Serv* 
 
 J. S'ASAPH 
 Bolton Street May 15* 
 
133 
 
 From John Hinchliffh.* 
 
 Conduit Street 
 
 June 5* 1 783, 
 
 My dear Sir 
 Had I thankt you for the favor of the translation you sent me, 
 before I had read it, I shoud not have known how much I 
 am obliged to you. I have now run over the whole, & am per- 
 swaded you have given a Key to the mystery, Your Notes 
 contain a great treasure of critical knowlege of the ancient 
 Drama ; & I have the pleasure to assure you that the work is 
 lookt upon in a most favorable light by far better judges of its 
 merit, than Your very faithful friend & humble Ser* 
 
 John Peterborough. 
 
 * Hinchcliffe, Bishop of Peterborough : — once, Head- Master of Westminster 
 School. 
 
134 
 
 From Thomas Davies. * 
 
 Sir 
 I HAVE read over your Translation of Horace's Art of Poetry 
 with pleasure, I borrowed a copy from M' Cadell, and could 
 wish you would let me call it my own. 
 
 Your notes are learned with liberality — and such as I expected 
 from one of our best Criticks : You think and judge for yourself; 
 at y" same time you pay a just tribute of respect to a great & 
 venerable character. 
 
 D' Johnson who loves you, and always speaks of you with 
 affection, has been greatly indisposed. He is much recover'd & 
 
 * The Bookseller ; — Author of Dramatick Miscellanies, Life of Garrick, &c. 
 
135 
 
 I hope out of danger — - A kind inquiry after his health would 
 please him. I am Sir -1 
 
 Your most obedient humble Servant 
 
 Thomas Davies 
 
 Russell S' 
 June 21" 
 
 From Horace Walpole. * 
 
 Strawberry hill 
 
 Sept. 19. 1785. \ 
 
 S' 
 
 I BEG your acceptance of a little work just printed here ; and 
 I oflfer it as a token of my gratitude, not as pretending to pay 
 
 * This letter was bound up in the Present ; -which is a French translation, by the 
 Due de Nivernois, of H. Walpole's Essay on Modern Gardening : — the original and 
 the version are printed together, on alternate pages. Walpole had a Press, in his 
 house at Strawberry Hill, among other little conceits in his Villa. 
 
136 
 
 you for your last present — a translation, however excellent, 
 from a very inferior Horace woud be a most inadequate re- 
 turn : but there is so much merit in the inclosed Version, the 
 language is so pure, and the imitations of our poets so ex- 
 traordinary, so much more faithfull and harmonious than I 
 thought the French tongue coud atchieve, that I flatter myself 
 you will excuse my troubling you with an old performance of my 
 own, when newly dressed by a Master hand. As too there 
 are not a great many copies printed, & those only for pre- 
 sents, I have particular pleasure in making you one of the 
 earliest Compliments & am S' 
 
 Y' most obliged 
 
 & obed. humble Sert 
 
 Horace Walpole 
 
LETTERS 
 
 ON 
 
 THEATRICAL SUBJECTS, 
 
 TO 
 
 GEORGE COLMAN, THE ELDER, 
 
 WHILE HE WAS A JOINT PROPRIETOE, AND THE MANAGER, OF 
 COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE. 
 
 From Samuel Johnson. * 
 
 Sir, 
 
 The omission of answering your Letter proceeded neither 
 
 from inattention nor disrespect, but from fearfulness to promise, 
 
 and unwillingness to refuse. During this contest of my doubts 
 
 and wishes which ill health made me less able to compose, 
 
 * The literary Leviathan, — of whom every Englishman who has merely peeped 
 into Johnson's Dictionary has some knowledge. — Probably from this letter, 
 Johnson had promised to write a prologue or epilogue, and was glad to escape the 
 trouble of it, by " finding his poetical civilities superseded." ' 
 
138 
 
 I intended every week to return to London, and make a letter 
 unnecessary by telling you my purpose. But ill health which 
 has crusted me into inactivity, has by not permitting me to do 
 my business, hitherto precluded my return. I will not' deny that 
 I am glad to find my poetical civilities superseded, by a volun- 
 tary performance, for I knew not how to set about that which 
 the desire of preserving your regard and of increasing your 
 kindness would have made it very painful to decline. 
 
 I am 
 Sir 
 Your most humble servant 
 
 Sam: Johnson 
 
 Litchfield. Augt. 19. 1767 
 
 My compliments to dear M' Davies. 
 
 To George Coleman Esq^ 
 at Mr Davies' s Bookseller in 
 Russell Street Covent Garden 
 London 
 
139 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 Sir 
 
 Since your kind promise of a benefit for M" Williams *, my 
 
 Friend M"^ Strahan has obtained the concurrence of all the other 
 
 partners, except M*^ Powel to whom I have written, and who 
 
 delays his answer till he has consulted you. As you will not 
 
 * Mrs. Anna Williams was the daughter of a Welch surgeon and physician ; who, 
 fancying he had discovered the longitude, was disappointed in his speculations, and 
 reduced to poverty. A cataract had deprived his daughter, Anna, of her sight, when 
 she became the protegee and Intimate friend of Doctor Johnson's wife. On the death 
 of Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Williams experienced the constant humanity and protection 
 of the Doctor. Among other acts of kindness, he procured for her, from Garrick, 
 in the year 1755, a Benefit, at Drury Lane Theatre, by which she obtained two hun- 
 dred pounds. — She published, although blind, a translation, from the French, of 
 " the Life of the Emperor Julian," with notes; and a volume, also, of " Miscellanies 
 in Prose and Verse." — She died at Johnson's house, in Bolt Court, aged seventy- 
 seven years. 
 
 See Hawkins's Life of Johnson, — Bbswell's Life of Johnson, — and other 
 publications. 
 
 ■r 2 
 
140 
 
 counsel him to refuse what you have yourself granted, I sup- 
 pose, he will make no objection, and therefore entreat you to 
 give us, as soon as you can, the play which you think most 
 proper and appoint us the day which can first be spared. You 
 can perhaps give us the choice of several plays, but we know not 
 how to choose as well as you, and therefore hope that you will 
 contrive to make your favour as efficacious as you can. 
 
 You will therefore, I hope, turn this business in your mind, 
 and favour me as soon as you can with your determination. 
 
 I am 
 Sir, 
 Your most humble Servant 
 
 Sam : Johnson 
 
 Jan. 17. 1769 
 
141 
 
 From William Smith. * 
 
 Ipswich June SOui 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 We have a melancholy report here of Mr., Powell's Death. 1 
 hope It is not true ; but shou'd it be so, perhaps His Share in 
 
 * Who lately died at a very advanced period of life, having retired from the Stage 
 in the year 1 788. He was the Hero of his day, {/ante de mietcx, perhaps, as to 
 Tragedy,) in the Richards, Macbeths, Kitelys, Archers, &c., &c. ; and was the ori- 
 ginal Charles Surface, in the School for Scandal. Of Powell, mentioned in this 
 letter, the following account is given in Gilliland's Dramatick Mirror : — 
 
 " He made his first appearance at Drury Lane in 1 763, in the character of Phi- 
 laster. He had been introduced to Mr. Crarrick by his friend, Mr. Holland, two or 
 three months before the manager went to Italy,, and being approved, was instructed 
 in the above part. His success was so great, that this tragedy brought crowded 
 houses during that season. He then appeared in several other characters ; but for 
 want of sufficient study and attention, his execution was not always adequate to his 
 feelings. In 1767 he was admitted to a fourth share of the Theatre Royal Covent 
 Garden ; - - - - He was also one of the managers of the new theatre, Bristol, 
 where he went to perform with his Summer company. He died, after a severe ill- 
 ness, in July 1769. He was buried in the College-church, at Bristol, with great 
 iiineral honours, attended by the Dean and whole choir, who sung an anthem on the 
 mournful occasion. He was much esteemed, both as an actor and a private gen- 
 tleman." 
 
142 
 
 the Patent, or part of it, may be to be dispos'd of. May I ask 
 for your advice how to proceed in my application in this affair ? 
 I flatter myself in thinking you wou'd have no reason to repent 
 of my connection with you and shall be much oblig'd to you for 
 y'^ assistance, and for a Line directed to me at Leiston Hall near 
 Saxmundham, SuiFolk, where I shall stay till the \hitttus\ next 
 month. 
 
 I am S', 
 Y' very sincere & 
 Obed* Hble Serv* 
 
 W"" Smith 
 
 We have had but little sport sit the Races, but I have been 
 rather on the fortunate Side. 
 
 To G. Colman Esq^ 
 
 Great Queen Street 
 
 Lincolns Inn Fields 
 London 
 Free 
 C Davers 
 
143 
 
 From J. Stonhouse. * 
 
 • Dear Sir 
 I AM truly conceru'd to acquaint you, that M' Powell die4 
 this Evening at seven o' th' Clock : I write this by M" i'owell's 
 Desire, whose Distress is very great indeed. I hope M'' Coleman 
 is well, & am. Sir, 
 
 Your very humble Serv* 
 
 J Stonhouse 
 
 Bristol July 3* 
 
 P. S. I make no Doubt of your being a Friend to the Widow 
 & the Fatherless, & that you will immediately tajse every 
 prudent Caution to secure them in their Property, & prevent 
 her Share in the House from being sold. She will be happy in 
 having you for her Cpiinsellor, and Protector. 
 
 To George Colman Es^ 
 
 * " Sir James Stonhouse, a pious and worthy baronet, originally a physici^^ ajid 
 afterwards a divine." Gen. Biog. Diet. — He died, at Bristol,-"Wells, in 1795. 
 
144 
 
 From Joseph Reed. * 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 I MOST sincerely condole with you on the death of poor Powell, 
 as I am convinc'd it is an Incident, that will greatly affect you. 
 From some late favorable Accounts of his Disorder, I was in 
 great hopes of his Recovery ; but as Fate has determin'd other- 
 wise, we must submit. 
 
 I have this afternoon been warmly advis'd by a Friend to en- 
 deavour to purchase the Share of y' deceas'd Colleague in the 
 Property of Coventry Garden Theatre ; but as it is so hazardous 
 an Undertaking, I am resolv'd not to proceed in the affair with- 
 out your Advice, nay let me add without your Concurrence. A 
 theatrical Connexion with you were 
 
 a Consummation 
 Devoutly to be wish'd, 
 as from a Consciousness of your Integrity, & the Rectitude 
 of your Management, I am convinc'd it would be my Inclin- 
 
 . * This gentleman is recorded as Reed the Rope-Malcer. He writ several Pieces for 
 the Stage; among them is the Tragedy oi Dido, by which he is best known: — this 
 play was revived for the late John Palmer^ % benefit, at Drury Lane, in the year 1 797. 
 Mrs. Siddons, on this occasion, acted Didjo, 
 
145 
 
 ation as well as Interest to continue your fast Friend & Ally ; 
 but I would not even think of such a Purchase, unless my being 
 a Partner in the Property would be agreeable to M' Colman. 
 
 As therefore M' Powell's theatrical Property will, in all Like- 
 lyhood, be dispos'd off, I could wish you would favour me with 
 your Sentiments on the occasion; If I can have the Preference, 
 I should endeavour to make the Bargain advantagious to M" 
 Powell, by an Annuity besides the stipulated Price. 
 
 As I have thus freely unbosom'd my Intention, I have only to 
 
 desire of you to keep the Subject of this Letter a Secret. I 
 
 should not have made so recent an application, if I had not been 
 
 assur'd by my friend there was no time to be lost. 
 
 I am. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 y' sincere Friend, & 
 
 most obed' h.ble Serv' 
 
 Jos. Reed 
 Sun Tavern fields, London : ' 
 
 July 6. 1769 
 
 P. S. I desire my best Compliments to your good Lady. 
 
 (At the end of this letter, appears, as a Memorandum, in M' Colraan's haiid- 
 writbg, — " no Sale.") 
 
 u 
 
146 
 
 From Charles Holland. * 
 
 Dear Colman 
 I HAVE shed more Tears over your Prologue this tnofnmg than 
 ever I shed over any Part in my Life — I do assure you it affects me 
 so strongly that I am apprehensive I shall not be able to give it 
 utterance — I suppose I shall be applied to by all the Printers 
 here for a Copy to Print by but shall part with none till I have 
 your Directions about it — there is a Prospect of a Vasjt House 
 on Friday which gives a most heartfelt pleasure to 
 
 y' much oblig'd H"^ Serv^ 
 
 Cha' Holland — 
 
 Bristol 
 
 Wednesday 12"" July. 
 
 * " Charles Holland was a pupil of Mr. Garrick, under whose tuition he made some 
 proficiency, and when that gentleman left London to make the tour of Italy for his 
 health, was with Messrs. Geo. Garrick, Lacy, and Powell, acting manager. He was 
 very useful, and had great requisites for a capital performer — a fine appearance, a 
 strong melodious articulate voice, and a good understanding ; in short, he was a 
 favourite with the public, of which by industry and application he rendered himself 
 worthy. Holland introduced Powell to Garrick, and though Powell was hia rival 
 and superior, those actors were friends through life." — The Prologue, here men- 
 tioned, Tsfas written by the eld?r Colioan, on the occasion of Powell's death. 
 
147 
 
 From David Ross. * 
 
 Birmingham g* Sept' 69 
 
 Ty Colman 
 I Received yours at Stratford but had no opportunity of an- 
 swering it then therefore write from my first Stage on bad paper 
 which you must excuse, the only Terms I can or will accept off 
 are these an article for five years this & four more, four hun- 
 dred pounds for the Season the parts I Playd at the Theatre 
 when I lefl; it if I chuse to perform them — I was amazed you 
 should think it worth your while to think of an objection, be- 
 tween twelve pounds & the money I ask, as you playd Last 
 year it was not twelve pounds, 'tis so inconsiderable that if it was 
 
 * " Ross (a misfortune which we often meet,) 
 
 Was fast asleep at dear Statyra's feet ; 
 
 Statyra, with her hero to agree, 
 
 Stood on her feet as &st asleep as he." 
 
 Churchill, 
 
 The above Lines contain as much truth as \vit, in respect to Ross's indolence and 
 apathy as an actor. There is a querulous spirit running through this letter, common 
 to men of talent (which he certainly possessed) whose disappointments arise from 
 their own neglect &nd improvidence. 
 
 u 2 
 
148 
 
 not to Satisfy my Vanity that I would not be sent of & calld 
 on as occasion & necessity require ; however you are to study 
 for self — I have fixed my Resolution & nothing but these terms 
 can induce me to quit my own Uttle Farm — for ray own part 
 I had rather engage for next Season than this j Let a Season go 
 on to forget M' Powell — however if you want my assistance 
 you know my Terms, write to me to Edinburgh distinguish me 
 me as there are a hundred with David Ross or to the Castle 
 Hill that will do ; I was much amazed at your mentioning Bob 
 Bensley in opposition to me I wisli Bob well but must say he is 
 more indebted to your fFriendship than his own merit for his 
 Situation on the Stage he should do Altamont in that Play was 
 
 1 to cast it I intended to get up the D'^^-Dealer M' Yates L 
 Touchwood Woodward Brush Shuter S' Pau' Smith & Bob the 
 
 2 Gentl". Harry the 8* Measure for Measure Cato Brutus & Bu- 
 siness that had not been seen for some years, these with a Panto- 
 mime or a Singing Piece would have been of Some Service — if a 
 man is of real use a hundred pounds is no object much Less 
 the Paltry trifle I ask'd but I had my own reasons & my own 
 fFeelings which cannot be altered — however I am glad we saw 
 one another & renewed our old acquaintance Something may 
 Start up a mad Apprentice & a mad Town is always gaping for 
 Novelty — as I am now on my way the Ex'pence & fatigue of 
 returning would be too much for this Season I hope to be in 
 
149 
 
 Londdn by the Beginning of April & will Prepare my Private 
 matters to be disposed of if you can come into my Terms, if you 
 find you dont want me or the trifle I ask a matter of Conse^ 
 quence our Treaty ends. & I hope we shall ever continue as 
 friends I am D' S"^ 
 
 Yours Sincerely 
 
 David Ross 
 
 P. S. On Second thought I think it better to wait here the 
 return of Post at the Swan 
 
 To 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 Queen Street 
 
 Lincolns Innjields 
 London 
 
 The Memorandum affixed to this letter is, — « Answered s — his old term for, 3 y*." 
 
150 
 
 From Thomas Linley. * 
 
 Bath Oct' 11 "^ 1770. 
 
 You are desirous of knowing my real sentiments in regard to 
 my Daughters performing in London, therefore I will be as plain 
 as I can. I think, as She has acquired a Reputation, I ought to 
 have the advantage of her first performing in London myself: 
 and as the publick Rooms in London are open to me upon the 
 same Terms as to all other Performers, there is a great Proba- 
 bility that I may get more than the sum M' Tom's offers, by my 
 attempting a Concert on my own Account should I determine 
 to come to London. It is contrary to my Inclination that my 
 Daughter should sing at either House for the Oratorio's, or any 
 
 * Mr. Thomas Linley is fresh in memory, 'for his science in musick, and his taste 
 and genius in that composition which is produced by " the concord of sweet sounds." 
 His private character, also, was most respectable ; and there are some traditional 
 anecdotes, among his surviving friends, relative to his pleasant manners, and his bon 
 mots: The Daughter, of whom he writes, was the Miss Linley so much admired for 
 her sweet singing, and her beauty ; and who became ihe lirst wife of Richard 
 
151 
 
 where else in London, where I am not myself a Principal in the 
 Undertaking — for were I properly settled in London, I think 
 I could conduct the Business of Oratorios myself, whenever an 
 Opportunity offered for me to attempt it j therefore I do not 
 relish the giving the prime of my Daughters Performance to sup- 
 port the schemes of others: (you desired I would speak my 
 mind— T- 1 do so — but you may suppose I should not chuse that 
 this should pass your own Breast) but notwithstanding this, as 
 you seem so strenuous that I should engage w* them, If M' 
 Tom's will give me 200 Guineas, and a clear Benefit, for w* my 
 Daughter shall have the choice of any Oratorio that has been 
 befpre performed she shall come — otherwise I think it most to 
 my advantage to take my chance whenever I come to London. 
 
 In regard to engaging her as an Actress I shall never do that, 
 unless it were to ensure to myself and Family a solid Settlement, 
 by being admitted to purchase a share in the Patent on reason- 
 able Terms, or something adequate to this, either of w'^ I per- 
 ceive no probability of obtaining — and I shall never lay myself 
 at the mercy of my Children, especially when their very Power 
 of being of service to me depends so entirely upon Chance — 
 
 M' Garrick is in Bath — I have had some Overtures from him, 
 w* I declined, without coming to an Explanation, for I never 
 
152 
 
 shall engage my Daughter upon the Stage as an actress upon 
 any other sort of Terms than those I have spoken of, and w'*" I 
 should not have mentioned, as you may think them Impertinent, 
 but that you requested to know my real sentiments upon this 
 Subject w*"** you now do, and may believe that I shall be always 
 ready to any thing in my Power to oblidge you as far as is 
 consistent w**" the Duty I owe to myself & Family & that I am 
 very respectfully S' your most 
 
 Obed' Hble Serv* 
 
 Tho' Linley 
 
 My Wife & Family desire their Resp' to M" Colman & your- 
 self — I shall be much oblidged to you for a Line in answer to 
 this as soon as convenient 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Es^ 
 Great Queen 5* 
 
 lAncoln^s Innjklds 
 London 
 
153 
 
 Froin Charles Macklin. * 
 
 Sir 
 If you think that I, as an Actor, together with the use of the 
 Farce of Love a la mode, can be of any Service to Covent Gar- 
 den Theatre, I am ready to treat with you about an Agreement 
 on the same Footing on which other Actors usually engage, or 
 if you could point out a manner of engaging with me, more 
 agreeable in your Judgement to the Interest of your Theatre than 
 this that I propose I am ready to treat with you, and Shall be 
 obliged to you for your Answer as Soon as Gonveniency will 
 permit 
 
 I am 
 Sir 
 Oct' IS* 1770 your humble Serv* 
 
 James Street Covent Garden ChaRLES MaCKLIN 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 
 * There is little to be told of this histrionick veteran that has not been told over 
 and over again. Whatever may be necessary to say of him, in illustration of sub- 
 sequent letters, will be given. 
 
 X 
 
154 
 
 Rough Copy of Answer to the above from G. Colman. 
 
 Sir, 
 There are, I think, many objections to an Agreement with 
 you on the same footing on which other actors usually engage. 
 Your last Agreement at our Theatre was for twenty nights in 
 one Season, at the rate of £ 20 p' night and a Benefit paying the 
 usual Charge ; for which you engaged to perform in Love a la 
 mode, and any other pieces, and to produce two new Farces, 
 allowing for a proportionable deduction from the number of 
 nights, in case of the failure of one or both of your new pro- 
 ductions. — I am ready to treat with you on the same terms, 
 or to give you an answer to any other proposals, when I know 
 the particulars. 
 
155 
 
 From Charles Machlin. 
 
 In answer to my proposals to you on the 12"' Ins* you tell me 
 — there are many objections^ you think, to an agreement with 
 me on the Same Footing on which other actor.s usually engage. 
 I own I am surprized at this way of thinking on a Subject So 
 very clear as it appears to me. for your Books can shew that I 
 brought to your Theatre, in ten Nights acting, between four and 
 five hundred Pounds more than M' Powel & M"^' Yates in the 
 same number of nights, tho they both acted together, and I am 
 confident that I can now bring more money than any of the Per- 
 formers that now belong to it, exclusive of a new Pantomime or 
 the attraction of a new Piece being added to their Performance, 
 and in that Case Experience daily shews that it is not the actor's 
 Performance that has So much the Power of filling the House as 
 the novelty that is added to it. Now Sir this advantage bf no- 
 velty, which can be had only at a great Expenee, ray Performance 
 will not need, as I can from acting in the Plays in ordinary iise, 
 and from my own Resource as a writer produce more money to 
 a theatre on the nights I act than any other actor of Actors of 
 
 X 2 
 
156 
 
 Performers of any kind whatever that can now be hired in Eng- 
 land. 1 his assertion is not from vanity, but from fair Argument 
 drawn from Experience, & which is demonstrable to a moral cer- 
 tainty. But to prove that I speak as I think, I will urge an ar- 
 gument that can admit of no doubt — I will give 1801. for the 
 House for as many nights as we shall agree upon for me to act, 
 which I think is more than any other Performance can now pro- 
 duce at Covent Garden Theatre. Now Sir this being a fair State 
 of my Case as to my utility I must confess that I am at a loss to 
 find out a Single objection against your Agreeing with me on the 
 same footing on which other actors usually engage. I wish you 
 had thought it proper to have particularized your objections, for 
 then I might have answered them ; or perhaps they might have 
 been removed ; or at least So adjusted as to have brought about 
 an Agreement to our Mutual Satisfaction, and for these Reasons 
 I shall take it as a Favour if you will let me See your objections 
 on Paper ; — or precisely say whether or no you will agree with 
 me on the Same Footing on which other Actors usually engage, 
 for if you have already determined on that Point in the Negative, 
 no Reasoning of any advantage whatever to your Theatre 
 from, my being admitted into it on that Footing can have any 
 weight with you. therefore I think a precise declaration on that 
 Point is necessary to prevent any farther Trouble about it. for 
 as that is the mode of Agreement I chuse I should be glad to 
 
157 
 
 have it settled one way or the other, before I speak upon any 
 other Point 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 your humble Serv' 
 
 Charles Macklin 
 
 Oct' 16. 1770 
 
 I must apologize for not answering your Letter Sooner but 
 other extraordinary Business engrossed both ray Time & atten- 
 tion which prevented me. 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 great Q,tieen street 
 near 
 Lincolns-In-Fields, 
 
158 
 
 From William Kenrich^ 
 
 As my only motive for writing for the Stage is profit, you rightly 
 judge that the delay hinted at in your Letter will be extremely 
 inconvenient ; as even the greater importance of my other pur- 
 suits renders the aid of my literary gains altogether necessary. 
 This is so particularly the case at present, that I could have been 
 content never to trouble the theatre with any production of mine 
 again, had it been practicable to have got on my Opera with any 
 success this or the next Season. The disappointment therefore 
 is the more sensible, as I have many reasons against offering it 
 the other house, had 1 time or inclination to waste it on such 
 
 * Kenrick seems to have been a bilious character, — regeatedly attacking men 
 more intellectually gifted than himself, and taking Literary Bulls (such as Dr. 
 Johnson, and others,) by the horns. This Author, says the Biographia Dramatica, 
 " with considerable abilities, was neither happy nor successful. Few persons were 
 ever less respected by the world, still fewer have created so many enemies, or dropped 
 into the grave so little regretted by their contemporaries." The Opera he mentions, 
 in this letter, cannot now be ascertaineH. 
 
159 
 
 application. — If you have an opinion good enough of the piece 
 as to think it worth any thing at present, as my future avocations 
 in life will in all probability be of a very different turn, I would 
 be glad to give up my right & title to it, for a very trifle more 
 than a Song. Otherwise I must leave it to time & chance, as an 
 unfortunate offspring turned adrift for want of abilities in its pa- 
 rent to support it. I should have waited on you myself, were I 
 not confined to my room by indisposition. As; soon as J go out> 
 will do myself that pleasure & 
 
 amS' 
 
 obedient humb Ser* 
 
 W. Kenrick 
 
 Warwick Street Golden Square, 
 next door to a Glazier. 
 
 To G. Colman Esf 
 
 Great Queen S* 
 
 Lincolns inn Fields 
 
160 
 
 Answer. 
 
 Sir, r: 
 
 I am extremely sorry to find that the unavoidable delay is 
 likely to prove so inconvenient to you, & should be still more con- 
 cerned if it induced you to forego any advantages to which you 
 might otherwise be entitled ; But it is not in my power to arrange 
 matters in any other manner than as I mentioned in my last, 
 nor would I on any consideration be instrumental to your waving 
 those advantages on the Terms which you offer. 
 
 I am S'^ &' 
 25 Mar. 1771 — 
 
 To M: Kenrick 
 
161 
 
 From William Kenrick. 
 
 M' Kenrick presents his compliments to M' Colman, requests 
 his acceptance of a printed copy of his lecture. — Has been con- 
 fined at home by the gout, or should have waited on M' Colman, 
 about settling the parts of his Opera, for the better guide of the 
 composers. — is obliged to M' Colman for the hints he was 
 pleased to give him, of which he has taken care to profit, as 
 M' Colman intended, & will do himself the pleasure of waiting 
 on him in a few days. 
 
 Charles Street 
 
 S' James's Square. 
 
 To 
 
 M'^ Colman 
 
162 
 
 From Catherine Clive. * 
 \ Twickenham April y" 12. 1771 
 
 Sir 
 I HOPE you heard, that I Sent ray Servant to town to Inquire 
 hou you did ; indeed I have been greatly Surprisd and Sincerly 
 Concernd for your unexpected Distress j theje Is Nothing Can 
 be said upon these MelanchoUy ocjcations To a person of under- 
 standing, fools Can not feel people of Sence must, and will and 
 when they have Sank their Spirits till they are ill,, will find 
 that Nothing but Submission Can give any Consolation to In- 
 eveitable missfortunes 
 
 * There is much kindness of heart, and soundness of understanding, in this ill- 
 spelt letter of Kate Clive, which was written on the death of my mother : — Mrs. Clive 
 had retired from the Stage ten or eleven years before this period, to a charming resi- 
 dence, near the banks of the Thames, belonging to Horace Walpole, and adjacent 
 to his villa at Strawberry Hill. 
 
 " First, giggling, plotting chambermaids arrive, 
 Hoydens and romps, led on by Gen'ral Clive. 
 In spite of outward blemishes she shone, 
 For Humour famed, and Humour all her own ;" &c. &c. 
 
 Churchill. 
 
163 
 
 I shall be extreamly glad to See you, and think it woud be 
 very right if you woud Come and Dine hear two or three Days 
 in a week it will Change the Sceen and by the Sincerity of your 
 Wellcome you May fancy your Self at home 
 
 I am Dear Sir 
 
 Your obliged hum. Servant 
 
 C : Clive 
 
 To 
 
 Geo. Coleman Esq^ 
 Richmond. 
 
 From William Smith. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 I THINK I told you when I saw you last that I was under a ne- 
 cessity of determining my Engagements very shortly. I am now 
 reduc'd to give a positive Answer in four days. If It does not 
 suit you to come to a conclusion with me in that time, I shall be 
 obligd to accept of an offer in another place. As I have wish'd 
 to give you the preference I hope you will do me the justice of 
 acquitting me of either hurrying you, or dealing with you in 
 an underhand or disrespectful manner : I cannot accept of other 
 
 Y 2 
 
164 
 
 terms than those I propos'd to you, so wou'd not take up your 
 
 time improperly. 
 
 I am S' 
 
 y' very sincere & 
 
 Obed* HbP Serv' 
 
 W. Smith 
 Beauf ' Build' 
 
 Wednesday. 
 
 To 
 
 George Caiman Es^ 
 Great Qjueen Street. 
 
 Answer. 
 Dear Sir, 
 Last night I received your favour of yesterday, wherein you tell 
 me that you cannot accept of other Terms than those you proposed 
 to me. The Terms you proposed were an advance of nearly five 
 pounds per week in your salary — a demand with which it is not 
 in my power to comply. Still however I wish you to continue 
 at^Covent Garden, and am, Sir, &c. 
 
 G* Qu" S' 
 
 25 May 1771 
 
 Mem. wrong dated 
 it was sent the 23* 
 
165 
 
 From James Love. * 
 
 Richmond June 7* 1771. 
 Dear Sir, 
 Many times have I experienced your favours, of which, I 
 think I know myself well enough to be sure, I never shall be un- 
 mindfullj But that you may be fully convinced of what, no 
 doubt, you have often observed, that Beggars are never to be 
 satisfied j . I am bold enough to acquaint you that I have set my 
 Heart upon your granting me a further instance of your kindness 
 and condescension. 
 
 That this request comes late, permit me to say I have sub- 
 stantial Witness, was merely owing to my being overpersuaded 
 that you wou'd treat the matter with contempt and unworthy of 
 your acceptance. But some Gentlemen whom I know to be 
 your sincere friends and wellwishers have, since, taught me to 
 hope the contrary and embolden'd me to intreat that you will 
 
 * His real name was Dance ; and he is known as a Drury Lane Actor, who, 
 having acquired a good deal of reputation in the character of Falstaff, was too apt 
 to smack of \k\.e Tat Jinight, when he performed other parts; — against which he 
 is cautioned in the Mosciad. He built a new theatre, at Richmond. 
 
166 
 
 accept the Freedom of the Richmond Theatre & honour me with 
 your patronage and protection. 
 
 Depend upon it, dear Sir, you will exceedingly delight a Per- 
 son who has an unfeigned respect for you, by stooping to 
 receive, as it is meant, this trifling instance of his gratitude. — 
 The obligation must ever rest upon my side, as it is impossible, in 
 the confin'd State of our little Theatre, that your expence of 
 Time can be fully recompens'd. 
 
 I am 
 
 Dear Sir 
 Y' much oblidgd 
 
 and most ob' humble Serv* 
 
 James Love 
 
 P. S. I have ordered a proper Medal to be prepar'd for 
 your use. 
 
 Answer. 
 
 London 10 June J 771 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Having left town before the post came in on Saturday it has not 
 
 been in my power ^o acknowledge the receipt of your obliging 
 
167 
 
 fevour of the 7"' ins' sooner. I accept youi? offer in the same 
 spirit of cordiality & good neighbourhood with which I trust 
 it is made, & shall be always happy to prove myself a friend & 
 wellwisher to You & to the Richmond Theatre. 
 
 Yours &c. 
 
 From James Paine. 
 
 Bristol 24 Oct' 1771. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I AM desired by Doct' Elmer^ the Prebend now in office at 
 
 Bristol, to acquaint yoii that the two last lines ins^cribed by you 
 
 to the memory of the late M' Powell have given much offence to 
 
 himself & many others ; he insists on their bejbag struck out 
 
 before he leaves this place ; or he will have the Monument 
 
 taken down. Yqu will do me the favor to exc^sQ t^i& liberty, 
 
 otherwise by his express orders I was to stop my men from 
 
 going on with their work. Doct' Elmer lives in the Colledge 
 
 Green. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Y' very Humb'* Serv* 
 
 James Paine 
 
168 
 
 N B. the Doct' said I was to acquaint you that the lines to 
 which he objected were nonsense or something worse. * 
 
 George Colman Esq>^ 
 
 in the great Piazza 
 Cment Garden 
 
 London 
 
 * The Epitaph, which so roused the wrath of the Prebendary, is now inserted : 
 let some CEdipus discover, if he can, those points in it which have sinned against 
 religion, and common sense. 
 
 " Bristol ! to worth and genius ever just, 
 To thee our Powell's dear remains we trust ; 
 Soft as the Stream thy sacred Springs impart. 
 The milk of human kindness warmed his heart. 
 That heart which ev'ry tender feeling knew. 
 The soil where pity, love, and friendship grew. 
 Oh ! let a faithful friend with grief sincere 
 Inscribe his tomb, and drop the heart-felt tear. 
 Here rest his praise, here found his noblest fame ! 
 — All else a bubble, and an empty name !" 
 
 Could Doctor Elmer possibly conceive that Religion was implied to be a biAble, 
 because it is not specifically mentioned, in the Epitaph, among Powell's virtues ? 
 
169 
 
 From George Colman, to Doctor Elmer. 
 
 Sir 
 The Dean of Bristol having granted his permission for the 
 putting up a Monument to the Memory of the late M' Powell, I 
 have been exceedingly surprised at the receipt of a Letter 
 from the Statuary, M' Paine, written (as he pretends) by your 
 direction, & telling me that " the Inscription has given great 
 offence to you and many others, the two last Lines being 
 Nonsense, or something worse." If they are not nonsense 
 I am afraid they are at least obscure, having render'd my 
 meaning, which I thought obvious, so liable to misinter- 
 pretation. Such as they are, however, they must stand or 
 fall with the rest, for I am resolved to give them no correction 
 or alteration, tho' ever so minute, lest I should appear to plead 
 guilty to the Charge of having intended something worse than 
 nonsense. Benevolence and Christian Charity are virtues which 
 Religion is able to plant in the most barren soil, as well as to cul- 
 tivate & improve in the richest. Every other pretence to merit 
 I have consider'd as an empty claim, & for these virtues only 
 
170 
 
 have I celebrated my departed friend ; purposely avoiding the 
 slightest commendation of his great excellence in his profession. 
 In this light the Lines have been generally understood in 
 London, and, even after the severe strictures on them at Bristol, 
 I am still utterly at a loss to comprehend how they could 
 possibly give offence or be mis-construed. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 G. COLMAN. 
 
 Covent Garden 
 28* Oct' 17V I 
 
 From the Dean of Bristol. 
 
 The Dean of Bristol's Gomp*' wait on M' Colman, & acquaints 
 him, that in the Morning Chronicle & London Advertiser, of 
 Nov" y^ 15* are two Paragraph's *, equally abusive of M' Colihan 
 & the Dean. The Card, in the Dean's name, is a Lye, from the 
 
 • Relative, it is supposed, to the aboyementioned epitapli. 
 
171 
 
 beginning, to the End, He wishes to see M' Golman, to consult 
 what steps are /proper to be taken, to find out the Author, 
 ea: to punish the printer for the Lies he has published. 
 
 S' Andrews Saturday Night Nov" lel'- 
 
 From J. Ferguson. 
 
 Sir, 
 I HAVE been several times at your House, but have not 
 been able to find you at home ; I have therefore (to avoid the 
 slightest imputation of Ingratitude, to the Man who has been 
 so instrumental in the Preservation of my Life) taken this method 
 of returning you my most sincere and hearty Thanks for your 
 generous Care and Humanity at my late unhappy Fall into 
 the Pit at your Theatre, and during my illness — and at the 
 same time to assure you of my Sorrow at the Destruction of the 
 Glass Chandelier by that accident. 
 
 z 2 
 
172 
 
 With a due Sense of your Benevolence, I pray God for the 
 Preservation of your Health, and that your Endeavours to 
 please the Town may exceed youc most sanguine Expectations, 
 I remain, 
 
 Kind Sir, 
 Your much obliged, 
 
 and most obedient Servant, 
 
 J. Ferguson. 
 
 S' Martin's Lane, 
 Nov. 20, 1771. 
 
 P. S. I am now so well recovered as to be able to attend 
 my Business as usual. 
 
 George Caiman Esq'' 
 Covent Garden Piazza 
 
173 
 
 From William O'Brien. * 
 
 Winterston. Aug' 31" 
 1772. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 After having exhausted all my ideas upon the subject, I 
 
 return you my Farce, and christen'd as you suggested — the 
 
 Title of Cross. Purposes is a much better one than the first, and 
 
 you reliev'd me from an anxiety by it which I cannot express. I 
 
 have also taken your advice and cut it into two Acts, at the 
 
 place you proposed, I hope you will think as well of it as before. 
 
 I had wrote a. Scene between Grub and his Wife to conclude the 
 
 first act, biit as it was of the Altercative kind I, upon reading 
 
 the whole, thought it better to leave it as it is. You will find 
 
 * " His first appearance was at Drnry Lane Theatre, in the year 1 758, in the 
 part of Captain Brazen ; and in characters of that class he arrived at a high degree 
 of reputation. After continuing on the Stage about six years, however, he withdrew 
 altogether from a theatrical life." Biog. Dram. — He was well descended, and 
 married into a noble family. Of his two Dramas, the Farce of Cross Purposes (re- 
 duced now to One Act) is still a Stock Piece; his Comedy, intitlcd the Duel, was 
 unsuccessful. 
 
174 
 
 some additions sprinkled quite through it, and those I leave, as 
 I do indeed the whole, intirely at your mercy. Do with it as 
 you please — You will find that 1 have not made many omis- 
 sions, and shall I tell you why — I must frankly own to you 
 that my feelings upon it are so many & so various that I can't 
 trust myself. Sometimes I am so pall'd with it that I think it 
 sad stuff, & at other times I am so pleas'd with it that I can- 
 not Jielp thinking every word in its place and important in the 
 highest degree — this may be very ridiculous but its very true — 
 verte voces eliciuntur pectore ab imo. perhaps you may have felt 
 something like this yourself. 
 
 f think th^ many cuts need not be made untill it comes into 
 rehearsal, as often what reads but indifferently will come pleas- 
 ingly enough from the mouth of a judicious Actor : beside that 
 I *think it rather short as it is for two acts, tho' I may be mis- 
 taken, and indeed it had much better be thought too short 
 than too dull for representation. If you can prevail upon 
 M' Woodward to take Chapeau, I think it would be of great 
 service to the piece, it is not so worthy of him as I could wish, 
 btit I think w*^ his acting must have a very good effect pro- 
 viiieil he does not drawl as abominably as he too often does. 
 he ought to be made a vevy good ^gure — w*" a great deal-jof 
 hair, in paper, turn'd up behind w*** a large comb — macaroni 
 
175 
 
 waistcoat & powdering short jacket — & slippers down at heel, 
 as to the resemblance to High Life, I can only say that as the 
 humour of the whole don't turn upon it, it ought not to have 
 weight, as this is the best way of making use of Servants — and 
 if you will draw them as they are you will find them frequently 
 resembling each other. Dyer I think I mention'd for the other 
 whose name I have chang'd as I recollect to Dapper somewhere 
 or other — Transfer I think better chang'd for Consol. Yates J 
 think will support Grub well as his testy petulant manner is so 
 peculiar to himself. M " Green should be dress'd vulgarly and 
 ridiculously genteel ; in my opinion the Ladies on the Stage 
 don't sufficiently consider the truth of character in that respect, 
 the House Maid you will give to any body you think can be naiVe 
 & simple enough to say her little with the insignificant manner 
 that belongs to it. The Three Brothers Persons should be con- 
 trasted — the eldest most sturdy & swarthy to answer his de- 
 scription & the second fair — I hope you will do me the honor 
 to write a few lines to usher me to the Town, and mention this 
 as being my first attempt — after what flourish you please. I 
 beg you will let me know when you put it into rehearsal that I 
 may see one or two of the most perfect, as I am sure I shall be 
 in such a Fidget I shall not be able to resist coming to see my 
 fate. I can easily go from your House into some of the Boxes 
 
176 
 
 without- being noticed — beside chusing to avoid the Dicier* 
 hie est in case of a disappointment, I am afraid of giving offence 
 to my best friend Lady Ilchester, who is the best woman in the 
 world but very rihgious and prejudiced in many particulars. 
 
 I take an opertunity of some things going to Town tomorrow 
 to Lord Ilchesters to send the Manuscript there, where it shall 
 be order'd for delivery to the person who comes for it from 
 M'^ Colman — 
 
 I am, My dear Sir, with the greatest regard, 
 
 y' most obed' Servant 
 
 W« O'Brien. 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esq'- 
 Cement Garden 
 London 
 
 * Query — DicUur? 
 
177 
 
 From William Smith. 
 
 Since we parted I have most impartially stated our Case to a 
 very sensible friend who is clearly of Opinion, that unless you 
 mean dishonorably, you cannot hesitate in giving me your 
 Answer : nevertheless You shall not be distressed for y' Play 
 tomorrow. 
 
 I am, 
 
 Friday Y' very H"*^ Serv* 
 
 W. Smith. 
 
 S' 
 
 To be charged with meaning f^is^owowra J/?/, for that is your 
 
 expression, by one who has departed from his Agreement, while 
 
 I have religiously adhered to mine, is pleasant indeed. Why do 
 
 you fear my impartiality in stating this Case to your friends ? 
 
 A A 
 
178 
 
 If you proceed as you have threaten d, I have no doubt where 
 the dishonour will begin. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Your most hble Serv*. 
 
 G. COLMAN 
 
 Gov' Garden 
 30 Oct 1772. 
 
 From William Smith. * 
 
 D^Sir 
 
 You or I or both of us are unluckily apt to misunderstand one 
 another, & what has been meant well has been misinterpreted, 
 this is certainly the case with regard to my last Letter, which was 
 literally design'd to make every thing as easy to you, as my ill 
 state of Health wou'd admit of. I had a message from M'. 
 
 * From Smith's restlessness as an Actor, the manager seems to have had a lucky 
 escape from him as a Partner ^ which he proposed to become, on the report of 
 Powell's death. See a former letter from Smith. 
 
179 
 
 Younger on Wednesday night, that you were resolv'd on having 
 Jane Shore on Friday at all Events & if I was not well enough 
 to play Hastings, you wou'd have done it without me. Well 
 knowing, that Performers are not ready to play a Part on such 
 occasions, & resign it again, I made an offer of giving it up. 
 Thus what I meant for your Ease is turn'd to my disadvantage ; 
 & what was meant for my Own, you tell me is beneath me ; 
 which was my declaring I was sorry you cou'd not accomplish 
 getting a Hastings. I solemnly declare I had neither a vain or 
 an invidious meaning in it ; which you are pleas'd to charge me 
 with. If I recollect my strain, at least Part of it was civil, where 
 I acknowledg'd, as I ever shall, y' readiness to oblige me when I 
 have wish'd to be excus'd from Business. This alone ought to 
 prevent me from writing in an improper Strain & I intended it 
 shou'd ; neither can I recollect giving any hint that y' Enquiries 
 - cou'd give offence. Indeed I did not expect any, never having 
 as yet been honor'd with them. But I was gone to Salt Hill 
 where no enquiries but by Post cou'd reach laae, fior cou'd I think 
 them necessary being determin'd to return tO' Town, the moment 
 I was well enough to attend even a Rehearsal. One thing you 
 must give me leave to add, which was an Idea that you might 
 have another Hastings in View as my Name was not advertis'd 
 at the Time that M'' Hartly's was ; a Compliment, which at 
 Drury Lane, is never refus'd a Capital Pei^former ; but this you 
 
 A A 2 
 
180 
 
 are to judge of & determine. I really shou'd not have mention'd 
 
 this, had you not hurt me by putting a wrong construction upon 
 
 what I never meant shou'd oflfend you & I am really sorry it ever 
 
 did. 
 
 I am, S', 
 
 Y' most Hble Serv* 
 
 W. Smith. 
 
 Beauf ' Build'. Sunday 
 
 I am (tho not quite well) ready to perform to-morrow 
 
 Mr Colman 
 
 From Oliver Goldsmith. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 I entreat you'l relieve me from that state of suspense in which 
 I have been kept for a long time. Whatever objections you have 
 
 * The much celebrated Goldsmith : — The Comedy in question, here, is " She 
 Stoops to Conquer," which succeeded greatly. 
 
181 . 
 
 made or shall make to my play I will endeavour to remove and 
 not argue about them. To bring in any new judges either of its 
 merit or faults I can never submit to. Upon a former occasion 
 when my other play was before M^ Garrick he offered to bring 
 me before M'. Whitehead's tribunal but I refused the proposal 
 with indignation : I hope I shall not experience as hard treat- 
 ment 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 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^ 
 
 From William Smith. 
 
 Aug : 6 
 
 After the many disagreements betwixt M' Colman & me. He 
 may perhaps wish to decline a Correspondence with me, I there- 
 
182 
 
 fore beg leave as I am totally disengaged from all Theatrical 
 Connections, through you to offer my Services to the Managers 
 of Covent Garden Theatre, & have the Honor to be, S', 
 
 Y' most Obed' & 
 sincere Hble Serv' 
 W. Smith. 
 I beg to be favord with a Line under Cover 
 
 To the rev* M' Benet 
 Aldeburg 
 Suffolk. 
 
 (This letter was addressed to Mr. Harris.) 
 
 From Charles MacMin. 
 
 D' Sir 
 1 HAVE just received a Species of Irish female Garniture whicli 
 accompanies this note. I think it has Some fancy in it, tho 
 manufactured in Boeotia. it consists of Seven Yards, enough for 
 two gowns, or one Saque & Petticoat, I have often tried at 
 Compliments to the fair Sex, but not finding myself happy at 
 that kind of Eloquence I have taken my leave of it for some 
 years. I request that you will dispose of this Triffle in your 
 houshold, and that you will be so kind as to exercise your Ge- 
 
183 
 
 nius, in my name, on this occasion in apblogic Compliment & 
 Perswasion, which will much oblige 
 
 yours, 
 
 as you would have him, 
 
 Chakles Macklin 
 August 7"^ 177S 
 
 P : S : I hope you are, in the midwife Phrase, as well as can 
 be expected in your Condition. I hope you are near your time. 
 Apollo Send you a good hour. * I have had a disagreeable one 
 lately — my Son unexpectedly, unprofitably, & unwelcome, re- 
 turnd from the East-Indies in disgrace, & justly, for being a 
 bon vivant and guilty of all the idle Consequences of that un- 
 mercantile, & indeed as he has managed it, ungentleman-like 
 Character. I was proud of his Employment in that honourable 
 Service, as it is capable, by an assiduous & faithful discharge 
 of that Trust, of furnishing great Knowledge Sc dignity of mind, 
 & of rewarding the man with wealth and honour. I was proud 
 of the Parts nature had given him, & of the Cultivation I be- 
 
 * From the date of this letter, the Comedy, with which my father was then preg- 
 nant, must have been the Man of Business ,• not the most thriving of his literary 
 children. 
 
184 
 
 stowed upon them ; I was confident of his assiduity & Success, 
 & loved him to a paternal pitch of Zeal — now Judge of ray 
 State of mind. I was the happiest I am now the most per- 
 turbed Father in this Land. I can not eat, I have not Slept this 
 week I can not read, nor remember ; & tho Justice has disgraced 
 him. Still he is mine, — & I think 1 Shall Still be happy in him 
 — for he has a fine understanding, & is Sick in bed with Self- 
 disgrace & Penitence — which must reform — or kill him. which 
 is my only comfort. * 
 
 My Chains are forged ready for putting on, this unhappy In- 
 cident has prevented my Seeing you. — I find paterhel affection 
 & Philosophy make a most unequal Conflict, nature will not be 
 defied, she must have her way or make her Exit. — you are a 
 Father, may you be a happy one — I pity the Character. — espe- 
 cially if the Fool is proud & fond, 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esq' 
 
 * MacUin has been thought, by many, to be a man of little feeling: — but, surely, 
 his sentiments of paternal tenderness (so naturally here express'd) come from the 
 heart, and are very aiFecting. 
 
185 
 
 From William Smith. 
 
 Aug: S'l 
 
 Leiston 
 
 Dear Sir 
 I rec' y' favor this Morning. Your genteel manner of com- 
 plying with my last proposal has much oblig'd me. I am doubly 
 happy this affair is finish'd, for I am persuaded y' Partners wou'd 
 have triumph'd in our separation, as they bear me no good will 
 for (what they call) deserting a Cause *, which, in fact, I never 
 espous'd. 
 
 In answer to the Business you mention'd I shoud have no 
 objection to Mosca, had I not been in possession of the part of 
 Volpone for these 5 years, & rehears'd it twenty times while 
 Woodward was in y'= Company, As you have sent it to M' Ross, 
 I cou'd wish to be out of the Play, & instead of Mosca, employ'd 
 
 * This alludes to misunderstandings between the Proprietors of Covent Garden 
 Theatre, which were ultimately subjects for legal decision. 
 
 B B 
 
186 
 
 in a longer Part in the Epicoene — which I hear is much improv'd 
 under y' hand : I am D' S', with great truth 
 
 Y' very sincere & obed' Serv' 
 W Smith 
 
 To 
 
 G. Colman Esqr 
 
 Great Queen S' 
 
 Lincolns Inn Fields 
 London 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 Leiston Hall, Sept- 1" 
 S" 
 
 Having left M' Benet's some time I did not receive y"^ Letter 
 till the 20"^ Aug : It was then incumbent on me (before I gave an 
 Answer) to communicate the Contents to those Friends who have 
 supported me through Life, who insist on my not accepting worse 
 terms from you than I was engag'd for in my former agreement. 
 If therefore you mean by " ray late Salary" what I did receive & 
 not the advance you had agreed to, It is out of my power to take 
 it : nor do I think it liberal in you to offer it; As I cou'd not, 
 Had you been ever so distress'd for a performer, had the con- 
 
187 
 
 science to have ask'd more from you than the Salary settled be- 
 twixt us before. 
 
 As to y"^ new Ally, It is a nice circumstance. There is cer- 
 tainly Business enough for both of us without either being 
 injur'd ; & indeed more than any One Actor can go through. 
 Manage this point with Candor & Delicacy & and so far from 
 murmuring, I shall be pleas'd with it. 
 
 In respect to our disagreements, I shou'd have expected you 
 wou'd have been ingenuous enough to have suppos'd y'self re- 
 sponsible for part of them : but Be that as it maj, shoud we be 
 again connected, All that has pass'd disagreeable betwixt us 
 
 4 
 
 must be mutually & entirely forgotten, or we must go out & 
 settle our differences like men & gentlemen, for I will not be on 
 ill terms with you again. I must therefore beg if you cannot 
 receive me heartily & cordially (as I will you) you will decline 
 all treaty with me at once, for better is a dinner of herbs & 
 Content than a stall'd ox and strife. I am not apt to quote 
 the Bible, but as peacemaking is the Business 'tis not mal 
 a propos. 
 
 Now S' if these matters can be adjusted to our mutual satis- 
 faction, Let us shake hands & drown all remembrance of former 
 
 BB 2 
 
188 
 
 feuds in a Bottle of Claret : for tho' hot & Passionate, when 
 once the Olive Branch is held out to me I have no resentment, 
 upon Honor. I am setting out for Newmarket, shall return 
 thro' Hertfordshire, so if you please to give me a Line It will 
 find me at Ralph Winter's Esq' Bishop Stortford Herts. 
 
 I am S% 
 
 Y' very Hble Serv* 
 
 W" Smith. 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 
 Covent Garden 
 London. 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 S' 
 I AM this moment come to Town & meant to see you. In the 
 opinion of the most impartial y' last Letter tends much more to 
 inflame than abate our disagreement I held out the Olive 
 Branch to you, & cannot conceive that anything in my Letter 
 deserved the illnature & incivility you have returnd me. I will 
 make no other comment on it, as I still wish to meet you on 
 
189 
 
 good terms & in good humour, 'tis said you intend to banish me 
 from the Stage : but as you assure me you wish to see me rein- 
 stated on it I will not believe the report ; & most solemnly 
 declare I hope I never shall see a disturbance in the Theatre 
 again on my Ace*, but the Public will ever take the part of y" 
 oppress'd. I have no thought or inclination of calling them to 
 judge betwixt us. & wou'd wish our differences might be referr'd 
 to some mutual Friend. In the mean time I again offer to 
 return to my Business on the same terms I had before agreed 
 with you for. you told me some time ago you thought my Salary 
 inadequate to my Labours & promis'd me to speak to the gentle- 
 men concern'd with you to make me an additional consideration. 
 
 As y' Theatre will not open for above a week, I still hope our 
 disagreements may be ended happily & once more offer to join 
 on terms of Peace & good manners, if I cannot on better. 
 
 I am, S^ 
 
 Y' very H"'' Serv* 
 
 W. Smith. 
 I am in Beaufort Buildings & shall stay in Town. 
 Saturday 1 1"" Sept' 
 
 Excuse this paper as I have no better by me. 
 G. Colman Esf 
 
190 
 
 Answer. 
 
 Sir, 
 After your pronouncing my last letter to be ill-natured & 
 uncivil, a further Comment was certainly needless. I did not 
 mean it should appear either ; tho' I cannot think the epistle, to 
 which it was an answer, tended to inspire good humour, or pro- 
 duce compliments. . : 
 
 I am not so careless of the Property which I am destined to 
 superintend, as to wish to banish you from the Theatre, to which 
 (if you please) you may be so serviceable ; but I firmly believe 
 that whoever strives to create disturbances in it, will at last 
 find that the Publick will give as little encouragement to cause- 
 less turbulence as to tyranny and oppression. Each are equally 
 destructive of peace and good government. 
 
 The matter of business between us stands thus. You are 
 oflfered your late salary ; & you recur to an agreement formerly 
 proposed by me — an agreem* however which you would never 
 
191 
 
 complete, & which you have since again & again rejected in the 
 most absolute terms. 
 
 I da not wish to delay bringing matters to a conclusion for a 
 single moment ; but as you consult your friends on every occa- 
 sion, you cannot think it improper in me to advise with the 
 other Managers ; & there is not at present one of them in 
 London. Before I rec'*' your letter to-day I proposed being in 
 town next Friday ; — yet would have attended you here imme- 
 diately but for the reason just mentioned. 
 
 By that day however, or at all events by the day of our open- 
 ing, I promise to give in our ultimate Ultimatum & hope to 
 settle articles of a Definitive Treaty between us. 
 
 I am 
 
 Y'^&c 
 
 Richmond 
 
 Sept. 12. 1773. 
 
192 
 
 From William Smith. 
 
 ^' 
 I rec' your favor & assure you I look forward for peace & 
 good humour. I cannot give up my Claim of the Advance in my 
 Salary. I dont wish to hurry you in your determination. If it 
 brings us together, Let us meet cordially & chearfuUy without 
 retrospect of former disagreements. 
 
 I am, S', 
 
 Y' most hble Serv' 
 
 W Smith. 
 
 Beau' Build' 
 
 Tuesday morn 
 Sep- 14. 1773. 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 
193 
 
 From the Magistrates in Bow Street. 
 
 The Magistrates now sitting in Bow Street present theii: Com- 
 pliments to M' Coleman, and acquaint him that on the Beggar's 
 Opera being given out to be played some time ago at Drury 
 Lane Theatre they requested the Managers of that Theatre not 
 to exhibit this Opera, deeming it productive of mischief to So- 
 ciety as in their Opinion it most undoubtedly increased the 
 Number of Thieves, and that the Managers obligingly returned 
 for Answer that for that Night it was too late to stop it, but that 
 for the future they would not play it if the other house did not. 
 Under these Circumstances from a Sense of Duty and the Prin- 
 ciples of Humanity the Magistrates make the same request to 
 M"^ Coleman and the rest of the Managers of his Majesty's Theatre 
 Royal Covent Garden ; the same Opera being advertised to be 
 played there this Night 
 
 Bow Street 
 
 October 27. 1773 
 
 C C 
 
194 
 
 Answer. 
 
 M' Colman presents his Best Respects to the Magistrates with 
 whose Note he has been just honoured. He has not yet had an 
 opportunity of submitting it to the other Managers, but for his 
 own part cannot help differing in opinion with the Magistrates, 
 thinking that the Theaitre is one of the very few houses in the 
 Neighbourhood that does not contribute to increase the nuniber 
 of Thieves. 
 
 Covent Garden — 
 Wedn'' Morrf 
 
195 
 
 From Henry Woodward. * 
 
 Jan)- 16*" 1774. " 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I REJOICE that every thing went last night better than you 
 
 expected — every Measure you have taken, / should have taken 
 
 had I been in your Situation. — and I look upon myself as much 
 
 oblig'd to you for every Pa,rt of your Conduct l;9war(j[s me during 
 
 ray Indisposition, — I think with you that it wou'd be in(iiscre,e;t 
 
 to announce my Performance, till there is a certainty of my 
 
 being able to do so — I am npw in a fair Way, and I hope 
 
 nothing unforeseen will Jiappen to hinder my speedily shewing 
 
 how willing I am to be, Sir, 
 
 Y' Humble Serv* 
 
 H. Woodward. 
 » 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 
 * The celebrated Comedian. 
 
 C C 2 
 
196 
 
 From William Ramus. * 
 
 S' James's March 30. I??*, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 I waited upon you this Evening, for the purpose of personally 
 asking of you what I now do by Line ; — Her Majesty wishes to 
 have from You, the farewell Epilogue you wrote, & spoken by- 
 Miss Barsanti last Thursday, if you will let me have it before 
 three o' Clock to-morrow I will deliver it to Her; 
 
 I am Dear Sir 
 
 Your most humbly Affectionate, 
 
 W^ Ramus. 
 
 P. S. I am happy at every opportunity of Corresponding 
 with you. 
 
 George Coltnan Esqr 
 
 * A Page to His late Majesty, King George the Third. 
 
197 
 
 From Charles Macklin. * 
 
 Sir 
 According to my agreement with you and the other Proprietors 
 of Covent Garden Theatre, my weekly Salary was due last Satur- 
 day, which I now demand. 
 
 at the Same time I give you notice that I am ready to play any 
 part that you shall appoint me to play, and to perform my En- 
 gagement in every part of it, with you and the other Proprietors 
 
 * This was written at the period when Macklin had been driven from the stage, 
 by the publick : — he made, I have heard, weekly applications for his salary, to 
 keep bis claims upon the Proprietors, relative to his engagement with them, alive. 
 He, afterwards, prosecuted those who had been most active in his expulsion ; and, 
 upon his conduct in disposing of the damages he obtained. Lord Mansfield said to 
 him, — " You have met with great applause to day ; you never acted better in your 
 
198 
 
 of Covent Garden Theatre, whenever you shall call upon me for 
 that purpose. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 y^ hub''^ Serv* 
 
 Charles Macklin 
 
 May 20'" 1774 
 James SWeet -j 
 Covent Garden 3 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 Piazztji 
 
 Covent Garden 
 
 From Several Actors of Covent Garden Theatre. * 
 
 Sir, 
 We are extremely concerned at having any occasion to ad- 
 dress you on a subject which has for its basis the most 
 
 * This relates to the Institution of the Cpvent Garden Theatrical Fund for thee 
 Benefit of the decayed Performers. My father was offended at the jealousy of the 
 Committee, in rejecting his offer of kindness, and interference ; and in consequence 
 
199 
 
 distant supposition of our having been wanting in ri^spfetet or at- 
 tention to M' Colman. — When this Institution was first '^et on 
 foot, it was settled as one of the fundamental & irrevocable 
 rules that no person whatever should be admitted a Member but 
 such as were actually Performers at Covent Garden Theatre, and 
 that the Trustees and Committee should be chosen from them 
 only. M"^ Beard, at that time, the acting Manager, being also 
 a Performer, was adriiitted as a weekly contributor, & chosen a 
 trustee, merely in that situation, totally separated from his 
 other Character ; he still continues a Trustee in consequence of 
 another first rule, that the Trustees should remain unless a very 
 apparent cause appear'd for changing them. This being the 
 situation of the institution We assure ourselves that M' Col- 
 man on this explan^ion will no longer entertain the most 
 distant Idea of any slight or disrespect by not offering him a 
 part in the direction of this society, and hope that he will not 
 
 did, I believe, refuse a Benefit Night in favour of their establishment. The present 
 Mr. Fwwcett, as Treasurer to this Fund, has very greatly advanced it's prospeiity, by 
 his zeal in the conduct of it's concerns. 
 
200 
 
 not withdraw his usual Indulgence of a Benefit, but believe us 
 very truly 
 
 his obliged & obed' Servants 
 
 W« Smith 
 Geo. Mattocks 
 J. C. Reinhold 
 Tho' Hull 
 Rob'^ Bensley 
 M. Clarke 
 Jos. Younger 
 Rich" Rotton 
 
 J"" Dunstall. 
 
 Ck)mmittiee of the Theatrical 
 Fund Oct' 25"" 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 
201 
 
 From Thomas J^ug" Arne. * 
 
 '■ Dear Sir. 
 
 — Having receiv'd some private hints that M' Mattocks (since 
 the necessary improvements in Cutley's part) has, in conference 
 with you, rather shew'd an incHnation to retard the performance 
 of Achilles, than forward it, I cou'd not (tho' I hate to write a 
 soUicitous letter) resist the impulse of my fear on so alarming 
 an occasion. — Wou'd any one think this man owes all his merit 
 & success in his profession to me ? All the answer I made was, 
 that my reliance was on a Gentleman and a man of honour, who 
 agreed to perform it this season, and whose word is to me an 
 oracle. — 
 
 For six months past, I have given my whole time & labour 
 to this business — The first Act was finish'd and the music 
 deliver'd to the Performers near three months past — The 2* Act 
 was ready before they were prepar'd for a rehearsal of the 1st. 
 
 * Doctor Arne, of musical fame. 
 D D 
 
202 
 
 The 3^ Act came under the same predicament, and I have since 
 (without an hour's delay) written 4 new songs for Catelj & two 
 for Rheinhold ; so that I hope you will be of opinion that not 
 the least blame can be laid on me. 
 
 Notwithstanding the deserv'd success of Mother Shipton, 
 
 The old Proverb — Store's no sore, will ever be true, And it 
 has long been the practice of both Theatres to relieve a strong 
 performance with another, in order to keep both in their full 
 strength, & give the public that variety, which keeps curiosity 
 awake and fills the houses every night. — This is only an observ- 
 ation drawn from the practice of you Gentlemen Managers ; — 
 not a prescription to M' Colman, whose knowledge and attention 
 require no Monitor. 
 
 Several noble friends of mine, two of which have men- 
 
 tion'd this opera to the King, have earnestly inquir'd, to know 
 the day fix'd for its performance ; You wou'd therefore infinitely 
 oblige me, if you wou'd enable me to give them a satisfactory 
 answer ; particularly, as to morrow I must attend their Catch 
 club. 
 
 Will you, my dear Sir! be so kind, as direcly to 
 
 order continu'd rehearsals of it, and (as I know you have little 
 
203 
 
 leisure to write) be pleas'd only to send three words of com- 
 fort, to — 
 
 Your devoted Friend 
 
 & oblig'd humble Serv* 
 
 — Tho» Aug"" : Arne 
 
 — JanT y* 28\ 
 
 — Tom's Coffee house. 
 
 To 
 
 — George Colman Esqr 
 
 in Great Qjteen Street. 
 
 From Arthur Murphy. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 I AM now with M" Heartley, and think a great deal better of 
 her notions of the Part than I ever did before. What can I say 
 decisively as to the main question, which is shall the Hay be 
 
 * Barrister, Actor, Dramatist, and Author of various writings. There is no docu- 
 ment to designate the particular Pieces to which his letter alludes. 
 
 DD 2 
 
204 
 
 done or not ? — I have not determined with the People of Drury 
 Lane : in all probability tomorrow will settle that matter. Should 
 it be resolved to go on in the ^Business of the Comedy, it then 
 will be for the 24'*' of January, or as near that day as possible. 
 I cannot ask M' Garrick to alter the arrangement he has made 
 with other Authors. This brings us again to the same difficulty 
 I mentioned this morning. If I am to be Engaged in the Re- 
 hearsal of a Play at one house, the Nature of the thing makes 
 it impossible to attend another house. M' Harris told me you 
 meant to bring out the Tragedy in January : in these Circum- 
 stances that becomes impossible. I do not ask you, no more 
 than I do Mr. Garrick, to alter your plan of Business, But if 
 Both plans are proposed to subsist at the Same Time, then the 
 Tragedy must be postponed. Of this I am clear that if it stood 
 over to another year, it would be better than running any risk 
 now by adventuring in too much hurry. For M" Heartley I will 
 say, that Study and Leisure, will in my Judgement, do great 
 things for her. If this Leaves you rpore in Suspence than you 
 were before, Davus sum non OEdipus. 
 
 I am 
 
 ID' Sir, 
 
 Your most obed* Serv*. 
 
 Arthur Mubphy 
 Friday night. 
 
205 
 
 I forgot tomorrow morning : — it falls out very Unluckily that 
 I cannot Breakfast with you : I wish I could ; but since I wrote 
 to you to day, notice came in to attend a Commission of' Bank- 
 rupts at nine in the morning : that carries me to Guild Hall, 
 and when I shall get away, the Lord Knows 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 
 From Thomas King. * 
 
 D . S . 
 After what pass'd the last time I had the pleasure of seeing 
 you, 1 shall not trouble you with an apology for sending the en- 
 closed — which by the bye I had mislaid and cou'd not find till 
 yesterday. The part of it which describes the Medal intended to 
 
 * Who reached the summit of his theatrical reputation as the original Lord 
 Oglebi/, in the Clandestine Marriages and maintained his fame for many years after- 
 wards, till he retired fi-om the Stage. 
 
206 
 
 be presented, I have draiwn my pen through, as the device is 
 totally changed. Indeed I think a description of it wholly un- 
 necessary ; however, lest you shou'd be of a different opinion, I 
 send yoiu the best account of it I can. — 
 
 The design is by S' Joshua Reynolds Two Busts on one 
 
 term, Nature and Shakespeare ; Garrick unveiling both at once, 
 by through^, back a large piece of Drapery. 
 
 I am glad I have been able to prevail with the Gentlemen 
 who drew the matter I send you, to give it up ; and doubly so 
 that they all seem to joiti me in the opinion that you are the 
 Person most likely to draw up an address that may to futurity 
 appear unexceptionable. 
 
 I am D'. S'. 
 
 Y' well wisher 
 
 & very hble Serv* 
 
 Tho. King. 
 
 Great Queen Street 
 Feb' 5* 1777. 
 
207 
 
 The following was written by the elder Colman. 
 
 The Incorporated Actors belonging to the Theatre Royal, 
 Drury Lane, humbly beg leave to present their Perpetual Presi- 
 dent, David Garrick Esq", with the Medal that accompanies this 
 Address, in testimony of their gratitude for his having raised 
 and supported by his excellent performance on the Stage, and 
 finally established by an Act of Parliament obtained by his in- 
 terest, and at his sole expence, the Theatrical Fund * ; hoping he 
 will condescend to wear this small memorial of their affection 
 for him whenever he shall honour their meetings with his pre- 
 sence, as a faint token of their respect for his character as a 
 Man, of their admiration of his unequalled Talents as an Actor, 
 as well as an acknowledgement of the high sense they entertain 
 of the honour and happiness they enjoyed under the direction 
 of a Manager, whose virtues and abilities have so long ^nd so 
 justly been encouraged and applauded by the united voice of 
 The Publick. 
 
 * This Fund is distinct from that of Covent Garden. 
 
208 
 
 The Letters to my Father written while he was concerned in 
 the theatrical property of Covent Garden, close here. Those 
 which follow relate to his treaty with Foote, for the Haymarket 
 Theatre, and his subsequent maniageraent of that house. 
 
 From James Colborne* 
 
 8th October 
 
 Sir, 
 It is now near Ten oClock and I am but just come from M' 
 F with whom I think we shall soon settle this business, should 
 the proceedings of the day meet Your approbation, — I was obliged 
 to advance one hund*^. before he would say any thing, and soon 
 after he felt the same Sum ; I strove hard to Split the other hund: 
 but he declared he would never take less than 5^1600 in which 
 is to be included the unpublish'd Y\B.y& during his Life after which 
 
 Instructed by Mr. Colman to treat with Mr. Foote. 
 
209 
 
 they are to be his Boys, but should the Renters of the Patent be 
 desirous of purchasing them he will take ^500 now, tho' he can- 
 not he says estimate them at less than s^l 000 if to be sold to the 
 Trade. 
 
 I am now going to find M' Rigg, in conjunction with him to 
 draw up Articles, which I have promised to present on Thursday, 
 
 « 
 
 before which time I don't doubt but I shall see or hear from You 
 
 I am 
 Sir 
 
 Your most Obed* Serv' 
 
 In" Colborne 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 Sir 
 
 I PRESENTED the amended Articles to M' F- 'about 3 this 
 
 Afternoon, which met with a most gracious ■ reception — I pro- 
 posed waiting on him tomorrow , with the name and Person of 
 the Princip'. this time' he told me he was sorry was' incon- 
 
 E E 
 
210 
 
 veu*. to him, being particularly engaged on that day Wednesday 
 & Thursday, but on Friday he sh"* be happy if We would dine 
 with* him at 4 o' Clock at which time I promised to meet him and 
 I hope will not be inconven* to You 
 
 I am 
 Sir 
 
 Your most obed* 
 humble Serv* 
 Jn" Colborne 
 
 14 October 
 1776 
 
 To 
 
 George Caiman Esqr 
 Richmond 
 Surry 
 
 From George Colman, the Elder. 
 
 My Dear Foote, 
 When I quitted Covent Garden I never thought of attending 
 to a theatre any more, & accordingly declined the refusal of Gar- 
 rick's Share of Drury Lane : but a report having prevailed some 
 
211 
 
 time ago of your intention to part with your property, I was at 
 length persuaded by my friends that such a theatrical situation, 
 different in many essential respects from any other, would not 
 be ineligible. At my instance therefore one of our common 
 friends then applied to you to know your resolution, at wch time 
 you declared the report to be ill founded, & I dropt all thoughts 
 of the business — but having been told by several of our ac- 
 quaintance, that you had lately signified your wish to find a pur- 
 chaser, & even gone so far as to name your price, I again 
 thought I might, without indelicacy or impertinence, enquire if 
 you were serious. For this purpose I sent M". Co'borne to You ; 
 and tho' I am not so playhouse-mad as not to feel the largeness 
 of the Sum he has agreed to on my behalf, nor so vain as to be 
 unconscious of the many superior advantages you possest, yet I 
 shall, without much fear & trembling, put the last hand to the 
 bargain ; only begging that You would not ascribe my reserve, hi- 
 therto, on this occasion to a wrong motive, as it proceeded from 
 my unwillingness to give you unnecessary trouble, mixt with 
 some little reluctance to appear in any theatrical negotiation, 
 which was not likely to be concluded. My proposals however hav- 
 ing met with your approbation, it is necessary for me to come 
 forward, to complete them. I think I have property enough (in- 
 dependent of that which is to be contracted for) to make you quite 
 easy about the payment of your Annuity : I shall not be pleased 
 
 E E 2 
 
212 
 
 if that & every other object .of the Contract is not settled to 
 your entire satisfaction — for I not. only wish your solid interests 
 to be consulted, but I. am very desirous that we may appear to 
 act like two friends, rather than a couple of mere dealers. I un- 
 derstood you were yourself of opinion that this matter should 
 remain in silence for the present, &, indeed I have some reasons 
 for wishing that my name may not be made publick immediately 
 — yet they are not so important as not to give way to your 
 convenience or inclination. 
 
 " I am, Dear Foote, 
 
 very faithfully Yours 
 
 G. COLMAN 
 
 Soho Square, 
 Oct'. 18. 1776. 
 
 P. s. 
 
 What time do you expect M' Colborne at North End ? & 
 when do you go yourself? I mean to follow you as soon as pos- 
 sible, for I long to speak to you. 
 
213 
 
 From Samuel Foote. 
 
 My Dear Sir 
 I appointed M' Coburne to dine with me this day when I shall 
 be happy to see you. 
 
 I should certainly prefer you both as a Successor and a Fay 
 Master I dont recolect any material alteration, but however we 
 shall soon see one another 
 
 most Sincerely 
 
 Sam' Foote 
 
 Suff. S' — Fry. 
 
 George Coleman, Es(f 
 
214 
 
 From John Henderson. * 
 
 Bath Feb-^ 12'" 1777. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 I SHOULD not so long have delayed the honour of writing 
 to you if I had not been extremely busied w**" new Characters 
 & with the little interests of my Benefit, which is just over : 
 I played Leon for the first time and think (if I may trust the 
 cbrapliments of itly friends) that may be one of my Characters 
 at the Hay-Market. I have also since you left Bath played 
 Oakly in your incomparable Comedy & hope you will think me 
 fit to be entrusted with it. 
 
 Several judicious friends here & in London have advised me 
 to be careful of appearing in Shy lock at first as they think 
 M' Maclin so strongly fixed in the prepossessions of the people 
 as to make it very dangerous for me to attack that Character, I 
 
 * Henderson writes previously to his first appearance in London, (at the Hay- 
 Market Theatre,) in the year in which this letter is dated. He made his debut in 
 Shylock, notwithstanding the fears he expresses relative to this character; and was 
 engaged, afterwards, both in Covent Garden and Drury Lane. The laurels he 
 acquired are fresh in recollection. 
 
215 
 
 mean for my first appearance, besides the unfavorable impression 
 which, they argue, such a Character will leave on peoples 
 minds — what weight these will have on you Sir I know not but 
 I must own I cannot help being biassed by them — It has been 
 suggested to me that some new Char', would be safer, I mean by 
 new, some revvoed Play as was the case for M^ Powell, when you 
 so judiciously altered Philaster for him — Your extensive know- 
 ledge of the Drama will at once determine if there is any 
 dormant piece fit to be awakened, or in which / could awake to 
 any advantage — if there is not, I submit to you whether I should 
 not appear in Hamlet, or some other natural character. 
 
 Do you think Sir it would be improper to prepare an oc- 
 casional Prologue which I might speak myself, or might be 
 spoken of me ? — I should be afraid to hazard these tedious 
 egotisms if I did not recollect that you have thought it worth 
 your while to engage me & will most probably think it worth 
 your while to place me in the most advantageous light. 
 
 I am 
 Sir, 
 Y' most obed'. 
 
 h"''. Serv\ 
 
 J. Henderson 
 
 Geo. Colman Esq'', 
 
 Soho Square 
 
 London 
 
216 
 
 From John Edwin. 
 
 Bath 4 March 1777* 
 Sir 
 The business of this Theatre lately has prevented me from 
 turning any thoughts to other matters, which I hope you'll 
 excuse, as I ought upon receipt of yours to have inform' d you 
 that tho' I wish y^ admiral in London next Summer, the expence 
 of travelling & Living there is so great, that without an addition 
 to my Salary it will be impossible for me to undertake it ; for if 
 the boy goes my wife & another Child must accompany him. 
 My own cast is inclos'd with a list of the few parts M'" Edwin has 
 
 * This year, in which my father first entered upon the management of the Hay- 
 Market Theatre, was remarkable, in histrionick annals, for his bringing forward, 
 during one short Summer Season, three new Performers so conspicuous in their art 
 as Henderson, Edwin, and Miss Farren, now Countess of Derby. Edwin, indeed, 
 had dragged through one Season (1775) in the Hay-Market, under Foote's manage- 
 ment; but his talents were, then, so little exercised, tha the was considered to be , 
 new to the Town in the year 1777. — The son Edwin mentions was then a mere 
 Child ; and acted the Admiral, in the Farce of Lilliput, in the year on which this 
 letter is dated. 
 
217 
 
 done, who pretends to no great merit, but as numbers are some- 
 times wanted, she has a very good study & might upon an 
 emergency supply the place of a better actress. If therefore with 
 her assistanqe & Jack's performance you can add two Guineas 
 P' week to the three ah'eady promis'd. It will support me the 
 summer & that only having a large family. I experienced some 
 little difficulty last Summer from the smallness of my salary, 
 & indeed should not have thought of London again if I hadn't 
 some dependance on your good nature in placing me in a favorable 
 light for the Salary you give is less even than M' Foote's was, 
 his being a Guinea each acting night, the truth of which 
 M' Jewell's book will evince. My Son has sung upon the Stage 
 since you saw him & has gaind I think niore reputation than 
 he did as a speaker ; his ear being remarkably good. If you 
 approve of the above request shall take great pains to make 
 the boy deserving of your notice 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Your most Obedient Servant 
 
 J. Edwin 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 
 Soko Square 
 
 London 
 
 F F 
 
218 
 
 From John Henderson. 
 
 Bath March 16* 1777. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 I perswade myself that you who are so well acquainted with 
 the fatigues of a theatrical life will excuse my not having sooner 
 replied to your favour of the 18"' feb'' last 
 
 I hope you will not imagine that what I before urged to 
 you proceeded from any diffidence whatever in your politeness 
 or your kind intentions towards me, I submitted what I had 
 heard on the subject to your consideration, not so much to be 
 controverted as decided, I am convinced by your arguments and 
 shall chearfuUy be governed by them 
 
 But you frighten me when you tell me that " much is expected 
 from me" — I have experienced something of the severity of 
 London Critics from M' Woodfall who saw me here at the 
 beginning of this Season, whose opinion contributes to fill me 
 with apprehensions — he very kindly advises me to stay where 
 I am, cultivate my private character, and resign all hopes of 
 
'il9 
 
 fame and fortune to those who are better qualified by nature 
 to contend for them — he allows me indeed to understand my 
 Author, or to speak as if 1 understood him but that it seems is 
 but a feeble Ballast against the ponderous objections that will be 
 made to my figure, my voice, and my manner : — I remember too 
 that those articles were so much insisted on by a Lady of 
 this place that she publickly preferred another Actor in Shylock 
 because he played it so like a Gentleman : this was surely a 
 refinement on L"*. Chesterfield, who fond as he was of the 
 Graces would hardly have wished to see them hovering round 
 " the Jewish Gaberdine" of Shylock — 
 
 1 sincerely thank you Sir for the assiduity with which you 
 promise to correct my faults & will express my gratitude by the 
 most earnest endeavours to remove them. I am 
 
 Dear Sir 
 Your most obliged 
 
 & most obed' 
 h"^ Serv' 
 J. Henderson. 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 
 SoJio Square 
 
 London. 
 
 F F 2 
 
220 
 
 From Horace Walpole. 
 
 # 
 
 The Author of Nature will prevail is extremely obliged to 
 M' Colman for his Civility ; and sorry he cannot have the 
 Courage to be known for an Author. He does not mean to 
 give M' Colman the Trouble of correcting his Farce, but, as he 
 is very sensible of the little Merit there is in it, M' Colman is per- 
 fectly at Liberty to make any Alterations in it he pleases, a« he 
 must be a much better Judge of what is proper for the Stage 
 than the Writer can be. If M"^ Colman has any thing else 
 he wishes to say, the Bearer will attend him at any Time he 
 shall appoint to receive a Note with his Commands. 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esq. 
 
 * He did not, at this time, avow himself as the Author of the Dramaticli Proverb 
 called " Nature mil Prevail," 
 
221 
 
 From Richard Cumberland. * 
 
 Queen Ann Street 
 
 Saturday, 3 o'Clock 
 
 Dear Sir 
 A friend of mine I believe has made you acquainted with 
 a Rejection I hav6 met from the propr' of Covent Garden theatre. 
 I have not presumption Enough in my own behalf to say they 
 are not warranted in what they hav^ done, neither am I at- 
 tempting to traverse any Right, which is in them, & which 
 they may properly exercise : At the same time I woud in no 
 period of my life desert what may prove to be for the Interests 
 of Literature in general, what Ridicule soever may fall upon 
 me in the upshot. In this light I ask you, as a Scholar and an 
 Author of Genius, if you have any objection to read & judge my 
 piece. The rejection was peremptory, general, and prohibitory 
 of any Reply; I moved in Arrest of Judgement, which I 
 
 * A Contributor to the Stage, and the Bepublick of Letters, so well known that he 
 need not, now, be described. 
 
232 
 
 had too much reason to call in question consider^ where it was 
 lodged, but was denied an Appeal by the very Gentlemen, 
 who not a week before had exhibited the Man of Reason. * 
 My Tragedy cost me great pains & much attention ; hath been 
 many years in hand; is entirely original in plan, popular 
 in it's subject & free of all Imitation. 
 
 The Opinions of Men exceeding high in the Republic of 
 Letters have been unanimous & more than warmly in it's 
 favour. You will not wonder if such Authority makes me 
 hesitate about acquiescing under the Veto of a Junto of Pro- 
 prietors, whose Education has not started with the Muses, 
 & whose habits have been little calculated to make them Critics 
 in literature, I shoud add that my Piece was accepted by 
 M' Garrick & had a place for this Season, but was withdrawn 
 by me for reasons not worth troubling you with. I have 
 faithfully told you it's history & wait your Decision with y' 
 respect with which 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 y most obedient 
 
 Hum Serv* 
 Rich" Cumberland 
 
 * A Comedy, by Hugh Kelly, ^— acted only one night. 
 
223 
 
 Answer. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 With the present Directors of Covent Garden Theatre I 
 was unfortunately engaged in a dispute, during more than 
 half the time I was connected with them ; & there have been 
 some misunderstandings between us since our separation. My 
 suffrage therefore in favour of your Tragedy would rather be 
 ascribed to motives of ill will to them, than to a love of justice, 
 & a laudable zeal for the honour of literature. There is not 
 another man in the kingdom so peculiarly situated. I flatter 
 myself therefore that you will, on these considerations, excuse 
 my declining to read & judge of your Tragedy, whose merits 
 may be rested so much more confidently on the testimony of 
 those respectable opinions you have already collected. 
 
 I am Sir 
 Your most obedient humble Servant 
 
 G. COLMAN. 
 
 Soko Square 
 Sat. Night. 
 
 I should have answerd your favour by the bearer, but could 
 not withdraw from company with whom I was at that moment 
 engaged. 
 
224 
 
 From Sophia Lee. * 
 
 Sir, 
 Any longer to conceal myself would be failing in that confi- 
 dence & respect your very polite reception of my Opera claims 
 — the favorable opinion you are pleasd to express Sir highly 
 flatters my vanity while it conduces to my interest, & you shall 
 find by the deference with which I receive your sentiments that 
 I have not an unbecoming arrogance in maintaining my own — I 
 am very sorry it is not in my power to learn them from your 
 lips, but have I must own one proof of mediocrity of talents — I 
 mean a little prudence, which forbids my farther sacrificing a 
 certain object in Life to an uncertain one ; if you will oblige me 
 with your objections by letter it shall be my first care to obviate 
 or accede to them. 
 
 The letter which introduced the Opera was so true an account 
 of toy situation that it wanted only my Sex & Name — on only 
 
 * Miss Lee's letter refers to her popular Comedy of the Chapter of Accidents, which 
 was produced in the Haymarket Theatre. It was once, we find, intended to be an 
 Opera, — with Catlei/ as Bridget 1 
 
one circumstance was I not perfectly explicit since I gave a 
 single reason for preferring Covent Garden while conscious of 
 two — the strong desire of seeing Miss Catley appear in Bridget 
 which was written absolutely for her — the infinite advantage at- 
 tending this I need not I dare say Sir explain to you, nor how 
 much pleasure it would give me still to hope it 
 
 In my own Character Sir I repeat my acknowledgments for 
 that distinction shewn me as an Author, and in either shall 
 always be happy to avow what is equally an honor to yourself 
 and me 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Your most obliged 
 
 Humble Servant 
 
 Sophia Lee 
 
 Bath Feb'> 21" I7o0 
 
 P S I will trouble you Sir to address any future Favor to Miss 
 Lee M" Cruss's Kings Mead Bath 
 
 Qeorge Colman Esqr 
 Soho Square 
 London 
 
 G 
 
226 
 
 From Richard Cumberland. 
 
 My dear Sir 
 Miss Farren is a spoilt Child and has done us more mischief 
 by her hesitation, than she coud have done by a more peremptory 
 refusal. I never saw M" Brooks, but cannot doubt your Judgement 
 in putting the part into her hands, and shall thoroughly approve 
 of whatever you direct. At the same time if you think that the 
 Cast throughout is such as to make the Success more doubtfull, 
 than ought to be risqu'd, I shall perfectly acquiesce in your opinion 
 for withdrawing it. On the contrary if you approve of its repre- 
 sentation, I have not the least hesitation about any Cast you shall 
 give it, nor shall ever impute it's failure to any cause but it's own 
 weakness. I own I shall be truly sorry to give a blow to your 
 Theatre* where I am so anxious to contribute y* best help in mv 
 power. If Bannister is pleasant with his part, I think we have no 
 grealt ' cause to fear, and I shall chearfully come forward. M ' 
 Brooks's part is so short, that she will not impede the pro- 
 duction, and I hope M' Aickin is now content j I presume he is, 
 by your not mentioning any thing to the contrary. 
 
 With respect to an Epilogue I was in hopes you would have 
 given me one ; I am a very bad hand at it myself, and if your 
 
227 
 
 business is too pressing to turn your thoughts to y^ task, perhaps 
 you can find a friendly poet in y* humour to help us. In y' 
 meantime I will tack a few rhimes together as well as I can, and 
 send them up to you, that no stop may be made at all events, 
 I am with great sincerity, Dear Sir, 
 
 Your most faithfuU 
 
 & oblig'd Hum Serv' ' 
 R. Cumberland 
 
 Saturday Morning iSij .: 
 
 30 June. 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 In obedience to your Commands I write this very morning to 
 Miss Farren as follows 
 
 As you are born to have all mankind at your feet, you 
 
 " will not refuse the addresses of an old poet, who is as much 
 " devoted to your fame as any man can be : I am convinc'd that 
 " it is not in my power either to write it up or to write it down, that 
 « having tried hard for y** former Attempt in y^ character of Lady 
 
 GG 2 
 
228 
 
 " Paragon, I now put your Excellence to y* proof by desiring 
 " you to convince the Town that Lady Rustic cannot diminish 
 " your reputation with y"' Public, and will greatly add to your 
 " private merits by protecting y* weak and feeble, who cannot 
 " stand without your support. 
 
 " Your hesitation to receive it shews only your judgement, but 
 " your acceptance will be a proof your good nature ; Now I 
 " ara so certain that the latter motive will prevail with you for 
 " condescending to my humble Rustic, that I anticipate my 
 " thanks, and accept y^ favor, as one which I shall strain my 
 " powers in future to repay." &c. &c. 
 
 I hope my suit will mollify, and I really do not doubt it. I 
 thank you for y' hint. Adieu ! 
 
 R. Cum" 
 
229 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 My Dear Sir, 
 I HAVE just rec*^ your Letter, signifying Miss Farren's Coram''' 
 for transposing her Introductory Scene to the Second Act. Be 
 it so ! But I conclude it will be done with the hand of a master 
 — or in other words, that You will transpose it yourself — there- 
 fore I rest in peace. For Heaven's sake write her an Epilogue ; 
 I have plung'd from thought to thought in the profound of non- 
 sense and can fix upon nothing — 
 
 One sense is left me, y" Sense of your kindness. 
 
 farewell. 
 R Cum. 
 
 Tuesday 11 o Clock. 
 
 Tunbridge Wells July third 1787 
 
 Geo. Colman Esq^ N<> 35 
 
 Gffwer street 
 
 Bedfbrd Square 
 
 London 
 Free 
 
 D Warherston 
 
LETTERS 
 
 FKOM 
 
 DAVID GARRICK, 
 
 TO 
 
 GEORGE COLMAN, THE ELDER. 
 
 Wednesd ay. 
 Sir, 
 I AM Extreamly oblig'd to you for your particular & Genteel 
 Compliment to me * — and more so as I have not y" Pleasure 
 of your Acquaintance: I must assure you that I have more 
 
 ' 1 fancy that this alludes to a pamphlet, written by my father, entitled " Critical 
 Reflections cm the Old English Dramatick Writers ; addressed to David Garrick, Esq", 
 which was afterwards prefixed to Coxeter's edition of Massinger's works. The 
 advice, indeed, which is given in it to Garrick, refers more to his management than 
 to his acting ; but if this were not the " genteel Compliment" sent by my father, I 
 know not what it could be. 
 
. 232 
 
 Pleasure than Uneasiness, when I read a true well intended 
 Criticism, tho against myself — for I always Hatter myself that I 
 can attain the mark which my Friends may point out to me, & 
 I really think myself neither too old or too wise to learn — 
 If you would still add to y' favor confer'd upon me, I should 
 wish to have y"" Pleasure of seeing You in Southampton Street 
 or rather I will do myself y^ Pleasure of waiting upon You, 
 when I return from y" Country, If you will signify to me by a 
 Line that it will not be inconvenient or disagreeable to you — 
 
 I am 
 
 Your most oblig'd 
 
 & Obed' Serv*. 
 
 D Gakeick. 
 
 P. S. I shall return from Hampton the beginning of next 
 week, a Line directed to me there (Hampton in Middlx) will be 
 with me y" next day — 
 
 To 
 
 Geo. Caiman Esq^ 
 
 at Series Coffee home 
 
 Lincolns Inn 
 
233 
 
 Hampton 
 
 Thursday. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 I am oblig'd to be from Hampton for a few Days: at my 
 return, I will most carefully consider what You have put into my 
 hands. * I must beg leave to read it more than once, before I 
 send you my opinion, which shall at least be a Sincere one, & 
 given with all y= Care that my Regard for the Author will always 
 require from Me. 
 
 I have indeed been very unfortunate in my Litterary attach- 
 ments, but I flatter myself, both from y" little acquaintance I 
 have with M' Coleman & from y^ Knowledge of my own heart, 
 that He will have nothing to urge against my Sincerity, however 
 we may differ in our Judgments. 
 
 * Most likely, the farce of Polly Honeycombe, the first dramatick production of 
 the elder Colman; first acted in the year 1760, — and with great success. 
 
 H H 
 
234 
 
 You may depend upon ray Secresy in this affair, & may 
 Expect to receive a Letter from Me directed as You desire, in 
 about a Week or ten Days. 
 
 I am Dear Sir, 
 
 Your most Obed' 
 
 & Sincere hum'" 
 
 Serv* 
 D: Garbick 
 
 I am very sorry that I could not have y*" Pleasure of y' Com- 
 pany next week w* D' Markham & M' Bedenf 
 
 My dear Sir 
 I have this moment took a peep at the house for the Author 
 of Policy Hon. The Pit & Galleries are cram'd — the Boxes 
 full to the last Rows — & Every thing as You & I could wish for 
 our Friend — I am most happy about it & could not help com- 
 municating it to one, I so much love & Esteem — pray let me 
 see you at y' arrival — the second Music — & time for me to put 
 
 on my Fools' Coat — 
 
 Y'' Ever & most affec'^' 
 
 D. Garrick 
 
235 
 
 P. S. I cannot cut y= Jeal. W. * without f participation, 
 hurry Scurry as usual. 
 
 To G. Colman Esq^. 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 As I am confident that you are well assur'd of my Goodwill & 
 Friendship to you, I shall open my heart to you — I have had 
 Burton with me to. settle & go over y"= Part of Oakly — I 
 have consider'd it thoroughly & I find that it will be impossible 
 for me to get it so soon into my head as [ imagin'd ; it is very 
 long & particular, & will require more time to be master of it 
 than I can well spare — I have not slept these three nights last 
 past — these matters have so perplex'd and distrest me — M' 
 Murphy has kept us off so long and Lovemore (my Character) 
 is so much more than I Expected that I must desire you to let 
 
 * The Comedy o( the Jealmts Wife, by Colman the elder; which, as it appears 
 from this postscript, was, on the appearance of Polly Honeycombe, already sub- 
 mitted by him to Garrick. 
 
 H H 2 
 
236 
 
 me take a less Part y" Major, or S"^ Harry, or Charles, I have 
 no Objection to any of 'em — If M' Hume will defer his per- 
 formance to y'= next Year to which purpose I shall write imme- 
 diately to him, I can Master Oakly very well by y" time * — but 
 he is so connected with L*^ Bute & a much greater personnage, 
 that I must be a little delicate in that Business — I wish that 
 you would call upon me any morning this week & let us consult, 
 for I am at present very unhappy about it. I am this moment 
 going upon y'= Stage, but am at all times & in all Circum- 
 stances 
 
 Most truly 
 
 D. Garbick. 
 
 Tuesday. 
 
 To 
 G. Colman Esq^ 
 
 Lincolns Inn 
 
 f After all, Garrick was the original Mr. Oakly. 
 
237 
 
 July lO't 1763 
 
 Dear Col man 
 Many thanks to you for Terrse filius * — it is very lively, & 
 I long to see y ' second Number — 
 
 pray write to me, & let me know how y Town speaks of our 
 Friend Churchill's Epistle f — it is the most bloody performance 
 that has been publish'd in my time — I am very desirous to know 
 the opinion of People, for I am really much, very much hurt at 
 it — his description of his Age & infirmities is surely too 
 shocking & barbarous — is Hogarth really ill, or does he me- 
 ditate revenge ? — Every article of news about these matters will 
 be most agreeable to me ^- pray write me a heap of stuflp for I 
 cannot be easy till I know all about Churchill Hogarth &c — 
 how did the Terrae filius work at Oxford ? 
 
 * Essays, to which the elder Colman contributed, were published under this 
 title ; and another periodical work, so called, had appeared, many years before. Few 
 men of letters are ignorant of the privilege formerly exercised by a Terrcs Filius of 
 satirising his superiors, in a speech from the rostrum, at the Publick Acts, in Oxford. 
 This custom, now abolished, was derived from the liberties allowed to the low orders, 
 during the Roman Saturnalia. 
 
 t See his " Epistle to William Hogarth," — a most bitter, and, indeed, unmanly 
 attack. 
 
238 
 
 have you yet receiv'd any Letter from Lord Bath ? pray be 
 particular in that; for tho my Curiosity is much concern'd 
 in my former Questions, my heart & soul are interested in 
 the last — 
 
 Y" Ever 
 
 my Dear Col man 
 
 D. Garrick 
 
 M'" Garrick presents her respects to you — 
 
 All y'' News — 
 
 Enclose y' Letter to his Grace the Duke of Devonshire 
 
 at Chatsworth 
 (by y^ Chesterfield) Derbyshire 
 
 Bag. 
 
 If you should be in town when you write, pray send any letters 
 that may be at my house in the same Cover. 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 ' at Richmond 
 
 in 
 Devonshire Surry. 
 
239 
 
 Monday 
 
 My dear Col man, 
 I have half a moment to let you know, that I receivd your 
 last agreeable packet — I thank you from my soul for your literary 
 turtle — Quin never Eat half so much, or so greedily, of the real 
 one, as I did of that you sent me — it was all green fat, & I have 
 been at it again & again. 
 
 I think Newberry* behav'd very ill to you, & deserv'd Correc- 
 tion, but I am so delicate about Women, that I could wish that 
 
 she had been exempted from y'= lash 1 hope that you & 
 
 yours are in possession of M" Garrick's Horse — I am sure that 
 he will answer your Ends. I shall be in London next Thursday 
 sen'night & hope to see you there — My Lord Duke (the best 
 & most honourable of men) speaks often of you, & with great 
 desire of knowing you. — were you rtear us, you would be happy 
 
 * The bookseller. 
 
240 
 
 to be with us — all Mirth, Bagatelle, Liberty, & a little drinking 
 at times — 
 
 Yours Ever 
 
 & Affec"' 
 
 whilst 
 
 D Gabrick 
 
 The Duke of Cumberland is to be here y' 26''. which makes our 
 going sooner than we thought or his Grace desir'd. 
 
 My dear Colman. 
 Tho I have said in George's * Letter that I would not write 
 to you till I got to Lyons, yet I can't help scribbling to you, 
 for indeed my dearest friend there is no Love lost between us — 
 
 * George Garrick, his brother ; who was always ready at his call. George usually 
 inquired, every night, on coming behind the Scenes, at Drury Lane, " has David 
 wanted me ?" On it's being idly asked how George came to die so soon after the 
 demise of his celebrated relation, the answer was, — David wanted him. 
 
241 
 
 I am vastly happy that Powel * strikes you so much in the Re- 
 hearsal — He will surprize, &. I most cordially wish it, for I think 
 him a very worthy man — pray take care that the Play is quite 
 ready> bfefore He makes his appearance. 
 
 You can't imagine, my dear Colman, what honours I have re- 
 ceiv'd from all kind of People here t — the Nobles & the Litter- 
 ati have made so much of me that I am quite asham'd of opening 
 my heart ev'n to You. Marmontel has wrote me y"= most flat- 
 tering Letter upon our supping togeather,:}: I was in Spirits & so 
 was the Clairon, ^ who sup'd with us at M' Neville's. She got 
 
 * See former letters, in regard to Ponaell. 
 
 f At Paris. 
 
 X Of Marmontel, and UAlemiert, afterwards mentioned, who has not heard ? 
 
 $ The Clairon was highly distinguished in her day, for her superior talents as, 
 an actress, upon the French Stage. 
 
 " Clairon reunit les suffrages 
 Des plus habiles connoiseurs ; 
 Et son Jeu des meilleurs Auteurs 
 Fait encor valoir les Ouvrages." 
 
 Anecdotes Dramatiques. 
 
 I I 
 
242 
 
 up to set me a going & spoke something in Racine's Athalie 
 most charmingly — upon which I gave them the Dagger Scene 
 in Macbeth, y" Curse in Lear, & the falling asleep in S' John 
 Brute, the consequence of which is, that I am now star'd. at at y^ 
 Playhouse, and talk'd of by Gentle & Simple as y^ most wonder- 
 full wonder of wonders — the first Person I find going to England 
 shall bring you Marmontel's Letter ■^— D'Alembert was one of y' 
 Company & Sings my praises to all y^ Authors of the Encyclo- 
 PEDiE. I am glad to hear of y* Prologue, if they love to hear 
 me abus'd, they will have great pleasure this winter, for I am 
 told they have begun already, but I am happy & in Spirits, & 
 shall not read any Newspapers on this side the Alps — many 
 thanks to you for y^ trouble you take about the Invasion*, cut as 
 you please — I leave it to you — as for Midsummer Nights, f &c. 
 I think my presence will be necessary to get it up as it ought — 
 however if you want it, do for the best — & I'll Ensure It's Suc- 
 
 * Harlequin's Invasion, probably; it was produced, however, in the year 1759, 
 before the period at which this letter was written. 
 
 f Shakespeare's Play, altered by Garrick, and performed (during his absence) in 
 1 763, — but without success. 
 
243 
 
 cess — M' Calcrafl's behaviour astonishes me, but I hope Lacy 
 will be firm — pray continue in his good Graces for my Sake. 
 
 I believe I forgot to pay a little bill for y^ Gazeteers, owing to 
 one Owen, y* bill lay in my Study window, will you discharge it 
 for me, & pay for a pair of Spectacles I bought & forgot at y" op- 
 tician's (I forgot his name) at Charing Cross : it is on y' left side 
 going down to Whitehall — I hate to be in debt & if you or 
 George will clear me there I shall thank you most sincerely — 
 I am this moment going to see a new piece at y' Italian Comedy, 
 & last Night I saw a new one at y" french Comedy, taken from 
 our Tancred & Sigismunda, it had very indifferent success, but 
 y° Clairon was great ; she has her faults (bewe^n you & me) but 
 I don't sav so here, for she idolizes me — 
 
 God bless you my dear Colman, & have a corner of y' eye 
 upon my theatricals, I think you have begun well & may conti- 
 nue it, if my Partner will be advis'd & stick tightly to his Bu- 
 siness — he behaves well & I most sincerely wish for all our sakes 
 that he may not want me — I have deslr'd George to write his 
 
 • Lacy was Garrick's partner, in Drury Lane Theatre. 
 II 2 
 
244 
 
 next Letter to Florence, pray put in a postscript that I may 
 comfort myself in foreign parts with y' sight of y' most agreeable 
 scrawl ; — once more my worthy Friend Adieu ! — My Wife sends 
 her Love to you de bon Cceur — 
 
 Ever & Ever 
 
 Yours & Yours 
 
 D. Gabrick 
 
 George has my direction to Florence 
 
 A Monsieur 
 Monsieur Gar rick 
 chez le Marquis Friscobaldi et fils 
 a Florence. * 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 ofLincolns Inn 
 London. 
 
 * The frequency of Garrick's performance having, naturally, decreased his attrac- 
 tion, he determined on a two years' Tour to the Continent, whence he writes this 
 and the ten following letters. 
 
245 
 
 Naples Dec 24. 1763. 
 My dear Colman 
 
 Per varies casus we are at last arriv'd at our journey's End — 
 
 and a very long one it has been — I have now time to shake my 
 
 feathers a little, & open my heart to thee, thou best of friends ! — 
 
 We got to this place the 17/\ after a most disagreeable Journey 
 
 from Rome, for we were taken in the midst of y^ heavy rains 
 
 here, and were well soak'd with them all the way — at present 
 
 the weather is inconceivably fine, & we are basking ourselves 
 
 in a warm sun with the Mediterranean at our feet, and Mount 
 
 Vesuvius in our view — tho it is Xmas, we have green Peas 
 
 Every day & dine with our windows open — these are our 
 
 Pleasures in part, as for our distresses, which have 'been as 
 
 ridiculous as unexpected since we left Rome & are the common 
 
 occurrences upon this Road, I shall reserve them for our social 
 
 hours at Hampton — We are all at this moment, Biddy not 
 
 excepted *, in the highest Spirits, & I am much y'= better for my 
 
 expedition : My Lady Oxford, who is settled here & has the 
 
 I know nothing about Biddy. 
 
246 
 
 greatest Interest with the first People, has been most uncom- 
 monly kind to us — I am to have the honour & satisfaction of 
 seeing the King's Italian Actors perform before him in y* Palace, 
 which is a most extraordinary favour ; they perform Extempore, 
 & the Nobleman, who stands in the place of y' Lord Chamberlain 
 has sent me word, that if I will write down any dramatic Fable & 
 give the Argument only of the Scenes, in 24 hours after, they 
 shall play it before me as y^ greatest Comp* they can pay me — 
 I shall work at it to morrow — I hear there is one great Genius 
 among the Performers — the Situation & Climate of this place 
 are most extraordinary, & the People are still more so ; they are 
 a new race of beings, & I have the highest Entertainment in 
 going amongst them, & observing their Characters from y^ 
 highest to y^ lowest — I was last night at their great Theatre, 
 which is a most magnificent one indeed ; I was really astonish'd 
 at first coming into it— it was quite fiiU, & well lighted up — 
 but it is too great*, & the singers were scarcely heard — the 
 famous Gahrielli pleas'd me much ; she has a good person, is the 
 
 * If any one be curious enough to ascertain the dimensions of the Theatre iiere 
 mentioned, (of San Carlo, it is presumed,) he may, then, possibly discover 
 Garrick's opinion, though posthumously given by him, in respect to the magnitude 
 of the present Playhouses in Drury Lane and Covent Garden. 
 
247 
 
 best Actress I ever saw on an Opera Stage, & has the most agree- 
 able voice I ever heard ; she sings more to the ear than to y* 
 heart — before I left Florence I had much Conversation with an 
 old Servant of y' Father's, who lives with S' H. Mann — he 
 remembers your being born, & shew'd me the house where you 
 first wawVd 8f cryd, I look'd at it for ten minutes with pleasure — 
 I need not tell you how well I am prepar'd to set you right, if you 
 sh*^ hereafter make any mistakes about your Age, & I fear that 
 we already differ a year or two in the Calculation — I cannot 
 quit you till I say something about ROME : I hardly slept the 
 night before I arriv'd there with y^ thoughts of seeing it — 
 my heart beat high, my imagination expanded itself, & my 
 Eyes flash' d again, as I drew near the Porta del Popolo ; but the 
 moment I enter'd it, I fell at once from my Airy Vision & 
 Utopian Ideas into a very dirty ill looking place (as they call it) 
 with three crooked streets in front, terminated indeed at this 
 End with two tolerable Churches — w* a disappointment ! my 
 Spirits sunk & it was w*"* reluctance that I was drag'd in the 
 afternoon to see the Pantheon — but my God, w' was my Plea- 
 sure & Surprize! — I never felt so much in my life as when I 
 enter'd that glorious Structure: I gap'd, but could not speak for 
 Slninutes — It is so very noble, that it has not been in y* 
 Power of Modern Frippery or Popery (for it is a Church you 
 know) to extinguish Its grandeur & Elegance — Here I began to 
 
248 
 
 think myself in Old Rome, & when I saw the ruins of the famous 
 amphitheatre — 
 
 Omnis Caesareo cedat labor Amphitheatro — I then felt my 
 own littleness — & was convinc'd that the Romans were as much 
 superiour to the Moderns in Every thing, as Vespasian's Amphi- 
 theatre was to Broughton's * — it is impossible, my dear Colman, 
 to have any Idea of these things from any Prints that have been 
 made of 'Em, — all modern performances look better upon paper, 
 but these Ruins are not to be conceiv'd, but by the sensible and 
 true Avouch of your own Eyes, tho I am pleas'd, much pleas'd 
 with Naples, I have such a thirst to return to Rome, as cannot 
 possibly be slak'd till I have drank up half y^ Tiber, which, in 
 it's present state, is but a scurvy draught neither, it is very 
 strange that so much good poetry sh' be thrown away upon such 
 a pitiful River ; it is no more Comparable to our Thames, than our 
 modern Poets are to their Virgils & Horaces — I was so taken up 
 for y* fortnight I was at Rome in seeing ruins, Statues Pictures 
 & Palaces, that I had not the least inclination to see his Holiness, 
 & his troop of Cardinals, tho they had two or three publick days 
 when I was there — I shall have their blessings in y^ holy Week. 
 
 * Broughton, of pugilistick memory. 
 
249 
 
 I attend Lord & Lady Spencer to morrow to Herculaneum, 
 where, I am told, they have dug up Every Utensil that were in 
 use among the Romans, & have got ev'n a Lady's Toilette 
 entire — the Lady herself was found dressing herself & in y^ act 
 of sticking a bodkin into her hair ; which bodkin is of a most 
 Elegant makcj not much unlike a modern one, with the differ- 
 ence of a Jupiter or Minerva carv'd at the End of it : next week 
 we shall mount to see y^ top of Vesuvius ; it is a most terrible 
 Object indeed, & y^ greatest natural wonder I ever yet saw — 
 in short we are Encompass'd with classical prodigies & when we 
 shall be able to get out of this Enchanting Circle, I cannot pos- 
 sibly tell — I shall write the next post to Brother George, from 
 whom I expect a letter very soon, tho I receiv'd one from him, 
 and another from You at Rome — direct your next, as I desir'd 
 before, A Monsieur Mounsieur Fran° BarazziRanquier a Rome — 
 or rather, to Me chez Mons' Fran" Barazzi &c. — I have seen y' 
 S' James's Chron : here, & from thence & other papers, I see that 
 the Deuce is in him* goes on as my heart could wish — I have 
 seen letters, where King is much prais'd & Miss Ply^m — but 
 surely O'Brien & Pope must bear y' belle, the poor Mids. Night's 
 
 * A Farce by the Elder rColman; — ^in which King acted Prattle; Miss Plym, 
 jyjjmii. Fiorival; Obrien, Cktlonel Tamper; and Miss Pope, Emily. 
 
 K K 
 
250 
 
 Dream I find has failed by a Letter in y" Chron'" : — I know y^ 
 Author & love him tho he abuses the Grown Gentlemen & 
 ladies — 
 
 M' Gibber, I find, is still prudent, & will run no risques of 
 reputation to support poor Old Drury, to whom she has many, 
 many obligations — What is become of y*" Invasion, y" Dupe *, & 
 y"" new Entertainment ; I hope I shall have some account of 'Em, 
 & a good one, in your next, how does Powell go on ? — does 
 he keep or lose his ground — if he is to be advis'd don't let him 
 play y' fool, as others have done ; remember me to all of them, 
 that you think deserve my remembrance ; send me some News, 
 dear Colman, as soon as you receive this-^ my Love to George — I 
 have not yet receiv'd his letter to Florenten If Clutterbuck is among 
 you my best affections to him'tooj & thank him for his delightfull 
 letter & tell him I hope to have y" solid pudding instead of y' 
 praise — I think hitherto that my Plan of Operations have been 
 as nearly follow'd, as y" Circumstances w** admit of, so that be y^ 
 success good or bad, I have my share of y' praise as well as of y*^ 
 pudding — that for Clutterbuck — pray desire George to let me 
 
 * The Dupe, a Comedy, by M" Frances Sheridan ; produced 1 764, and con- 
 demned. 
 
251 
 
 know how David * & all his Children are (particularly) in his 
 next — My Wife sends her Love to Him & You Sc Clutterbuck ; 
 
 Your. Story of Hubert & his family have not surpriz'd me, as 
 we rec"^ a Letter from M" Hubert & one from Castlefranc : 
 there never sure was such a mean Scoundrel f — He had no way 
 to Excuse the meanness of his behaviour to us but by pretending 
 a falsehood — I was an Entire Stranger to y^ whole upon my 
 honour, so y* it is impossible my Wife could suspect y* her Jewels 
 were chang'd without acquainting me with it — proof positive 
 — M'' Hubert might have spar'd herself y' trouble of sending 
 such a letter after M'' Garrick to Florence, & she will be sorry 
 that she writ it when she knows y' truth, as I suppose she 
 may before this — What is become of my friend Gamier ? — 
 if he's in London pray my Love to Him, we could wish to 
 meet him in Italy, I fear that he will set out next Spring, & 
 then we shall not see him, as our intentions are to go through 
 Germany from Venice, & so by Brussels, & not return to 
 
 * A nephew, I believe, of Garrick. 
 
 f Who was the scoundrel, is, here, a little equivocal ; — but it could not have been 
 Hubert; for at the end of this letter Garrick says his " heart overflcws" to Hubert 
 and others. — Castlefranc was a jeweller. 
 
 K K 2 
 
252 
 
 Paris — pray let me know his Motions — What is become of 
 your Terence ? I have not yet wrote a Word of y' 4*'' or 5"* 
 of the Clandestine Marriage *, but I am thinking much about 
 it — We are made so much of (as M' Cadwallader) by your 
 Dukes & Earls & Barons & Baronets, that I have not a mo- 
 ment for thinking — Churchill's affair makes me unhappy — 
 what are you doing with Wilkes ? — is not he undone ? or will 
 they go too far, & give him once again y* advantage ? — & w* 
 will he do with it when he has it ? — My heart overflows to 
 Schombei^, Townley, Hubert & I am 
 
 Ever & most affect'' 
 
 thine my dear Friend 
 
 D. Garkick 
 
 P. S. I have in my hurry forgot this blank side but you can 
 make it out — my Wife & I desire you'll present our Respects to 
 Lord Bath — I do assure You if * * * I should not be so Easy 
 with the flirtation that his Lordship sends, & M" Garrick re- 
 ceives so warmly ; however I am in a Country y' will teach 
 me how to secure my honour under lock & key, & I hope 
 
 * The joint production of the elder Cohnan and Garrick. 
 
253 
 
 to return to England with less apprehensions of his Lordship 
 — my best wishes to M' Burney I shall write soon to him. 
 
 A Monsieur 
 
 Monsieur Colman 
 in Lincolns-Inn 
 a Londres 
 Ingleterra 
 
 Rome April 11* 1764. 
 
 My dear Colman, 
 Tho' I resolv'd in my last letter to George not to trouble you 
 any more till I got to Venice, yet I cannot hold it out so long, 
 but must say a word or two more to you from this Place ; which 
 of all Places in the World is the most worth coming to & writing 
 about — to shew you, that I think so. You must know that I am 
 antiquity-hunting from morning to night & my poor Wtfe drags 
 her lame leg after me : by y^ bye she is now much better, & we 
 have hopes of her being able to run away again from me, if she 
 can meet w**" another Capt° Caswell ; She desires her love to you, 
 & thanks you for writing to me, as I am sure to be always in 
 Spirits for some time after y' receipt of a letter from You : I have 
 not been quite so well here as at Naples, which is rather extra* 
 
254 
 
 ordinary; whether I fatigu'd myself too much, or whether y'' 
 Climate does not suit me so well, I can't say, but I have had 
 some disagreeable nervous flutterings that made me as grave an 
 Owl for a few days, but since y* rains have fall'n (& they came 
 down here in PailfuUs) & y^ Sun is bright upon us, I have been 
 as frisky as y'' poor flys, who were woefully damp'd by y" wet 
 weather, but are now as troublesome & as pert as your humble 
 Servant — His Holyness the Pope is trying by prayers tears & 
 intercessions to avert the Famine which his State is threaten'd 
 with — He has crept up the holy stairs (santa Scala) w"** were 
 brought from Jerulasem, he has order'd processions & what not 
 — We are not so bad, as they are at Naples, for there indeed 
 the Tragedy was deep — I remember some Scenes w* horror, & 
 since we came away, many People have dropt down in y^ Street, 
 & been taken away dead, from mere want of food — our Prospect 
 at Venice is rather worse, for we hear that y" Plague has spread 
 as fe,r as Trieste, & that they begin to talk of Quarantine in y" 
 Neighbouring States, if so, we shall run y* gauntlet terribly, but 
 we are not dismay' d, & must go thro' with it. — I must thank 
 you again for the trouble & Care you have had about Count 
 Firmian's books — He is very happy at y" Execution of y^ Com- 
 mission, and was highly pleas'd with your sending your own 
 matters to him gratis — it pleas'd me much — I have not seen a 
 S'. James's Chronicle since the End of Jan^ — if I have them I 
 
255 
 
 wish you w'^ desire George to keep them for me to rummage over 
 when I came to England — M'. Baldwin * T hear is no friend to 
 our house — a propos — I am very angry with Powell for playing 
 that detestable part of Alexander — Every Genius must despise 
 it, because that, & such fustian-like Stuff, is the bane of true 
 merit — If a man can act it well, I mean to please y" People, he 
 has something in him that a good actor sh* not have — he might 
 serv'd M'^ Pritchard, & himself too, in some good natural 
 character : I. hate your Roarers — Delane f was once a fine Alex- 
 xander — damn y^ Part — I fear 'twill hurt him — but this among 
 ourselves — I was told by a Gentleman who is just come from 
 Sterne %, that he is in a very bad way — I hope Becket has stood 
 my Friend in regard to what he ought to have receiv'd for me, 
 some time ago — I had a draught upon him from Sterne for 20 p*"' 
 Ever since he went abroad — pray hint this to him, but let him 
 
 * Printer and Proprietor of that Paper. 
 
 f " Delane's person and voice were well adapted to the parts he generally acted : 
 Alexander the Great was his most admired and followed character ; and his success 
 in that part brought him from Goodman's Fields to the more critical Audience of 
 Covent Garden." Davies's Life of Garrick. 
 
 X The Tristram Shandy Sterne : who died on the 18th of March 1768, a little more 
 than four years after the date of this letter. 
 
256 
 
 not be ungentle with Sterne — I have sent the plan of a fine 
 Scene & colour'd, among some small things in a little Box of M'. 
 Stanley's of y" Custom-house — it is in several parts & wrote 
 upon y^ back which is 1" 2^ Sec. — I will send a further explan- 
 ation of it, but any Italian & our SaundersOn will understand it 
 '— they sh'^ go upon it directly, it will have a fine Effect. Many 
 thanks to you for y' attendance on the Pantomime — I am sure 
 they wanted help — no more humour than Brickbats — I am affraid 
 that Love * in humourous matters carries too much Gut to be 
 Spirited — flip flaps, & great changes without meaning may distil 
 from the head, whose Eyes are half asleep ; but hilmour, my dear 
 Coley, & scenes that shall be all alive alive ho, can only pro- 
 ceed firom men of small stature, whose Eyes are Either quite 
 asleep or quite awake, — in short> from men who laugh heartily, 
 & have small scars at y^ ends of their noses "f — I am surpriz'd 
 about Murphy, & want to know how he % ^o™ M' Lacy — 
 
 * Video, former mention of him. 
 
 f This is a complimentary allusion to my father ; — an allusion ad haminem, and 
 ad nasum. 
 
 X A word omitted in the MS. 
 
257 
 
 — poor Lloyd * ! & yet I was prepar'd — the death of any one 
 we like don't shock us so much when we have seen them long 
 in a lingring decay — Where is y" bold Churchill ? — what a 
 noble ruin ! — when he is quite undone, you shall send him 
 here, & he shall be shewn among y° great fragments of Roman 
 Genius — magnificent in Ruin ! — I have wrote this on purpose 
 to tell you that Voltaire in his Additions a VHistoire Generate, at 
 page 183 under Usages du Seizieme Siecle, says something about 
 translating Plautus into Verse that will be of use in y' preface to 
 Terence — Speed y"^ Plow my d' friend, have you thought of the 
 Clandestine M. ? I am at it — ^I must desire you to write to me 
 once more & direct a Mons' Mons'-G-Gentilhomme Anglais chez 
 Monsieur Dutens a Turin, & I shall get it by hook or by crook. 
 Pray send me all kind of news — a Letter. from you will com- 
 fort me in bad roads, & thro plague & famine — so write I beg 
 as soon as you receive this — desire George to speak to M'. 
 Stanley about my things in his box — my Love to all the 
 Schombergs, Townleys, Kings, Hogarths, Churchills, Huberts 
 &c. &c. &c. Y' most affectionately Ever 
 
 D. G. 
 
 Dav" Gabrick — 
 Remember me kindly at home — 
 
 A Monsieur 
 Monsieur Colman 
 
 in the new Square Lincolns Inn 
 Inghilterra London. 
 
 * The Poet ; friend of Churchill, Colman, and Bonnell Thornton. 
 
258 
 
 Venice June Ig* 1764. 
 
 Dear Colman 
 I SHALL leave this Place to morrow & return to Padua in order 
 to be near the famous Mud of Abano, which the Physicians here 
 tell us, will certainly restore M'' Garrick. She is not worse, but 
 she continues lame & the Continuance is very allarming — I fret 
 to be at home, I dread the Italian Suns, & I am affraid that my 
 presence is necessary to make a Plan for y^ next Winter — If I 
 can be at home a Month before y' opening of y' house, I shall 
 think that I have done wonders — I shall try all my might to 
 compass it — this Venice is the most particular Place in y whole 
 world — it glares upon you at first, & inchants you, but living a 
 month here (like y'' honey moon) brings you to a temperate con- 
 sideration of things, & you long for your terra firma liberty 
 again — I am tir'd to death ; tho I have seen here such sights I 
 had no Conception of but in Fairy land, & have seen the Visions 
 of the Arabian Nights realiz'd by the Venetian Regate ; This 
 Show was given the 4"" of this Month in honour of our King & 
 to entertain the Duke. I shall be a week in telling you all I saw 
 & felt that Day. Such Elegant luxury ! which plainly shew'd, 
 that the Contrivers were as little formidable in war & Politicks, 
 as they were superiour to all y'' World as Managers of a Puppet- 
 
259 
 
 Shew — I have taken my Evening Walks of Meditation on the 
 Rialto, & have fancy'd myself waiting for my friend Pierre, but 
 the whole Idea has vanish'd at the Sight of a Venetian Noble, 
 who can give you no Idea in look & in dress but that of an 
 Apparitor to a Spiritual Court in the Country — 
 
 but then their Courts of Justice ! & their Lawyers ! If 
 there is any thing more particularly ridiculous than another, it 
 is one of their Pleadings — It was some Minutes before I re- 
 cover'd my Senses, & when I found I was really awake & in 
 a Court of Justice, I was ready to burst w^'' laughter — it is 
 inconceivably strange, & more whimsical & outree than the 
 Italian theatre — & yet all sober People agree that their decrees 
 are generally just & impartial. 
 
 I have been buying Pictures & books & am scarce able to 
 hold my Pen with fatigue — I have no Joy now in thinking on 
 y'^ Stage, & I shall return (if I must) like a Bear to the Stake — 
 and this baiting, my good friend, is no joke after forty. — 
 
 pray tell George that I hope he has written me a long letter to 
 AmJmrgh w* a full ace* of what Business is ready for y'= Cam- 
 paign — I have been thinking of it seriously — I am in treaty 
 w*-'' a fine Dancer, & hope to succeed at Padua — pray write me 
 
 LL 2 
 
260 
 
 a letter A Mons' Mons' Amman Banquier a Ausburgh, & I 
 shall receive it in my way to England — send me word what 
 People really say about me, & what you think of our affairs. 
 
 I have rec'd an obliging letter from Powell — his playing 
 himself to rags astonishes me ! — what can be y^ meaning of 
 it ? — damn Alexander — O horrible horrible &° ! — Delane got 
 credit by that Stuff — damn it, I say again — 
 
 I believe after all that you had better write to me at Calais 
 sometime after you receive this & not to Ausburgh — After that 
 sweating, tedious Journey, a long letter from you will be consola- 
 tion indeed — Let George write too — I hope y^ great Scene w'' 
 Saunders was preparing is getting ready — I have rec"* George's 
 last — God bless you. 
 
 IngMlterra 
 To George Caiman Esq^ ■ - . , 
 
 in the neiso Sqtcare 
 
 Lincoln's Inn London 
 
261 
 
 Paris Nov IQ" 1764 
 
 My dear Colman 
 I OBEY y' friendly Commands, & write the first post — I have 
 for a long time (I hope it will never be so long again) been im- 
 patient for a letter from you : I hope you did not direct any 
 letter to Nancy, as I desir'd, for I found not one for me there. 
 I could wish that George w'^ Enquire if M' Beighton of Egham 
 rec'^ my letter, & whether he answer'd it, if he did, that likewise 
 is lost ; tho in general I have been very lucky in those matters 
 — You say that you want to talk with me, & have many, many 
 things to say to me — I do assure You, that I never close my 
 Eyes without believing that I am Emptying all my Store of 
 friendly prattle into your Ears, & receiving Yours into mine i 
 Had I been happy enough to have caught you here, my dear 
 Friend ! I should not have wanted James's Powder; I'Exercise 
 du Cheval, et beaucoup de dissipation ; as all the french Doctors 
 have prescrib'd, & I have had three of 'Em — w'*" with three 
 German ones, & Two of my own Country, make the Number 
 Eight — Eight Physicians, my good Friend, and still alive ! & very 
 likely to continue so — so set your honest heart at rest ; & per- 
 
262 
 
 haps those, of my other friends, who care about me, may not 
 be wholly insensible at y' Intelligence. 
 
 I am a little y" worse for wear, & and was so alter'd a fortnight 
 ago, that I was not known, till I spoke ; but now, my Cheeks are 
 swelling, my belly rounding, & I can pass for a -tolerable looking 
 French Man ; but my Nerves, S"^ : my nerves — They are agitated 
 at times ; & the Duke of Devonshire's death had very near crackt 
 them — they kept his Death from me by the manag* of the best 
 of Women & Wives, till I was better able to struggle with such 
 a Heart-breaking loss — He lov'd me to the greatest Confidence, 
 & I deserv'd it by my gratitude, tho not by my Merits — I must 
 not dwell upon this subject, it shakes me from head to foot — 
 I can't forget him — and the blow was as dreadful to me in my 
 weak condition as it was unexpected — I heard nothing of 
 Hubert & Hogarth before your letter told me of their Deaths 
 — I was much affected with your News, the loss of so many of 
 my acquaintance in so short a time is a melancholly reflection : 
 Churchill I hear, is at the point of death at Boulogn, This may 
 be report only — he is certainly very ill — what a lust of pub- 
 lishing has possess'd him for some time past — the greatest 
 Genius no more than the greatest Beauty, can withstand such 
 continu'd prostitution — I am sorry, very sorry for him — such 
 
263 
 
 Talents with prudence had commanded the Nation — I have 
 seen some extracts I don't admire — What is Brown's book upon 
 Poetry? pray let me have some literary intelligence — how 
 could M' Franklin * imagine that any difference between 
 us would aflfect any of his dramatic productions? I hope 
 my heart is free from any injustice, & malignity of that kind — 
 M" Lacy at present manages our Theatre — if he receives M' 
 F's Performance, I wish it Success — this paragraph you may 
 read to him if you please — did you receive my Letter about our 
 Comedy — I shall begin, the first moment I find my comic Ideas 
 return to me to divert myself w''' Scribbling — say something to 
 me upon that Subject — I have consider'd our S Acts, & with 
 some little alterations they will do — I'll ensure them. 
 
 Had Lord Bath behav'd to you as he ought & not suffer'd 
 himself at the last to be flatterd by a learned Lady & her flat- 
 terers, I should have dropt a tear too, but my Nerves bore the 
 News of his death without agitation — Madame la Precieuse, I 
 
 * Afterwards, Doctor Francklin : — he translated Sophocles, Lucian, &c. ; was 
 Author of several Enghsh plays, and various other works. He is mentioned in the 
 Hosciad .• 
 
 " Others for Francklin voted, but 'twas known 
 He sicken'd at all triumphs but his own." 
 
264 
 
 hear since, has been disappointed, & has Acted her part for a 
 pair of Eatings only — I hope 'tis true from my soul — I rec'' a 
 very agreeable Letter from Powel — I have not answer'd it yet, 
 but I will — advise him to study hard, for without it no reput- 
 ation however brilliant at y" beginning can be supported — 
 I have sincere regard for him Sc rejoice in his success — Your 
 attention to my friend Townley's Brat gives me true pleasure, is 
 the Farce receiv'd ? * George does not mention it — my Love 
 to him (Townley) — is y' Terence yet publish'd ? — You wish 
 me in Southampton Street-^ & so do I wish myself there ; but 
 not for Acting or Managing, but to see you, my D' Colman, & 
 other Friends — y^ Doctors all have forbid me thinking of Busi- 
 ness — I have at present lost all taste for y' Stage — it was once 
 my greatest Passion, & I labor'd for many years like a true Lover 
 — but I am grown cold — should my desires return, I am the 
 Town's humble Servant again — tho she is a great Coquette, & 
 I want Youth, vigorous Youth, to bear up against her occasional 
 Capriciousness — but more of this when I see you — Foote has 
 been here, I did not see him ; did his pieces succeed last Summer? 
 
 * Townley, head-master of Merchant Taylors' School, was the Author of " High 
 Life below Stairs," and two other farces : — that in question must have been the 
 " Tutor," produced in 1 765, and acted only two nights. 
 
265 
 
 News, news, news, my dear Friend, & in return, I will let you 
 know every thing that passes here & send you my sincere Love 
 & best affection into y^ bargain. 
 
 Y". Ever & Ever 
 
 D. Garrick 
 
 A Monsieur 
 Monsieur Colmati 
 in Great Queen Street 
 Lincoln's Inn Fidds 
 London 
 
 Jan' the 23" 1765. 
 
 My Dear Colman 
 I THINK your affair w* the worthy Baron' a sufficient excuse 
 for y' not answering my last letter sooner — I forgive you with 
 all my Soul, & only wish that with all my Soul I could be of the 
 least assistance to you — You may, & must command me upon 
 all occasions — damn all such treacherous Villains — I did not 
 lose a moment to Enquire after his Worthyness : He is spending 
 away as if he had y^ Duke of Devonshire's Estate, & has made a 
 more brilliant & fantastical, & in his case, profligate, figure than 
 
 M M 
 
266 
 
 any of his Countrymen — He was last Sunday at the Ambassador's 
 
 — I went directly to our good friend Mons' de Beaumopt, & ask'd 
 him if it was not possible to do something in your affair here — 
 He thinks you sh'' lose no time in sending over your Security and 
 papers to him, if you can't conveniently come yourself — I don't 
 know whether you would not have a better chance to manage 
 him here than in England or Ireland — & if he has money why 
 should not You try all you can to get it ? — I know my Banker 
 would not trust him — but he has money & spends it like a fool 
 
 — dont lose a moment — the matter is of great Consequence — 
 I would really let all other affairs give way to this — 2000 P^' is 
 no small object — do you think my plaguing him would be of ser- 
 vice? — if it would — I'll haunt him Day & Night* — my return 
 to England is fix'd for y" beginning of April, but 1 have a week 
 or ten days allow'd me for packing up & getting away — I shall 
 certainly be in England (Accidents excepted) by y^ middle of 
 that month, suppose you could be here in February (& y" sooner 
 y° better) would it not be a better scheme? — Terence will not 
 be the worse for a little delay, the Baronet grows worse & worse 
 
 * All the foregoing relates to certain pecuniary accommodations given by my 
 father to a dashing Baronet of his time, (now no more,) whose name it would be 
 indelicate to mention. 
 
267 
 
 in fortune, Credit, & honour Every day — nil mihi rescribas &c 
 was never better apply'd nor quoted — 
 
 I hope you have receiv'd some comfort from M' Hutchinson, 
 You must not sleep over this matter, it has been too long neg- 
 lected already, & yet I suppose, some nranagm* with General 
 P. will be necessary — have you told him of it ? — do you think 
 of opening it to Him ? — perhaps it would be better to hear it 
 from y' self, than from y^ next Oars (as they call themselves) the 
 Darlingtons — you cannot hide it from y* world, & they will per- 
 haps be very ready for many reasons, to tell it — think of it 
 seriously — I shall send the Prospectus of Monet's book to 
 Becket by a Gentleman who sets out for Eng'' tomorrow * — 1 
 shall beg of you to say something about it in y'' S' James's — I 
 will enclose a Note to you & perhaps save you ye trouble — He 
 will send an Advertisement to Becket to be put into y^ Papers 
 for 3 or 4 times — the book will be most Elegant & entertaining 
 upon all accounts — if my Brother George can find by y° help of 
 
 * The Sievr Monnet endeavoured, in November, 1749, to .establish the exhibition 
 of French Plays, in the Hay Market ; — many of the nobility patronised the attempt, 
 but John Bull would not suffer it ; riots ensued in the theatre, and the Steur, and 
 his Troop, left the Country. 
 
 M M 2 
 
268 
 
 Goringe y" Book-binder three vols, of Nugenfs Tour thro' Eu- 
 rope in twelves — (I have one Vol" here, y'= others are in my 
 Study) — I shall give them to M'' Beaumont — & there are 
 people coming from London Every day — perhaps you'll bring 
 them y' self — My health is better & better — a Kingdom for a 
 horse — 'tis your only remedy — write to me soon, & let me 
 know y' determination I shall say nothing of y"^ Drama, y' 
 affair Engroses me wholly — affect^ Yours 
 
 D. Garrick 
 
 — all hurry — 
 To 
 
 George Coltnan Esq^ 
 
 in great Queen street 
 
 near Lincolns-Innjields 
 London. — 
 
 Jan' ^1<^ 1765. 
 
 Dear Colman, 
 I HOPE you have receiv'd my letter concerning y' Chevalier E. 
 - let me know your intentions & y' motions — I think you have 
 
269 
 
 no time to lose — Strike — & perhaps you'll find y" Iron not quite 
 cold — I have taken a Slice at the Law-Oratory here — t have 
 heard Gerbier, the French Mansfield, twice — He has great merit, & 
 pleaded with great warmth, & force — I was much pleas'd — it 
 was a Cause Celebrex & y" particulars are too long to send you — I 
 could be glad that something was put into the S' James's Chro- 
 nicle, or into Says paper for my friend Monet — You have seen his 
 Prospectus at Becket's by this time — the 3 Vol' are very Elegant, 
 y" Songs well chosen, & the ornaments very well fancy'd & exe- 
 cuted with great Taste — the price is only 30 livers, french — 
 about 8 Sh^ a Vol', his Expence for Engraving of y" Musick, & 
 cuts w*'' the paper which is made on purpose for him, will amount 
 to more than a thousand Louisd'ors. 
 
 Suppose there was an Extract of a Letter from Paris ? — in 
 w''' many things may be mention'd & y' friend among y^ rest, 
 that it may take ofi" all suspicion from me : I should be glad that 
 you would add, diminish, correct, & blow a little pepper into y 
 tail of y* following Nonsense. 
 
 — Extract of a letter from Paris — 
 
 the great subject of Conversation here at pre- 
 
 sent is the affair of the Hermaphrodite who has married a Girl 
 at Lyons — they have annuU'd y^ marriage there, & in their Sen- 
 
270 
 
 tence have condemn'd the Hermaphrodite to wear Woman's Ap- 
 parel hereafter — from y= Circumstances of his Case (& very 
 strange they are) the Sentence is thought unjust, & there is an 
 appeal from it to y* Courts here, & the Curious wait with great 
 impatience for the Consequences — the Philosophical Dictionary 
 which has made so great a noise here, & thought to be Voltaire's, 
 is absolutely disown'd by him, & for very good rea'sons, the par- 
 liament has taken it into consideration, & if the Author is known, 
 He may have reason to repent both of his Wit & his Indecency 
 
 — the Play house (the french one I mean) cannot stand against 
 the comick Operas at the Italians — the last which is tal^en from 
 our George Barnwell, & call'd I'Ecole de la Jeunesse, is much 
 admir'd — They have chang'd the Murder of the Uncle into an 
 intention of robbing his Scrutore, where the Young Man finds 
 his Uncle's Will, in which he is left Heir to all his Uncle's Estate 
 
 — this occasions a new Catastrophe, by repentance &c & it Ends 
 happily & heavily — this brings me to mention the former Di- 
 rector of y^ Comic Operas, our old Friend Monet, He is y" 
 gayest man at Paris — He has got Enough by his Operas to live 
 happily, he has honorably paid all his debts that his unfortunate 
 expedition to London brought upon him, He is greatly belov'd 
 by the Men of Wit & Pleasure who have assisted him in collect- 
 ing materials for three Vol' of the most chosen Songs in the 
 french language — it will be a complete history of their Lyrick 
 
271 
 
 Poetry — He has great taste himself & he began his Collection 
 when he was y« Manager of Operas — His Engravings for y^ Mu- 
 sick, his elegant designs exquisitely executed, with the happy 
 choice of the poetry, will make a very great addition to y= Mu- 
 sical Library — the songs are all new set by y« best Masters 
 here — pray recommend them as warmly to y' Friends as I most 
 sincerely & warmly to you — " 
 
 I write in confusion for y« Ambassador's Private Secretary 
 has promis'd to send this for me in his packet & the man waits 
 for it — I think you must leave me out as I have, or begin y* 
 Paragraph about me ; « our little Stage Heroe looks better than 
 he did &c"* — if you think it right speak of me as you please, 
 gravely, ludicrously, jokingly or how you will, so that I am not 
 suspected to write it — pray touch this matter up for us & be- 
 
 * If puffing had not, in these times, gone beyond what might have formerly been 
 supposed it's ultima Thule, here were a lesson from a Master of Arts ! — Alas, Alas ! 
 dwell there such little souls in great men ! — Oh, Garrick, Garrick ! that any man, 
 of true talent, (whether fully aware of his established fame or not,) should forget 
 the dignity of genius, and descend to this ! ! ! 
 
272 
 
 lieve me at all times & in all humours — walking, trotting or 
 Galloping 
 
 Ever & Ever 
 
 D. Garbick 
 
 Send the Enclos'd directly to George. 
 
 Paris Feb'' I fit" 
 Dear Colman, 
 You see by y' Enclos'd that you will have a letter by y*" next 
 post — when y' Bai-' sends it, I shall direct it only, & put it into 
 y" post — I have desir'd to see him, for it was much ado that we 
 knew how to send y" letter, but he keeps with y"= lady, & sees No 
 body chez lui — I'll go to y^ Embassador's tomorrow in hopes of 
 catching him, & I will call at Mad^'" Clair's for that purpose too ; 
 but I am sorry that you did not draw upon him in my favour (as 
 y" Trade calls it) & then I sh'' have had a sort of right to tor- 
 ment him — he has some ready money at present, & I could wish 
 that we had our 150 out of it — Mons'de Beaumont wants to 
 know what Security you have, & he can tell you what is to be 
 
273 
 
 done here — thoif you are safe in Ireland what more can be done 
 about y' great debt ? 
 
 My dear Colman you frighten'd with me y' Extract of a Lett' 
 from Paris — I am very sorry that you mention'd y'' woeful want 
 of me as Manage %■ Act' — they will suspect it came from me, & I 
 have no right* to say so much, as I have been taking my pleasures 
 & left y'^ Theatre for a time — it appears ungenerous & ungrateful! 
 in me : which hurt me much — I beg that you will do all you can 
 to make them not think y" paragraph mine, if I am suspected — 
 I never in my life prais'd myself knowingly except a little matter 
 in y" Fribbleriad*, w''' always pinch'd me — perhaps I am too 
 sensible about this delicacy, & nobody thinks about me or y' 
 Extract — settle my mind about that matter in y' next — the 
 devil was in you to mention the hoop at Sadler's Wells, for I wrote 
 that very thing to ray Friend Arden at Lord Spencer's — I de- 
 sir'd you to say something against me f, & you stuck y' pen in y' 
 heart, & wrote as you felt — I wish from my Soul that you had 
 
 * A Poem by Garrick, against a Mr. Fitzpatrick, who was at the head of the riots 
 whereby half-price was established in the London Theatres ; — except on the nights 
 when a new Pantomime was exhibited, during the first winter of it's performance. 
 
 f Not exactly so; — see the, foregoing letter. 
 
 N N 
 
274 
 
 not — If Becket mentions you to any body, it is just as bad — * 
 Mad' Riccoboni (a very good Novelist, & a generous Creature,) 
 is very angry with Becket. I took his part — I fear he did not do 
 right, she is much hurt at him — We had a fine laugh at Baron 
 D'Albach's (where you din'd once) about -the Wicked Compy 1 
 keep ; I am always with that Set. pray set my Mind at Ease, I 
 hate to be thought malicious — 
 
 Has George said any thing to you about it ? — pray tell me 
 for I can't know Elsewhere, w* is become of Hardham's Girl ? — 
 & tell me what Poem is that against Murphy & others — there is 
 likewise a VoP of Poetry with cuts & very pretty head & tail 
 pieces I saw in Suard's hands — pray let me know something 
 about these matters. 
 
 Y" ever 
 
 & cordially 
 
 D. G. 
 
 P.S. vive la Clandestine 
 
 Marriage ! 
 
 * It appears, from this, that the elder Colman had work'd upon Garrick's hints 
 for a piff, transmitted in the last letter, and had published his notable performance 
 in the Newspaper, so as to displease or alarm the mighty English Roscius. I rejoice 
 to find that my father was considered a bungler in such an agency. 
 
275 
 
 March 8* 1765. 
 My dear Colman 
 
 I HAVE done my utmost for you, & more by half than I w**. 
 
 have done for myself — He never would see me, tho once I 
 
 thought I sh*^ have had that honour — he promis'd to meet me, 
 
 but instead of keeping his word he sent me the Enclos'd — I 
 
 need not trouble you with the whole of our Correspondence the 
 
 two last will suffice, as they are y'= finishers — you have heard 
 
 from him 1 suppose — 
 
 I think you are a little too hard upon the Author, my friend 
 Sir, of y" Seige of Calais * — there is flummery to be sure, but 
 there is good Stuff too, & he will write better, nay he has — for 
 he read to me one call'd Gabriele de Vergi a famous Story, that 
 to me is worth two of y^ Seige of Calais — however the french 
 World is mad after it, & if my friend's head does not turn with 
 it, it may boast great good Qualities. 
 
 You did not answer all my Enquiries in my last, you are affraid 
 of making me uneasy, but I am as sound as a — what shall I say ? 
 
 * Mons' De Belloy. 
 N N 2 
 
276 
 
 — nervous man can be — M' Pauchaud has not seen me but 3 
 times I believe, & the last time was at his own house, just after a 
 return of my fever — but perhaps he spoke as he wish'd,.& if so 
 I am flatter' d, for he is a very sensible agreeable man — you 
 made me laugh at The farthing Candles — what a true picture ! 
 
 — I am happy w* y^ thoughts of seeing you upon y " road, I will 
 give either George or You Notice of my coming if I see you at 
 Canterbury it will suffice, & I can perhaps tell you y^ day or night 
 we shall be there — so you have nothing to do, but be ready 
 booted and spur'd (as y" Knights of old were) & set off at a mo- 
 ment's warning — Terence for Ever my dear little great Friend 
 
 — there's your mind and body at once ! 
 
 I shall send you next Monday a little parcel — a great secret 
 
 — tis a Fable I have written, y'' Sick Monkey, to be publisji'd at 
 my return f — Severe upon myself — 1 have likewise got a print 
 engrav'd by Gravelot, I shall send you the plate — I would have 
 Becket be in y' Secret and print it but not publish it under his 
 name for it may be suspected — I shall cut it, & you may cut 
 
 * Another little art of Garrick ; — a poetical anonymous satire upon himself, by 
 himself; to excite curiosity, previously to his re-appearance ; — It failed of it's pur- 
 pose, and fell still-born from the Press. 
 
277 
 
 more, or return what I have quered — You'll find your Self there 
 as a Galloiioay — I have given some of my friends, whom I love, 
 a little fillip — for Heaven's sake take care to be Secret — when 
 Becket gives it to be publish'd, he must swear the Printer to 
 Secresy for fear of offending Me — I shall speak to Foley about 
 y" Stockings — the lOther thing will most certainly be seiz'd — If 
 I could bring Notre Dame upon my back for you, you sh** have it 
 — Marmontel has given an Imitation of Churchill's Character of 
 Me at y*^ End of y" Rosciad finely done ! 
 
 Yours most 
 
 affecf D Gareick 
 
 pray give my Letter to M^ Fitzherbert — Becket has it. Hoc- 
 hereau the Bookseller here brings you this -r- pray be civil to him 
 & give him a dish of Coffee. 
 
 ( 
 
 Paris March 10*^ 1765. 
 
 My dear Colman. 
 
 I CAN very readily believe what you tell me of my Brother 
 
 Consul — He will never forgive my being the means of his 
 
 making a figure in the World — but this between Ourselves 
 
278 
 
 T- I have other matters for you when I see you, & which he 
 does not expect — but Mum — pray does Powell continue to 
 visit you, & get a little Sense from you, or is he topsy turvey like 
 y' rest & thinks like Ric"* y' 3"^ that he is himself alone ? I hope 
 he is wiser — but I'll answer for Nothing or Nobody in a play- 
 house — the Devil has put his hoof into it, & he was a Deceiver 
 from y^ beginning of y'' world — tell me really what you think of 
 him — I am told by several that he will bawl & roar — Ross, I 
 hear, has got reputation in Lear — I dont doubt it — the Jown is 
 a facetious Gentleman — What do you mean, my good friend, by 
 my being oblig'd to appear, if I manage? upon looking over y' letter, 
 I find your words are Expected to appear — I must intreat you to 
 be very sincere with me — do the Town in general realli/ wish to 
 see me on y*" Stage ? or are they (which I rather think y^ truth) 
 as cool about it as their humble Servant ? — I have no maw for 
 it, at all *, & yet something must be done to restore our credit : 
 that I may be able to play, & as well as Ever, I will not deny, 
 but that I am able to do as I have done, wear & tear, I neither 
 must or can, or will — the Physicians here, D' Gem among the 
 rest, advise me, to a man, against appearing again — I had a little 
 
 * " Nolo episcopari!" 
 
279 
 
 nervous attack last week, & the D' croakt more hoarse than usual 
 against my thinking to do as formerly, tranquillity & retirem'^ 
 from business (he says) are the only means to make me Myself 
 again. A Tragedy here call'd y-^ Seige of Calais written by a 
 Friend of y= Clairon & also my intimate has made y" People 
 mad. * the Boxes from top to bottom are all taken for Months to 
 come — they give it gratis next Wednesday to y'^ People, when y' 
 Doors will be open'd at 12 o' Clock at Noon, & the Play will be- 
 gin at 2. 'tis y"' present Epidemical distemper — the Author has 
 rec"^ many favours from y^ King — 3000 livers — a Gold Medal 
 — Liberty to dedicate to him — & w* not — the French will 
 hardly bear to hear a Criticism upon it — the following distich is 
 handed about in terrorem. 
 
 D'un Auteur Citoyen vouloir ternir I'honneur, 
 C'est pretendre a 1' Esprit au depens de son Coeur. 
 
 however there are some objections made by y*^ cooler few — there 
 is much merit in y^ Play, & more luck in y^ Choice of the Sub- 
 ject — I rejoice at the success, for Mons' de Belloy the Author 
 
 * The dates of this and the preceding letter are accurately copied from the ori- 
 ginals ; it seems, therefore, from this, that Garrick had forgot his mention of the 
 
 Siege de Calais, in the former letter. 
 
280 
 
 of it is a most ingenious modest & deserving man — his Genius 
 is an honour to his own Country & would be to any other — You 
 may mention something of this in y^ S*^ James's but not from Me 
 — now to serious business we'll advance — 
 
 I cannot get a Meeting with y^ Chevalier — he is never at home 
 & has not yet appointed a Meeting w'"" me. I send you the last letter 
 I had from him — I would have you write directly to him & before 
 I set off, I will endeavour to get y^ draught accepted, for our Friend 
 de Beaumont advises i that — I will . certainly have a categorical 
 answer from him, w*;may force him to acceptance & then I will 
 leave the Note in good; hands to get the money by force. I had 
 a consultation with M' Beaumont & another Lawyer, they both 
 thought the getting the bill accept the best way — y*^ Indemnifi- 
 cation must pass y' common Pleas (you know how) before we 
 could ask a permission here to execute it upon S' H. a round 
 about way, but might be done — the method in hand is y 
 best, c"^ we but get him to Accept. I have sent you a Copy of 
 my letf (Copied by ray Italian Serv^) when I sent y* Note (for I 
 could not see him) & his answer — You must press the Accept- 
 ance, & say, that you shall make a bad figure with me, that I 
 have laid out money for you, & in my next to him, I shall desire 
 an Answer in a very plain manner ; & hint that you have not 
 us'd me well to send me a draught was doubtfull of acceptance 
 
281 
 
 — if you like this Scheme, let me know directly — for I shall 
 have bufjust time to do it, as it sh*" be done — I shall follow y' 
 directions. This Is all I can say at present, for y^ boy waits to 
 take it to our Ambassador's — it goes by his bag — 
 
 Y" Ever & most 
 
 truly D. G 
 
 A Gentleman yesterday shew'd me a letter from England in 
 which was the following lines to me have they been in y* Papers ? 
 
 To Mr. Garrick 
 Take Pity Garrick on our Erring Youth, 
 Restore their minds to Shakespeare & to truth ; 
 Keturn, return, our hopes are all in Thee — 
 Save us — from Tweedledum & Tweedledee ! 
 
 * 
 
 I have not got it right the third line is better in y* Original 
 but I have not time to recollect it — 
 
 o 
 
282 
 
 Easter Sunday — 
 
 My Dear Colman. 
 I HAVE sent you y° nonsense that I threatened you with in my 
 last * — I am rather pleas'd with the notion, & shall continue so, 
 till you undeceive me. I have copy'd it hastily, but you can 
 make it out — if you approve y^ Scheme pray let it be printed 
 ready for my Arrival, — I shall either send or bring a little 
 Copper plate by Gravelot, representing y^ Fable with great taste 
 & spirit — I would have it printed in Quarto, & well — & if you 
 will correct the Sheets for me, I shall be happy — 'tis written in 
 too great hurry to be correct, but you will lick y^ Cub, or knock 
 it on y® head, if it is Shapeless. — I think the Names of y« 
 Animals sh"* be in small Capitals, & in the dialogue part 
 one of y^ Speakers should be in Italicks which I have mark'd 
 thus 
 
 there are some half lines from Shakespear pray mark them if 
 you think proper, & if you can think of a good Motto, down 
 with it — I once thought of Medicus sum. 
 
 * His poem of the Sick Monkey. 
 
283 
 
 I Ijave given a Stroke at D"^ Hill, & y* College of Physicians, 
 You may out with it — I believe y* personal Satire is best avoided 
 — 1 cannot say exactly what day we shall set out, but I will 
 either let you or George know : — if George can get us a good 
 Cook we shall be oblig'd to him, & a house Maid, but we could 
 wish that they had some Character fix'd to their tail — I hate to 
 
 change & the general run of 'em are such infernal B that 
 
 ray Constancy is always to give way or I should neither be clean, 
 or able to Eat. 
 
 If you would be so obliging to write me a line by y^ next post 
 chez L'Aubergiste a la Table Royale a Calais, I shall have great 
 pleasure to receive a letter from you after my Journey — You 
 will do it I know because it will give me pleasure — speak your 
 mind about my Fable freely — I have no Mother's pangs with 
 any of my bastards. 
 
 I have this moment seen M' Beauclerk from London — he 
 speaks strangely of Powell — be sincere with me upon that 
 head — What all my Children ! 
 
 I fear he has taken a wrong turn — have you advis'd him ? 
 Do you see him ? is he grateful! ? is he modest ? or is he con- 
 ceited & — undone ? 
 
 oo 2 
 
284 
 
 once more, my good friend, correct my fable keep y* Secret 
 most sacredly — Becket is y' man, but not to be publish'd under 
 his name, it may be printed ready & y^ Print for y^ frontispiece 
 may be struck off in day or two. 
 
 Y'' Ever my dear Coley 
 
 while D Garrick. 
 
 I shall- let George know the moment I set out, which will cer- 
 tainly be either next Sunday, or some day y^ week after. 
 
 burn this for fear of Its being lost & of course wetting the 
 powder of our Squib — 
 
 a dreadful purging yesterday — better to day, & always in Spirit 
 with y^ hopes of seeing my little Galloway — 
 
 You would not answer that part of my last Let' which related 
 to y' fears of y® Publick's not being satisfy'd with my Manage- 
 ment without Acting — you did not explain that — no matter 
 — I am prepar'd — be civil I beg you to Hochereau — I have 
 receivd great honours from y* Princes du Sang — I shall return 
 to you quite a Clody in the fop's fortune 
 
285 
 
 Dec 22^ 1765. 
 
 My dear friend 
 I WISH I had partaken of y' feast of letters this Morning at 
 Strahan's — I must tell you that one of y® Parties (D' Lowth) 
 read one of Terence's plays in y' translation with Gamier (who 
 is now at Hampton) & was highly entertaio'd with it, & pro- 
 nounc'd it a most excellent performance — I could not help 
 sending you this piece of news, for the Dr's Judgment is of too 
 much consequence not to feel it 
 
 Y" Ever & Ever 
 I). G 
 
 To 
 , George Colman Esq^ 
 
 Xmas day 
 
 D-^ Coley. 
 God forgive me — I wrote the nonsense on ye other side, or 
 rather compos'd it, while our Parson was preaching this morn- 
 ing — it is a kind of Rondeau which the french & our fools 
 
286 
 
 that imitated y" were once very fond of. I have read y* three 
 Acts of y^ Comedy*, & think they will do special well — but 
 why didn't you finish y*' first Act as you would have it ? & if you 
 had hinted at L'' Ogleby's vanity & amorous disposition, by way 
 of preparation to y'' 4* Act (as we talk'd it over) would it not 
 have made y^ strong scene there more natural ? — I shall be with 
 you on Fryday, & shall dine at four, if you have nothing better 
 to do, You'll take a minc'd pye with us, or call in after dinner 
 — I think y" Grown Gentleman f will do, if Mess" Hart & Dukes 
 will not set their Scholars upon us — 
 
 What I have to say to you is said on the other side — 
 
 Y" Ever 
 
 & most affect'' 
 
 D : Garrick ' 
 
 I have schem'd my Epilogue it will be uncommon at least — 
 
 * The Clandestine Marriage. 
 
 f Allusive, probably, to an essay in a periodical series called " The Gentleman,' 
 written by my father ; which he continued only to a few numbers. 
 
287 
 
 Christmas day 
 
 To George Colman. 
 
 May Xmas give thee all her cheer. 
 And lead thee to a happy year ! 
 Tho wicked Gout has come by stealth, 
 And threats Encroachments on my health ; 
 Tho still my foes indulge; their Spite, 
 And, what their malice pronlpts, will write ; 
 Tho now to me the Stage is hateful], 
 And He, who owes me most, ungratefull ; 
 Yet think not, George, my hours are sad,.;,^' 
 Oh no — my heart is more than glad ; 
 That Moment atll my Cares were gone. 
 When You & I again were One ; 
 This gives to Christmas all her cheer. 
 And leads me to a happy year. * 
 
 * From these lines, and the following short letter, it may be supposed there had 
 been some misunderstandings between the parties, which were soon adjusted. 
 
288 
 
 My dear Colman. 
 Becket has been w**" me, & tells me of y' friendly intentions 
 towards me — I should have been beforehand with You had I 
 not been ill w*'' y* b^ef-steaks & arrack punch last Saturday *, & 
 oblig'd to leave y*" Play house. 
 
 He that parts us, shall bring a brand from Heav'n 
 And fire us hence 
 
 Ever Yours 
 
 Old & New friend 
 D: Garrick. 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 
 * Most probably, (from the fare and the day,) at the Beef-Steak Club. ^- This 
 letter, possibly, might have preceded that which is printed immediately before it. 
 
289 
 
 April 12"" 66 
 
 My dear Coley 
 I must say a word to you by our friend Keate — he is a very 
 agreeable man, & has comforted me much in this strange mixture 
 of mortals at Bath — No man starts a laugh better, or makes a 
 better chase — but alass ! my dear friend, my hunting is over — 
 I was last week feather'd Mercury, & now I have lead at my 
 heels : I have a very serious fit of y^ Gout, & how long it will 
 last, & when I shall see you, ev'n my good D' Ralpho * can't tell 
 me — I am in general cent p' cent better for my present purga- 
 tory — Qualms — pukings, purgings, & Yellowness have left 
 me, & I have no complaint but my gouty leg, (of the Street-post 
 order) that occasions me to break a Commandment a little 
 oftner than I us'd to do, 
 
 I was preparing to Exhibit for a few nights at Drury Lane but 
 I believe I must decline it, & I trust his M ^y will excuse 
 
 • Ralph Schomberg — a Physician then practising, at Bath. 
 
 P P 
 
290 
 
 me — pray consider Quirt's Epitaph a little * — dont hurry y' 
 self, I have time enough — I shall not send it to the Statuary, 
 till I have been some time in London — Y' Criticism about y<^ 
 Epilogue I believe is just — I was afraid of disconcerting my 
 Water-drinking, and hurried it a little too much — there is some- 
 thing however that will do — w**" ' t'other lick — how goes our 
 bastard • on ? — We have Escap'd well — Hawkeswortk has been 
 kind — it pleas'd me much — Who wrote y^ Answer to Kenrick^s 
 review f Johnson sent it to me thro' Steevens last week — but 
 Mum — it is not quite y^ thing : by J's fondness for it, he must 
 
 have felt K . what things we are! & how little are we 
 
 known — I will always except You & Me — for I think our 
 hearts are well known to Each other — if Either of us had had the 
 least ingredient of some of y^ mortal Compositions that shall 
 be nameless — we might have lost the greatest blessing of our 
 lives — at least I speak for One. I am oblig'd to write fast & 
 dont know if I am well understood — but I can't correct — I am 
 sure that your Plautus must please f — I wish you had rid y" 
 
 * Quin's epitaph, by Garrick, is engraved upon his monument, in the Abbey 
 Church, at Bath. 
 
 f The elder Colman, as it has been previously observed, contributed the- trans- 
 lation of one play to Thoknton's Plautus. 
 
291 
 
 hands of it — for * * * * — ccetera desidr . — I saw y' friend M 
 Selwyn here & spoke to him — I have seen Clutterbuck & all goes 
 well : we shall come to Town together, & then y whole may be 
 settled — thank you for attending George to Hampton — what 
 said the frenchHero? — did he seem to be satisfy'd with me ? 
 — he did very wrong to take such a journey contrary to my di- 
 rections — voila retourderie fra%oise — Pray when you see Da- 
 vies the Bookseller, assure him that' I bear him not the least 
 malice (which he is told I do) for having mention'd the Vulgar- 
 isms in the Clandestine Marriage — and that;! may convince Him 
 that all is well between us — let him know that I was well assur'd, 
 that he wrote his Criticism before he had seen y* Play. Quod 
 er' denff, — I forgot to tell George that I would have him consult 
 with M' Beighton about the Seeds that came from Obrien — He 
 (Beighton ) will know better what to do with theni than my Gar- 
 diner — desire George to write to him, & send the Seeds by 
 the first opportunity — Baker the Bookseller will tell him how to 
 send the Seeds the Easiest & readiest way. Keate is now w-*" 
 me, & his Postchaise at the door, so I can only say — what 
 I have said a thousand times, & what I will say to y* last moment 
 
 of my Life that 
 
 I am my dear Colman's 
 
 Ever aflfectionate friend 
 
 D Garrick 
 pp 2 
 
292 
 
 ' Hampton 
 
 Fryday 
 
 Dear Colman 
 M" Gaerick will wait upon you with great pleasure on thursday 
 next — pray let Schomberg be of y Party, we have not seen him 
 a long while & we love him — 
 
 The Gentleman * is excellent, more when I see you 
 
 Ever & affect''' 
 
 D Garrick 
 
 I hope y' Spleen f will continue — We are jaunting it for a few 
 days 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 
 * The periodical Paper already mentioned. 
 
 f A Farce so called, written by the elder Colman. 
 
293 
 
 June 30* 1766. 
 
 Dear Colman, 
 I rejoice much at your safe arrival at Paris — You set out in 
 Storm & tempest & we were afraid that the Sea would have been 
 rather too frisky for y"^ Stomachs. — but the worst is past, & I 
 hope Madam & You are well contented with Leviez & his ac- 
 commodations, to begin with what you are most interested about, 
 I must tell, that y' sweet boy * is at this instant as happy & as 
 well as Ever I knew him — I have made him two visits since 
 y' departure, which he has taken most kindly — the last time 
 his Eyes sparkled wJien he saw Me — He is greatly desirous to 
 know why I call him Georgy go ging — & has very seriously 
 interrogated his Duenna about it — We have work'd very hard 
 in the Garden togeather, & have play'd at Nine-pins, till I was 
 oblig'd to declare off — He is well taken care of indeed — the old 
 
 * I am aware of the laugh I shall excite, by publishing this description of myself, 
 as " a sweet boy " — and, were it not for the vanity of quoting my own scribbling, 
 I might say, that my acquaintance would exclaim, like Job Thornberry, in John 
 Bull, — " Are You the pretty Boy ? — bless my soul, how you are altered J" 
 
294 
 
 Lady & the maiden Pierce, are most trusty Guardians, & be as- 
 sur'd that you may set y" tender hearts at rest' about him — I go 
 to Essex tomorrow, & at my return. We are to have a day at 
 Hampton, & he is to make love to my niece Kitty, & a plumb- 
 pudding — He seems very fond of y** Party, & we will endeavour 
 to make him forget his loving parents — once more my dear 
 friend. Let not a single thought about y"^ Boy disquiet You — 
 He could not be better if you were with him — so no more of 
 that. 
 
 Thompson din'd with me at Hampton — ^he spoke very highly 
 and affect^ of You — he has no defsign upon us the next Season, 
 but talks of trying his hand again V— he intends writing to you, I 
 believe him to be a very good natur'd, well-meaning man — 
 Steevens has inquir'd after me to give me some papers from You 
 — what they are I can't tell, but we have miss'd one another, & 
 I am still in y^ Dark ; & you don't mention w* they are in y' 
 letter — 
 
 I have had a letter from BickerstafF, he is at Paris, & is going 
 to give some Account of our Theatre in the Journal Ency- 
 clopiq: You will see it I suppose — 
 
295 
 
 Saunderson tells me that they have lay'd y^ timbers for y« first 
 floor of y"^ house*, it rises most magnificently to the Ferry-Pas- 
 sengers ; you'll be surpriz'd to find y'.self Master of a Chateau 
 at your return — don't lose the Autumn for planting trees to 
 screen you from the timber Yard — my love to Madam & re- 
 member me to Leviez — You must not see a single french friend 
 of mine but you must tell him, how much I am his humble Ser- 
 vant — God bless you & believe me 
 
 most affectionately y"' 
 
 D Garrick 
 
 George desires his best to you 
 
 A Monsieur 
 Monsieur Caiman 
 
 chez MonS^ Leviez 
 Marchan^ des Estampes 
 rue des Arcs 
 
 Fauxbourgs 5* Germains 
 A Paris 
 
 * At Richmond, in Surrey. 
 
296 
 
 July 15th 
 
 Hampton 
 
 My dear Coley 
 I HAVE rec** y' Letter by Miss Burney, & was surpriz'd to find 
 that my first had not reach'd you — 
 
 I shall write to you as often as I think I can give you y" least 
 pleasure — I was taken ill with a giddiness yesterday upon 
 Hampton Common, in going to see y' sweet Boy, I was oblig'd 
 to return home, & send Cautherly, to know how he was, having 
 not seen him for a fortnight, (my Stay at Mistley) — He was quite 
 well, & wanted to see me — We are to have a day soon, if good 
 weather, at Hampton, which he mentions often, & has set his 
 little heart upon it — be assur'd that He shall want for Nothing 
 in y' absence, & that I will even administer to his pleasures — 
 We xvill sing old rose Sf burn y' bellows at Hampton f, ***** 
 I would have you follow the Chevalier up briskly — he will be 
 afraid of being expos'd — now or never — 
 
 f Much is omitted here, relative to myself; which, had it been inserted, would 
 have shewn Garrick's good-natured attention to a child, and his skill, as a master of 
 the passions, in tickling the feelings of a father. 
 
297 
 
 The Ministry all to pieces — Pitt they say & a New Arrange- 
 ment — Beard & Co. are going {'positively) to sell their Patent 
 &c for 60000 — 'tis true — but Mum — we have not yet disco- 
 ver'd y^ Purchasers — When I know you shall know — there will 
 be y' Devil to do* — if you w"" alter the Country Wife, now is y"^ 
 time — you might easily — & I have a girl for it will please you 
 much — if You won't I will — We must have it soon in y* Season 
 — try y' hand — you shall have my hints for sending for — 
 Miss Wright f not with us — that's not well — but I am in 
 Spirits & Ever thine my dear Coley upon the Gallop — 
 
 most truly & Eternally 
 thine 
 
 D Gabrick 
 
 A Monsieur 
 Monsieur Colman 
 chez Moris' Leviez 
 
 Marchand deS Estampes 
 rue des Arcs 
 
 Fauxbourg S' Germain. 
 
 • Tlie elder Colman was, himself, one of the purchasers. 
 f Afterwards Mrs, Michael Arne. 
 
 ft Q 
 
298 
 
 s ' Hampton July 31 
 
 My dear Coiey. 
 I WISH to God that we had you again here — your letter has 
 made me miserable : let me beg you, for my sake, not to suffer 
 y' Spirits to sink in y^ manner they have done in y' last letter. I 
 am sure the illness you have, proceeds from Nothing but y" 
 Change of Air, & the Seine- Water, however You have D\ Gem, 
 & I am satisfy'd — pray present my Love & best Services to him, 
 and if he does not send you back to us, as you went, I shall for- 
 get all the good he did to me, & abuse him most cordially. * * 
 
 I can almost prophesy the subject of y^ Lett' you rec'', from 
 y* Person of fashion. Co vent Garden Patent &c have been upon 
 Sale — One Whit worth & Spilsbury M'' Pritchard's Son in Law 
 are some of y* parties concern'd in y"= purchase : I guess that y' 
 Lett' was from y" frst, offering you a Share &c. — they have 
 spoke to Foote & others, but the treaty is at a Stop I believe for* 
 want of Cash, but I am not certain — Foote goes on now well, & 
 very uneasy that Barry & Dancer are coming to join him at 
 y= Opera house — he is to give them half y^ Profits j y= Expences 
 will be great, & he finds that all his friends think him in y^ wrong 
 to have them — You'll think so too, & when Barry comes, he'll 
 find Foote very cold — they say he abuses him already — I have 
 
299 
 
 made a beginning upon y^ Country Wife — I like my Scheme, 
 but it is a great change in y^ Piece — I wish you were here that I 
 might tell it to you — M'^ Pitt now Lord Chatham, & Privy Seal, 
 have set us all in an uproar ! I don't understand his Policy, if I 
 am right he is wrong — but I am a fool & have not lost all my 
 virtue. — pray what are become of Yates & his wife f y^ Story of 
 them rejoic'd me — have you talk'd with them ? what are their 
 Schemes ? — if you are well enough to see the Dancer Slingsby, 
 hint to him from y^self that he did wrong to send his 
 Brother to make an Engagem* w**" us & then fly off — we have a 
 good Case in Equity — he is engag'd to y= Opera-house — the 
 Managers of y'' Opera dislike y® trick he has play'd us — wh^n 
 you see Monet present my Love to him, & tell him I rec'd his 
 last, & hope that he will Engage the new Man-Dancer for us — r- 
 if he is good & is Comic — 
 
 come away, come away, &c. 
 
 A Monsieur 
 Monsieur Caiman 
 
 cliez Monsieur Leviez 
 
 Marchand des Estampes 
 rue des Arcs 
 Fauxiourgs St Germains 
 Paris 
 
 Yrs Ever & most affect-' 
 
 D. Gabrick* 
 
 ♦ The theatrical persons, and all their proceedings alluded to in this letter, require 
 
 no illustration. 
 
 QQ 2 
 
300 
 
 Sunday 
 
 My dear Coley. 
 Hampton has had a prodigious Effect upon me : my Cough & 
 hoarseness are 50 p' cent better for y^ Change of air — instead of 
 coughing all night, I have been disturb'd but twice & thrice & that 
 not rudely, & have pass'd y* rest of y^ Night very pleasantly — My 
 Wife hasipersuaded me to stay here till Wed'' when I hope to wait 
 upon the English Merchant* with all my wits & Spirits about 
 Me — in y^ mean time, I could wish, if not disagreeable to you, 
 that you would look in upon them on Wednesday, & I will make 
 my appearance on Thursday Morning : I hope to see you Wed? 
 Evening : my Wife says if you will dine with us on Wed" at four 
 she will present us with a fine haunch of Venison — say you will 
 in a Note by y' Bearer to Morrow — 
 
 You must write to me, & say if I am to furnish an Epilogue 
 for the Merchant — I certainly will do my best if you are not 
 provided — 
 
 * The Comedy founded on L'Ecossaise, by Colman, the elder. 
 
301 
 
 If you intend to stand by y" London Journal, I will prepare 
 some comicality for it ; I have a hundred thoughts about it, & 
 will be always doing something. 
 
 I intend Crambo to be the laughing Rhyming reviewer of Every 
 thing — M" Pritchard has sent a most kind message to me, & 
 will do any thing I desire her — She shall set the Part a going, & 
 when we are safe landed (tho if M'' Bennet play'd it there is not 
 y' least danger) M" Hopkins may Relieve her, in case of Indis- 
 position &c. &c. Poor Becket is very angry with Baldwin for 
 abusing what we act, & he prints — pray keep up y'' Ball, we 
 
 shall have some sport with him. • • ♦ » 
 
 #••••♦*• 
 
 D. Gab HICK. 
 
302 
 
 Adelphi Dec' SO* 1774 
 
 My dear Sir. 
 A THOUSAND thanks, merfy Xmasses &; happy New Years to 
 you for y' delightful letter : M'' Gatrick sends the same with 
 great warmth for y' Latin & English in which she is concern'd — 
 it was impossible for you to satisfy Cumberlandj had y'' rack 
 forc'd from you as much falshood, as he has vanity — I am very 
 glad you have prepar'd him for me ; had you been as mis- 
 chievous as you were sincere with him, You might have sent him 
 so high Season'd, & stuff'd so full w* conceit, that I should have 
 had much ado to lower him ; he has behav'd so disagreeably with 
 me, that I must have a pluck at his feathers, whether they belong 
 to Terence, Shadwell, or are of his own growth : The Two Misers 
 which are to be produc'd by y"^ late Brethren, * & written by 
 O'Hara, are from y^ french of Sedaine, les deux Avares, a very 
 old improbable piece, but y" french Musick was thought good — 
 M' Tighe has endeavor'd to make me loose my hold of the Duke 
 
 My father had, now, sold his share in Covent Garden Theatre. 
 
303 
 
 of Braganza* — the Barry s are mad about it,. & I am very stubr 
 born not to say cross : if I can get a frank before I close this, you 
 shall see how he has press'd me within these two days : Harle-^ 
 quirCs Jacket will make Its appearance next Mmday; I annoarie'd 
 it a few days ago in our paragraph, but it will appear in the Bills 
 — a Medley Pantomime call'd the Neis) Year's Gift or Harlequin's 
 Jacket, we shall take half price, tho y^ Scenes are all new — I 
 shall do all I can to produce y^ Silent Woman f this Season ; but, 
 it will work us much, if we keep Jephson's tragedy ; I shall rely 
 upon y"^ Attachment to us to excuse our deferring it, if we find 
 an absolute necessity for it — the Comedy will take thrice y* 
 trouble & care of a modern one to shew it, as it shall be shewn, 
 & ought to be coming from you to me: pray tell me truly w* you 
 think of Henderson f George is an Infidel — Entre nous has our 
 friend F. had some words w**" a certain Major ? — 
 
 pray tell George I have received his letter, & once for all I beg 
 of him, not to think of leaving Bath, till he feels & finds himself 
 
 * BraganzOf a Tragedy, by Jephson ; produced at Drury Lane in 1775 ; — very 
 successfuL 
 
 f Ben Jonson's Comedy, altered by the elder Colman. 
 
304 
 
 wholly sound again — if he does, I'll never forgive him — a most 
 
 disagreeable g,ffair has happen'd — Mossop * on his death-bed 
 
 sends ihe his play, begging that I would Ease his Mind in his last 
 
 moments, by taking his play, & doing all in my power with it 
 
 for y" Service of his Creditors — he is dead, & I have y® Comedy 
 
 — I have not yet read a speech — a Friend has, & says it is like 
 
 the PatroUy w*** out y^ humour — what a scrape — ! more when I 
 
 see you when will it be? — pray one letter more, if you follow it 
 
 y' next day* 
 
 Ever 8jL most afFecf Yours 
 
 D Garuick. 
 
 what a scrawl ! Love to Foote 
 
 I was at Hampton or you should have had an Answer by y« 
 return of y^ post : pray tell George as I have written you, I shall 
 not write to him this week — M" G'' wishes that you w^ get her a 
 good Footman — tell my Broth"^ so. 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esqr 
 at 
 
 Bath. 
 
 • The Actor. 
 
305 
 
 Drury Lane Play house 
 
 The Author of Bon * Ton presents his best Comp*-'. & thanks to 
 M' Colman for his excellent Prologue, & would wish to add to 
 y" obligation by desiring him to look over the Farce & draw his 
 pencil thro' the parts his judgment would omit in the next repre- 
 sentation — 
 
 M' Garrick not beingpresent at y^ representation, he likewise 
 should be very happy if M' Colman, would shew* his . regard 
 to him, & take y** trouble which is wanting to make Bon Ton 
 palatable. 
 
 M' G. will do more or any thing at any time to shew, his 
 Attachment to his Old Friend — 
 
 * Garrick was the concealed Author of the Farce of Bon Ton. He writes this 
 contplimentary note as a mse, no doubt ; that his Prompter, or other retainers, by whom 
 it might be seen, should be kept in the dark. 
 
 R R 
 
306- 
 
 Bath April 10'^ 1775. 
 
 Dear Colman 
 When I see you, I will talk over in friendly conference the 
 Subject of y' last Letter — I am at present very oddly situ- 
 ated — but as I shall always wish to second your desires 
 whenever I can, without injury to myself, w'*" I am sure you 
 always imply at the time you let me know them, I must open 
 my heart to you, & beg that it may be shut up to Every body 
 else — Smith cannot, with the people the Managers have en- 
 gag' d, be employ'd at Covent Garden — He has offer'd him- 
 self to me by my Brother in a fit of honour, or Compunction — 
 I still keep aloof, & have written a very spirited & refusing 
 letter to him — this my policy and my Spirit requir'd — but 
 I will not hide a thought from You — I really think we can't 
 do without him, & if so (for Henderson is yet disengag'd) 
 how can I make it worth B — ^y's while to change his Situa- 
 tion ? — however let matters rest a little, the theatrical face of 
 things may be greatly alter'd, before we meet, for I give you 
 up, & y^ Pleasure of seeing you here — I must intreat your 
 
307 
 
 Secresy in this affair, & you shall know all my Politicks & 
 Engagements when I see you 
 
 Ever & affecf 
 
 D Gabbick. 
 
 George Colman Esf 
 
 Bath April the 20'i. 
 
 My dear Colman 
 I HAVE waited till this moment to ascertain my time of leaving 
 this place, but till my Brother George quits me the beginning of 
 next week I shall not be able to fix y^ day — 
 
 You may depend upon my staying at least ten days after 
 y' day you receive this, but if you cannot be here before y* End 
 of next Week, unless y' health requires y"^ Coming, I would not 
 wish to see you here for a few days, for that will be tantaliz- 
 ing me with a vengeance, & the result will be, that I shall only 
 have a taste of you here, & lose my meal of yoia in Town — I 
 
 R R 2 
 
308 
 
 must be in London y*= 18* of May, for y^ fund, & I am not 
 certain whether I shall not shew myself the 9"", for that is one 
 of our days, & I am afraid to take the chance of the Plays we 
 can act without me — but of this I am not yet determin'd — 
 Should you not have set out before George arrives in Town, 
 which will be on thursday next, he will tell you all. If I see you 
 here before then, I will by Jasus tell you all myself; — pray let 
 Becket shew you the last card I received from Smith, which I 
 shall not answer — I have some small suspicions about that busi- 
 ness which Becket will explain — the inflexible Captain * has 
 been play'd here w*'' success, & I touch'd up M" Didier w*'' an 
 Epilogue which had a good rec^tion — Henderson play'd Re- 
 gulus — & you would have wish'd him bung'd up with his nails 
 before y' End of y'= 3" act — 
 
 Palmer's Election for common councilman comes on tomor- 
 row — he has brought down L**. C — to insure him Success, & 
 he will have it — what a stirring indefatigable fellow it is ! 
 
 Ever & most affect'' 
 yours 
 
 D. Garrick 
 
 * A tragedy, by Miss Hannah More ; acted, one night, at Bath. 
 
309 
 
 I will tell you a Secret Brother Martin shall make your hair 
 stand an End ! — I believe I may engage the blood of the Lind- 
 leys!* — don't let one syllable of this transpire till y' deed is 
 done ! 
 
 To 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 
 Bath Saturday Night 
 
 My dear Colman. 
 Your very friendly agreeable letter came to my hand in a very 
 lucky moment : I had been numb'd, as a Maccaroni I should 
 have said bor'd, to death by old D' Barry for an hour & half, so 
 that had not You electrify'd me, I had perish'd — Your illness 
 alarm'd me, & your Scheme with Capt. Phipps to the North Pole 
 freezes about my heart — 
 
 I despair of seeing you here, so that I must beat y^ parade with 
 the folks here whose conversation lies as heavy upon my mind as 
 
 * See Mr. Linle/s sentiments on the subject of his daughter's theatrical engage- 
 ments, among previous letters in this collection. 
 
310 
 
 the hot cakes & devilments at breakfast upon my Stomach — I 
 have seen y* great Henderson, who has Something, & is Nothing — 
 he might be made to figure among the puppets of these times — his 
 Don John is a Comic Cato, & his Hamlet a mixture of Tragedy 
 Comedy pastoral farce & nonsense — however, tho' my Wife is 
 outrageous, I am in y^ Secret, & see sparks of fire which might 
 be blown to warm even a London Audience at Xmas — he is a 
 dramatic Phoenomenon, & his Friends, but more particularly 
 Cumberland has ruin'd him — he has a manner of paving, when 
 he w*^ be Emphatical that is ridiculous, & must be chang'd, or he 
 would not be suffer'd at y' Bedford Coffeehouse — 
 
 Palmer goes on well, & will be elected into y^ Corporation, I 
 am kissing old Women, & giving young ones y* Liberty of Drury 
 Lane Theatre by way of Bribery & Corruption — It is the fashion, 
 you know, for Punch to do this Business at Elections, & Palmer 
 can't have a better — joking apart I am really become a Punch 
 — I have gain'd two inches in the Waist, & the Girls at Night 
 call me Fatty ! I wish you had seen S' J.'s play — y"^ opinion 
 would have confirm'd me — I hate this traffick \v* friends. 
 
 I long to be at Gray's Memoirs — You have made me smack 
 my lips — M"^ Mason is certainly peevish, but I think there is 
 poetry about him — when shall I devour the true Art of Poetry ? I 
 
311 
 
 dreamt of it some Nights ago — it is a special business for your 
 Genius & worthy of You. how like you Master Twiss ? -r- Y' In- 
 telligence about the Dedication is erroneous — 
 
 M'' Garrick sends her Love to you, but says with me, that you 
 are a false Loon, & will not see Bath this Spring. 
 
 Ever Yours 
 
 most affec*'' 
 
 D Gabiuck 
 
 all in a hurry going to y^ Play — 
 
 George Colman Esq^ 
 
 Hampton Aug' ^9. 
 
 1775. 
 
 My dear Colman 
 I expect to see you as brown, & as hearty as a devonshire 
 plough boy, who faces y« Sun without shelter, & knows not y 
 Luxury of small beer & porter — will nothing satisfy your am- 
 bition but Robinson Crusoe ? I think little Friday would do 
 
312 
 
 very well for you to begin with, particularly as you are in com- 
 pany with those mighty adventurous Knights Banks, & Phipps ! * 
 — if You are still happy in risking your Neck with them, I 
 beg my best Compliments to them — what say you if I should 
 once more emerge from Stone & Gravel & many other 
 human infirmities & Curses, & spring out again an active being, 
 & Exercise w*'' y^ best of you ! — Since you left me, I have been 
 upon y^ rack, & almost despair'd of fighting a battle or com- 
 mitting a murder again — but a fortnight ago my good Genius 
 led me to y^ Duke of Newcastle's where I met with an old Na- 
 ples friend, & he recommended a remedy which has work'd 
 Wonders — It has taken away half the Evil of my life, & at this 
 moment * * * * * * * but Lord 
 
 help us, we little men make nothing of swelling ourselves to a 
 Hercules or a Robinson Crusoe ! — to be serious — You will be 
 pleas'd to see me, as I am — My spirits are return'd, & redeant 
 Saturnia regna — 
 
 * My father was, at this time, on a visit to Captain Phipps, (the late Constantine, 
 Lord Mulgrave,) in Yorkshire ; and Sir Joseph Banks was of the party. — I am 
 unable to explain the allusion to Robinson Crusoe. 
 
313 
 
 By the bye I had some thoughts to make a farce upon the 
 follies & fashions of y^ times & y' friend Omiah * was to be 
 my Arlequin Sauvage — a fine Character to give our fine folks 
 a genteel dressing — I must lick my fingers with you at y' 
 Otaheite fowl Sf Potatoes — but don't you spoil y' Dish, & sub- 
 stitute a fowl for a young puppy ? — pray my Love to George f 
 — they who don't like him, are not fit company for You or me, 
 so no thanks to 'Em for their good reception — notwithstanding 
 Foster's Oath, Foote has thrown the Duchess upon her back, and 
 there has left herj as you or I would do — She is Sick & has 
 given up the Cause, & has made herself very ridiculous, & hurt 
 herself much in the struggle — Foote's letter is one of his 
 best things, in his best manner. | 
 
 * Omai, the Otaheitan, — who was brought to this Country by Sir Joseph Banks, 
 in his voyage round the World with Captain Cook, and was then one of the party 
 above mentioned. 
 
 f Myself, again — then a boy — and on the visit, with my father, in Yorkshire. 
 
 :(: This alludes to Foote's well-known quarrel with the Z> — ch — ss ofK—ngst — n. 
 
 S S 
 
314 
 
 — pray come away, & see my Sword drawn — y' Theatre is 
 noble ! — Entre nous — Pope has squeak'd & sent her peni- 
 tentials, but I cannot receive 'Em — 
 
 Ever & most affec*'' 
 
 D Garrick 
 
 My Wife sends her best Love to George. I have scribbled 
 away — such Stuff! but we rise ! We ! — We Apples! — ha ha 
 ha — 
 
 Dec' 12 
 
 My dear Colman 
 Pray read over y'' inclos'd if you have an hour's leisure, you 
 shall know It's history — I must write to night about it, which 
 letter you shall see, if I can see you in the Evening — Shall 1 
 call upon you at any time ? I cannot get rid of an Engagement I 
 have till about Nine — where may you be till about 8 — ? I want 
 to talk with you about y*" Silent Woman, poor Weston, Moody 
 tells me will, he thinks, never play again — he wants to go to 
 Bath — therefore as we cannot stay his recovery, to whom shall 
 
315 
 
 I give La Fool?* — We* must go to work upon it directly — 
 don't read these 4 Acts (tho but short) if it is in the least incon- 
 venient. 
 
 Yours Ever . , 
 •^4^' ' &Everov 
 
 D Gabrick. 
 
 — you were not at Covent Garden, I like the Duenna f much 
 with some few objections — It will do their business — 
 
 Hampton 
 
 April ] 2. 
 
 Dear Colman 
 On Tuesday next in all probability will finish our six nights 
 of y* Spleen if: : & if you chuse it, we will (as I propos'd to you) 
 
 • A character in the Silent Woman, 
 
 t Sheridan's Opera. 
 
 X A Farce, by the elder Colman, produced in 1776. 
 
 s s 2 
 
316 
 
 let you have a Sixth of the whole subtracting y° Expences — or 
 if you had rather run the Chance of a Night, I will tell you all 
 y' nights we have, & you shall take your choice of them & of 
 what play you please with M" Yates Sc which may Either appear 
 as your night or as a Manager's — We have bought two Nights, 
 Parsons & AikirCs the one Yesternight, and y" other on tuesday 
 next — We shall meet on Sunday Evening & whatever you will 
 like best, will be best to 
 
 my Dear Colman 
 
 Ever & truly y" 
 
 D. Gabrick. 
 
 George Colman Esq^. 
 
 Adelphi 25 
 
 My dear friend ^ 
 We wanted you much at the Election to day — ^^Foote 
 in great Spirits but bitter against the L*^ Ch — m — he 
 will bully 'Em into a License * — y' D ss has had him 
 
 * A license for acting Foote's Play of the Trip to Calais — which he could not 
 obtain. It was an attack upon the D — ch — ss of K — ng— n, and, after being 
 much altered, was produced under the title of the Capuchin. 
 
317 
 
 in her closet, & offer'd to bribe him — but Cato himself 
 tho he had one more leg than our friend, was not more 
 stoically virtuous than he has been — you shall know all when 
 I see you — We will most certainly attend you on Tuesday 
 next — it is scarce possible for me to refuse dining with you 
 any where but w* M'. Baldwin — I will not "Ever again attend 
 those meetings, '^ tho I have been very happy among my friends 
 there — 
 
 I have been insulted greatly — first to have a Paper, in 
 which I have a property, abuse me for puffing myself, 
 & then I am suppos'd the Author of a paragraph, or letter 
 in y' Morn^ Chronicle, which the Printer himself almost avows, 
 & which by my honor, I never heard of till you mention'd it 
 to me : 
 
 I have done my Share to y" paper, nay I have told 
 that worthy Gentleman . M' Baldwin, that I would look out 
 things whenever he was in want of nonsense — but I give y' 
 "matter up now, & as he may be assur'd I will trouble myself no 
 more about it, he may abuse me as fast as he < pleases — I don't 
 expect mercy from such Gentry for past Services. This you may 
 say or read as you please — 
 
318 
 
 I long for y° Saucy Gentleman Becket will let me have it, as 
 soon as he can. 
 
 Yours in great haste — you Serv* waiting at y" door. 
 
 Ever & most affects 
 
 Yours 
 
 D. Garbick 
 damn y" pen. 
 
 From George Colman, the Elder. 
 
 My dear Garrick, 
 From your never mentioning The Silent Woman, I am really in 
 doubt whether it has slipt your memory, or whether I am to con- 
 clude from your silence that you do not think the Piece deserves 
 that indulgence from the Theatre usually extended to other altered 
 Plays. — If the first is the case, I must beg you to excuse my 
 now reminding you: of it j if the latter, I have only to regret 
 havitag given you the trouble, & myself the mortification of 
 getting it up at your Theatre — and to remain, Dear Gartick, 
 
 y" most entirely '-. 
 & most heartily 
 
 Soho Square G. CoLMAN 
 
 May 25, 1 776. 
 
319 
 
 Adelphi May 27. 1776. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 YouB letter, which has astonish'd me, came to my hands at the 
 most unlucky time, as I have so much already upon my Mind — 
 Was I in a dream, when I imagin'd that yon gave us the alter- 
 ation of the Silent Woman ? — did you not say so, & write so ? — 
 I think no trouble too much for a performance with a Friend's 
 name to it, nor do I ever spare any expence to set it off: 
 
 The Silent Woman with all our Care did not succeed, & was 
 left off under charges at the 4* Night, tho we added the Jubilee 
 to it — The impossibility of giving it a fashion was felt by You, 
 as well as myself. 
 
 If you intended to be consider'd as th^ Alterer, & not as the 
 Donor f why would you delay to this time to let me know your 
 expectations ? — You must be sensible, that I would not that 
 You, of all persons, should have a bad bargain : 
 
 Pray let me know what I must do, for I cannot have such a 
 Burden upon my mind at this very distressing time, when my 
 
320 
 
 theatrical Life is so near It's End — It is the trouble of an Evil 
 Conscience upon my death bed — 
 
 I am 
 
 mj dear Sir 
 
 Yours most truly 
 
 D. Gahbick. * 
 
 If I am confus'd or unintelligible impute it to Richard — what 
 an operation ! — 
 
 From George Colman^ the Elder. 
 
 My dear Garrick 
 I AM very sorry my Letter came so mal-a-propoSf & still more 
 sorry that you should be disturbed for a single moment with 
 such a trifle. 
 
 God knows I had no thoughts of profit, or a bargain, about the 
 Silent Woman — yet I really did not pretend to make a gift of 
 
 * It is lamentable to see such misunderstandings between two old and dear friends, 
 about base Mammon, 
 
321 
 
 it — for to say the truth,, at the time I ofFeined it to your theatre, 
 1 did not think we were quite on good terms enough to wa,rrant 
 my taking the liberty of making you a present — but I am 
 much pleased & flattered to find that you were of a different 
 opinion. 
 
 As to the popularity of the Piece, you can witness for me that 
 it was what I never expected from it ; — Like Swift's M" Harris, 
 All I stood upon was the credit of the house .• and I must confess 
 myself so zealous for the old school, that I think Epicoene, for 
 the honour of the managers also, ought to keep the stage. * All 
 I endeavoured was to remove the objections that deprived it of a 
 place there, held by pieces every way inferior ; — and this 
 labour, trifling as it was, I thought might deserve the same con- 
 sideration allowed to other altered pieces. 
 
 * With all his endeavours, he failed in his purpose. Ben Jonson was, iii the first 
 place, a pedant, — and, in the second, gave the humours of his day. Few of such a 
 Dramatist's writings can long keep the stage. Whenever Ben has made the passions 
 of universal man his ground-work, he has succeeded best for lasting fame. Nature 
 will alwavs interest and delight ; and, therefore, Shakspeare will last as long as Na- 
 ture herself. ♦ 
 
 T T 
 
322 
 
 I would not have wrote to you, but from my utter aversion to 
 the smallest idea of reserve with a friend, — and when friends, 
 true friends, once understand each other, there never can subsist 
 any difference. 
 
 I am, dear Garrick, 
 
 most affectionately your's, 
 
 G. COLMAN 
 Soho Square. 
 
 May 28. 1776. 
 
 Oct'. 3'". 
 
 76 
 
 Dear Colman 
 I AM setting off this moment for Hampton — I wish you most 
 sincerely success & Every pleasure from your new Engagement * 
 
 — I am truly partial to the Old Spot, from an Old habitual liking, 
 but likewise from a principle of honesty that makes me attach'd 
 to people, who have bought my property, & behave so well to me 
 
 — Were you Manager at the othef house, I should have been 
 much distress'd for then honour would say, do this, & tender Love 
 
 * With Foote, in respect to the Haymarket Theatre. 
 
323 
 
 say — NAY — I am Sorry the Place is lett to a Puppet-Show — * 
 & I rejoice you have not (as I hope) made a bad bargain — but 
 more when I see you — I could wish that there were a proper 
 Gentleman-like Agreement about matters between you all f — 
 More when I see you in y^ mean time God bless you my dear 
 Friend 
 
 Y'^ Ever &■= 
 
 D: Gabrick 
 
 I was very near losing 20 p"' as my vanity conceiv'd I sh^ have 
 
 heard of y' Engagem* before it had been in y* papers 
 
 No friendly Miff I assure you. 
 
 Q. Colman Es^. 
 
 * The Fantoodni. 
 
 f Relative to the Winter Houses performing late, and cutting up the summer- 
 season : — the next letter alludes to this. 
 
 T T 2 
 
324 
 
 ■' t'ci --■ \)0 
 
 Monday 4"" 
 
 N^ 1776 
 
 iky dear Colman 
 I HAVE this nasty Gout still nibbling at me & would fain damp 
 my Spirits — You believe, I trust, that I am y^ last man would 
 advise you to bear Oppression, as I think you are the last man to 
 take such advice — tho I am catechis'd on all sides about your 
 purchase, I will not own it, nor shall I, till I have Your leave — 
 Yet in y^ name of good Management how can it be long a 
 Secret ? for you must, like a wise General, prepare for y' Cam- 
 paign — 
 
 Our facetious friend *, I hear, damns himself, that there is no 
 such thing, & Jewel* only owns to a treaty, but no bargain yet 
 struck — I suppose HE w** not proclaim his Abdication, till the 
 tryal is over f — that will soon be & then you will come forth — 
 
 * Foote, and his Treasurer. 
 
 t Foote's trial ; — he was acquitted. The charges against him are notorious. 
 
325 
 
 If you Wits & Managers (I don't include Mess'"^ Leake & 
 Fisher in this number) are not too much of the Game-Cock 
 breed, you may settle y' matters without sparring — they seem 
 to be much hurt at y'= 100 Nights for y^ Fantocini — all the three 
 houses cry out Murder, & intend, as I hear, to petition against it 
 — this I suppose cannot Effect You — 
 
 however blusy & anxious I might be for the New * brooms, I am 
 always constant to my old Friends, & shall be very sincere, how- 
 ever fallible in my advice to You 
 
 Y'^ Ever 
 
 & most truly 
 
 D: Garrick 
 
 I saw you had secur'd One Author Yesterday — Much good 
 may he do you — adieu & 
 
 adieu ! 
 
 * The New Managers, to whom Garrick had sold his property in Drury Lane. 
 Their first season opened with a Prelude, by the elder Colman, entitled New Brooms. 
 
 END OF THE LETTERS. 
 
ADDENDA ; 
 
 RELATIVE TO 
 
 THE CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE. 
 
 Since the minutest points of dramatick history have beCoift'e ob- 
 jects of research and argument, the following documents ma^ be 
 thought acceptable : — at all events, papers tending to remove 
 doubts relative to the Comedy of the Clandestine Marriage are 
 no anomalous appendage to a book consisting, chiefly, of letters 
 on theatrical topicks ; and of which those from Garrick to Col- 
 man (joint authors of the play above mentioned) form a consi- 
 derable portion. 
 
 Previously to giving the evidence in my possession, a reference 
 to some Opinions on this case may not be iifiprbper. 
 
 In a series of playsj with '' Re^ctrks'^ (minglied with^ bioi^afihy) 
 " by Mrs. Inchbald" that lady has observed, of Garrick, that, — 
 
328 
 
 ' The favour in which he was held by the town, made them attri- 
 bute to his genius (and Colman never came forth to deny such 
 conjecture) the most popular character in this play — Lord 
 Ogleby. But it is rather to be suspected that Garrick did no 
 more as a writer to the work, than cast a directing hand and eye 
 over the whole ; a task he was much better able to perform for 
 the advantage of an author than to produce any one efficient 
 part.' 
 
 Well suspected, Mrs. Inchbald ! — but I have, already, taken 
 the liberty (of the Press) to ask this lady how she happened only 
 to suspect, when she should have done all in her power to ascer- 
 tain. It is incumbent upon writers to procure as much know- 
 ledge as they can of subjects on which they profess to instruct 
 the publick ; on this subject, it might have occurred that, I had 
 some information to give, and I would have given it, with plea- 
 sure, if Mrs. Inchbald had done me the honour to request it ; 
 but she chose to guess — it is the shortest way, and saves Criticks 
 and Biographers a world of trouble ! 
 
 Much in the same spirit of preferring ease to duty, thuspub- 
 lisheth the Continuator of the Biographica Dramatica : — ' We 
 have usually heard that Garrick's share of this piece was Lord 
 
329 
 
 Ogleby and the courtly family ; and Colman's, Sterling and the 
 city family.' 
 
 Where did We hear this ? — and hear it usually ? — it is a co- 
 mical mode of scribbling a comedy ! — The two families in this 
 play are blended in conversation, through most of the scenes ; 
 and, to write according to the foregoing receipt, one author must 
 have penned a question, and the other an answer, — here, Gar- 
 rick must have replied, for Lord Ogleby, — there, Colman must 
 have rejoined, for Mr. Sterling, — and so on, iterum iterumque. — 
 The folly of having listened to such a supposition needed not the 
 additional absurdity of recording it. 
 
 But the Continuator continues ; — and he says that, — ' The 
 following was related to us by a gentlema^n, who declared it was 
 from the mouth of Mr. Colman himself: " Garrick composed 
 two acts, which he sent to me, desiring me to put them together^ 
 or do what I would with them. I did put them together, for i 
 put them into the fire, and wrote the play myself." ' 
 
 This account differs from that which / have heard, from ' the 
 mouth of Mr. Colmqn himself.' What he told me, I shall tell 
 again, presently ; — in the mean time, it is enough to observe, 
 that I think the gentleman must have very much mistaken my 
 father, or that the Continuator must have very much mistaken the 
 
 u u 
 
330 
 
 gentleman : the latter I presume to be the case ; for, if I may 
 judge from a few paragraphs in which the Continuator is pleased to 
 mention me, he sometimes does not know the fact, — or knows 
 it imperfectly, — or misleads others by his mode of telling it ; as 
 for instance — He talks of my having been a member of Christ- 
 church College, a college which is never called any thing but 
 Christchurch, by Oxonians ; — of my entrance at the Temple, in- 
 stead of Lincoln's Inn* : — of a Hay market Theatre Patent, trans- 
 ferred to me, on the death of my father, which Patent was never 
 possessed by either of us : — and, afterwards, (which is a little 
 more grave) he states, under the article X Y Z, a farce which I 
 wrote, and produced in Covent Garden, that ' it was alleged, in 
 the Court of Chancery, that a contract subsisted between Mr. 
 Colman and the other proprietors of the Haymarket Theatre, 
 that Mr. Colman should write only for that house:' — the Conti- 
 nuator then adds, — ' The proprietors of Covent Garden, not 
 knowing of this contract,' — [observe, he here leaves out the word 
 alleged, and assumes the positive existence of such a contract] — 
 ' had engaged Mr. Colman to furnish them with a farce ; nor 
 were they served with notice of such contract before they had 
 actually advanced 2001. to Mr. Colman, and made preparations 
 for acting the piece.' 
 
 I resided in the Temple, but my name was entered at Lincoln's Inn, 
 
331 
 
 If this do not strongly imply (to say the least) that, as a fur- 
 nisher of farceSi I swindled my old and esteemecj friends, Messrs. 
 Harris and Co., out of two hundred pounds, then am ,1 utterly 
 ignorant of the English language. 
 
 Now, the simple fact is, that, during a Chancery suit, it was un- 
 expectedly contended, on one side, and denied on the other, that 
 I had made such a contract ; and the Chancellor laid an injunc- 
 tion upon the farce, pendente lite, as is common in similar cases ; 
 which injunction was ultimately zmthdrawnf and the Farce de- 
 clared to belong to the Covent Garden proprietors, at whose 
 theatre it is now acted. 
 
 I beg pardon for this digression ; — it fell in my way, — and I 
 have silently laboured under this terrible article of X Y Z, since 
 the year 1812, when the Continuator sent me his book, as a com- 
 pliment. — He meant me neither injury nor offence ; nor do I 
 mean him any ; but, worthy man, he has a devil of a knack at 
 « marring a curious tale in the telling !" 
 
 To resume, — When this play was first consigned by it's au- 
 thors to the press, the motto on the title-page was, 
 * Hue adhibe vultus, et in und parce duobus : 
 Vivat, et ejusdem simus uterque parens ! ' 
 
 u u 2 
 
332 
 
 and, in the advertisement which follows the title-page, the reader 
 is told that, — ' Both the authors, who have been before separ- 
 ately honoured with the indulgence of the publick, now beg leave 
 to make their joint acknowledgments for the very favourable re- 
 ception of the Clandestine Marriage.' I had forgot to say 
 that, the title-page bears the names of George Colman and David 
 Garrick, as the authors. 
 
 Is it likely that (either before or after such an avowal) Colman 
 could so far commit his character as a gentleman, or even as a 
 man of common consistency, as to assert that ' he put Garrick's 
 two acts into the fire, and wrote the play himself?' 
 
 It appears, however, from the contradictory reports, and sur- 
 mises, to be gathered from Mrs. Inchbald and the Biographia 
 Dramatica, that, — Garrick writ Lord Ogleby ; that he did no 
 more than cast a directing hand and eye over the whole ; that 
 the courtly characters belong to Garrick, and the bourgeoisie to 
 Colman ; and that Colman writ the whole flay ! 
 
 Enough of these incongruities ; — of their both having a share 
 in the play, there cannot be a doubt ; and that they did not con- 
 struct it in J;he ridiculous way of each author alternately making 
 speeches for the two families, is pretty clearly proved by one of 
 
333 
 
 Garrick's letters from abroad; in which he says, — ' have you 
 thought of the Clandestine Marriage ? I am at if 
 
 The probable process was, that they consulted, first, as to the 
 general plan, and, secondly, as to the conduct of the incidents 
 and scenes; then wrote separately ; and then compared and mo- 
 dified, together, what each had composed. 
 
 I now proceed to the documents, which are in my late father's 
 hand writing, and which he has headed, ' Papers relative to 
 of Clandestine Marriage.'' 
 
 FIRST DOCUMENT. 
 
 « G. C. to D. G. 
 
 IDEA OF PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS. 
 
 Garrick — Earl of Oldsap * — an old Lord that fancies every 
 woman in love with him, w""* idea influences his whole behaviour. 
 
 * In these crude hints for a Comedy, the Dramatis Personee were not regularly 
 christened s hence it will be found that the names oi Performers, intended to act some 
 
334 
 
 & makes him leer, ogle, & pay a ridiculous attention to all he 
 meets. — But this notion you are more fully possest of than I. 
 
 -, Lord Sapplin — his Son, — 
 
 -, Traffick — a rich merchant of the city, who has created 
 
 a great fortune by business ; whose great ambition is to appear 
 generous & genteel, w"'' serves more effectually to expose his 
 Bourgeoise manners. He talks of all elegances, marks of gran- 
 deur, &c. in the most vulgar stile. In this character may be 
 happily introduced all the modern common-places of humour on 
 the Citizen — 
 
 -, Lovewell — privately married to Miss Bride — warm, 
 
 and sensible. 
 
 M'' Clive, Kennedy, or Bradshaw — Sister to Traffick — and 
 something of the same character in Petticoats — only that he is 
 
 of the. characters, are repeatedly substituted for the characters themselves : — thus, by 
 Miss Bride, is meant the Fanny of the Play ; Miss Pope, Miss Sterling ; and Mrs. 
 Clive, Mrs. Heidelberg. Traffick, aftervi^ards, became Sterling ,- Lord Oldsap, Lord 
 Ogleby ; and Lord Sapplin, son to the old nobleman, was changed to Sir John 
 Melvil, his nephew. 
 
33.5 
 
 rough & hearty in his manner, & she affects to be delicate & re- 
 fined. Her dialect is particularly vulgar, aiming at the same 
 time to be fine, not by murdering words in the slip-slop way, 
 but by a mean twang in the pronunciation, as Qualaty — famaly, 
 &c. 
 
 Miss Pope eldest daughter to Traffick, a keen, smart girl, 
 
 full of spirit, sense, wit, humour, mischief, & malice. 
 
 Miss Bride youngest daughter to Traffick — a sensible 
 
 girl, of a soft & amiable temper, not without proper spirit ' 
 
 ROUGH DRAUGHT OP THE GEN' SCHEME. 
 
 A Treaty of Marriage is supposed to be on foot between the 
 Court and City Family, in w'*' it is intended that Lord Sapplin, 
 Garrick's Son, shall be married to Miss Pope, eldest daughter to 
 Traffick. It happens, however, that the young Lord has con- 
 tracted a violent affection for Miss Bride, who is before the begin- 
 ning of this play clandestinely married to Lovewell. The efforts 
 made by Lord Sapplin to bring about his match with Miss Bride, 
 instead of Miss Pope — the perplexities arising therefrom to the 
 young Couple, Lovewell and Miss Bride — the growing jealousy, 
 
336 
 
 & malicious artifices of Miss Pope — & the naturally involving 
 the old Earl (Garrick) in circumstances tending to shew his cha- 
 racter together with the part w* Traffick & his Sister may 
 
 naturally take in this affair to make up the Story of the 
 
 Play. 
 
 Here is undoubtedly sufficient ground to build a Comedy upon, 
 as well as a faint outline of the plan of the Comedy itself. For 
 these three days I have been endeavouring to collect my thoughts 
 in order to fill up this outline. My labour, I hope, has not been 
 entirely lost ; though I have not half accomplished my design. 
 I have drawn out the above rough sketch, merely to enable you 
 to think in the same train with me : & that you may be still 
 better acquainted with the stuff of my thoughts, I have here sub- 
 joined some loose hints of Acts, Scenes, manner of conducting 
 the Story, of shewing the characters to advantage, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 N. B. Before I go into any thing else, I w'^ first submit one 
 thing to y' consideration concerning the General Scheme drawn 
 out above : & that is, " Whether the Plot w'^ not be still more 
 " pleasantly embarrassed by introducing a character (a good 
 " one) openly intended to be married to Miss Bride ?" This 
 perhaps might make her's & Lovewell's situation more critical, 
 as well as L"* Sapplin's, & might produce some pleasant circum- 
 
337 
 
 stances from the direction of Miss Pope's jealousy to a wrong 
 object. 
 
 LOOSE HINTS OF ACTS AND SCENES. 
 I. 
 
 In the first act, & as soon as possible, the Audience sh*" be 
 made acquainted with the 2 grand points, on w '' the whole 
 will turn, viz — the clandestine marriage of Bride & Lovewell, 
 & Lord Sapplin's defection from Pope & attachment to Bride. 
 — In order to do this the better, & to heighten Lovewell's cha- 
 racter above the insipid level of good sort of men in comedies, 
 as well as to account more probably for the proposed union 
 between the 2 families, I w' suppose Lovewell to be a relation 
 of the noble family (a nephew of the old Earl's perhaps) placed 
 with Traffick in order to be brought up as a merchant, in 
 w"'' case ,the young Lord might not improperly make him the 
 Confident of his passion & intentions ; w '' w^ become both 
 interesting & pleasant to the audience, who are in the secret 
 of his being privately married to the object of his Lordship's 
 passion ; & Lovewell's emotion & constraint on receiving 
 this intelligence meeting together might afford room for some 
 theatrical touches, of even a Garrickean nature. — In this first 
 
 X X 
 
338 
 
 act too the old Earl (Garrick) might be shewn dressing, & he 
 might speak of himself — hold his son cheap as a man of gal- 
 lantry — talk of what he d"' do with the women — that even 
 now all the family are more in love with him, &c. &c. — a 
 short lawyer scene (a la Hogarth) with some family-strokes on 
 mortgages, settlements, &c. might perhaps be introduced. — If 
 the City Family are at all produced in this Act, they may 
 be supposed in expectation of the arrival of the Lords — Pre- 
 parations making on all hands — Traffick talking of his venison, 
 turbot, pine-apples, &c. His sifter on tenterhooks to receive 
 persons oi famaly — & Miss Pope's Elevation & Pride ab' her 
 noble match, & contempt of her sister — &c. 
 
 11. 
 
 Between the 2 acts I think I w' suppose the Lords to have 
 arrived, for the sake of opening the second with a scene of 
 Oldsap (Garrick) with all the women — though this may be 
 contrived fifty different ways — Such a scene, however, I am 
 sure w'' be pleasant — A scene of humour also might be 
 struck out from Traffick's shewing his garden, & giving an 
 ace* of his improvements in the modern way. You will not find 
 many materials for this in y' own garden at Hampton ; but you 
 may among y' neighbours. — In this act also L'' Sapplin may 
 
339 
 
 find means to make a declaration to Miss Bride, whose amiable 
 character may be shewn, & her spirit properly exerted in refus- 
 ing hira — she may expatiate on the indelicacy of his tranferring 
 his addresses from her sister to her, an indelicacy in w"^ she 
 sh' partake, if she gave the least encouragem' to them, oi* 
 even heard them without emotion. Miss Pope's jealousy might 
 in this place be excited by some interesting circumstance, w '' 
 sh*^ give cause to her suspicion, incense her ag '. L'. Sapplin 
 & her sister, whom she supposes endeavouring to circumvent 
 her, & she may resolve to carry her point by making a friend of 
 the old Earl by paying her court to him, & playing on his foible, 
 w''' her shrewdness has discovered, & her malice determines her 
 to turn to her advantage. 
 
 III. 
 
 N. B. Though I mark the acts thus, I by no means w^ 
 suggest to you, that I have here planned out any thing like the 
 form of the business of the Play. — But to go on 
 
 Here it may be resolved between Love well & Miss Bride, 
 that she shall break the secret of their marriage to the old Earl. 
 His peculiar behaviour to her, w'^ she modestly construes into 
 the good-natured partiality of an old gentleman, induces her to 
 
 X X 2 
 
340 
 
 take this liberty ; for He (Garrick) fancying all women in love 
 with him, behaves to all women, as if He was making love to 
 them. — Miss Bride applies to Garrick for this purpose — but 
 after having revealed L''. Sapplin's proposals, & mentioning that 
 she has particular, as well as general, reasons for declining them, 
 her confusion will not permit her to go on, & she retires with- 
 out making the discovery. — Having dropt some faint hints of 
 her devotion elsewhere, the old Earl takes it for granted she 
 means him, though her modesty w"*. not let her speak out, 
 looks upon this as a declaration of her passion, & though all 
 other women will break their hearts, determines to take pity on 
 her. Miss Pope may afterwards apply to him, & intermixing 
 flattery of him, make her complaint of L**. Sapplin, & tell Gar- 
 rick that L''. S. & Miss Bride mean to trick her, in w"'' situation 
 Garrick's confidence that she is mistaken in imagining that Miss 
 Bride has a passion for L'^. S. — that he knows better — that he 
 can tell where her affections are placed — with things of the like 
 nature — may produce a scene, w* may very properly follow up 
 that described immediately before. 
 
341 
 
 IV. 
 
 Here if the character meant to be married to Miss Bride were 
 introduced, good use might be made of him — as a tool, 
 W''' Knaves do work with, call'd a Fool. 
 
 Miss Pope might apprize him of the wrong intended both to 
 herself & liim, shew him the supposed reason of Miss Bride's 
 indifference, & work him up to counteract their plot. In the 
 mean time Lovewell & Miss Bride determine that he (Love- 
 well) shall apply to the old Earl, since she failed ; w*"'" he does, 
 & on his mentioning Miss Bride, before he can tell his story, 
 Garrick acquaints him of his own passion for her, & Lovewell is 
 in his turn as much confounded as his Wife was before. Garrick 
 resolves to break the matter to the family by opening his mind 
 to the old Lady, Traffick's sister, "who at first imagines that 
 he means herself, & on finding her mistake treats him with 
 contempt. 
 
 Caetera desunt 
 
 ***** 
 
 Of t\\e Denouement I have not as yet even conceived those 
 imperfect ideas I have got of some other parts. Think of 
 
342 
 
 the whole, & think in my train, if it appears worth while, 
 & when you have thrown y thoughts on paper, as I have 
 done mine, we will lay our heads together, Brother Bayes.' 
 
 The foregoing rough Sketch affords no clue for discovering 
 which of the authors first started the idea of founding a Comedy 
 on Hogarth's Plates of Marriage a la Mode; but it establishes 
 the fact that the outlines of the Plan, and of the principal Cha- 
 racters, were designed by Colraan ; and, to those who have seen 
 or read the play, it must be evident how closely it has followed 
 the main incidents proposed in the sketch : witness, — the in- 
 tended union of the two families ; Sterling's preparations, at his 
 villa, for the arrival of Lord Ogleby, and his suite; Sir John Melvil's 
 falling in love with the sister of his proposed Wife, and impart- 
 ing his flame to the man whom that sister has clandestinely 
 marrred ; the jealousy of Miss Sterling ; the equivoque of Lord 
 Ogleby supposing Fanny has conceived a passion for him, & 
 the consequences produced by it ; the introduction of the 
 Lawyers ; — in short, all the leading incidents have been adopted, 
 & nothing rejected, except the introduction of a person openly 
 intended to be married to Fanny. 
 
343 
 
 As to the Chavacters, we have the several contours of their 
 features, in the above hasty draught : of Canton, indeed, and 
 Brush, and the Chambermaids, (the appertenances to the two 
 families, naturally thrown in, during the progress of the work,) 
 there is no mention ; and of Lord Ogieby's vanities and gal- 
 lantry, Colman says, to Garrick, who originally thought of acting 
 the part himself, " You are more fully possessed of this notion 
 than I." — A word or two, on this, in due time. 
 
 The denouement seems to have been the puzzler _ for both 
 authors ; and brings to mind the dramatist who said that, he 
 wished there were no suck things as Jifth acts. It was, I con- 
 clude, after they had " laid their heads together," that my father 
 scrawled the latter part of the following. 
 
 SECOND DOCUMENT. 
 « V. 
 
 I^OOSE HINTS OF ACT 5. 
 
 Scene of Sterling, Ogleby, lawyers, &c. on filling up blanks, 
 & settling all the clauses of the settlement — disputes arise, & 
 
344 
 
 'Sterling a^' both matches, declaring that he will not marry 
 his family into a Chancery suit — In the midst of their disputes 
 enter Miss Sterling laughing immoderately, & brings in Betty 
 tn-embling, who, being interrogated discovers the whole of the 
 Clandestine Marriage. 
 
 V. 
 
 Lovewell, & Fanny, & Betty in Fanny's apartment — Betty 
 may tell them that M". Lettice has been pumping her — Love- 
 well tells Fanny that finding the misconstruction of L''. O., he 
 was just on the point of explanation when Sir John appeared — 
 but that, he will certainly break it the next morningto Sir John 
 ' — & this night shall couf lude her anxieties on the clandestine 
 marriage. — (Sc. 2.) Another apartment. Miss Sterling & JM'' H. 
 in their night-cloaths — to them Lettice, who tells them she 
 has been on the watch, & saw a man go into Miss Fanny's room 
 — They immediately conclude it to be Sir John — & Miss Ster- 
 ling resolves to expose her sister & Sir John — the family 
 alarmed — various ni^ht-figures — Betty brought in trembling, 
 who discovers the whole affair — then Lovewell — & at length 
 Fanny, who being pardoned, Sir John's match breaks off, & 
 the piece concludes by Sterling & Ogleby both joining in good 
 humour about Fanny & Lovewell." 
 
345 
 
 Such are the documents; — a few words more, and I con- 
 clude. 
 
 In respect to the report, of Garrick having written the entire 
 character of Lord Ogleby, my father once told me, that, it was 
 not' true ; that, as an instance to the contrary, he (my, father) 
 wrote the whole of Ogleby's first scene. He, alson- informed me, 
 that one of Garrick's greatest merits, in thb work, (and it is a 
 very great one,) wa^ planning "the incidents in tjje las;^ act ; — 
 the alarm of the femilies, thro»gh the means of Mrs. Heidmberg 
 and Miss Sterling, and bringing forward the various characters 
 from their beds, to produce an explanation, and the catastrophe. 
 I regret that, when my father imparted this, I did not make 
 further inquiry ; but I was, then " a moonish youth," and 
 troubled my head little or nothing about the matter. — He 
 always talked^ however^ of the Play as a joint production* 
 
 Dramatick Connoisseurs may discover the styles of*authors ; 
 and there are few such connoisseurs who will not;, I think, be of 
 my opinion, that, far the greater part of the dialogue, in this 
 Comedy, came from my father's pen, rather than that of Garrick. 
 
 Y Y 
 
346 
 
 I, certainly, agree with Mrs. Inchbald in her criticism on the 
 limited powers of Garrick as a writer. 
 
 But, after all, the Authors stand accused of plagiary ! — of 
 stealing from an unprinted Farce, intitled ' False Concord, 
 written by the Rev. James Townley, formerly Master of Mer- 
 chant Tailors' School. 
 
 " It is worthy of remark, that in this Farce were three cha- 
 racters (Lord Lavender, Mr. Sudley an enriched Soap-boiler, 
 and a pert valet,) which were afterwards transplanted, with the 
 dialogue of some scenes, nearly verbatim, into the Clandestine 
 Marriage (brought out two years afterwards), under the names 
 of Lord Ogleby, Mr. Sterling, and Brush. These facts were 
 first made public by Mr. Roberdeau, in his Fugitive Verse and 
 Prose*, published in 1801; Mr. R. having married a daughter 
 of the late Mr. Townley." 
 
 BlOGRAPH. DraMAT. 
 
 I have inquired for Mr. Roberdeau's book, but cannot procure it. 
 
347 
 
 On this question, I have little more to observe than, that 
 there are several instances of detracting, in this way, from the 
 merits of very successful authors ; — 
 
 ' Garth did not write his own Dispensary.' 
 
 Townley's Farce, it seems, was only acted one night, (for Wood- 
 ward's Benefit,) and he did not print it. It would be strange 
 if Garrick robbed, (or were accessary to his colleague's robbing,) 
 his friend Townley : in the two Pieces, there may be some co- 
 incidence, without theft ; but the ground-work of the Clandestine 
 Marriage was professedly suggested by Hogarth's prints: — at 
 the worst, there is no great literary crime in catching hints (if 
 any were caught) from an apparently still-born farce, and im- 
 proving upon them in a play of lasting vitality. 
 
 George Col man, the Younger, 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 Printed by A. and U. Spottiswoode, 
 Printers- Street, London.