ment. It would take the united companies of three metropolitan theatres; and, even then, one of the greatest of modern actors (Emery) would be wanting, to furnish the cast that originally distinguished this comedy. Sir Guy Stanch was characteristically personated by Mr. Mathews; the fox-chace was quite in his line, and be availed himself of it to the utmost. The drama is now in abeyance. Formerly, we had greater actors and smaller theatres ;-now, we have great theatres and little actors. When Mrs. Siddons first beheld the overgrown size of Covent Garden Theatre, she pronounced it her theatrical tomb.

D -G.

Cast of the Characters as performed at the Theatre Royal

Rosine.

Mr. Emery.

Master Chapman.

Steward, Attorney, Servants, Husbandmen, &c.

Miss Bolton.

Mrs. Templeton.

Ellen......

Dame Broudcast..

Mrs. C. Kemble.

Miss Booth.

Mrs. Davenport.

9

Costume.

COUNT VILLARS. A green great coat, faced with scarlet, green stocking pantaloons, white kerseymere waistcoat, an officer's silk sash, shoulder-knots on coat.

SIR GUY STANCH.-Green lapelled coat, scarlet waistcoat bound with silver, leather breeches, top-boots, broad-brimmed hat.

TEMPLETON.-A black half-trimmed coat, plain gilt buttons, black kerseymere waistcoat and breeches, buttons of same.

VINCENT TEMPLETON.-Drab kerseymere coat, light striped waistcoat, buff kerseymere gaiters, and pantaloons.

SUCKLING.-White cloth fly-frock, basket buttons, green flowered scarlet waistcoat, white corded breeches, green great coat, trimmed with black cord.

DAMPER.-A blue half-trimmed coat and waistcoat, gold buttons, drab cord breeches, brown great coat.

ASPIC.-Mixed short great-coat, trimmed with black, light drab kerseymere pantaloons, with black cord.

BROADCAST.-Drab plush coat, scarlet waistcoat, cord breeches, short smock frock, blue worsted stockings.

GEORGE.-Mixed lapelled short-coat, and drab nankeen waistcoat and trowsers. 2nd dress: paduasoy great coat.

JERRY.-Scarlet coat, with green cuffs and collars, and silver lace, buff striped waistcoat, and buff breeches.

ROBERT.-White plain livery.

GAMEKEEPER.-Fustian short frock coat, scarlet waistcoat, and

buff breeches.

STRANGER.-Brown coat, striped waistcoat, and drab breeches. FARMER.-Mixed short coat, scarlet waistcoat, and yellow

breeches.

ROSINE.-Neat white muslin dress, black shoes.

MRS. TEMPLETON.-Handsome pink crape dress, white satin petticoat, &c.

ELLEN.-A light blue or grey riding habit, handsome white muslin or leno dress.

DAME BROADCAST.-Chintz open gown, white petticoat and apron, white stockings, black shoes, cap, &c.

10

PROLOGUE;

By Mr. Taylor; spoken by Mr. Abbott.

"Tis Education forms the common mind;
"Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined."
Is this a maxim ratify'd by truth,

And is there then such pliancy in youth?
Alas! experience shews us, ev'ry day,

That, still, new passions and new habits sway
And, as our lives from stage to stage advance,
Most are impell'd by int'rest and by chance.
Spite of the discipline of wisdom's school,
The fool of nature will remain her fool;
And oft, we find, as varies fashion's code,
That vice or virtue proves the reigning mode :
To her each sex submissive bend in turn,
And, what she teaches, all are proud to learn.
Her wildest whims are caught with eager haste,
As if sustain'd by Genius, Science, Taste!
The modern nymph, as Fashion rules the heart,
Attempts to rob poor Crispins of their art,
And while, to gain her smiles, the Lover sues,
Now bawls bravuras, or now shapes her shoes.
The youth, whate'er his parents may have plann'd,
Who soars for fame, by driving four-in-hand,
Though Fortune may decree a noble doom,
Nature design'd a coachman, and a groom.
Let then the Drama, to its purpose true,
Reflect the times, but aim to mend them too;
Prevailing follies try to laugh away,

But deeply probe the vices of the day.

And hence our Bard, who, for your kindness past,

Bears a fond record, that thro' life will last,

To-night directs the Muse's honest rage
'Gaiust venal defamation's daring page,
From which the highest no protection gain,
Since infamy and law alike are vain.

Aid then our Bard, to lead ingenuous youth,
From Fashion's snares, to Reason, and to Truth.

EDUCATION.

ACT I.

SCENE I-A Hall in Templeton's House.

A Knocking, L. at the Door.-ROBERT crosses the Stage from R. to L. and returns, followed by Damper, l.

Dam. Is Mr. Templeton within ?

Rob. The favour of your name, Sir? [Damper gives a card.] Mr. Damper--he is not, Sir?

Dam. Pugh, pugh! I'm his intimate friend.

Rob. Oh no, sir-there you'll pardon me-I keep a most accurate list of my master and mistress's friends. [Shewing a Book.

Dam. (L.) Indeed! a convenient sort of reference; for, to know friends, as times go, is no very easy matter. Hark you, fellow; tell your master that Mr. Damper from Lombard-street-a stranger to his present fashionable nomenclature, but one who formerly was in his books-insists on seeing him instantly.

Rob. (R.) Sir, I shall give in your ticket; but making speeches is not in my department.

Dam. Indeed! then I presume you are what is called a figure footman, and hired by measure- -[Servant bows.] Six feet of more accomplished assurance I never looked up to.

Rob. You are pleased to flatter.

Dam. But if the distance across your shoulders was not included in the estimate-- here is a measure [Shewing a cune] that will in one moment ascertain it, unless you exactly obey my orders. [Exit Robert, R.] Bad memories, indeed when friends cannot be remembered without book. -When in London, and in active life, he was above these modern fopperies: but a young gay wife sadly alters your middle-aged gentleman. [Enter, R. Mr. TEMPLETON and ROBERT, (who crosses behind,) to L.] Templeton! heartily glad to see you.

Tem. What, my old partner, Damper !-Welcome to Leicestershire thrice welcome, my worthiest friend!

Dam. [To Robert.] Do you hear? his worthiest friend! -Book me [Exit Robert, L.] You look tolerably hearty and cheerful-but

Tem. (R.) But!-Oh, old Damper still, I see-When will you leave your vile buts, and doubts, and perhaps's. Dam. (L.) When my friend's conduct no longer requires them-perhaps yours don't :-but-you are married again, I hear?

Tem. To a woman I adore.

Dum. Poor fellow!-when the diseases of children attack maturity, they always rage with redoubled violence. Tem. Marriage, believe me, is the end of life.

Dam. I believe it would be the end of mine. So you adore the charms of this Venus, eh?

Tem. I do, indeed.

Dam. Perhaps she adores you for the same cause, eh, my Adonis of half a century!-ha! ha!

Tem. No, no-yet gratitude for my affection-my attention to her happiness-the affluence I placed her in

Dam. True;-when fifty and twenty match, 'tis a sort of give-and-take race, and you are expected to carry weight for age. So my old friend is as happy as I could wish him? Tem. Yes, exceedingly-very-reasonably happy —tole

rably

happy-certainly-but

Dam. [Aside.] So I have brought him to nis buts.
T'em. Perfection, you know, my dear Damper, is—
Dam. Fortunately, not necessary to human happiness.
Tem. Certainly not: but-

Dam. [Aside.] Zounds, again-Come, out with the

worst.

Tem. Then the worst is, that Mrs. Templeton has had a perverted modern education.

Dam. The effects on Mrs. Templeton

T'em. Are an active taste for expense, with a decided averseness from all household duties, produced by the indolent and deceptive spirit of procrastination. And thus

--to-morrow, to-morrow, and to-morrow

Dam. Come, come.-Considering the bad culture of the

soil, the produce might have been worse. 1em. Very true, indeed-but

Dam. Zounds, again !—

[Aside.

Tem. You must know, I was captivated with her eyes

brilliant, fascinating, penetrating-and-and