readiness; fincerely regretting at the fame time the untimely decay of fuch promifing merit, which probably would have adorned the stage with another Farren.

Before the conclufion of the winter, the other two proprietors complained they were made cyphers. They alledged that Mr. Colman and Mr. Powell arrogated all the power to themselves, and were fo expensive in the cloaths and decorations, that they shared nothing, notwithstanding the houfes in general were crowded. Mr. Powell and I feldom spoke, but upon the stage. As I had every reason to believe he had acted with duplicity, I naturally despised him; I therefore feldom went to the theatre, except when business called

me.

About this time I was introduced to the worthy and celebrated Mr. Hoole, the justly admired tranflator of Metaftafio, Taffo, and most of the great Italian poets. His lady and myfelf formed the ftri&teft intimacy, and we were seldom fepa When I had leifure from my attendance at Golden-Square, we had little parties, either at my apartments or theirs. A relaxation of this nature was neceffary to difpel the chagrin I felt, that all my vifionary theatris castles were tottering.

rate.

Such

Such indeed has been the fure consequence of every favourable event of my life. I have always found that even thofe expectations which have feemed moft certain have vanquished like Sancho Panza's fupper. They have been seen, but not enjoyed. And as the delicate viands which were fpread before the hungry governor ferved only to increase his appetite, fo my fanguine certainties, and fure expectancies, have led me into many expences, which, but for the flattering prospects these presented, I should not have incurred. A review of the incidents of my life, when they are all laid before you, will convince you, that never mortal found fuch a number of apparently wellgrounded hopes, fo fatally and completely blafted; and that by means which were not to be expected or avoided. I may with propriety exclaim upon this occafion, with the fourth Harry *,

"Will Fortune never come with both hands full, "But write her fair words still in fouleft letters ?" The enfuing fummer I took a small house at Strand in the Green. The fituation was beautiful, as it commanded the fineft part of the Thames, and terminated with a view of Kewbridge. Its being so near town was another inducement ; for my attendance at the Comte's was almost daily expected.

Second Part of Henry IV. A&t IV. Scene VIII.

WI

When the next feafon commenced, the difagreement between the patentees became public. This broke out afresh, upon account of a very ftrange difpute indeed; which was no other, than Mr. Colman's infifting that Mrs. Yates fhould appear in the character of Imogen, in "Cymbe"line;" a part in which she had long been established, and univerfally admired; and Meffrs. Harris and Rutherford being equally ftrenuous that Mrs. Leffingham fhould have the preference. The beauty and figure of the latter were, I allow, greatly in her favour; but she could by no means be faid to furpafs Mrs. Yates, who joined hardearned science to her other great qualifications. A procefs was begun in confequence of this rup→ ture, which tended only to benefit the gentlemen of the long-robe; for in the fequel it produced no other effect.

Mr. Powell, induced by fome reason I could never account for, began, once more, to load me with flattery; but as I had no room to believe his compliments fincere, I treated him with infinite contempt. Mrs. Yates was over-perfuaded to appear in Emilia, in the "English Merchant;" a character, notwithstanding what I have faid of her beauty, totally unfit for her; and I played Lady Alton, which would much better have be

come

come that dignity and figure which the poffeffes in fo eminent a degree.

I am now about to enter upon a very important event in my life, viz. the means by which I was prevented from publishing my letter to Mr. Calcraft. Had it found its way to the public at that time, it would, I flatter myself, have avenged me in fome measure of a man who had treated me with fuch unparalleled injustice, and have vindicated my conduct, with respect to him, to the whole world. But as I was prevailed upon, I may fay compelled, not to do it then, when it would have been of much more fervice to me, and have prevented many misfortunes which have fince happened to me, I'fhall, as I have already promised you, fend it to you by way of fupplement to my narrative; for, without it, many circumftances in my life will want elucidation.

As it makes fo interefting a part of my ftory, I fhall begin my next letter with it.-Nor will this be the only important circumftance that it will contain. You will read therein fome other incidents, which will tend to confirm the observation I have lately made, that no mortal ever found their hopes fo fuddenly and completely fruftrated as I have done.

G. A. B.

LET

LETTER LXXXVII.

November 14, 17

THE day of the reprefentation of the "Eng"lish Merchant," as mentioned in my laft, I had -caused an advertisement to be inferted in all the public papers, to the following purport: "Spee

dily will be published, a letter from George "Ann Bellamy, to John Calcraft, Efq;" with this

motto ;

"So comes the reck'ning when the banquet's o'er, "The dreadful reck'ning, and men smile no more.'

GAY.

Just before the piece was going to begin, Mr. Colman came into my dreffing-room, and informed me, that, in confequence of my advertisement, Mr. Calcraft had been at his house, vowing vengeance against the theatre, if I did not pro mise to give up all thoughts of fuch a publication; which, he faid, was at once putting a dagger into his heart, and a pistol to his head. He concluded, with many imprecations, that, if I did not at least give fome time, he would not only put his threats into execution, but apply to the Lord Chamberlain to have me filenced; and, moreover, tura

my