Chamberlain, continue with unabated animofity; the one party contending, that it enhances the price of the commodity, to have a place of fafe depofit when the feller's price is not offered, and the farmer infifting that it is for the intereft of the buyer that he fhould not be compelled, when the fale is heavy, to take back every load unbid for, and employ his team again to bring it to the market. In fhort, we fee no end to this business but through the kind offices of the gentlemen of the long robe.

I

DEFENCE OF THE PRIVATE THEATRE.

SIR,

[From the True Briton.]

TAKE up the pen with an honeft indignation, to affert the injured caufe of gaiety and fashion. The malignant fneers and ill-natured invectives, which have appeared in the public prints with a view to decry the private theatre about to be established in Tottenham Street, plainly difcover their authors-the interested partifans of the chartered theatres. But it is to be hoped, that the fashionable world will not be deterred from their innocent amufements, nor a candid public prejudiced against them, by interested malignity. The few following obfervations, which will fpeedily be more fully developed in a pamphlet about to be publifhed, may ferve to convince every unprejudiced per fon, that the propofed private theatrical amufements will be attended by the moft beneficial confequences to the fashionable world in general, and to the fair fex in particular; and it is not to be doubted, that the refult of thefe beneficial confequences will not be confined to the higher ranks alone, but will gradually be communicated to the people at large, and in time flow through every rank of fociety-in patriam populumque. Every one must be confcious how much edification and amufement the fashionable world has loft, by the foolish.

foolish fcruples of falfe delicacy, which have caused to be laid afide the brilliant comedies of the gay and facetious reign of Charles II.: to every one who reads thefe comedies, it will be evident, that they have been fo hardly dealt with, not on account of their being unnatural, but on account of their clofe and manly adherence to Nature. The puny delicacy of the present age affects to be shocked at their vigorous and plain expreffions of natural Jentiments and operations; but let any one judge, if these be not more confiftent with the free and intrepid fpirit of the age, than the filly varnish attempted to be thrown over them by our modern play-writers. Actuated by the love of true wit and unaffected language, the directors of the private theatre have refolved to revive the brilliant comedies of the reign of Charles II.; and they have no doubt the public will applaud their tafte in commencing with the works of the celebrated Sir George Etherege. It is well known how much the fashionable world were once delighted with the gaiety of Sir Fopling Flutter; the managers, therefore, propofe to open the theatre with this charming comedy. The muchadmired character of Dorimant will be affigned to a young gentleman, who has already given ample proofs of his talents to fuftain the moft effential part of that character in the most able manner. There has fome difficulty occurred in arranging the female characters, as feveral young ladies have requested to perfonate Belinda: however, this is expected to be got over by introducing two chambermaids, and alfo fo varying the laft act, as to make Harriet tafte of the fame fweets before the catastrophe.

Befides this generous defign of again bringing forward ancient works of wit, which have been fo injurioufly thrown afide, many other advantages will arife, which it is intended to ftate clearly and fully in the pamphlet about to be publifhed. Instead of increasing the actions at Doctors' Commons, as has been foolithly apprehended,

apprehended, the private theatre will have the direct tendency to do away fuch actions altogether; for it is a well-known fact, that many of thefe actions have been brought in confequence of difcoveries made, owing to the inexperience and unfkilfulness of the parties concerned. As it is intended that every lady of this fociety fhall, immediately upon her marriage, be appointed to an appropriate caft of characters, it is not to be doubted that the will foon be fo perfect in her part, as to fet at defiance all key-holes, prying fervants, fcandalous acquaintances, and jealous hufbands. Befides affording an opportunity to the female performers, of exhibiting their charms in the moft luscious and tempting attitudes, it is propofed to afford them alfo an opportunity of difclofing fome beauties, which fashion and prejudice have not yet permitted them to present to the public view.

But the benefits refulting to the circles of fashion from this private theatre, are not confined to dramatic performances: immediately after the play, the theatre is to be converted into a ball-room; during which metamorphofis, the company retire into a variety of separate apartments prepared for the purpose. What an opportunity will be here afforded, without fcandal or intrufion, of giving loose to the panting wifhes of the heart, while they are yet warmed by the glowing delineations of the drama!

It would be injurious to the tafte of the original defigners, to omit the admirable idea of the pic-nic fupper. Some palates may relish fandwiches and Madeira; and though a lover may please one lady by this treat, he may difguft another. But at this fupper he will have complete opportunity of obferving and adapting his entertainment to each, and alfo of reaping the fruits of his attentions, before the impreffion made by them has had time to be worn off.

All thefe advantages being confidered, it is to be hoped

hoped that the public will look with a favourable eve on the private theatre, as an attempt to enlarge the accommodations of the fafhionable world; for thofe in the lower circles of life may reft affured, that its benefits will foon be communicated to their wives and daughters.

The pamphlet about to be published, will state all thefe advantages more particularly.

I

A FRIEND TO FASHION AND FREEDOM.

A VOLUNTEER ACTOR.

[From the Morning Chronicle.]

Mr. Editor,

AM a friend to the regular drama as by law eftablifhed. I have feen the effects of a private Dilettanti theatre in a fifter kingdom; and I think that all gentlemen who are the genuine admirers of the English ftage fhould come forward and ftem the tide of innovation. You may call it.a vulgar cry, Sir; but I affert, that if men and women of fashion will come forward, and not merely fhew themfelves for nothing, but give balls, waltfes, and fuppers into the bargain, it is time for the regular theatres to look, about them.

I do not agree with you, that it is a fubject only for ridicule. I think that thefe actors and actreffes of quality ought to be oppofed; and I, for one, offer my fervices to the regular theatres. Why fhould gen tlemen hefitate to come forward to the fupport of the ftage, when a party is defirous to undermine it? I am determined, Sir, to turn amateur actor; but I will gratify my paffion according to law; for it fhall never be faid of me, that I have had fcruples concerning the legality of my purfuits. Thefe Dilettanti actors may think it prudent to take the opinion of counfel on their proceedings. God forbid that I fhould ever

be reduced to fuch an extremity! My character through life has been fo ftrongly marked by the profound obedience which I have paid to the laws of the land, the refpect I have felt for the property of individuals, and the facred regard which I have always thought due to decorum, and to the guardian tribunal of an English public, that I never have, and I truft I never thall have to confult any other arbiter than my own confcience, about the propriety and purity of my actions, No, Sir, other Dilettanti actors and actreffes may be lodged in round-houses * with all my heart; but I am for the clear path.

I am only defirous to meet thofe Drawcanfirs fairly; they are for a private ftage-I am for the public theatre. If there must be gentlemen actors, I am their man. I engage to play Captain Macheath against them for what they dare. I hope other gentlemen will com forward. I hope my friend Captain M will be my Polly, and my friend Captain A, Lucy; I have a very perfect Filch in my eye; and thus we will play the Beggar's Opera against them at Drury Lane or Covent Garden whenever they please. Let it be ois the fame evening, and we fhall fee which of the two will draw the moft crowded houfe. But remember, I bar late hours, for I am no friend to midnight morality. I hereby engage to meet them beard to beard, I with law on my fide, and they without it, as foon and as often as they pleafe. I am ready in Captain Macheath. I can fing all the fongs very much in the amateur ftyle, that is, in a jovial, rumbling way; and if I fhould fail in the bravura, the public, I ain fure, will forgive me. I will alfo attempt Bobadil, though I do not exactly look the character, and much lef like a beating, either in jeft or earneft; and I think I fhall be at home in Captain Flash. I shall alfo under

VOL. VI.

* See page 184

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