tion totally inconfiftent with the apathy of a Man of Ton. 1 4th. Never ride, because it is too fatiguing; and never walk, because it is too common. 5th. During the Opera admire Parifot's step, and in the Ballet praife Banti's cadence. In short, my lads! be as ridiculous as you can, fet all modefty at defiance, act directly contrary to the rational part of mankind, and you will then be complete Men of Ton. Yours, THE SHADE of Chesterfield. RULES FOR ACTORS. [From the fame.] IF you are an actor of merit, whether in your own eftimation or that of the public, always endeavour to imprefs a high confideration of your qualifications. Make it an invariable rule to demand a greater falary than you know will be allowed you; by thefe means you will always add to your own confequence, at least in your own opinion, and your eftimiation will not be diminished with the public, as they are generally ignorant of the terms upon which you are engaged. If you have been accustomed in the country to play the first-rate characters, never take a fubordinate one in London. Should you do fo, your country friends would entertain a contemptuous opinion of your talents. It is of the utmost importance that you should rigidly adhere to this rule, becaufe, when you again vifit the country (which in all probability will be your lot), you cannot expect the fame cordial reception. Befides, you must always bear in mind, that Julius Cæfar declared he would rather be the first in a village, than the fecond in Rome" Aut Cæfar, dut nullus!” Regularly, Regularly, if you have credit, frequent in an evening fome pot-house in Drury Lane or Covent Garden. Upon thefe occafions, I would have you talk upon every topic, no matter whether you understand it or not; for a performer is always a man of fuperior information as he follows one of the liberal profef fions. Never pay any respect to the actreffes, but as your may feel inclined for the kindneffes they fhew you, and the freedoms they allow. Actreffes look well enough on the flage; but in a morning, at rehearsal, they are at beft love-fick maidens ! Be fure to have a fevere cold, or indifpofition, five or fix times in a feafon. If you could poffibly contrive to be very much indifpofed about four o'clock of an evening when you are to perform, you will enhance your confequence with the public extremely, who are never fo well pleafed as when they are entirely disappointed! Make it a rule never to attend rehearsals-you have your part completely-any body can read it for you, and the business goes on equally well as if you were present ! If you perform a character in a comedy, never adhere to the text of the author, particularly if the dialogue be pointed and witty. Get an idea only of the author's meaning, and the devil's in 't if you cannot produce an equally brilliant illuftration yourself! Never perform perfectly fober. A bottle of wine or fo, or, more likely, a pot or two of stout or ale, will do you no harm. Befides, Churchill fays, you "muft act from yourfelf;" in my opinion, therefore, drunk or fober makes little difference! Entertain a moft fovereign contempt for every hint which may be given you by a friend-your difcrimination was never before queftioned, and his advice you ou cannot receive otherwife than as a direct infult n your judgment! Should your perfon be not over-handfome, you can afily hide its defects by never fronting the audience. or instance, if one leg be better fhaped than the ther, you have only to give a profile of yourself, at he fame time leaning gently on the inelegant limb. When you change fides, always be careful to move a the fhadow of your companion. If you feel inclined to pair off with any of the adies, be particularly cautious of your choice. Elect, f poffible, an actrefs retained at a great falary, and f you should fail in keeping her, it may chance that be will keep you!! AUTOMATON. THE SOLEMN MEDITATION OF A PLAYER. [From the Morning Herald.] ACCUSTOM'D from my early youth I fee advancing gloomy Lent, Two days a week no fal'ry paid, Two thirds of Lent to faft and pray, * J. B. Every perfon knows that during Lent the theatres are fhut on Wednesday and Friday, and in Paffion Week, every day; but many do not know, that every night when there is no performance, a pio portionable deduction is made of the actors' falaries. PUGILISM Regularly, if you have credit, frequent in an even ing fome pot-houfe in Drury Lane or Covent Gar den. Upon thefe occafions, I would have you talk upon every topic, no matter whether you understand it or not; for a performer is always a man of fuperior information as he follows one of the liberal profef fions. Never pay any respect to the actreffes, but as your may feel inclined for the kindneffes they fhew you, and the freedoms they allow. Actreffes look well enough on the ftage; but in a morning, at `rehearsal, they are at beft love-fick maidens! Be fure to have a fevere cold, or indifpofition, five or fix times in a feafon. If you could poffibly contrive to be very much indifpofed about four o'clock of an evening when you are to perform, you will enhance your confequence with the public extremely, who are never fo well pleafed as when they are entirely disappointed! Make it a rule never to attend rehearsals—you have your part completely-any body can read it for you, and the business goes on equally well as if you were present ! If you perform a character in a comedy, never adhere to the text of the author, particularly if the dialogue be pointed and witty. Get an idea only of the author's meaning, and the devil's in 't if you cannot produce an equally brilliant illuftration yourself! Never perform perfectly fober. A bottle of wine or fo, or, more likely, a pot or two of ftout or ale, will do you no harm. Befides, Churchill fays, you "muft act from yourfelf;" in my opinion, therefore, drunk or fober makes little difference! Entertain a moft fovereign contempt for every hint which may be given you by a friend-your difcrimination was never before queftioned, and his advice you F you cannot receive otherwife than as a direct infult on your judgment ! Should your perfon be not over-handfome, you can eafily hide its defects by never fronting the audience. For inftance, if one leg be better fhaped than the other, you have only to give a profile of yourself, at the fame time leaning gently on the inelegant limb. When you change fides, always be careful to move in the fhadow of your companion. If you feel inclined to pair off with any of the ladies, be particularly cautious of your choice. Elect, if poffible, an actrefs retained at a great falary, and if you fhould fail in keeping her, it may chance that She will keep you!! AUTOMATON. THE SOLEMN MEDITATION OF A PLAYER. [From the Morning Herald.] ACCUSTOM'D from my early youth Always to live from hand to mouth, I fee advancing gloomy Lent, Two days a week no fal'ry paid, Two thirds of Lent to fast and pray, J. B. Every perfon knows that during Lent the theatres are shut on Wednesday and Friday, and in Paffion Week, every day; but many do not know, that every night when there is no performance, a pro portionable deduction is made of the actors' falaries. PUGILIŞM |