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of the scene, that, in the delusion of his imagination, upon the Countess of Nottingham's denying the receipt of the ring, which Essex had sent by her, to claim a promise of favour, he exclaimed, "Tis false she has it in her bosom ;" and immediately seized the mock Countess, to make her deliver it up.

QUINAULT.

ON the first night of the performance of "L'Amant Indiscret," Quinault, the author of the comedy, took a country gentleman, who came to Paris on account of a law-suit, with him, to see it, and with whom he had just been in search of his attorney. The country gentleman was greatly surprised, when the piece was over, to hear persons of the first rank congratulate Quinault, and to see them publicly embrace him; but his surprise was still more increased when he afterwards heard Quinault discuss points of law with his attorney, and state the case of the gentleman, his friend, so clearly, that he foresaw he should gain the cause.

MOODY, AND THE HIGHWAYMAN. MOODY, the actor, was robbed of his watch and money. He begged the highwayman to let him have cash enough to carry him to town, and

the fellow replied, "Well, master Moody, as I know you, I'll lend you half a guinea; but, remember, honour among thieves !" A few days after, he was taken, and Moody, hearing that he was at "The Brown Bear," in Bow Street, went to inquire after his watch; but when he began to speak of it, the fellow exclaimed, "Is that what you want? I thought you had come to pay the half-guinea you borrowed of me."

MOLIERE'S ACTING.

THOUGH a man of so much wit, Moliere's deportment was serious, his manners grave, and his taciturnity remarkable; yet, on the stage, he performed many of the most farcical parts. One evening, having to personate Sancho Pancha, and enter riding on an ass, he mounted behind the scenes, waiting for his cue, but the ass, not understanding the prompter, would not wait; nor could Moliere hinder him from making his entrance. In vain did the distressed Sancho tug the halter; in vain he called to his favourite, Baron, and to his servant-maid, La Foreste, to come to his assistance. Seeing her master on the crupper pulling with all his might, the girl laughed so heartily, that she had not the power

to move; and Moliere was at last obliged to hold by the side scenes, and let the ass slip from under him, who went forward, and presented him self to the audience.

GEORGE FREDERICK COOKE, AND THE LIVERPOOL MANAGERS.

DURING Kean's visit to Whitehaven, in 1823, he related the following anecdote of George Frederick Cooke. When George was playing at Liverpool, the managers found great difficulty in keeping him sober; but, after repeated transgressions, he solemnly promised not to offend again during his stay. In the evening of the day on which the promise was made, George was not to be found, when wanted for Sir Pertinax Mac Sycophant; the audience grew impatient; the manager stormed, and all was in "most admired disorder."

After a long search, one of the managers found him at a pot-house near the Theatre, where he was drinking, with great composure and perseverance, out of a very small glass. "Oh! Mr. Cooke," exclaimed the irritated manager," you have again broken your solemn promise. Did you not tell me you would give over drinking?" George surveyed the manager with the most provoking

coolness, and said, "I certainly did make such a promise, but you cannot expect a man to reform all at once. I have given over drinking, in a great measure," holding up the small glass, in exultation, to the Manager's nose.

ASSERTION WITHOUT PROOF.

MR. BOADEN, the author of several popular theatrical pieces, gave Drury Lane Theatre the title of a wilderness. This reaching the ears of Sheridan, he did not forget it, for when, a short time afterwards, he was requested to accept a tragedy, by Mr. Boaden: "No, no;" said Sheridan," the wise and discreet author calls our house a wilderness-Now, I don't mind allowing the oracle to have his opinion; but it is really too much for him to expect, that I will suffer him to prove his words."

COOKE'S EXPLANATION OF THE FAMILY PLATE.

A BOASTFUL gentleman in America happened to mention to Cooke, when the latter was in one of his Mac Sarcasm humours, that his family was amongst the oldest in Maryland. Cooke asked him if he had carefully preserved the family plate? and on being questioned as to his meaning, replied, "The fetters and handcuffs."

GARRICK, AND DR. HILL.

IN 1759, Dr. Hill wrote a pamphlet, entitled "To David Garrick, Esq. The Petition of I in behalf of herself and sisters." The purport of it was, to charge Mr. Garrick with mis-pronouncing some words, including the letter I—as furm, for firm-vurtue, for virtue-and others. The pamphlet is now forgotten, but the following epigram, which Mr. Garrick wrote on the occasion, deserves to be preserved

To Dr. Hill, upon his " Petition of I, to David Garrick, Esq."
If 'tis true, as you say, that I've injured a letter,

I'll change my notes soon, and I hope for the better;
May the just right of letters, as well as of men,
Hereafter be fixed by the tongue and the pen!
Most devoutly I wish that they both have their due,
And that I may be never mistaken for You.

GARRICK'S EPIGRAM.

Written soon after Dr. Hill's farce, called "The Rout," was acted.

For physic and farces,

His equal there scarce is;

His farces are physic,

His physic a farce is,

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