As soon,

she esteemed and loved as a father. however, as she entered the room, her apprehensions were dissipated, for he cordially took her by the hand, and, with a smile, said to her, "My dear girl! you are vastly followed, I hear: do not let the love of finery, or any other inducements, prevail upon you to commit an indiscretion. Men, in general, are rascals; you are young and engaging, and, therefore, ought to be doubly cautious. If you want any thing in my power, which money can purchase, come to me, and say, "James Quin, give me such a thing; and my purse shall be always at your service." This fact was related by Mrs. Bellamy herself.

MARMONTEL'S TRAGEDY OF

CLEOPATRA."

In this tragedy, which was much hissed, a mechanic had constructed an asp, so naturally, that it seemed perfectly alive; and as it approached the heroine, the eyes sparkled like fire, and it began to hiss. After the scene was over, one of the auditors asked a critic, who sat near him, how he liked the Play. "Why, 'faith, (replied the other,) I am of the same opinion as the asp."

VOL. II.

C

KEMBLE'S ADHERENCE TO THE SCENE.

Or all actors who loved to see things well done, or done in earnest, there were none more conspicuous for this laudable partiality than the late John Kemble. One night, performing his favourite part of Penruddock in "The Wheel of Fortune,” in one of the scenes he ought to have been shaken violently by the party representing the character he has wronged. This, on the night in question, was done so feebly, although the representative was an actor (Mr. Truman) who had been a plodder in the Covent Garden Company for many years, that, when the scene concluded, the Manager sent for him to his dressing room, and gave him the following sensible piece of advice." Mr. Truman, you did not shake me in that scene so roughly as I expected; I fear, sir, you remembered at the time that I was Manager. Sir, when you are playing with me, you must forget that: the next time we play that scene together I hope, sir, you will use me roughly, pull me about violently, and tear my clothes: 'tis proper, sir, and keeps up the cuuning of the scene.'

It is

almost needless to add, that Mr. Truman promised obedience, and left his Manager well

satisfied.

SUCCESSFUL EQUIVOQUE.

IN the Theatre of La Comedie Française, at Paris, while under the management of Moliere, a violent riot took place from a stop being put to the free admission of almost all descriptions of the military. These ferocious personages forced the doors of the theatre, knocking down the door-keepers, and sallied after the whole company, to treat them in the same way. A young actor, named Bejart, who was dressed to play an old character, presented himself to the rioters; and, as no argument is so powerful to a Frenchman as a bon-mot, he disarmed their rage by thus addressing them; "Gentlemen, spare an old man of eighty, who has but three hours to exist."

THE GRANDFATHER OF MRS. SIDDONS.

MR. WARD, the grandfather of this illustrious actress, was a performer in the time of Betterton. He was the original Hazeroth in Fenton's "Mariamne," which was first acted in 1723. On the 22nd of April, 1760, he had a benefit in Dublin, when Miss Woffington made her debut in Sir Harry Wildair.

GOLDSMITH.

GOLDSMITH received £1300 for the only two

plays he ever wrote: viz. £500 for the "Good natured Man," and £800 for "She Stoops to Conquer;" a sum very seldom obtained by dramatic authors.

MOLIERE AND RACINE.

WHEN the "Misanthrope" of Moliere was first performed, Moliere and Racine were, unfortunately, at variance. A parasite, thinking to please the latter, told him, after the representation, that the piece had failed. "I was there, and can assure you nothing can be more cold." Racine replied, "You were there, and I was not; yet I do not believe you. It is not possible for Moliere to have written a bad piece. See it again, and consider it better."

FAIR ADVERTISEMENT.

THE following is copied from a Daily Advertiser, of the year 1741.

"At Lee and Woodward's Great Theatrical Tiled Booth, near the Turnpike, during the time of Tottenham Court Fair, (which began on Tuesday the 4th inst. and will end on Monday the 17th,) will be presented,

THE GENEROUS FREEMASON;

OR, THE CONSTANT LADY;

With the comical humours of Squire Noodle & his man Doodle. Squire Noodle, Mr. Woodward; Clerimont, Mr. Cross; Doodle, Mr. Yaughan; the rest of the characters from both the Theatres.

To which will be added, a new Pantomime entertainment, in grotesque characters, called

HARLEQUIN SORCERER.

Harlequin, Mr. Woodward; Columbine, Miss Robinson, being her first appearance on any stage.

N. B.-During the time of the fair, we shall begin at ten in the morning, and at nine at night.

August 10, 1741."

MONCRIFF.

AFTER the appearance of "The Abderites," a comedy of one act, performed in 1732, written by the academician Moncriff, a critic, addressing himself to the author, said,-"The comedies of Moliere made us laugh; and we cry at those of La Chaussé: but we neither laugh, nor cry, at your 'Abderites.' Like Theogenes, called, by the Athenians, the Poet of Snow, you keep us in perfect apathy, without exciting the least emotion, either of grief or joy."

A MANAGER'S BULL.

AMONG the MSS. sold with Kemble's library, was a list of the performances at Covent Garden for several seasons, during the management of Rich. On the 17th December, 1748, the following entry was made:

"The Merry Wives of Windsor," and the "What d'ye call it?" by command of the Prince of Wales: Prince George, Prince Edward, and three more Princesses, were at the house this night."