task, from motives of pure friendship and compassion: her coach is now at the door; she has a villa near town; and, if you please, I will accompany you thither to dinner."

This being arranged, they soon arrived at the villa. Holland was ushered into an elegant apartment and regaled with chocolate, while his fair inamorata was mustering up courage to meet him. -Every preparatory step being taken, he was suffered to approach his princess; "when" (as Hume said of himself and Rousseau) "a very tender scene ensued." We will pass over the under plots, &c., and proceed to say, that lodgings were taken in town, where the happy couple met, as they thought, in the most secret manner; but what was their surprise when they found, that an action was brought against Holland, by the enraged Mr. E. for Crim-Con; and, above all, that the complaisant friendly go-between was to be produced by him as the sole witness to prove the deed. This stratagem operated like a thunder-bolt, and dispersed, at once, all the loves and graces; the lady retreated to obscurity, and the gentleman prepared for his defence. As he had no doubt of the fact being fully ascertained, his only resource was to prove, that, from

VOL. II.

P

his salary, and other circumstances, he was incapable of paying large damages. This precaution was, however, rendered unnecessary, by a message from Mr. E., who, convinced Mr. H. that it was his interest to make no defence; as, in that case, no more than £50 damages would be claimed, and even that sum not received.

What could poor Holland do in this exigence? Blank verse could be but of little use to him; he, therefore, submitted quietly to his fate, which turned out exactly as he had been promised; it plainly appearing, that her husband's sole view was, to get rid of a wife, for whom he had no regard, without refunding a shilling of her fortune, which was large; and, in this honourable pursuit, he effected his purpose by means of the virtuous lady who had insinuated herself into the confidence of the credulous Mrs. E.

Holland made his exit from the stage of life, on the 7th of December, 1769, in the 36th year of his age.

FOOTE AND DR. JOHNSON.

TOM DAVIS, One evening, related to the Doctor the intention of Foote to personify his figure, dress, and manner, upon the stage. "Well,"

says the Doctor, "what is the price of a good stick?"-" Sixpence," said Tom." Then buy me a shilling one," added the Doctor; "for, on the night he does so, I'll be in the stage-box; and if the rascal attempts it, I'll do myself justice on his carcass, in face of that audience, who, witnessing my disgrace, shall also be spectators of his punishment."-Foote, on hearing this, very wisely abandoned his project.

66 THE WAY TO KEEP HIM."

THE characters of Sir Bashful Constant and his lady, in this play, are said to have actually been taken from real life. Mr. French, a cousin. to Mr. Murphy, a gentleman of fortune, who resided in Hanover square, in the house afterwards occupied by Mrs. Piozzi, was much attached to his wife, but reluctant to show his conjugal affection. He amply supplied her with means, but affected to object to her numerous visitors of rank, though he never joined her evening parties; and was proud of seeing her looking-glasses adorned with cards of invitation from the nobility.

FARQUHAR'S LAST MOMENTS.

FARQUHAR died during the successful run of the "Beaux Stratagem." Mr. Wilkes often visited him in his illness. On one of these visits, Wilkes told Farquhar, that Mrs. Oldfield thought that he dealt too freely with the character of Mrs. Sullen, in giving her to Archer without a proper divorce, which was not a security for her honour. "To salve that," replied the author, "I'll get a real divorce,-I'll marry her myself, and give her my bond, she shall be a real widow in less than a fortnight."

CARLINI.

LAUGHTER is, by no means, an unequivocal symptom of a merry heart :-there is a remarkable anecdote of Carlini, the drollest buffoon ever known on the Italian stage, at Paris. A French physician, being consulted by a person who was subject to the most gloomy fits of melancholy, advised his patient to mix in scenes of gaiety; and, particularly, to frequent the Italian theatre: "And (said he) if Carlini does not dispel your gloomy complaint, your case must be desperate indeed!"-" Alas, Sir! (replied the patient,) I

myself am Carlini: but while I divert all Paris with mirth, and make them almost die with laughter, I am, myself, actually dying with chagrin and melancholy!"

Immoderate laughter, like the immoderate use of strong cordials, gives only a temporary appearance of cheerfulness, which is soon terminated by an increased depression of spirits.

MRS. MONTAGUE.

A LADY of this name was formerly an actress at the Hull Theatre, and between her and Mrs. Hudson, of the same company, violent quarrels and disputes were continually arising; so much so, that each had a party distinguished by the appellations of the "Montagues, and the Capulets." On January 3, 1777, "Henry II." was appointed to be performed for Mrs. Hudson's benefit; Rosamond by Mrs. Hudson, and the Queen by Mrs. Montague. This was so repugnant to the inclination of the latter lady, that she sulked, and would not study the part. When the play was to have begun, an apology was made, stating that "illness had prevented Mrs. Montague from studying the part of Queen Elinor, and, therefore, she begged