dience knew of her Majesty being in the house." She crossed the stage when he was performing, and, on receiving the accustomed greeting from the audience, moved politely to the poet, but he did not notice it! When behind the scenes, she caught his eye, and moved again, but still he would not throw off his character, to notice her: this made her Majesty think of some means by which she might know, whether he would depart, or not, from the dignity of his character, while on the stage.-Accordingly, as he was about to make his exit, she stepped before him, dropped her glove, and re-crossed the stage, which Shakspeare noticing, took up, with these words, immediately after finishing his speech, and so aptly were they delivered, that they seemed to belong to it: "And though now bent on this high embassy, Yet stoop we to take up our Cousin's glove!" He then walked off the stage, and presented the glove to the Queen, who was greatly pleased with his behaviour, and complimented him upon the propriety of it. FAREWELL DINNER TO JOHN KEMBLE. THE friends and admirers of Mr. Kemble, . anxious to mark his retreat from the stage with those honours which his high professional character deserved, invited him to a splendid banquet; at which it was intended to present him with a superb silver Vase, bearing a suitable inscription. The entertainment took place on the 26th June 1817, at the Freemasons' Tavern-but the Vase not being completed, its presentation was necessarily postponed to a future day. At half-past seven o'clock, the Stewards (who were composed of the principal performers of Covent-Garden and Drury-Lane Theatres) entered the room, ushering in Lord Holland, Mr. Kemble, the Duke of Bedford, Lord Erskine, Lord Petersham, the Marquis of Worcester, the Marquis of Lansdown, the Earl of Aberdeen, J. W. Croker, Esq., T. Campbell, Esq., the Rev. G. Crabbe, T. Moore, Esq., H. Twiss, Esq., B. West, Esq., President of the Royal Academy; --Flaxman, Esq., R. A., Mons. Talma, &c. &c. Lord Holland took the Chair, supported on his right hand by Mr. Kemble, and on his left by the Duke of Bedford. After the cloth had been removed, Non Nobis Domine was performed in a very superior style, by several singers of first-rate eminence. The King-The Prince Regent-The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family-were drank with the accustomed honours, and were followed by the usual airs. Lord Holland then rose and said-" Gentlemen, in pursuance of the proceedings of this day, I hoped to have the honour and satisfaction of presenting to my friend, who sits near me, the piece of plate which it is your wish to bestow on him, as an indication of the high sense you entertain of his abilities. But, unfortunately, I am prevented from performing that grateful duty-the rich and beautiful work, designed for the Vase, not being yet completed. Here is, however, a drawing of the Vase, which will be handed round the room. I have also a copy of the inscription intended for it, which, if you please, I will read to you." His Lordship then read as follows :— To J. P. KEMBLE, Esq. on his retirement from the Stage, Of which, for 34 years, he has been the ornament and pride; Which to his learning, taste, and genius, is indebted for its present state of improvement; Which, under his auspices, and profiting by his constant labour, most worthily directed to the support of the legiti mate drama, and more particularly to the glory of SHAKSPEARE, Has arrived at a degree of splendour and prosperity before unknown; and which, from his high character, has acquired an increase of honour and dignity; THIS VASE, From a numerous body of his admirers, After dinner, Mr. Young spoke the following Ode, written for the occasion by Mr. Campbell. Pride of the British Stage, A long and last Adieu ! Whose image brought the heroic age Reviv'd to Fancy's view. Like fields refresh'd with dewy light, Thy parting presence makes more bright And memory conjures feelings up. That wine and music need not swell, As high we lift the festal cup, To" Kemble, Fare thee well." His was the spell o'er hearts, Where all their beauty blends. For ill can Poetry express Full many a tone of thought sublime; Steals but one glance from Time. But by the mighty Actor brought, Time may again revive, But ne'er efface the charm; What soul was not resign'd entire And yet a Majesty possess'd His transports' most impetuous tone, And to each passion of his breast High were the task-too high, Of Kemble and of Lear. But who forgets that white discrowned head, VOL. II. Those bursts of Reason's half-extinguish'd glare, M |