66 16 "( pany, I don't pretend to direct you; far be it "from me to treat you with so much ingratitude : you have published my name in the bills with the "utmost good-nature; and as affairs stand cannot "act without me: so gentlemen, to shew you my gratitude, I expect to be paid for my acting as "much as any of you, otherwise I declare off. I'll "brandish my snuffers, and clip candles as usual. "This was a very disagreeable proposal, but they "found that it was impossible to refuse it; it was "irresistible, it was adamant: they consented, and "I went on in king Bajazet: my frowning brows, "bound with a stocking stuffed into a turban, while on my captiv'd arms I brandished a jack-chain. "Nature seemed to have fitted me for the part; I 66 was tall, and had a loud voice; my very entrance "excited universal applause; I looked round on the "audience with a smile, and made a most low and graceful bow, for that is the rule among us. As "it was a very passionate part, I invigorated my spirits with three full glasses (the tankard is almost out) of brandy. By Alla! it is almost inconceiv"able how I went through it; Tamerlane was but a "fool to me; though he was sometimes loud enough too, yet I was still louder than he: but then, be"sides, I had attitudes in abundance: in general I kept my arms folded up thus, upon the pit of stomach; it is the way at Drury-Lane, and "has always a fine effect. The tankard would sink "to the bottom before I could get through the "whole of my merits: in short, I came off like a prodigy; and such was my success, that I could ra"vish the laurels even from a sirloin of beef. 66 66 66 66 66 ९ The "principal gentlemen and ladies of the town came "to me, after the play was over, to compliment me "upon my success; one praised my voice, another 66 my person: upon my word, says the squire's lady, "he 66 " he will make one of the finest actors in Europe; "I say it, and I think I am something of a judge. Praise in the beginning is agreeable enough, " and we receive it as a favour; but when it comes "in great quantities we regard it only as a debt, "which nothing but our merit could extort: in"stead of thanking them, I internally applauded myself. We were desired to give our piece a se"cond time; we obeyed; and I was applauded even "more than before. 66 66 "At last we left the town, in order to be at a "horse-race at some distance from thence. I shall never think of Tenterden without tears of grati❝tude and respect. The ladies and gentlemen there, "take my word for it, are very good judges of plays ❝and actors. Come, let us drink their healths, if "you please, sir. We quitted the town, I say; and "there was a wide difference between my coming "in and going out: I entered the town a candle"snuffer, and I quitted it an hero!--Such is the "word; little to-day, and great to-morrow. I "could say a great deal more upon that subject, "something truly sublime, upon the ups and downs "of fortune; but it would give us both the spleen, " and so I shall pass it over. "The races were ended before we arrived at the "next town, which was no small disappointment to "our company; however we were resolved to take "all we could get. I played capital characters there "too, and came off with my usual brilliancy. I "sincerely believe I should have been the first actor "of Europe had my growing merit been properly "cultivated; but there came an unkindly frost "which nipped me in the bud, and levelled me once more down to the common standard of hu"manity. I played Sir Harry Wildair; all the "country ladies were charmed: if I but drew out 66 my snuff-box the whole house was in a roar of 66 rapture; when I exercised my cudgel, I thought "they would have fallen into convulsions. "There was here a lady who had received an "education of nine months in London; and this "gave her pretensions to taste, which rendered her "the indisputable mistress of the ceremonies wher"ever she came. She was informed of my merits; every body praised me; yet she refused at first 66 66 66 going to see me perform: she could not conceive, "she said, any thing but stuff from a stroller ; "talked something in praise of Garrick, and amazed "the ladies with her skill in enunciations, tones, "and cadences; she was at last however prevailed upon to go; and it was privately intimated to me "what a judge was to be present at my next exhi"bition: however, no way intimidated, I came on "in Sir Harry, one hand stuck in my breeches, and "the other in my bosom, as usual at Drury-lane; "but instead of looking at me, I perceived the "whole audience had their eyes turned upon the 66 lady who had been nine months in London; from "her they expected the decision which was to secure the general's truncheon in my hand, or sink 66 me down into a theatrical letter-carrier.I opened my snuff-box, took snuff; the lady was solemn, "and so were the rest; I broke my cudgel on alder 66 man Smuggler's back; still gloomy, melancholy "all, the lady groaned and shrugged her shoulders; "I attempted by laughing myself, to excite at least "a smile; but the devil a cheek could I perceive "wrinkled into sympathy: I found it would not "do: all my good-humour now became forced; 66 my laughter was converted into hystericgrinning; " and whilel pretended spirits, my eye showed the "" agony 66 agony of my heart in short the lady came with "an intention to be displeased, and displeased she "was; my fame expired; I am here, and (the "tankard is no more)!" WHEN Catharina Alexowna was made empress of Russia, the women were in an actual state of bondage, but she undertook to introduce mixed assemblies, as in other parts of Europe: she altered the women's dress by substituting the fashions of England; instead of furs, she brought in the use of taffeta and damask; and cornets and commodes instead of caps of sable. The women now found themselves no longer shut up in separate apartments, but saw company, visited each other, and were present at every entertainment. But as the laws to this effect were directed to a savage people, it is amusing enough, the manner in which the ordinances ran. Assemblies were quite unknown among them; the czarina was satisfied with introducing them, for she found it impossible to render them polite. An ordinance was therefore published according to their notions of breeding, which, as it is a curiosity, and has never before been printed that we know of, we shall give our readers. "I. The person at whose house the assembly is "to be kept, shall signify the same by hanging out "a bill, or by giving some other public notice, by way of advertisement, to persons of both sexes. 66 AA 2 "II. The "II. The assembly shall not be open sooner than "four or five o'clock in the afternoon, nor continue longer than ten at night. 66 (6 "III. The master of the house shall not be obliged to meet his guests, or conduct them out, "or keep them company; but though he is exempt "from all this, he is to find them chairs, candles, liquors, and all other necessaries that company "may ask for: he is likewise to provide them with "cards, dice, and every necessary for gaming. 66 "IV. There shall be no fixed hour for coming "or going away; it is enough for a person to appear in the assembly. 66 "V. Every one shall be free to sit, walk, or game " as he pleases; nor shall any one go about to hin“der him, or take exceptions at what he does, up"on pain of emptying the great eagle (a pint-bowl "full of brandy): it shall likewise be sufficient, at entering or retiring to salute the company. 66 "VI. Persons of distinction, noblemen, superior "officers, merchants and tradesmen of note, head"workmen, especially carpenters, and persons employed in chancery, are to have liberty to enter "the assemblies; as likewise their wives and "children. "VII. A particular place shall be assigned the "footmen, except those of the house, that there may be room enough in the apartments designed "for the assembly. 166 "VIII. No ladies are to get drunk upon any "pretence whatsoever; nor shall gentlemen be "drunk before nine. "IX. Ladies who play at forfeitures, questions "and commands, &c. shall not be riotous: no gen"tleman shall attempt to force a kiss, and no person "shall offer to strike a woman in the assembly, un"der pain of future exclusion." Such |