But, however, in the course of another hour, all was calm again; the vessels were seen steering from the Island, instead of to it; and we had nothing to do but to laugh and retire quietly to bed.

As this made a little bustle, and particularly amongst the military, the next day I gave out for representation a piece which they had warmly patronized before; namely, "Sprigs of Laurel, or The Rival Soldiers!" We had a very good house. In the course of the second Act of this piece, the Printer, Mr. Mourant, came behind the scenes, and placed something in my hand wrapt in a play-bill: What, said I, is this? A proof of the next night's play-bill?-No, said he, it is a proof of something else! a princely proof of something better! It's money!-What do you mean? "The Prince is so well pleased with your playing Nipperkin, that he desires you to accept his compliments with this trifle !" I opened the paper, and found in it ten new Louis d'ors: they looked as fresh and clean, as if just from the mint. The prince here spoken of was, I believe, a native of the Island, but he bore a French title, and was at that time of some rank in the English naval department.

He was generally known as "The Prince de Bouillon." The civil government of the Island lies in what is called "The Royal Court;" the chief of which is the bailiff. This court is similar to the court in Guernsey, and the laws I fancy much the same: both regulated by what is styled the old Norman system; but since they have been under the protection of the English Government, some change I am told has been made in their

institutions.

Some of their laws or customs are very arbitrary and remarkably peremptory, and I have reason to think that such laws are necessary in such places; for, if framed otherwise, persons would leave the Island before the laws could be put in force.

An anecdote or two may explain this. A dashing buck, I forget his name, passed as a CAPTAIN and made himself very agreeable while at Guernsey to several of my performers: and, to render himself still more so, he invited them all to supper, at an Inn just opposite the Theatre, kept by a person of the name of Thompson. Almost all the performers attended: that is, all the male performers. The ladies of course did not accept the invitation, nor did I, in the first instance, but, not finding me there he sent me a polite note and I attended. A handsome supper was provided, plenty of wine, punch and other liquors, and the whole evening passed very pleasantly. After this joyous feasting, the very pleasant Captain took no notice of the landlord's bill, but hastened on board some vessel, and left that and many other bills unsettled: we did not know even which way he went! The landlord came to me and asked what was to be done? I told him that he knew the circumstances, and that I was absolutely pressed into the Captain's company; but with regard to my performers I was sure that there was not a single one of them but would pay their respective share of the bill, or I would do it for them. The landlord was satisfied; and added that if he had known this Captain Buck, or Buck Captain's intentions only five minutes before he left the harbour, he could and would have

stopped him; the laws of the Island would have authorized him so to do. From this circumstance I saw the necessity of summary laws, for places situated like Guernsey and Jersey. Severe as the laws thus are, yet they are not in certain cases quite enough so, especially as they affect Theatres!-A Manager is occasionally so circumstanced, as to be under the necessity of acting in a very arbitrary way. He is obliged to play the despot, in order to be able to play at all! he has such various humours and tempers to struggle with! he has, as the poet Rowe expresses it

Business to employ an Age

"And but a moment's time to get it done in!"

consequently he must not stay to speak before he acts! No, he must act first and speak afterwards. It might be supposed that, in the very formation of the word manager, a theatrical sense was meant to be implied. AGIR is the French verb, "To act"- therefore the two words united, man and agir, give us a man to act, or if you please-Manager.

It should also be observed that, though these Islands have many local particulars and characteristic differences, yet such minute considerations are not within the scope of my present design. I only aim at a general outline of things, and leave to others the task of explaining them more accurately.

My occasional stories, and trifling anecdotes, are given as not directly connected with my history, but, by way of amusement, as well as to afford some idea of the places and people I have seen. I have endeavored also to be particularly descriptive of the customs, habits

and manners, prevalent in all Theatrical communities and more especially in Provincial ones, Before we leave Guernsey and Jersey, it ought to be noticed that wine and all kinds of spirituous liquors were at that time very cheap in both Islands. In other words, most of those articles deemed luxuries for their being highly taxed in England, were there to be had at a low price on account of the duty being evaded. Apropos ! I do not know whether the word duty has ever been thus noticed, yet there is "Magic in the web of it!" Every body will admit that there is something offensive in the word tax; nobody likes to be taxed with doing wrong, or charged with the commission of any crime. The word impost is quite as unpleasant; for who would wish to be imposed upon? while, on the other hand, there is not a gentleman or man of honor who would not cheerfully do his duty, by paying what is just and commendable. But to proceed-with respect to both the Islands, as taxes were disliked and duties readily discharged, so we often found, as Englishmen, that in proportion as luxuries were common, so necessaries became the greatest of all luxuries! This is a subject worthy the attention of all who bear sway, not only there, but in other places. The best port wine and sherry might then be had for a shilling a bottle; and like the baker's bread, thirteen to the dozen. But not liquors only were to be had on easy terms, many other articles were daily smuggled from the French Coast and there were no qualms of conscience afloat; no polite scruples or political reserve: smuggling was all the fashion. Now for another little anecdote already hinted at.

As I was walking one day on an elevated piece of ground overlooking the Bay and Pier, (by the bye, I am told that on this very spot various buildings with a garrison, or barracks, have since been erected); I perceived two or three boats, and another vessel somewhat larger, approaching the shore. I was told that the largest vessel was a Yacht, belonging to the Dutchess of Manchester; but, whether true or not, I cannot even at this time say. The whole of the party I was informed, went up to Head Quarters, the house where the Military Governor, General Gordon resided. It was soon diffused through the town that the Dutchess and her whole party of friends were coming to the play that evening. This made me rather anxious that every thing at the Theatre should be done as respectably as possible; I sent my stage-keeper with my compliments to some of my performers, who I heard were merry-making at an Hotel, requesting they would attend early, as I expected to see in the boxes a very large party of the first rank and consequence. In the course of half an hour, the stage-keeper returned with a note in his hand while I was opening it, I perceived him smiling, and said "Well Tom did you see any of 'em ?" "Oh yes, master, I think they be getting on pretty tightish!" "What do you mean, getting drunk!"

In a fair way for't sir, if they keep on as they begin; the bottle is going round briskly." I now opened my note and read "Captain- (I forget his real name) "Captain Dash's compliments to the manager of the Theatre and he is desired to say that the Dutchess being much fatigued with having remained so long on board