have long known, esteemed, and well respected. These remarks in the first instance, particularly apply to parents, relatives, and early friends: then follow the alliances and connexions of after years, whose powers encrease with their duration, and finally establish their influence over the heart by the frequent recollection of many former pleasurable sensations! Whenever any place is accidentally recalled to my mind, it suggests to me circumstances that formerly occurred in it. I cannot even take up a map and fix my eye on any particular spot, without a crowd of ideas and associations that bring with them the remembrance of past joys and previous delights.-I have already mentioned the County of Oxford; I remember it well, and, with my fingers on the map, can trace the road that led me to it, as well as the one that took me from it I remember being delighted with the city itself, and the grand appearance of the churches and colleges.

The well-known Brush Collins was there at the time, and I witnessed his performance. I was then on my way to Devizes in Wiltshire: Mr. Shatford was with me. The Theatre there, at the period in question, was rather too small, we soon afterwards built another near the spot where the Theatre stood, was a garden occupied by a family of the name of Hull, from which garden was a direct communication with the house where they resided. I mention this because at that time their abode was the seat of true old English hospitality, and liberal entertainment. Every night that the Theatre was open, eight, ten, or a dozen of the most respectable gentlemen of the town, were in

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the habit of visiting them. The father of this family I never knew, he had been dead several months before our arrival, but he had left behind him the character of a generous and liberal man.- His family, especially his son and the three eldest daughters, inherited their father's liberality: this will soon appear. At an early hour every play night, two tables were regularly spread with refreshments for any friend who might choose to drop in during the evening, either between the acts, or whenever it was most agreeable to them. The tables were generally furnished with good fare; cold beef, lamb or fowls, with excellent ale, porter, brandy, rum, &c. To afford some idea of the degree of liberality and freedom of manners there, I will mention a circumstance which occurred to my old acquaintance Charles Incledon. At that period he belonged to the Bath Theatre, but he had rendered himself popular by his singing at Vauxhall. I engaged him to sing a night or two with us, at Devizes. After his principal songs were over at the Theatre, I invited him to go with me to an adjoining house to take some refreshment: he consented and I, without undeceiving him, introduced him to Mr. Hull's family and the company there assembled. He feasted heartily, drank freely, sang, laughed and chatted. We remained about half an hour, when Incledon rose and pulled out his purse and asked what there was to pay? Nobody heard him but myself and Mr. William Clare, a surgeon. The doctor gave me a wink, and said "Oh as you are a stranger, whatever the bill may be, we shall not let you pay more than three shillings!" Charles threw

The

down his money and hurried to leave the room. ladies blushed, and Mr. Hull, addressing himself to Incledon, exclaimed "Damme Sir, what's that for! Do you mean to insult me?" But I instantly took the blame upon myself, and informed them I had promised to take him to the Inn, but instead of the Inn, the doctor had brought us with him, and that we had not explained the matter to Mr. Incledon. I mention this to show the kind-heartedness and friendly manners that prevailed in this truly respectable family. The eldest daughter married a distant relation of her's, a man of good property; the second daughter Lucy, was wedded to a merchant whom I afterwards saw in Guernsey and Jersey; the youngest Anne, was only thirteen. years of age when I first knew her she was a very fine girl, and perhaps a short history of her may awaken some interest in the mind of the reader. This young lady was sent to Paris to finish her education; it was at the period of the revolution, when Madame Tallien and Madame Recamier were considered the leading personages in all the fashionable circles at Paris. This young lady Miss Anne Hull, was well introduced into the best Parisian Coteries, those of most consequence among the noblesse. This was done through the influence of a gentleman then well. known in London, Mr. James Perry, formerly the Editor, and afterwards the proprietor, of the Morning Chronicle. That paper was for a great number of years the chief organ of the whig party. Mr. Perry even as far back as Hastings' trial, was on terms of friendship with Fox, Sheridan, and Burke, &c. By an introduction to the family

before named, I was once with Mr. and Mrs. Perry at their house at the bottom of Catherine Street in the Strand where they some time resided. Mr. Sheridan happened to be with them; I was invited to stay to dinner, but unfortunately I had made an appointment elsewhere.

Mrs. Perry's fate was most interesting and even too distressing to dwell upon. Her frame being delicate, her constitution weak, attended with symptoms of a pulmonary nature, she was advised to try the air of the South of France. She sailed with that intent, but the vessel was captured by an Algerine Pirate, and kept some time a prisoner on the coast of Africa. Her husband Mr. Perry, made interest amongst ministers to interfere with the barbarians, in order to rescue Mrs. Perry from her captivity: I believe the application succeeded, but that she died before she again reached her family and friends. But now to my subject.

As mistakes and unnecessary alarms too often occur in Theatres and other public places, crowded with large assemblies of all ranks, ages and descriptions, the best method to escape real danger, is to remain as cool and collected as possible; for too great eagerness to avoid danger, might be the means of bringing it on: while calmness and caution might altogether prevent it, Where there are so many eyes, it is most probable to suppose that real danger will be seen by those nearest to it, which will, of course, give others the best chance of escaping it. I have known during my time many little accidents from premature haste, but never witnessed one arising from causes of an opposite tendency. The fol

lowing circumstances may serve to illustrate my meaning. About forty years ago, our Theatre at Aylesbury stood very near the yard of one of the principal Inns. The landlord wanted his ostler for some particular purpose, and suspecting he was gone to the Play, he ran with breathless haste to the gallery door, to inquire for him. He was there told, that they believed the man was in the house, but it was so very full, particularly the gallery, that it was impossible to find him without disturbing all the company. The landlord in

reply said that he did not care a pin about the whole of the company assembled, unless they came to his house, and then he should be glad to wait upon them, and to show them all possible respect.. So, thrusting his head up stairs, he vociferated" William! William! Is my William there?"

This reminds me of poor Charley Incledon's song.

-Tell me, O tell me, tell me true,

Does my Sweet William sail amongst your Crew ?"

< William! William !' was echoed round, for the gallery was full, smoking full! But no "Sweet William" answered to the call. After a few minutes pause, the landlord was told that crying William!' was of no use; for there might be a hundred of that name, yet not one would think it worth while to answer to the call. That the man should be called by his proper Surname. "Pshaw !" (said the landlord) you know who I want; "Tis my ostler; William Squire !"

Now at this moment the fifth act of the Play was going on; ('tis a fact, and it shall therefore be related