guments were sufficiently powerful, and he avoided the danger of leaping for the rest of the day:-but his horse happening to stumble, he was once flung so forward, that falling with his face between the ears of the animal, his nose was set bleeding most profusely, but he saved himself from saluting the ground by clinging with both arms round the neck of the horse: I rode up to: release him from his perilous situation! After crossing and re-crossing two or three fields, one of our party found a hare sitting snugly in her form, and he instantly in a sportsmanlike tone cried out "See! ho!"See! ho!"-Our friend Dignum wanted to see the hare while she was sitting. She was shown to him, but he thought it only a large brown stone, till a gentleman with his whip set the timid creature a going, which the dogs immediately pursued and in the course of a few minutes destroyed.

After riding over some adjoining fields, Mr. Dignum himself was the next to cry "See! ho!" "See! ho!" He declared he saw a hare creeping into a furze bush. There! there! said he, pointing out the place. But on reaching the spot it proved neither hound nor hare, but a hedge-hog! This of course produced a laugh, and being near the village of Cotgrave, the clergyman (who, by the bye, had the day before been one of the party) invited us all to rest and take a luncheon with him, which was readily acceded to. The half hour or rather the full hour or more that we passed here, was indeed very pleasant. There happened to be a piano-forte in the room, which attracted Mr. Dignum's attention: he sat down to the instrument and gave us about half

a dozen of his best songs. Those whose subjects were the sports of the field, exactly suited the tastes of the company present, and it was agreed on by all, that, in as much as regarded singing, he was by far the best sportsman amongst them.

The next two days were spent in a similar manner; sporting in the morning and singing in the evening. But the scene was changed to Bingham, (my native place) where it happened to be a kind of holiday time, and several of my frieuds had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Dignum sing at their own houses.

By the bye, not very long after this period, (November) I saw him in London, and continued occasionally to correspond with him. A niece of his became a member of my company some time afterwards, and stayed with me several months at Taunton and other places.

NOVEMBER 18.-My thoughts on Independence were required of me yesterday by a friend: I replied, that, with the aid of punning, we might prove every man independent, or, the contrary. Thus-rich and poor live alike on their own ways and means. The ways of one are sometimes the ways of the other, but their means have generally different meanings. By means, some mean the opportunities they possess of providing for themselves; that all have different modes and means of providing their provisions, often as different as the provisions they have to provide.

The rich man, or what is often called the independent man, is the most dependent being existing! He neither sees, hears, or feels for himself! He depends on ali

who give him money, all who receive money from him, and all who owe money to him! He cannot take money intended for him without the consent of the giver; he cannot receive without the willingness of those that pay; and, as to money owing to him, he certainly cannot have it unless the debtor has it and is willing to pay it to him.

DECEMBER 1. Just arrived in London, at the Castle and Falcon, Aldersgate Street: I scarcely know half a dozen people in town. But

"The world is all before me

" Where to choose

My place of rest, and (I trust) providence my guide !"

A

DECEMBER 4.-Have been to Westminster Abbey. The poet's corner engaged my chief attention. plain stone, with "John Dryden" upon it; a bust, with "O, rare Ben Jonson" under it; and then Shakspeare, Thompson and many other names that gratified my taste, and filled me with a species of enthusiasm.

DECEMBER 5.-Just returned from Drury Lane Theatre-my first visit: "School for Grey Beards". and "The Liar." I wished that many of my Bingham friends had been with me.

DECEMBER 9.-At Drury Lane again! "Venice Preserved" and "Bon Ton." Mrs. Siddons in Belvidera exceeded all I have ever seen before: Mr. Kemble in Jaffier was very good; but he did not surprise me like his sister.

K

DECEMBER 11.-At Covent Garden: "Romeo and Juliet" and "Barataria:" very well pleased with the whole. But Mr. Lewis in Mercutio struck me as most admirable.

DECEMBER 21.-Just come from the Jew's Synagogue heard some fine singing, Leoni and a young person called Braham.

JANUARY 1. 1787.- A friend of mine has sent me a few verses, among which are the two following lines, which I conceive to be very good ones.

"Gay scenes, for which young bosoms burn,
"Are hinges on which vices turn!"

To which let me add

"Gay scenes soon change-we wisdom's lessons scoff,—
"Time's hinges turn, and Life's last doors drop off.

APRIL 3.-The following is an epitaph on a Smith and Farrier, who lies in the church-yard at WestHam, near London.

ЕРІТАРН.

My Sledge and Hammer lie reclined,
My Bellows, too, have lost their wind;
My Fire's extinct, my Forge decayed,
And in the dust my Vice is laid;
My Coal is spent, my Iron's gone,

My last Nail's driven, my Work is done,

JULY 8.-Since I was brought up, like many others, among money-getting people, how came I to turn aside into a different path? seeking for mirth instead of

money? sense instead of silver? good sense instead of golden opinions?

Because (as before observed) I wish to see the world! I could not bear the idea of staying for ever in one place. As Pope has it

"Fix'd like a plant to one peculiar spot

"To draw nutrition, propagate and rot!"

Pope indeed! how came Pope to pop into my pericranium? Being among farmers and agricultural people instead

Of Popes and Miltons, Youngs and Shakspeares,

I should have confined myself

To Ropes and Millers, Dungs and Sheep-shears!

Some reason! but a bad ryhme, and out of season.

JULY 26. Just arrived at the Swan Inn at Newport Pagnell. Brought a letter from Mr. Hudson to Mr. Shatford; all very pleasant so far: heaven send me good luck,

JULY 28.-No qualms arise yet. I have gone too far to retreat: I have been all this morning studying a character.

AUGUST 1.-I am now, what I have long wished to be, on the stage, as an actor! I have received money for my services! little enough to be sure; but, probably as much as I have deserved; for I am humble in my own opinion, and not sanguine in my expectations of success. This is the first time I ever received

money as hire for any supposed services!!