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to be better acquainted with him! my life on't he's a perfect gentleman; you saw him return my salute? I never, in the whole course of my travels never saw any one bow with so much elegance as he did."

The waiter could hardly refrain from laughing at what had happened, but he kept the laugh to himself, as well as he could; observing "I think sir you make a handsome bow yourself!" Why yes, replied Charles, perhaps 1 may, but it is my daily occupation: in my present line of life we are in continual practice of good breeding; but to think that the sea-faring stranger I've just seen who is for ever stooping and walking under deck aboard his vessel, 'tis wonderful he can retain his elasticity of body, and bow with such elegance! well, good night waiter, you say tis not much past twelve, I am glad of it. I love enjoyment, but always sorry the next day when I sit up late; my maxim is, may the evening's recreation always bear the morning's reflection." The waiter at this thinking of the looking glass could not help sporting his joke-"I think sir that your maxim--your toast may be changed thus-"May the reflections of our large looking glass, serve for future recreations!" "Bravo waiter! damme bravo! you are an honest fellow; there's another shilling for you. Bravo! good night! The door was shut, and they parted; exclaiming on each side and on both sides of the door, good night! bravo! bravo! bravo!"

I will now proceed to give a few more specimens of letters and applications which a manager is in the habit of receiving.

Scores of young men and as many young maidens, are so deluded by what they read and see, they become as it were fascinated, or what is commonly called stage struck! They are apt to think acting is so very easy a matter that if finely dressed, like what they see before them, they could themselves shine, as conspicuously as what they behold represented. These ideas working in young and ardent minds produce the effects I am speaking of. I remember being myself under the influence of similar impressions.

I think it was in the year 1792 that I received the following letter, addressed

Messrs. Lee and Shatford, managers of the Theatre, Devizes.

Sirs,

If you have a situation in my line, I shall be glad to know what terms I may expect to receive; I mean what wages you could afford to give me; for I am told that I shall soon make a good hand, that is, in such characters as King Henry VIII., Prince Hamlet, General Othello, Duke of Gloucester, Lord Foppington, Cardinal Wolsey, Squire Richard, or Lord Townly, Captain Cassio (for I am thought very clever in a drunken scene) Captain Macduff and Captain Macheath; but in the latter character Macheath, (as I am no great hand at singing) I cannot do it without a day or two's practice; yet as I have been a little used to psalm singing, I think if you have a hautboy, or a bassoon, or even a fiddle, I shall be able to get on pretty well, especially if it be a great or double bass

fiddle; for a bass fiddle is like my voice very powerful, and will serve to cover any little mistake if I chance to get wrong, but I think I shall keep right, I am not faint-hearted.

Your humble Servant,

CHARLES JACKSON.

OBSERVATION.

As I was more faint-hearted than this Mr. Jackson, I remember telling him that though I often wanted good singers, yet I was sorry to inform him that pealm singers would not do for the stage.

To Messrs. Lee, and Shatford, Managers of the Salisbury Theatre, or Devizes.

Sirs, If you have a situation in my line,-I mean your vocal apartments,-I shall be glad to know your terms. Perhaps you may like to know my personal and other qualifications. I am a young man,-a good figure, rather pale,-but am told that by the addition of a little paint, I shall look very well: as to voice and singing, I've oft been informed that I sing some of the cabinet songs quite as well as Mr. Braham. If your "Vocal Apartment" is full, I shall be happy to make myself useful in any other line or apartment that you may please to give me.

I am, Gentlemen,

Your obedient Servant,

W. D.

Sir,

The following was my answer.

I have no "Vocal Apartments," except my green room and the dressing rooms near it, which at present are all sufficiently supplied. As you say you can paint, and assist in the cabinet line, and are willing to make yourself useful, I should be tempted to give you a trial, if I was sure that you are as fond of work as you seem to be of playing! If you can Bra,-I mean, sing, like Mr. Braham, in a cabinet,I have a corner cupboard in my dressing room where we generally put a part of the stage wardrobe. If you choose to come and place yourself in any of the "places" or "apartments" here spoken of, you may there exercise your various talents, and if I approve of them, you shall be engaged.

I am, Sir,

Yours, &c.

HENRY LEE.

The foregoing Letters were founded on facts. I afterwards saw this very Mr. W. D. in London: I purposely omit his name, because, though not clever in the vocal or stage department, or in any other "apartments" I found him a very civil good kind of man; and though no actor, a respectable, honest tradesman.

To Messrs. Shatford and Lee.

Gentlemen,

I have seen your names in the newspapers

as being the managers of many different Theatres. There was a company here at Sherborne a little while ago, and I saw them act several plays and entertainments, since then I have read a great many more; I think I should like to be on the stage myself if you will take me.

I cannot expect that you will give me much money at first; but if you like I will come on trial just to show you what I can do. Please to give me a speedy

answer, addressed to the post-office, Sherborne.

Yours, &c.

DOLLY ORDer Pride.

As the appellation here signed was somewhat singular, I at first took little notice of this letter; but on being told the name was probably a real one, as there was an elderly person called Pride, residing in Sherborne, I wrote Miss Dolly Order Pride the following reply.

Miss Dolly,

I am afraid you are deceiving yourself with respect to your wishing to be on the stage. It is a more difficult undertaking than you can possibly be aware of. Knowing so little of you, and of the requisites you may possess for the stage, I cannot even presume to give you any advice.

However, if you cannot conquer your passion for the stage, you had better speak to your father or mother,

T

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