cal property-a few scenes, boxes, &c., and he pointed to the Theatre! I looked at it for a minute and was shewn up stairs to a bed, I rested until about nine o'clock, when I arose, went into the bar, ordered breakfast and took up a newspaper: about half-past ten Mr. Shatford came down stairs, looking as if still much exhausted with the fatigue of riding in a postchaise so many miles on the preceding day. He began by asking me how I came, and all the particulars of my journey. I narrated them in the manner here stated, and informed him that though I had walked every inch of the way, and was told that by the road I came it was upwards of forty miles; yet, after the rest I had just taken, I did not feel the least fatigued. He seemed surprised when I added that the whole of my expences from Newport Pagnel to Huntington amounted to no more than three shillings and eight-pence. I well remember his looks on hearing what I said. He stared-gave an expressive roll with his eyes -coughed aloud, and then turned the conversation. Several months passed away before he ventured to tell me his sentiments on that occasion. "Good God," (he thought) "What will society come to! Here is a young man, a novice, of manners so very simple, that I heard all he said as truth; and now this very innocent seeming youth, though not more than a month old as an Actor, has just told me such a string of lies as never disgraced the lips of a veteran impostor. Such was his conviction at the moment, and he afterwards frequently assured me that many weeks passed before again recovered my place in his opinion. I

need not say that no man on earth ever had a better knowledge of character than my friend Shatford. On my reaching Huntington I soon found that the wellknown Actor, Mr. Swendal, was engaged for the races. He had played Adam at the Royalty, when Mr. Shatford performed Oliver in " As you like it!" Swendal was a sterling Actor, in parts of weight and consequence for which his figure was well adapted. He married the daughter of Charles Bannister, and I was acquainted with him, several years afterwards, in London, Brighton, and Birmingham.

We soon after removed to St. Ives, which I thought a pleasant town: I was shown an old fashioned hallhouse where Oliver Cromwell formerly lived, and of course the sight of it gave birth to numerous thoughts which recalled various reflections on the political events in which he was deeply concerned.

Mr. Shatford soon after this took his company to Bedford where we remained till Christmas. I brought forward here a one act piece of my own, founded on the personification of the cards. Spadille was the hero, and Pam the chief comic character! It opened with the chorus as in Midas

When our Monarch Spade-ace
His Throne deigns to grace,
No Mayor with his Mace,
Looks so big, &c, &c,

This verse is nearly all I remember of it, and what

became of the manuscript I cannot tell

up to the stars, where (as Pope has

sighs and lovers' brains all fly together!

perhaps it flew told us) ladies

During the holidays some private Theatricals were got up by the nobility at the seat of the Earl of UpperOssory, near Ampthill; and a request was made to us, that they might be favored with the use of a few books, and dresses.

of our scenes,

Mr. Shatford being at the time in London, I was deputed by Mrs. Shatford, to go over in order to make the necessary arrangements. I remember seeing the performances. The Pieces were" the Critic" and "High life below stairs!" I forget who performed Puff, but I well remember seeing Lord Ossory in the part of the governor; and the present Lord Holland (then very young) was truly excellent in the part he performed.

I believe it was during a romantic ramble near this place, that I composed these little poems for which I entreat the patience and good will of the reader.

REFINEMENT.

Hearts most refined and souls most pure

The best sensations know;

But do they not at times endure

A greater share of woe?

The fairest flowers are first annoy'd

And soonest feel decay;

So fairest maids are first decoy'd

And soonest fade away!

The sweetest hours the fleetest are;
Sad moments slowly move.

The shortest joys are happiest far;
Ah, witness those of love!

SUPPOSED REPLY

TO THE FOREGOING.

The Muse perhaps in these remarks is erring

Short joys, tho' sweet, are not the happiest known ; Each heart can witness what I'm now averringRegret too oft succeeds when joy is flown!

Protracted joy augments a lover's blisses;
His hopes and his felicities increase
When joy is multiplied by added kisses,

Which sweeten life, till life itself doth cease.

I find also the following epigrams in my manuscripts, bearing the date of the period on which I am at present speaking.

SOMETHING.

Is there not something, heavenly bright,

Beyond all others in delight,

A pulse, so exquisitely nice,

It ne'er was known to vibrate twice;

But felt, it soothes pain's keenest smart,
And warms to ecstacy the heart;
Lost while we glean the joys of sense,
What Wisdom's self can't recompense;
Not life's best treasure, a good name,
Nor that more dazzling object, fame ?-
The smile of those who're great and wise,
This something's place but ill supplies!
Grant all we've wish'd, from first to last,
We still lament this something past,
Mysterious void! -tho' memory feigns,
This joy but as a dream remains!

Say, Youth, can'st thou this something prove?
Thou can'st--if thou has felt TRUE LOVE.

GAMBLING.

A RUIN'D Gamester once foul play had shown,
And, from a second-story-window thrown,
Ask'd Will's advice!-The case, said Will, is plain;
Observe this rule-don't play so high again!

From the same little volume of manuscripts, I may be excused perhaps, for extracting the following, which was suggested to me by the woeful countenances of an army of tenants, who used to excite my attention at these stated periods in the office of the steward of a gentleman of great wealth, in the town in which I was performing.