addresses and pieces for the stage, which were but too prosperous in their reception before, to create me cordiality behind, the curtain.

The greatest malady which in my mind preys upon the health of the stage is, the continual clashing of opposite interests in regard to benefits: it may conjure up the spirit of emulation, it may feed the embers of an interested flame, it may consolidate a species of theatrical constitution, wherein the prosperity of the manager is upheld by the support of the performer; but in my discernment, I never could trace part of the surviving prejudices against an actor to any source more inflaming, than the many shifts, tricks, and humiliating budgets of ways and means, but too often practised off the boards by many to make a benefit. To make a bumper-benefit, how many have been led into extravagancies of company, sobriety, and time! How many may have "set the table in "a roar" to catch applause, the earnest of a benefit; and yet would leave the town no richer, nor yet reflect one ray of lasting reputation on the manager! How many I fear, have taken the most illicit steps to oust their fellow professor, traveller, and labourer, out of the fair estimation he had earned through honourable industry in his profession, joined to an irreproachable integrity

in his private character! I admit that every state of life is tarnished by the dregs of its members: I lament to own, that the lowest plebeian, and without the aid of an Herschel's telescope, may discover spots upon the luminary of the highest and most brilliant orb of pursuit, or, to speak more plainly, I grieve for the corruption of human kind, of which every occupation is composed but I decry every palpable provocation of natural vice; and think, that the ambition of an actor might be kept from sinking into torpor, or waken to livelier energies, by other rewards than a benefit, whilst neither the comfort, sincerity, interests, or augmenting reputation of the company would deteriorate by the abolition of a suffrage, given very frequently to the private canvass, and not the professional intent.

The addresses and dramatic pieces I had written and produced at my benefits, were efforts that I thought consistent with the reputation of my calling; but although these were read and met the approbation of the manager, they stumbled on many impediments thrown enviously in their way. In this company, one of the manager's ladies read my piece of the Haunted Village, and preferred her part the evening before the performance she chose to decline it without assigning

any sufficient reason. She was the favourite actress of the company, and therefore her secession was nearly the discomfiture intended: however, the other manager's daughter, a young lady of promising talents and distinguished character, generously stepped forward without regard to professional pride, or the shortness of the time, to enable the piece to proceed, and receive (notwithstanding the want of support in many cases it suffered) a success, not more flattering to myself than to the merits of my fair protectress.

Having lately heard an instance of envy still more contemptible, where a peaceable gentleman's briar, the pride and pleasure of its nurse; could not stay the ruthless and malignant executioner, I have made it the subject of reflection, and hope may be acceptable in this place.

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