Account of Separate Maintenance, a new Comedy. hance. Brush away, as the dew on This river too has its leffon to give, let Now again behold the ftars, they have a language; and with a powerful, a Syren tongue, they call on me to adore the Great King of heaven and earth, whofe name they write in golden characters, legible to all mankind. They proclaim him, CREATOR OF ALL WORLDS, AND THE FRIEND OF MAN. Let me, then, often read their book and liften to their tale.-Let me, like them, proclaim my maker's praife, by fhining in the orb in which his hand has placed me; ner ever leap the bound, nor ftrive to rife above, nor dare to fink beneath the sphere wherein I am. So when the fun, and ftars, and earth shall be no more, my Creator fhall raise me to another world, " to fhine like the stars for evermore." An OLD CORRESPONDENT. 483 ing, but fatally prevalent folly of indifference between married couples, which first gives rife to feparation, and rarely ends without a divorce, induced by circumstances equally disgraceful to the husband and wife, and ruinous in example to the growing generation. DRAMATIS PERSONE. Lord Oldcastle, Lady Oldcastle, Mr. Parfons. Mr. Dimond. Mr. Aickin. Mr. Edwin. Mr. Gardner. Mr. Palmer. Mrs. Webb. Mrs. Hitchcock. Mrs. Lloyd: Mrs. Cuyler. Mrs. Le Fevre. Mifs Farren. The story is as follows: Lord Newbery having, from his attachment to fashionable diffipations, and at the perfuafion of his friends of the ton, become indifferent of his lady, though he had been but a fhort time married to her, and having for fome time purfued feparate pleafures, dined at a feparate table, and flept in a feparate bed, propofes an actual feparation, and fers a maintenance, which Lady Newbery, out of meer pride, conde fcends to accept. Affairs thus fituated, the comedy opens with a feene between Lord and Lady Oldcastle, and their daughter Mifs English, who are juft come to town from the family feat in the North, in confequence of the news Account of the new Comedy called SEPA-reaching them that Lady Newbery RATE MAINTENANCE, performed at the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket, for the firf Time, on Tujday, Auguft 31. TH The was parted from her hutband. family are difcovered at breakfast and a morning concert, the performers of which, both vocal and inftrumental, are entirely of the houfehold, Lord HIS comedy is the production Oldcastle himfelf playing upon the viof Mr. Colman, author of Theoloncello. The concert ended, Mifs Jealous Wife, The Suicide, and a variety English, at her father's defire, reads of other well-known pieces, defervedly the newfpaper, and among other parain the highest estimation with the pub- graphs, one indicating that "In conlic. The object of the play before us fequence of the young, gay, and beauis to ridicule the diffipation of the great tiful Lady N--y's accepting a fepa world, and to faticize that very alarm-rate maintenance from her Lord, the noble Old Square Toes, her father, | and Dame Partlet, his lady, were arrived in town; that it was imagined they would be fufficiently employed, as Lady N--y's tendre for Leveret was likely to afford her Lord grounds for a divorce." This article gives rife to the whole plot of the piece, which goes on thus: Touchwood, a common friend to the family entering, affures Lord and Lady Oldcastle that their daughter is effentially good, though the fprightlinefs of her difpofition, the conduct of her hufband, and the propenfity of the world, might for a moment serve to colour a fuppofition that she was other wife. The old folks are much relieved by this information. Lord Newbery is next difcovered with his valet, and is prefently vifited by Fraction, his fteward, who has been employed to raife fresh fupplies of cafh for his pleafures. The old man attempts to reafon with his master, but is prevented by the latter's declaring that he has the beft right to ruin himself in his own way, and that the fteward ought in confcience to be contented with filently plundering him.--Mrs. Frankly then enters, and gives the audience to understand, that he is one of thofe married demireps, whofe hufband fits down to dinner every day with a dozen of her profeffed admirers on both fules the table, and places himself, a perfect picture of content, at the bot tom. of a principal member of adminiftra. tion, who promised to make her a handfome provifion on the Irifh establifhment, and to give her the difpofal of places out of number; nay more, that he had rejected the propofition of one of the managers of the theatres, notwithstanding that he had offered to' furnish her a house most elegantly, by the playhoufe upholsterer, and make her of confequence by letting her perform all the principal characters in tragedy. Mrs. Revel quits his lordfhip in a miff, and his lordship is prefently vifited by Leveret, who opens his character to the audience, by informing his lordship that modern politeness confifts in rudeness, and that it is extremely vulgar to be civil; that he is in the good graces of numberless females; that he attains his fuccefs not, by affiduity and attention, but by affuming airs of hauteur, and giving the fair room to boast of having effected a difficult conqueft. The conversation is ended by his rudely quitting the room, and his lordfhip walks off after having obferved, that he finds a fingle life not lefs liable to uneafinefs, and much more fo to expence, than a married one. The third at opens with an interview between Lady Newbery and her fifter, in which the former fully explains her conduct, and gives Mils Englith a lively picture of a town life, and the infignificance of the modern Before her vifit is ended, Mrs. race of town fops. Leveret is hourly Revel comes in, and feeing Mrs. expected. Lady Newbery promifes Frankly, flies into a violent paffion, her filter that the fhall overhear the and at once upbraids Lord N--y for converfation, which will give her a betdaring to have any thing to fay to a ter infight into the real character of married women, and reprehends Mrs. modern coxcombs than a million of Frankly for prefuming to interfere novels and newfpapers. The fop bewith her connections. Mrs. Frankly ing heard on the ftairs, Mifs English retires with a look of contempt, blef-retires to a clofet, and a tête-à-tête enfing her fars that her character is of fues between Leveret and Lady Newthat fort which no fcandal can affect. bery, in which the former, in direct, A dialogue enfues between Mrs. Re- though arrogant terms, confeffes his vel and Lord N-y, in which the willingness to enter into a tender atlady very feverely taunts his lordship, tachment. Lady Newbery begs time charging him with neglecting her, re- to confider of his character, but Leminding him that he had for him re- veret will grant no more than four-andAufed a nabob, who offered her a fack twenty hours, which he protests is of diamonds, and negatived the motion twice as much as ever he allowed on any Account of Separate Maintenance, a new Comedy. 485 trance of Jack Minim, one of the mufical connofcenti from Free Mafons'’ Hall, who, at the request of all prefent, fings an air. This ended, Mrs. Fuftian is about to go on with her tra gedy, but is again interrupted by the entrance of Lord Tommy Didapper and his fchool-fellows, who, at the de fire of a lady at one of the card-tables, prepares to dance. This enrages Mrs. Fuftian, (who was fufficiently hurt at the former interruption) and the quits the room, declaring that dancing is fo much inferior to poetry, as to be whol any former occafion. Lady Newbery appoints an interview that evening, (while the company, fhe expects to be prefent at a fete which fhe is to give, are engaged at cards, &c.) and the coxcomb takes his leave. The fifters then compare notes on his infolence, and as Lady Newbery declares, that, exclufive of his daring to addrefs her, the has reafon to be offended with him for being the chief inftrument of her feparation from Lord Newbery, whom he had taught to think that a man of the world ought to marry one woman, and live with another; they are deter-ly unworthy her notice, and that the mined to be revenged that evening, and go off together, in order to contrive how they fhall beft effect their purpose. is determined to leave the dancers a clear stage. After the dance the Icene changes, and Lord Newbery comes on with Lady Newbery's woman, whom he has bribed to fecrete him, fo that he may hear all that paffes between Leveret and Lady Newbery. In the next feene, Leveret and Mifs Englifh are difcovered, the latter informing the coxcomb, that to fave appearances the wishes he would that night confent to be fwathed. Leveret does not much admire the project; but on La In the fourth at Leveret is introduced by Lady Newbery to her fifter, whom he no fooner fees, than he determines on having, declaring that in many houfes he has known it to be a rule for a lover to go through the family. The moment Lady Newbery leaves the room, Leveret makes ftrong love to Mifs English, and as a proof of his fincerity, delivers her Lady New-dy Newbery's entering, and appearing bery's picture in miniature, which he jealous of her fifter, he confents: the had received from Mrs. Revel, to whom two ladies then wrap him round in Lord Newbery had given it. Mifs fwathes of linen, and having fecured English begs to keep the picture, for him, fo that he cannot move his arms, fear of mifchief, and (having previouf- conduct him to a couch, and after ly concerted with her fifter how to making him lie down on it, torture treat Leveret) appoints him to fteal him with their carefles, laughing at out after her at a certain fignal in the him all the time. Leveret, most heartimidst of the fête, and then retires.ly mortified, makes many efforts to The fop congratulates himself on his difengage himself, and in confequence fuccefs, and goes to join the company, of a very violent one, breaks one of who are prefently difcovered feated at the bands which hold him. The lavarious tables in an elegant faloon; dies fcream out; the noife brings on Lord and Lady Olcaftle, whom Touch- all the company, among whom appears wood had prevailed on to be prefent, Lord Newbery, who acknowledges being among them. After fome con- that he has been a witnefs of the whole verfation characteristic of fuch a meet- fcene, declares that his lady has used ing, Mrs. Fuftian enters, and declares him much better than he deferved, and fhe has brought the manufcript of her begs her to forget his paft conduct, new tragedy in her pocket, in order to and be reconciled. She confents, and read it to her lady fhip and her friends. the piece ends, to the mortification of The propofal is not much relished by Leveret, and to the fatisfaction of cthe company in general, but Lady New-very other party. bery, out of politenefs, defires her to proceed. Mrs. Fuftian begins in great form, but is interrupted by the en The Separate Maintenance is of that peculiar fpecies of the drama, which is properly denominated genteel comedy; the the dialogues is neat and elegant, in many places pregnant with wit, and in all full of well-applied obfervation, and poignant fatire. The characters were, in general, well fuftained, and the reprefentation was ornamented with a moft elegant fcene, in which Lady Newbery gave her fete, painted by that celebrated artist Mr. Rooker. The play was preceded by a prologue, written by Mr. Colman, and spoken by Mr. Palmer, which humouroufly adverted to the disappointment the author had experienced in confequence of Mrs. Abington's first engaging to play Lady Newbury, and then withdrawing her affiftance, and wery fairly laughed at the winter managers for their coalition. Perhaps no line was ever more highly relifhed than that which alluded to their junc tion: "Family compacts bind great Brentford's kings!" This comedy, on the whole was very favourably received, and the prologue much applauded. feel fomething very like a want of fpirits. However, there is no retracting now: I must go through with it. The fweet fentimental Mifs Nugent talks to me inceffantly of the folemnity of the engagement I am on the point of forming, and begs me to endeavour to throw a little dafh of the serious into my compofition. I believe, indeed, I deed, I may thank her for my present inanimate ftate: but, à-propos, I have a thought that has in fome measure revived me. This morning as I was fitting folus in the mufic parlour, my Harry came in, and, after a thoufand foft things, which I have quite forgot, he prefented me with the moft elegant pair of diamond earrings that you ever beheld; his own picture too, (and the creature is certainly handfome) fet with a mixture. of precious ftones that was really charming. After he left me, his sweet fifter and Charles Herbert came in.I fhewed them the glittering prefent, and Augufta, in return, entertained me with a long history of her brother's perfections, and begged I would make it my ftudy to preserve his love, which would infure me happiness in The Hiftory of Captain HERBERT and the married state. I In a Series of Letters. (Continued from Page 434) LETTER XII. Mifs HOWARD to Mifs SIDNEY. "I with, my dear," said I, with an arch look at Charles, "that you would fet me an example, for I am very dull, and never could follow precepts in my life." Her eyes immediately met his, and they were both evidently confufed.After a paufe-"You are happy, my dear Caroline," faid fhe," in being Caftle Nugent.united to the man of your wishes, and were my profpects equally flattering, I fhould not hesitate to fet you the example you feem to wish for; but you well know that Lord Wilton is a man my heart never cán approve." Have fuch news to tell you, my dear, as I am fure you will scarce credit, and yet it is abfolutely fact.I am to be married! -Recover the furprize of that first, and then I will tell you the happy man-Harry Nugent ! I cannot imagine how I was brought to confent to it; but fome how or other they have managed it, and I am to be facrificed on Thurfday next, and this is Sunday! Only three intervening days, and then I muft bid adieu to liberty! Horrid idea! I do pofitively During this fpecch Charles feemed much agitated, and walked haftily to the window. As I was a little malicioufly inclined, I determined to mention the fair widow, Lady D'Avenant; fo turning to Charles, I faid, "You can have no objection, however, Mr. Herbert, to accompany me on Thurfday. How happy mult you be to Mrs. Percy to Mifs Willis. 487 you with me for a few weeks, when have raised any soft sensations in fuch a bofom as Lady D'Avenant's?-Shehe propofed bringing you down him is a most beautiful woman, and I think it is only you that can deserve her." He fixed his fine expreffive eyes on me for a moment, and then, with a figh that feemed to break his heart, left the room. My attention was now directed to Augufta, who fat in a penfive attitude, leaning her head on her arm. I was forry I had affected my friend fo much; however, to atone for my fault, I did all in my power to amufe my fweet girl, and fucceeded fo well, that at laft I drew a confeffion from her of her partiality for Charles, and promifed her my intereft with her father and brother; but the feemed to have little hopes of my fuccefs. What a foolish pair they are!--She, miftrefs of the heart of fuch a man as Lord Wilton, and yet preferring the humble Charles; and he, in return, quite as romantic, neglecting a woman of beauty, family, and fortune, ready to throw herself into his arms, to preferve his affection for Mifs Nugent, who, by his own account, he never hopes to gain, as his high notions of honour will not allow him to think of an union without her father's confent. How ridiculous!If I was in their fituation, I fhould not think myself obliged to confult the old gentleman by any means. Adieu, my dear: my Harry calls me: we are going out on horfeback, and I this minute fee Charles affifting my fair friend to mount. Ever your's, A SERIES of LETTER S. (Continued from Page 430.) LETTER II. felf, as he is going to town to-morrow to a particular friend and brother of ficer. After having ftaid a week with Mr. Gordon, the latter returns with him to Percy-Place. So do, my dear Harriet, prepare by the end of that time to give me the pleasure of your company. Our wood and gardens are in full beauty, and nothing can add to it but your fociety. I flatter myself the time you fpend here will not pafs away heavily. Miss Wallis, I am fure, will pleafe you¬ Befides, we have feveral fmart beaus, at whom you may fet your cap; fo that there will be full employment for my Harriet: though, to do her juftice, the feldom wants for it. If it be not too much trouble, I give you a commiffion, which is to buy me fome embroidery filks of all colours, as I am going to work Harry a waistcoat on a white filk. You fee I make myself fure of your company, so pray do not disappoint me. Oh! but I forgot to mention the pattern, which I leave to your tafte, knowing it to be excellent. We went yesterday to breakfast at Maple-Park. Soon after we were feated in the parlour, Lady Harcourt came down. Having paid us the compliments of the morning, fhe faid, "Sir William and I have a fcheme for the day, and have invited Miss Wallis and two or three more; which is to dine at the Hermitage, about fix miles from the Park, where there is a very large piece of water, with two pleafureboats, and have ordered a couple of our men, who play extremely well on the French-horn, to be there to entertain us at dinner, and on the water." We both highly approved of her ladyfhip's charming fcheme, and told her the could not poffibly have propofed any thing more agreeable. Sir William, with the rest of the company, coming in foon after, the tea-equipage was brought in. When it was finifhVERY day gives fome fresh proofed, that is breakfast being over, the Mrs. PERCY to Mifs WILLIS. Percy-Place. terday expreffing a defire of having who were to go together. Lady Har court |