ther. She in particular was pleafed with it. For as he was now entirely engroffed by her meditations, which were ufually employed on two different fubjects, namely her favourite Mr. Crump, and the approach of a more agreeable figure called death, he was glad I had a companion in whofe friendship The could rely, and who would forward her wish; that of uniting me to Mr. Crump. One day my mother being more than ufually importunate on this fubject, I was fo difpleased at the odious topic, that I anfwered with great warmth, "I with, Madam, you "would marry him yourfelf. I can have no "objection to him for a father-in-law; but "have a most infuperable one to him for a "hufband." My afperity feemed to grieve my mother much more than it had ever done' before. A few months, however, declared her motives, and made her unhappy the reft of her days.

Mrs. Woffington played the first night with her ufual eclat, in the character propofed. Mrs. Ward foon followed. Her beautiful face and novelty infured her applaufe at her first appearance. But her fituation, as well as her figure, being against her, she did not conclude the part of Cordelia, with any degree of credit. Mr. Garrick stood unrivalled in Lear, but as Mrs. Ward's acting did not tend much to the fupport of the piece, it was not repeated. The great vete

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ran Quin had not made any of Shakspeare's characters his ftudy, except that of Falstaff, in which he was inimitable, and that of Henry the Eight, in which he likewife excelled.

Though Mr. Quin appeared to be reconciled to me, I found, to my forrow, that he did not treat me with that confpicuous tendernefs and regard he had formerly fhewn me. His behaviour to me then, as I have already obferved, was more like that of a fond father towards his darling child, than of a mere well-wifher. I was now invited but feldom to those envied parties, which at once flattered my vanity, and enlightened my understanding. And although And although I had at this time many more admirers, he difcontinued to favour me with his advice and cordial regard.

Notwithstanding a timid apprehenfive modefty is commendable in the younger part of the fair fex, yet this amiable virtue might be carried to a detrimental extreme. A confciousness of rectitude, even where appearances are greatly against them, will fupport the innocent under the moft difcouraging cenfures; and not only fupport under them, but ftimulate to a due exertion of every means in their power, towards their vindication.-Bold in the purity of my intentions, and confcious that I had not offended, even in thought, against the facred laws of chastity, though

though carried off by the contrivance of an avowed admirer, I fhould have contemned the fneers of the prude, the exultations of the coquette, the pity of the feeming vir tuous, and the cenfures of the whole world. By fo doing I should, probably, have foon been able to vindicate my conduct to my friends, and have recovered the character I had fo undeservedly loft.-As the noxious dews of the night, are exhaled by the earliest rays of the fun, fo would the fcandal with which I was loaded have been quickly dif perfed by the difcriminating beams of truth. But, unhappily, a falfe delicacy prompted me to fly from, instead of repelling, the cafual attack; and by it, among other inconveniences and misfortunes, I loft the favour and affection of this worthieft of men.

At length I was foon announced to bring up the rear of our theatrical forces in the character of Belvidera. When, to my great furprize, instead of the crowded houfe I had flattered myfelf with playing to, it was far from full. This was the more mortifying, as it was unexpected. My own reception, indeed, was as warm as it had ever been; but ftill I was diffatisfied. At the conclufion of the piece, however, Mr. Town, whom I have already taken notice of, hearing another piece given out for the following evening, cried out, "The fame! the fame !" The audience joined, as ufual, in the cry; B 3

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and by this eventual stroke, the fame play, "Venice Preserved," was performed, for four fucceffive nights, to crowded houses; and continued one of our moft drawing performances to the conclufion of the feafon.

At this period it was customary to play "Tamarlane" on the fourth of November. That day drew near; and neither Mrs. Woffington nor myself had been spoken to, relative to it. We were the more furprised at this filence, as Mr. Quin was reputed to be the best Bajazet that ever trod the stage. One evening, before the piece then performing was concluded, he fent to the greenroom, defiring to speak with me in his dreffingroom. I immediately rofe from my feat, and went to the door; but hearing voices within, Iftopped for fome time, left I should interrupt bufinefs, or be one too many. As I ftood, I diftinctly heard The Fox fay (for Volpone was then exhibiting) "Why, my "Lord, we have Woffington at the receipt of cuftom, and who bids more!-Ward, "flatter than a half-baked pan-cake-and little Bellamy as cold as ice, and as con"ceited as the devil."

Having heard this fine eulogium, I waited till the laugh, which was partly at my expence, had fubfided, and then made my appearance. I found, on my entrance, Lord Orford, and Thomson, who conftantly attended his friend Quin, and who had

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brought Shenstone, so much admired for his paftorals, to make his bow. As foon as Mr. Quin faw me, he thus accofted me : "My ❝dear girl, I have a favour to beg of you, "and defire you will not deny me." I inftantly replied, "You can make but one re"queft, Mr. Quin, relative to the theatre, "which I can refufe you; and I beg you "will not give me fo fenfible a pain, as that "of not being able to acquiefce in every "requeft of yours." " He returned, with a frown, "It is what you point at, and you "had better comply with a good grace, for "you.fball and must do it."

This threat, as my difpofition is not framed to bear compulfion, nettled me fo much, that, with the air of queen Catherine, I faid, "I "revere you, fir, as a father, and esteem you "as a friend; but if your request relates to "Tamarlane, I must tell you, that little Bel"lamy has too much conceit to play Selima to "fuch a half-baked pan-cake as Ward." My affumed confequence fo highly diverted the company, that good humour was immediate ly restored; and they joined in telling Quin, that, in order to have fo amiable and fpirited a daughter, he must comply with my wishes, and take the beautiful Woffington to wife. Mr. Quin was fo pleafed at this well timed retort, wherein I retaliated with fuch promptitude his fevere defcription; and he was at the fame time fo charmed with my fpirit,

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