ing tavern, and bespoke a very hot negus, to comfort Johnny in the great part he was to perform that night, begging to have the silver tankard with the lid, because, as she said, a covering, and the vehicle of silver, would retain heat longer than any other metal. The request was complied with the negus carried to the play-house, piping hot-popped into a vile earthen mug-the tankard d'argent travelled incog. under her apron, like the Persian ladies, veiled,-popped into the pawnbroker's hands, in exchange for the suit, which was put on, and played its part with the rest of the wardrobe. When its duty was over, the tankard was carried back to remain in its old repository. And, when the tide flowed with its lunar influence, the stranded suit was wafted into safe harbour again, after paying a little for dry docking."

LOPEZ DE VEGA.

THE facility of composition possessed by Lopez de Vega was without a parallel: at Toledo, he once wrote five comedies in fifteen days, reading them as he proceeded, in a private house, to Joseph de Valdevieso. Juan Perez de Montalvan relates, that a comedy being wanted for the Carnival, at Madrid, Lopez and he united to compose one as fast as they could. Lopez took the

first act, and Montalvan the second, which they wrote in two days, and the third act they divided, taking eight sheets each. Montalvan, seeing that Lopez wrote faster than he could, rose at two in the morning, and having finished his part by eleven, he went to look for Lopez, whom he found in the garden looking at an orange tree that was frozen. He inquired what progress he had made in the play, when Lopez replied," At five o'clock this morning I began to write, and finished the comedy an hour ago, since which I have breakfasted and written one hundred and fifty verses; I have also watered the garden, and am now pretty well tired." He then read to Montalvan the eight sheets of the play, and the hundred and fifty verses.

WYCHERLEY, AND THE COUNTESS OF DROG

WYCHERLEY being at Tunbridge for the benefit of his health, was walking, one day, on the Wells' walk, with his friend, Mr. Fairbeard, of Gray's Inn; and just as he came up to a bookseller's shop, the Countess of Drogheda, a young widow, rich, noble, and beautiful, came to the bookseller and inquired for the "Plain Dealer.""Madam," said Mr. Fairbeard, "since you

are for the Plain Dealer, there he is for you," pushing Wycherley towards her. "Yes," says Wycherley, "this lady can bear plain dealing; for she appears to be so accomplished, that what would be compliment said to others, would be plain dealing spoken to her."-"No, truly, sir," said the Countess, "I am not without my faults, any more than the rest of my sex; and yet, I love plain dealing, and am never more fond of it than when it tells me of them."-" Then, madam," says says Mr. Fairbeard, "you and the Plain Dealer seem designed by Heaven for each other." -In short, Wycherley walked with the Countess, waited upon her home, visited her daily while she was at Tunbridge, and, afterwards, in London, where, in a little time, marriage was concluded between them. But this match, so promising, in appearance, to his fortunes and happiness, was the actual ruin of both; for it caused him to lose the King's favour for some years, until the representation of one of his comedies again reconciled James II. to its author.

THEATRICAL BILL.

Ar a play acted in 1511, on the feast of St. Margaret, the following disbursements were made as the charges of the Exhibition.

To musicians, for which they were bound to perform three nights

For players, in bread and ale

For decorations, dresses, and play-books

To John Hobbard, Priest, and author of the piece

For the place in which the representation was held
For furniture

For fish and bread

For painting three phantoms and devils

And for four chickens for the Hero

BARON AND MOLIERE.

Most readers of Theatrical History well know, that a French actor, named Baron, was the fine gentleman of the Company superintended by the immortal Molière, and the most famous performer of his day. Baron begun by being the infant Roscius of that age. When a child, his relations, wishing to get rid of him, articled him for five years to a woman who had a company of children performers; and so great were the abilities of Baron, that he drew vast multitudes to the Theatre, and filled the pockets of his mistress. She, however, presently emptied them with a lover, and, in her distress, applied to Molière, whose known generosity was great; requesting him to lend her his Theatre for three days, that

she might hire another from the profits. The first day was fortunate, and, on the second, the Theatre and stage were so crowded, that her profits exceeded a thousand crowns. Molière, being indisposed, had not een Baron; but hearing the young actor so highly prai ed, he attended at the third representation. The comedians of the company were all present, and exceedingly surprised, especially the actress Du Parc, who that night invited Baron to supper. The young actor, hardly knowing how to behave under so many caresses, gave his promise to go with her; but Molière also invited him to supper; and so great was his influence, that Baron durst not say he was engaged. Nor was Du Parc offended at the breach of promise. Molière observed and questioned the oy all supper time, gave him a bed at his house, and sent for his tailor, who received an order to bring a new suit of clothes for Baron, by nine o'clock the next morning. When the hour came, the boy was no less amazed than delighted at the change; and, prompted by the tailor, went to return thanks to Molière, who not only received him kindly, but gave him six louis d'ors for pocket money. All this was like a dream to a child of twelve years