The parts of the King and Queen, by direction of the Rev. Father O'Callaghan, will be omitted, as too immoral for any stage.

Polonius, the comical politician, by a young gentleınan, being his first appearance in public.

The Ghost, the Grave digger, and Laertes, by Mr. Sampson, the great London comedian.

The characters to be dressed in Roman shapes.

To which will be added, an Interlude, in which will be introduced several slight-of-hand tricks, by the celebrated surveyor Hurt.

The whole to conclude with the Farce of

MAHOMET THE IMPOSTOR.

Mahomet by Mr. Kearns.

Tickets to be had of Mr. Kearns, at the sign of the Goat's Beard, in Castle Street.

The value of the tickets, as usual, will be taken, (if required) in candles, bacon, soap, butter, cheese, &c. as Mr. Kearns wishes, in every particular, to accommodate the public.

N. B.-No person whatsoever will be admitted into the boxes without shoes or stockings."

QUARREL OF MRS. HAMILTON AND MRS.

BELLAMY.

THE former of these votaries of Melpomene "strutted her hour upon the stage" of Covent Garden Theatre, in 1758, and the cause of disagreement between these "Rival Queens," hap

pened thus. Mrs. Bellamy's benefit being fixed on a night that happened to be Mrs. Cibber's at the other house, she requested Mrs. Hamilton to let her have her Monday, and take, in exchange, her Saturday; who, as her interest did not lie among the box people, and for the credit sake of having the first benefit in the season, complied. She accordingly fixed on the "Rival Queens," and notwithstanding it happened to be a wet afternoon, a great concourse for the second gallery attended. As soon as that part of the house was full, she disposed of the overflow in the boxes, and on the stage, wisely preferring their two shillings a piece to empty benches. In the words of Mrs. Bellamy, "the heat of the house occasioned the wet clothes of the dripping audience to send forth odours not quite so sweet as those of Arabia."

This lady having cast some reflections on the vulgarity of Mrs. Hamilton's audience, the latter took the following mode of revenge. On the night of Mrs. Bellamy's benefit, the play, which she had fixed upon, was the "Careless Husband;" thus cast-Sir C. Easy, Mr. Ross, (first time); Lord Foppington, Mr. Smith, (first time); Lord Morelove, Mr. Ridout; Lady Easy, Mrs. Elmy; Edging, Miss Nossiter, (first time); Lady Grave

VOL. I.

M

airs, Mrs. Hamilton; and Lady Betty Modish, Mrs. Bellamy, (first time); with the entertainment of "Florizel and Perdita." Florizel, Mr. Smith; Autolycus, Mr. Shuter; King, Mr. Ridout; Shepherd, Mr. Sparks; Clown, Mr. Castello; Perditu, Mrs. Bellamy. At half past 6, just before the play should have begun, she sent Mrs. Bellamy word, that she would not perform the character of Lady Graveairs.

It became necessary, from so late a disappointment, to make an apology to the audience, for the delay that must ensue. Ross, who loved mischief as well as he formerly did at Westminster School, and in which he had generally a share, as he had this evening, by having stimulated Mrs. Hamilton to the refusal of her services, enjoyed the storm, and, consequently, would not make the apology. Smith was so agitated, it being the first time of his attempting Lord Foppington, that he could not do it. Poor Lady Betty Modish was therefore obliged to shew her flounces and furbeloes before their time, in order to request the patience of the audience, till Mrs. Vincent could dress for the part which Mrs. Hamilton was to have performed. Mrs. Bellamy's petition was granted, with repeated plaudits, and with an assurance

from Mr. Town, and his associates, that they "would revenge her cause."-This they did the very next night, when Mrs. Hamilton played the Queen, in "The Spanish Friar," and Mrs. Bellamy Elvira, for the benefit of Mr. Sparks. The Majesty of Spain then appeared in all the pomp of false jewels. She was so remarkably fond of these artificial gems, that Colley Cibber once compared her head to a furze bush, stuck round. with glow worms, as her hair was extremely dark, and she had an objection to wearing powder. Upon her entrance, she was saluted in a warmer manner than she wished, and was, for some time, prevented from speaking, by that most disagreeable of all sounds to a dramatic ear, whether that of an author or performer-hisses!

At length, upon the tumult ceasing a little, she advanced, and addressed the audience in the following Demosthenian style; "Gemmen and Ladies,

I

suppose as how you hiss me because I did not play at Mrs. Bellamy's benefit. I would have performed, but she said as how my audience stunk, and were all tripe people."-When the fair speechifier had got thus far, the pit seemed, one and all, transported at her irresistible oratory, for, with one voice, they encored her, crying out, at the same

time, "Well said, Tripe!"-a title which she retained, until she quitted the theatre.

COLLEY CIBBER'S "CARELESS HUSBAND." MRS. MASON, the mother of Savage, after having forfeited the title of Lady Macclesfield by divorce, was married to Colonel Brett, and, it is said, was well known in all the public circles. Cibber had so high an opinion of her taste and judgment, as to genteel life and manners, that he submitted every scene of his "Careless Husband" to her revisal and correction. Colonel Brett was too free in his gallantry with his lady's maid. Mrs. Brett came home, one day, and found the Colonel and servant both fast asleep in two chairs. She tied a white handkerchief round his neck, as a sufficient proof that she had discovered his intrigue, but never, at any time, took notice of it to him. This incident leads, by very easy transition, to the well wrought scene of Sir Charles Easy, Lady Easy, and Edging.

MRS. WOFFINGTON.

THIS daughter of Thespis was a beautiful and graceful actress: her declamation was accurate; but her voice was so unpleasant, that it might be said, with truth, to have been cracked. In Portia,