SIR, Mr. Lacy turned me out of the lobby yesterday, and behaved very ill to me. I only ax'd for my two gui

neas for the last bishop, and he swore I should not have a farthing. I cannot live upon air; I have a few Cupids you may have cheap, as they belong to a poor journeyman shoemaker, who I drink with now and then.

The following answer was sent the next morning:

"Friday Morning.

"STONE,-You are the best fellow in the world ;-bring the Cupids to the Theatre to-morrow. If they are under six, and well made, you shall have a guinea a-piece for them. Mr. Lacy will pay you himself for the bishop: he is penitent for what he has done. If you can get two good murderers, I will pay you handsomely; particularly for the spouting fellow, who keeps the apple-stand on Tower Hill,the cut on his face is just the thing. Pick me up an alderman or two, for "Richard," if you can ; and I have no objection to treat with you for a comely mayor. The barber will not do for "Brutus," although I think he will succeed in "Mat." "D. G."

The person above alluded to was procured by Stone, and had often rehearsed the part of the Bishop of Winchester, in the play of" Henry the Eighth," with such singular eclat, that Mr. Garrick frequently addressed him, in the rehearsal, as

"Cousin of Winchester." The fellow, however, never played the part, although the night of his coming out was announced in the newspapers.

The reader will soon guess the reason, from the following letters that passed between Garrick and Stone, on the very evening that he was to make his appearance :—

"SIR,-The Bishop of Winchester is getting drunk at the Bear, and swears, d—n his eyes, if he'll play to-night. "I am yours, &c.

Answer.

"W. STONE."

"STONE, The Bishop may go to the devil. I do not

know a greater rascal, except yourself.

"D. G."

RAMEAU, AND THE ABBE PELLEGRIN.

RAMEAU had not written the music of one of his Operas before he had attained the age of fifty-five, though he afterwards became so celebrated. He engaged the Abbé Pellegrin, the author of the poem of " Jephtha," to write the tragedy of "Hippolytus and Aricia;" but not till he had given his note of hand for the payment of fifty pistoles, and, even then, the Abbé thought he ran a great risk. The first act of this tragi-comedy was performed at the house.

of a rich person, who pompously favoured the Arts: the Abbé was present, and was so struck with the harmonies and melodies he heard, that he publicly tore the note which he had required of Rameau; remarking, that there was no necessity for taking precautionary notes from such. a musician.

When this Opera first appeared, the fanaticism in favour of the old style of music was so great, that it was decried, and its representation dropped. Rameau, however, was not discouraged: "I am deceived," said he, "I thought my manner would have pleased; be it as it will, it is that which I have adopted, nor shall I alter my plan."

The Prince of Conti asked Campra what he thought of "Hippolytus and Aricia?" who replied, "There was music enough in it for ten Operas." When Campra first heard the style of Rameau, he was astonished, and exclaimed, "Here is a man that will eclipse you all."

STRATAGEM OF A FOREIGN ACTRESS.

MADEMOISELLE TESI, an actress belonging to the Opera House of Vienna, was greatly beloved

by a Baron of the holy Roman Empire, who, having lived a long time with her, formed the design of marrying her. Far from giving her consent to an union which promised her a splendid fortune, and a permanent and reputable establishment, the lady did every thing in her power to divert her lover from his intention. She represented to him the respect he owed to his birth, to his rank, and to public opinion; but all her arguments were useless. Despairing of ever being able to overcome the resolution of the

Baron, Mademoiselle Tesi had recourse to a singular expedient to effect her purpose. She offered her hand and fifty ducats, to a poor baker, but on the condition that he should lay no claim to the privileges of a husband. The baker readily accepted the offer; and the Baron was not informed of his mistress's disinterested resolution, until the marriage was celebrated.

SIR CHARLES SEDLEY, AND

KYNASTON.

SIR CHARLES SEDLEY was a very handsome man, and always dressed in the most fashionable style of the age. Kynaston, the actor, was very like him; and so proud of the resemblance, that\

he got a suit of richly laced clothes, exactly similar to one worn by Sir Charles, and appeared in it in public. Sir Charles, feeling indignant at being thus aped by a player, resolved to punish his vanity; and, for this purpose, got a person to accost Kynaston, in the Park, and salute him as the Baronet. Kynaston instantly personated Sir Charles, until the stranger, intentionally creating a quarrel, caned him severely. In vain Kynaşton protested that he was not the person the gentleman took him for; the more he protested, the more was he chastised, on the ground of his endeavouring to evade punishment by a falsehood.

When some of the actor's friends afterwards remonstrated with Sedley, on his harsh treatment of an inoffensive man, "Why," said the Baronet, "the fellow has not suffered half so much in body, as I have done in reputation: for all the town believes that it was myself that was thus publicly disgraced."

EARLY LIFE OF MRS. INCHBALD.

THIS lady, when very young, formed the romantic resolution of visiting the metropolis; but, finding her intention was contrary to the wishes

VOL. I.

N