on so frivolous a demand, answered, that he might see what play was to be played, on every post. I cry you mercy,' said the gentleman; 'I you for a post, you rode so fast.””

took

It appears, that the name of the play to be acted was usually printed without any list of characters, or of the actors who were to personate them. The following poetical description, given by a contemporary writer, of a play-bill of those days, bears a considerable resemblance, in its style, to the whimsical and bombast titles prefixed to the early editions of the Plays of Shakspeare, and the other dramatists of his age:

* Pr'ythee, what's the play?
(The first I visited this twelvemonth day.)
They say, 'a new invented Play of Purle,
That jeoparded his neck to steal a girl
Of twelve; that lying fast impounded for't,
Has hither sent his beard to act his part,
Against all those in open malice bent,
That would not freely to the theft consent.
Feigns all to's wish, and, in the epilogue,
Goes out applauded for a famous rogue.'

Now, hang me, if I did not look, at first,

For some such stuff, by the fond people's thrust."

The hour of performance varied at the differ

ent theatres, from one to three o'clock in the afternoon. Only one regular drama was exhibited, but this was usually followed by a burlesque entertainment, called a Jig; and relief and va- riety were given by the feats of dancers, tumblers, and conjurers, and the introduction of music between the acts. This latter practice is noticed in" Gammer Gurton's Needle," the first regular comedy of which we have any account. The duration of the performance was from two to three hours.

BAILIFF BILKED BY HARLEQUIN.

PHILLIPS, the famous Harlequin was taken up in London for debt, and dealt with that honest officer in the following manner: "He first called for liquor in abundance, and treated all about him, to the no small joy of the bailiff, who was rejoiced to have a calf that bled so well, as they term it. Harlequin made the honest bailiff believe, that he had six dozen of wine, all ready packed up, which he would send for, to drink while in custody; and, likewise, allow him sixpence per bottle for drinking it in his own chamber. The bailiff listened to the proposal with great pleasure; went to the place, as di

rected, and returned with joy, to hear that it should be sent in the morning, early. Accordingly, it came by a porter, sweating under his load; the turnkey called to his master, and told him, the porter and hamper are come in.' 'Very well,' says he, then let nothing but the porter and hamper out.' The porter performed his part very well; came heavily in with an empty hamper, and seemed to go lightly out, though with Phillips on his back. He was dishampered at an alehouse, near the water side, crossed the Thames, and soon after embarked. for Ireland."

GOETHE AND SHAKSPEARE.

GOETHE is of the number of the orthodox in regard to Shakspeare, as the following passage, from one of his works, will shew :—

"The new theatre, at Leipsic, built at this period, excited great attention. The curtain had a very pleasing effect. Oerer had brought the Muses from the clouds, in which they are usually placed, and caused them to descend to earth. This curtain exhibited the peristyle of the Temple of Glory, decorated with the statues of SoPHOCLES and ARISTOPHANES, round which were

assembled the modern dramatic poets. Farther off, on the same plan, were seen the Goddesses of the Arts. But what excited surprise, was the figure of a man, slightly clothed, in the background of the picture, advancing towards the portal of the temple, in the space which remained vacant between the two groups of spectators, of which he seemed to take no notice. He turned his back on the spectators: he was not distinguished by any remarkable characteristic; but who could fail to discover, that it was SHAKSPEARE, who, without predecessor or follower, without regarding any model, passed on towards immortality, with a firm and certain step.”

STAGE DRESSING.

WHEN Quin was in his greatest fame as an actor, he lived at Kensington, whence it was his custom to go to the theatre; and if there were people enough in the house to make it worth his while, he began to dress himself. This was merely the putting on a coat and waistcoat, and a dry wig; for the character of Horatio, the same black worsted stockings served, in which he had walked to the house. The very money for headdresses, which a modern actress of any celebrity

is obliged to purchase, would have formerly paid the salary of a first-rate performer; and the very lowest company of strolling players are much better dressed for their characters than were Betterton, Quin, Cibber, or Garrick.

MISS FENTON.

LAVINIA FENTON (afterwards Duchess of Bolton) was tempted, by Rich, from the Haymarket, to the Theatre in Lincoln's-inn-fields, in the year 1728, by a salary of 15s. per week. On the success of "The Beggar's Opera," in order to secure this valuable actress, he raised it to 30s.; and such was the rage of the town respecting her, that she was obliged to be guarded home every night by a considerable party of her confidential friends, to prevent her being hurt by the crowd, or run away with.

THE STROLLER'S PROGRESS.

FROM Hereford the jovial crew departed,
Kings walked on foot, and princesses were carted.
Great Oroonoko from his privy purse,

T' Imoinda couldn't ev'n procure a horse.
Fam'd Montezuma hir'd an humble hack;

And he who grasp'd the world, now rode a-pack!