Mr. P.: and that a Scotch character was made

',

over to a Mr. for the choice of whom the very excellent reason could be given, that, though no actor, he was a Scotchman.

ever,

The rehearsals of the Piece being productive of yet other changes, it became at last a matter of no little difficulty to me to imagine the effect of the whole in representation. One thing, howI felt but too assured of-that the sweeping alterations effected in particular scenes, and with regard to particular characters, not being supported by corresponding alterations where those first made of necessity required them, a motley and patch-work appearance would inevitably attach to the entire production: and impressed by this belief, the approach of the first night was by myself contemplated, (as some of my more intimate friends can well testify,) with nothing short of deep and unfeigned affliction.

I will not dwell upon an Author's usual feelings, however aggravated in my case by what possibly were very peculiar and extraordinary circumstances, on the night of actual performance. Let me but repeat the simple fact: the Play was-SAVED-for in this manner only can I speak of the indulgence extended towards it by a most good-natured audience, who liberally applauded whatever in the dia

logue or incidents appeared to merit favour, and who seemed less disposed to condemn than to wonder at whatever was misplaced and incongruous. I must however do myself the justice to say, that the applause was principally bestowed upon such portions of the Piece, as had been permitted to remain as at first written: -in particular, the exertions of Mrs. W., whose was the solitary part in which not the alteration of a word had been effected, were honoured throughout with distinguished approbation:and I drew from thence a melancholy consolation in reflecting what might have been the success of my production, had it been performed as its author had originally constructed it, or at least with such judicious alterations only as were suggested by the Manager. As it was performed, I was, and yet continue, unaffectedly surprised that it escaped utter condemnation. What farther relates to this unhappy first attempt, may be told in few words. The reports of the representation in the newspapers, were more favourable than I could have ventured to anticipate: the Times alone called the author a fool in little less than plain terms; never dreaming that the anomalies in the Piece it growled over, had been produced by operations behind the scenes, which none more sincerely lamented than that unfortunate author

himself. But it was not in the power of the Press, in any very considerable degree, to prejudice or favour my dramatic debut at a Theatre, literally on its last legs as regarded the career of its then management, and which by no novelties or attractions of any kind could at that time command an audience to reimburse its nightly expences. So that the ill-starred Comedy" producing nil to the House and Author, was withdrawn after its third representation, by an arrangement to which the Manager and the same Author were equally consenting parties.

And now, “ brief let me be:" indeed, my farther dramatic history may be comprised in little space. Its main facts are these: I have written, since the unfortunate production of the "Comedy," a Musical Drama, and a Tragedy, whose fate is bound up in Rejections Ninth to Thirteenth!-That is to say, a rejection was awarded me from each Theatre for the firstmentioned piece, and two from one House, (under different managements,) and one from the other, for the last. The circumstances of these several rejections, shall be very simply and shortly related.

The Musical Drama was first submitted to the talented Manager, who has had the happiness to restore Old Drury from the dust; and

my note to him was not improperly expressive of the satisfaction I felt at the success of his commencing exertions, and at the prospects re-opening for our first national theatre under his auspices. His short answer merits a record for its friendliness and urbanity, as much as its assigning a reason for the rejection it conveyed, gave an example deserving both of praise and imitation.

"SIR,

"T. R. D. L.

"FEB. 19th., 1820.

"I return your Musical Drama with reluctance, "because I should be happy to make my Stage the medium of your success. The insuperable objection to its production is "the political allusions, which every prudent Manager ought " to avoid.

"I am very sensible of your kindness, and

Whether or not the Manager of the other Theatre entertained a similar opinion of the

political allusions," I am ignorant; as I was favoured from that Theatre with no other than the customary official reply. But I must observe, for my own justification, that the politics. of the Piece consisted in an Outlaw's denunciations of the forms and constitutions of civilised society in. general, and bore not the slightest reference to persons, things, or passing events,

of the year 1820. But as the period was one of almost universal political ferment, it may be that Mr. Elliston's knowledge of the extreme readiness of audiences to apply what is delivered from the Stage to the prevalent doctrines of the day, justified his precaution on the

occasion.

My Tragedy was composed in the Autumn of the year just spoken of. Time, and some little theatrical experience, far from confirming that confidence in my own powers with which I had commenced dramatic author, concurred to render me diffident of the general merits of this last Piece; and I was led to ponder on the desirableness of obtaining the opinion of some competent judge, previously to its transmission to either Theatre. In my cogitations of this nature, a gentleman occurred. to me, with whom, it was true, I had no other than a very slight epistolary acquaintance; yet some knowledge of the qualities of whose heart and head induced me to imagine that he would peruse cheerfully, and report impartially, any dramatic or other attempt I might submit to him. It would be improper to name this gentleman; still, it will be but opening a field. for a little harmless conjecture, to say that he is himself a successful dramatic writer. The very small portion of his reply, after