for the honour of my profeffion, that this is not in general the cafe; and fhall therefore only reply to you, that as it is a question not fo proper to be answered by proxy, I would rather leave its decifion to thofe whom it

may concern.

This, however, you may depend on -that it is to be accounted for.

THE

A1

THE

THEATRE.

LL the crowned heads of the MARGATE drama would, unqueftionably, take it amifs, fhould they be paffed over in filence.-Though it is my wish to please all-I poffefs a defire equally strong to offend none,-and least of all thofe who exert their abilities for the entertainment of others. Though the Kings,-Lords, -and Commons,-in their theatrical barn affembled, convey fuch confused ideas of the perfonages they reprefent, that they become caricatures instead of characters;-nor do they probably, in general aim at any thing more,for there is usually fuch a poverty, and laughable distress, running through the whole performance, as renders Comedy extremely

M 3

extremely ridiculous, and Tragedy truly comical.

Some ladies of AMELIA's acquaintance, having, through humanity, patronized one of the poor players, befpoke HAMLET,-and exerted their intereft to fill the houfe-it. being for the benefit of the GHOST, and his wife.

CLERMONT and I were folicited to be of the party;-but the Theatre being much crowded, I found myself unable to fuftain the heat of it.My friend and I, therefore, before the curtain drew up, retired behind the fcenes; and indeed, when we were got there, perceived but little probability, that it would draw up the whole evening, for furely never was beheld fuch a scene of confufion, as then appeared, in what ferved both

for

for their general dreffing-room, and

green-room.

-

The centinels, who were to mount guard before the palace of the Royal DANE, for want of having any uniform in the wardrobe, had borrowed a couple of failors jackets. HORATIO was ftriding about. in a monstrous rage, declaring he would not act, because his own benefit had been unjuftly put back. The manager, who was corpulent enough to have perfonated FALSTAFF, even almost without stuffing, apparelled as young HAMLET, was in no lefs a paffion. too,-damning the GHOST's blood for being in liquor,-who, as well as his wife, had, on the credit of the many tickets which were taken, given way, through excefs of joy, at dinner, to an indulgence they should more pruM 4

dently

dently have poftponed till night.The GHOST had little to fay in his defence, — but his lady, now the Queen Mother-fat royally robed on a joint-ftool,-and whilft fhe was dabbing the laft colouring on her cheeks, hickupped, with much brevity, their mutual apology.-Nor did the diftrefs end here-a fmith was fent for to break open OPHELIA's coffin,which ferving as a travelling trunk to this itinerant company, the GHOST'S belmet, POLONIUS's wig, together with fome of the DANISH regalia, were lodged within it; and the manager, having alfo depofited with them a half anker of run Spirits, had fo carefully put away the key, that in the hurry it could not be found,fo that the mufic kept playing roaft beef, and every popular tune they

could