saw and felt an actor return to the stage, who had been long one of its brightest supports and

ornaments.

We must likewise confess, in justice to the whole of the performance, it was very ably supported. Mrs. Dancer, who played Desdemona, was then in the bloom of youth and beauty; she had been for some years under the tuition of Barry, and, to a fine natural genius for her profession, she acquired the harmony of his tones. Desdemona too was a part scemingly congenial to her feelings; and it must be remembered, through the whole course of her stage life, she had no competitor in this character-a character which, like the simplicity of fine writing, or good breeding, induces many to attempt, without this preparatory knowledge, "that art is necessary

to conceal art."

Lee's Iago, too, was very respectable, and shewed a good judgment, and thorough represen tation of the character. This actor was not without considerable pretensions, were they not more than allayed by his vanity. He had a good person, a good voice, and a more than ordinary knowledge in his profession, which he sometimes shewed without exaggeration; but he wanted to be placed in the chair of Garrick, and, in attempting to reach this, he often deranged his na

tural abilities. He was for ever, as Foote said,

doing the honours of his face;" he affected uncommon long pauses, and frequently took such out-of-the-way pains with emphasis and articulation, that the natural actor seldom appeared. In this corcombry he was supported by many of his 'bottle companions, as well as those disappointed critics who were glad of an engine against Garrick; but the consequence of this temper was, he was chasseed from almost every Theatre, but that of Bath, where, between lecturing and acting, he continued till he died.-Another sad memento of the folly of weighing a man's merits in the balance of his own imagination.

Othello was played several nights to overflowing audiences; to which succeeded many of his principal parts; such as Jaffier, Orestes, Essex, Lord Townly, &c. &c. In short, the season was so successful to him, both in point of profit and fame, that Foote jocularly said, "he had much rather give him board and lodging at his own house for nothing, than have him so troublesome a neighbour." The consequence was, he engaged Barry and Mrs. Dancer for the next season at his. Little Theatre in the Haymarket; and, after the former had gone over to Dublin "to make up his mangled matters as he could," he returned to London the place of his future principal residence.

Their

Their re-appearance was in the summer of 1767; and as Foote had prepared the town for the reception of his celebrated visitors, he secured to himself crowded audiences. The insensibles of fashion followed him because it was the ragethe critics hailed him as one of the great supporters of theatrical taste-and John Bull simply for the gratification of his feelings: so that all concurred so much in their admiration of him, that, although the summer was a remarkably hot one, the House continued to fill, night after night, to the conclusion of the season.

Merit like this could not long remain trusting to such casual engagements. Garrick cast his eye upon those two performers the summer before, as necessary reinforcements to his theatrical corps; and this summer he often made one of the Pit in the Haymarket at some of their capital representations. He had long before known, and justly appreciated, Barry's merits. Mrs. Dancer was a novelty to the London boards; but she made her impressions so forcibly on this great judge of his art, that he candidly confessed, "she had capabilities to make a first-rate actress." He accordingly engaged them both for the next season at Drury Lane Theatre, at the very liberal salary of fifteen hundred pounds.

The state of Old Drury had about this period been rather in a declining condition; principally owing

to

to that ravager Time, who ultimately "spoils every thing he takes in hand." Mrs. Cibber had just closed a life of high theatrical reputation, where her transcendent merit, in a great variety of parts, must be feelingly remembered by all those who had the pleasure of seeing her. Powell, a rising young actor, from whom much was obtained, and more expected, had no sooner revolted to Covent Garden Theatre, (where he had purchased a share in the patent,) than he fell a victim to a raging fever; Mrs. Pritchard was on the eve of retirement; so was Mrs. Clive; whilst Havard felt a decline of powers, (never much above par,) which rendered most of his parts very imbecile performances; so that the whole weight of the Theatre lay between Garrick, Holland, and Mrs. Yates. The first, it must be confessed, "a host within himself;" the second with very respectable abilities; and the last having just reached that point of fame which ranked her one of the first actresses of her time.

Garrick, in making this liberal engagement. with Barry, no longer considered him as his rival. He had in himself a satiety of fame, fairly given him by applauding nations for a course of near thirty years, and which he knew how to maintain with unimpaired brilliancy. He was likewise ar rived at that period of life, when other passions blend themselves with the love of fame, viz. the

love of accumulation; and who so likely to add to the reputation of his stage, and the profits of. his management, as two such performers? Beside this, Garrick wanted an occasional writ of ease for himself; and as he knew Barry, from his novelty and merit, would draw audiences, he endeavoured to render his situation as agreeable to him as he could, by giving him an uncontrouled choice of parts, and consulting his ease and convenience as much as the business of the Theatre would admit.

This arrangement answered every purpose of the contracting parties. Barry and his fair heroine carried all before them; she was the Desdemona to his Othello-the Rutland to his Essexthe Monimia to his Castalio, &c. &c.-whilst Mrs. Yates, in the loftier tread of Imperial Tragedy, gave very considerable assistance. In this group, too, must be numbered the late Mrs. Pope, (then Miss Younge:) she was at that period just making her debut on the Stage; but even in this early trial, she exhibited such strong marks of theatrical genius, as evidently proclaimed she would not long be content with a second place, Time justified her pretensions, as she was for many years as great an ornament to her profession as she was respectable in the duties of private life,

In the comic line, Mrs. Abington (who had just returned from Ireland, crowned with theatric laurels)