The great run of company to Covent-garden left Drury-lane in a state of inferiority and despondency. Mr. Lacy knew that the possession of a patent was of little avail without the power to make it advantageous to him. He saw that the great theatrical loadstone was Mr. Garrick, who could, without the assistance of any great actors, always draw after him the best company, and fill the boxes. Lacy having too, about this time, prevailed on the duke of Grafton to promise a renewal of the Drury-lane patent, he wisely thought, the best way to secure so valuable an acquisition as Mr. Garrick, would be to offer him the moiety of it. This he well knew was a proposition worthy of acceptance; and, in case he closed with the offer, would render the other moiety of greater value to himself than the whole would be without such a partner.

By

The tender of so considerable and valuable a thing as the half of a patent, was by no means unpleasing to Mr. Garrick; he consulted his friends, who all advised him to purchase it on reasonable terms. paying the moderate sum of eight thousand pounds, he became joint patentee of Drury-lane theatre with Mr. Lacy. This transaction was finished to the satisfaction of both parties, about the end of March, or beginning of April, 1747.

Mr. Rich, though he was visibly acquiring very large property by such a constant succession of good houses, and principally by the means of his actors, did not seem to enjoy or understand the happiness of his situation. It was imagined, by those who knew his humour best, that he would have been better pleased

to see his great comedians shew away to empty benches, that he might have had an opportunity to mortify their pride, by bringing out a new pantomime, and drawing the town after his rareeshow. Often would he take a peep at the house through the curtain, and as often, from disappointment and disgust, arising from the view of a full audience, break out into the following expressions, "What, are you there! Well, much good may it do you."

Though he might have easily fixed Mr. Garrick in his service, long before he had bargained for a share of Drury-lane patent, he gave himself no concern, when he was told of a matter so fatal to his interest; he rather seemed to consider it as a release from a disagreeable engagement, and consoled himself with mimicking the great actor. It was a ridiculous sight to see the old man upon his knees, repeating Lear's curse to his daughter, after Garrick's manner, as he termed it; while some of the players, who stood round him, gave him loud applauses; and others, though they were obliged to join in the general approbation, heartily pitied his folly, and despised his ignorance.

I am authorized to assert, that the profits arising from plays at Covent-garden theatre, from September 1746, to the end of May, 1747, amounted to eight thousand five hundred pounds. And let no man think this an exorbitant sum, which was earned by a Garrick, in conjunction with many excellent comedians, when it can be proved, that in one year, after paying all expenses, eleven thousand pounds were the produce of Mr. Maddocks (the straw-man's) agility, added to the inferiour talents of the players, at the same house, some few years after.

CHAPTER XI.

The managers of Drury-lane divide their several provinces... Mr. Garrick's particular emoluments.... Mr. Rich deserted by the best part of his company, who engage themselves to Mr. Lacy and Mr. Garrick.... Prologue on opening Drury-lane theatre.... Revival of Every Man in his Humour.... Macbeth, as originally written..... Romeo and Juliet acted at both theatres.

MR. Garrick and Mr. Lacy divided the business of the theatre in such a manner as not to encroach upon each other's province. Mr. Lacy took upon himself the care of the wardrobe, the scenes, and the economy of the household; while Mr. Garrick regulated the more important business of treating with authors, hiring actors, distributing parts in plays, superintending of rehearsals, &c. Besides the profits accruing from his half share, he was allowed an income of 5001. for his acting, and some particular emoluments for altering plays, farces, &c.

Such was the confidence which the players had in Mr. Garrick's abilities, that he had his choice of the most eminent amongst them, except Mr. Quin, who retired to Bath. Mrs. Pritchard, Mrs. Cibber, and many others, immediately entered into articles with the patentees of Drury-lane. Rich was almost deserted, and, I believe, did not recover from his surprise and inactivity till very late in the season, when he brought out a favourite piece of mummery that drew vast crowds to it.

September 20th, Mr. Garrick opened the playhouse of Drury-lane, and apoke a prologue, which was written by Samuel Johnson; the omission of which in this place, no man, who had read it a hundred times, would pardon.

When Learning's triumph o'er her barbarous foes
First rear'd the stage, immortal Shakspeare rose;
Each change of many colour'd life he drew,
Exhausted worlds, and then imagin'd new :
Existence saw him spurn her bounded reign,
And panting Time toil'd after him in vain.
His powerful strokes presiding Truth impress'd,
And unresisting passion storm'd the breast.

Then Jonson came, instructed from the school,
To please in method, and invent by rule;
His studious patience, and laborious art,
By regular approach assail'd the heart:
Cold approbation gave the ling'ring bays,
For those who durst not censure, scarce could praise.
A mortal born, he met the general doom,
But left, like Egypt's kings, a lasting tomb.
The wits of Charles found easier ways to fame,
Nor wish'd for Jonson's art, or Shakspeare's flame;
Themselves they studied, as they felt, they writ";
Intrigue was plot, obscenity was wit.
Vice always found a sympathetick friend,
They pleas'd their age, and did not aim to mend.
Yet bards like these aspir'd to lasting praise,
And proudly hop'd to pimp in future days.

Their cause was gen'ral, their supports were strong,
Their slaves were willing, and their reign was long;
Till Shame regain'd the post that Sense betray'd,
And Virtue call'd Oblivion to her aid.

Then crush'd by rules, and weaken'd as refin'd,
For years the power of tragedy declin'd
From hard to bard the frigid caution crept,

Till Declamation roar'd while Passion slept.

Yet still did Virtue deign the stage to tread,
Philosophy remain'd, though Nature fled.
But forc'd at length her ancient reign to quit,
She saw great Faustus lay the ghost of Wit;
Exulting Folly hail'd the joyful day,
And pantomime and song confirm'd her sway.
But who the coming changes can presage,
And mark the future period of the stage ?
Perhaps, if skill could distant times explore,
New Behns, new Durfeys, yet remain in store.
Perhaps, where Lear has rav'd, and Hamlet dy'd,
On flying cars new sorcerers may ride,

Perhaps (for who can guess the effects of chance ?)
Here Hunt may box, or *Mahomet may dance.

Hard is his lot, that here by fortune plac'd,
Must watch the wild vicissitudes of taste;
With every meteor of caprice must play,
And chace the new blown bubbles of the day.
Ah! let not censure term our fate our choice,
The stage but echoes back the publick voice;
The drama's laws the drama's patrons give,
For we that live to please, must please to live.
Then prompt no more the follies you decry,
As tyrants doom their tools of guilt to die;
"Tis yours this night to bid the reign commence

Of rescu'd Nature, and reviving Sense;

To chace the charms of sound, the pomp of show,

For useful mirth and salutary wo,

Bid scenick virtue form the list'ning age,

And truth diffuse her radiance from the stage.

Order, decency, and decorum, were the main objects which our young manager kept constantly in his eye at the commencement of his administration. He was so accomplished himself in propriety of behaviour, as well as in the more valuable talents of his

* A famous ropedancer and practiser of legerdemain trieks. VOL. I.

8*