soften the term, by calling it hereditary perseverance? One day after a violent dispute on the martial theme, young Palmer came to a sudden resolution of levelling all impediments. To effect this, he bought a waistcoat and trowsers, went into the brewery, and worked in the most laboricus and servile parts of that business; and, indeed, in every part of it, for nearly a year; associating all that time only with the servants, labouring and faring precisely as if he had been one of them.

During this steady plan of operation he detached himself entirely from the family; this magnanimous resolution at length gave way, but not before he had nearly put a period not only to his martial but mortal history. The undertaking happened to require a strength of body as well as of mind, and our young gentleman, still of tender age, was by no means equal to its drudgery; and when it was almost too late, he was compelled to retire into the country, under the care of a physician, to stop the progress of an incipient consumption. Youth and time, however, those excellent physicians, brought him back to health of body, and to calmer feelings and reflection of mind. He returned to books and to study, and had half persuaded himself to enter the church, when renovated health and spirits sounded the drum and trumpet again in his ears, and silenced all suggestions pointed to the gown and cassock.

Mr. Palmer senior had been induced, in partnership with nine other inhabitants of the city of Bath, at this period, to erect a new and elegant theatre, on

the solemn assurance of the proprietors of a former miserable substitute for one, to apply the old building to some other purpose, as soon as they had completed theirs, which would afford such superior accommodation and entertainment for the public. But, no sooner was the new theatre found to be highly successful, than the proprietors of the old one broke their faith, enlarged and fitted up the ancient play-barn, for it was little better; and in consequence of this unfair dealing, a violent and expensive opposition was carried on for several years, to the infinite loss of both parties. During the contest, the partners of Mr. Palmer senior were disheartened by their losses, and retired from the concern. Mr. Paliner purchased their different shares, and thus becoming the sole owner fought out the battle stoutly, and compelled his adversary at last to withdraw his opposition, on condition of receiving a considerable annuity.

In progress of time, from the great increase of the city, the theatre had grown into a valuable property; but it was still unprotected by the law, and, of course, liable to opposition from any adventurers that might choose to erect another; a scheme at that time in serious contemplation of the owners of property in the new town. It is well known that a very severe act of parliament then existed against the public exhibition of dramatic performances, limiting the prerogative of the crown to the granting any future patents or licences beyond those already in existence for Covent Garden and Drury Lane

and

and this limitation was to the place of the king's residence, and only during such residence.

His Majesty, therefore, had not the power of extending his protection to a theatre at Bath: consequently the security of the property in question, and the personal safety of the performers from the rigour of the law, would be both at hazard, unless an act of parliament could be first obtained to grant such liberty..

Accordingly a petition was presented to parliament from Mr. Palmer's father for this purpose, which was warmly and generously supported by his friends, the magistrates of the city. Young Palmer was deputed to solicit, at a very early age, this novel and difficult act of the Legislature; and after considerable opposition, he succeeded in obtaining not that only, but his Majesty's patent, which was the first act of parliament of this kind ever passed for an English theatre.

The accomplishment of this undertaking gained the young negociator great credit, for his activity and address introduced him to the personal knowledge and regard of many eminent characters, whose warmest friendship and zeal to his interest continued during their lives.

Amongst these, were the late late venerable Earl Camden, the Recorder of Bath, the Duke of Kingston, Marquis of Lansdown, Lord Aylesbury, Mr. Dunning, Messrs. Garrick, Colman, Harris, and Sheridan; for the last named gentleman he has invariably retained the highest personal regard, and has paid due honour to his high qualities and talents, independently

of

of all political opinions and sentiments, while between him and the present proprietor of Covent Garden theatre, Mr. Harris, there has subsisted the most affectionate interchange of friendship for a long course of years. He particularly endeared himself to our English Roscius from a manly defence of his old friend Arthur, one of the first comedians of the age, then acting manager to the theatre of Mr. Palmer's father. Arthur had been attacked by the famous Derrick, the then master of the ceremonies, and much private abuse had been poured upon him by the weekly critics, so as to render him obnoxious to the public. Indignant at this, young Palmer wielded his maiden pen, and, in two letters, the one defending Arthur, the other attacking Derrick, he completely turned the tables upon the latter, brought merited disgrace upon the aggressor, and restored the injured Arthur to the re-enjoyment of public applause. These letters, which appeared in the Bath Journal of that day, considered as the production of almost a schoolboy, were extremely successful, and became the topic of public conversation.

But although he had now attained one of his favourite objects in the grant of the patent, he did not find the management of the theatre sufficient to employ his active mind, and he therefore engaged yet more extensively in other concerns. He now took the shell of a large house and grounds at a little distance from the city, called West-hall, moulded the house into a comfortable mansion, with suitable offices, and established a considerable spermaceti

manufactory

manufactory; an art, at that time understood by very few houses in the kingdom, but which proved to our adventurer a very profitable speculation. A circumstance occurred, however, which called his attention, for a time, exclusively to the theatre. This was no less than a declaration, signed by all the performers, one excepted, purporting, that, unless Mr. Palmer would discharge his acting manager, they would throw up their engagements. The gentleman who had thus unfortunately excited their resentment, was the justly celebrated Mr. Lec, father of the very worthy author of the Recess, and many other elegant productions, and of her amiable and ingenious sisters, now living at Bath, in the esteem of the public, and love of their friends. Mr. Lee was undoubtedly an actor of uncommon talents, but somewhat too rigid in his management, and, perhaps, too impetuous in his disposition. Mr. Palmer, though always a staunch lover of independence, and a promoter, as it will hereafter be seen, of every species of honourable reform, was, nevertheless, a supporter of good government, and, of course, he did not submit to threats and combinations, but, mounting his horse, he sallied forth on a theatrical tour many hundred miles, for he triumphed over distance on every occasion. In the course of a fortnight he examined the strength of most of the provincial companies in the kingdom; from these he selected a new set of performers, who werę approved by the public, and he parted with the insurgents.

In the ensuing season, the manager embracing

another