xt7hmg7frf9j https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7hmg7frf9j/data/mets.xml Garrick, David, 1717-1779. 1907 books b92-169-30117021 English Houghton, Mifflin, : Boston : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Baker, George Pierce, 1866-1935. Some unpublished correspondence of David Garrick / edited by George Pierce Baker. text Some unpublished correspondence of David Garrick / edited by George Pierce Baker. 1907 2002 true xt7hmg7frf9j section xt7hmg7frf9j SOME UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE OF DAV ID GARRICK EDITED BY GEORGE PIERCE BAKER PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BOSTON HOUGHTON MIFFLIN AND COMPANY 1907 COPYRIGHT I907 BY HOUGIITON MIFFLIN CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THIS EDITION CONSISTS OF 430 COPIES OF WHICH THIS IS NO. / PRINTED AT THE RIVERSIDE PRESS CAMBRIDGE MDCCCCVII TO J. H. LEIGH WHOSE GENEROSITY MAKES I1 POSSIBLE TO SHARE THESE LETTERS WITH THE PUBLIC WHOSE COURTESY HAS HEIGHTENED THE PLEASURE OF EDITING THEM THIS BOOK IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED This page in the original text is blank. PREFACE IN June, 1899, a collection of some sixty-six letters and MSS. of David Garrick was oftc2red for sale at Sotheby' ,iuction Rooms, London. The material had been collected by William JJright, a racing-man, who, having the fad (,f extra-illustrating, had gatheredfor that purpose this col- lection and many other letters, some of them not concerning Garrick. Nearly all the letters and JlSS. of the set, and a number of others by Garrick offered at the same time, were bought by Mr. J. H. Leigh, owner of a rich collection of theatrical portraits and memorabilia. Originally it was his intention to use his purchases for extra-illustrating, but as soon as their unusual value became apparent, he decided to keep the letters and MlISS. together, and, when urged to print them, very courteously put the collection at the dis- posal of the editor for such publication as he should thinA- best. The letters interestingly fill gaps in Boaden's huge and inept PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE OF DAVID GARRICK, make important corrections in the biographies of Garrick, and throw much light on the man himself. In this book some forty letters and MSS. are printed, all except two fiw the first time. Only parts of these two have before been re- produced. Of the remaining letters and MISS. in the Col- lection, but not here reprinted, two letters have already been printed by Boaden, and two bits of verse are already viii PREFACE known; one letter concerns Garrick only indirectly, and the rest of the letters deal with unimportant business or social details. Because eighteenth century taste was coarser and its speech franker than our taste and speech to-day, afew lines have been omitted. Ao attempt has been made to reproduce blots and erasures: otherwise the MSS. are duplicated as closely as the types permit. However, it is by no means always possible to be sure of Garrick's intended capitaliza- tion, punctuation, or meaning in the case of inadvertent omissions, for, as he often said, he wrote "always in a hurry. " The illustrations in this book are reproduced by per- Mission of J. H. Leigh, Esq., the Fellows of the Royal C'ollege of Physicians, and the authorities of the Harvard (ollege Library. For this generous co-operation the editor expresses his hearty thanks. The editor will welcome information in regard to rare prints of Garrick and his friends and unpublished letters to orfrom him now in private collections. ILLUSTRATIONS DAVID GARRICK FRONTISPIECE From a mezzotint of a cast of Garrick's face. Scratched on the lower margin of the plate are the th words: 'Publis'd, April 4, 1779 by R. E. Pine.' GARRICK AS RICHARD III PAGE 4 From the original painting owned by J. H. Leigh, Esq. On the picture is the following inscription in red: 'Bardwell made this original in ye ist year of David's Reign.' 8 GARRICK AS LoRD CHALKSTONE IN HIS FARCE,' LETHE' Engraved by Gabriel Smith. The lower part of the print, divided into three parts by vertical dotted lines, contains these verses: Well done old Boy! -pshaw, damn the Gout! The Chalkstones never fail; Thy Spirits, tho' thy Limbs give out, Are brisk as bottled Ale. 2 Claret the languid Nerves renews; Champagne excites Desire; The Glass a pretty Girl can chuse; What more can Lord require 3 Let Grave ones preach up temp'rate Rules; They're Nonsense to the Great: Such sober Maxims suit the Fools Who're born to no Estate. x ILLUSTRATIONS 4 To save the Land, or Arts restore, There Life let others waste[;] Who cannot Game, and Drink, and Whore, Is not a Peer of Taste. 5 Chalkstone! thy Rank thou truly know'st The Nobleman I see! And, Heav'n be prais'd! our Isle can boast, Of many a Lord like Thee. YOUNG MRS. GARRICK . . . . PAGE 12 'From the Original Picture by Cath. Reid, [once] in the possession of S. Edwards, Esq!' The Collection of Garrick Prints in the Harvard College Library contains this engraving in both the first and the sec- ond state. The first state, copied in this book, bears the statement: ' London Published June 4.th 1802 by AnthY. Molteno, Printseller to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York, No 29, Pall Mall.' The second omits this but adds just below the picture: 'Engraved by W. P. Sherlock.' PORTIONS OF THE MARRIAGE AGREEMENT . . 16 From the original in the possession of J. H. Leigh, Esq. MLLE VIOLETTE IN FANCY COSTUME . . . 20 From the painting in the Collection at the Shake- speare Memorial, Stratford-on-Avon. By permission of the Memorial Association. GARRICK IN THE FIRST YEARS OF HIS SUCCESS . . 24 This print is marked: ' Ar. Pond pinx. I. Wood Sculp. Publish'd by I. Wood ApI 29th I745. price is' ILLUSTRATIONS xi FACSIMILE OF THE PROPORTIONS OF GARRICK AND QUINN . PAGE S0 By Hogarth. 'From the Original in the Collection of J. P. Kemble Esqj Published by Longmans, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Nov! 1st i8o8. T. Cook, sc.' This print may be found in the ' Graphic Works of Wm Hogarth,' and in the 'Whole Works of Wm Hogarth.' GARRICK AS RANGER IN HOADLEY'S 'THE SUSPICIOUS HUSBAND' . . . . . . 36 This print is inscribed: ' T. Worlidge delin T. Lodge sculp Publishd according to Act of Parliament by M. A' GARRICK As TANCRED IN JAMES THOMSON'S 'TAN- CRED AND SIGISMUNDA,' ACT I, SC. 4 . . 40 On the print of this in the Collection of Garrick Prints in the Harvard College Library is written in pencil, ' T. Worlidge 1752.' GARRICK IN 1751 . . . . . . 46 This print bears the statement 'Loitard [Jean Etienne Liotard] Pinxt J. M[ac]Ardell Fecit. David Garrick, Esqr Done from the Original Picture Painted at Paris London, Printed for Robt Sayer Map Printseller N 53 Fleet St.' GARRICK AND HIS WIFE . . . . . 50 'W. Hogarth, Pinxt H. Bourne, Sculp! Garrick and His Wife From the Picture in the Royal Collection Publishers: P. D. Colnaghi Co.' GARRICK AS SR JOHN BRUTE IN VANBRUGH'S 'THE PROVOKED WIFE,' ACT IV, SC. 1 . . 56 This mezzotint (I768) is by Finlayson after the paint- ing (1765) by Zoffany. From the collection of J. H. Leigh, Esq. xii ILLUSTRATIONS DR. CADOGAN . . . . . PAGE 64 From a portrait by R. E. Pine by kind permission of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians. THE HANDWRITING OF GARRICK AND OF HIS WIFE . 70 From the originals in the possession of J. H. Leigh, Esq. GARRICK circa 1760. . . . 74 'Thos Hudson pinxt Chas Spooner fecit. David Gar- rick Esqr Printed for Robt Sayer, at the Golden Buck in Fleet St.' The Collection of Garrick Prints in the Harvard College Library shows this in three states. The first is reproduced in this book. The second and third use blacker and larger script for the legend, and have only 'Thos Hudson pinxt' at centre just below picture. Below the name they have, ' London printed for John Bowles Son at the Block House in Cornhill,' for the second state, and for the third state, 'London printed for John Bowles at N 13 in Corn- hill.' HENRI LOUIS LE KAIN . . . . . 80 The print in the Galerie Frangaise (I823) vol. III bears these words: ' Le Kain d'apres un email point d'apres nature, communique par M. le Kain fils. H. Grendon. Litta de Dumanne.' GARRICK AS RICHARD III WITH NORFOLK, ACT V, SC.3 . . . . . . 88 Painted by Zoffany. From the original painting in the possession of J. H. Leigh, Esq. FACIAL EXPRESSION OF GARRICK IN 'ROMEO' . . 96 From an unsigned print in the Collection of Garrick Prints in the Harvard College Library. ILLUSTRATIONS Xiii 'D. GARRICK, ACTEUR ANGLOIS' . . PAGE 106 ' C. N. Cochin filius delin. C. N. Cochin et N. Du- puis Sculpserunt.' Engraved circa 1767. DAVID GARRICK . . . . 112 From the original in the possession of J. H. Leigh, Esq. This portrait is attributed to Sir Nathaniel Dance Holland. Its peculiar pose is, however, explained by the so-called Gainsborough portrait of Garrick of which there is an etching as frontispiece of Joseph Knight's David Garrick. The portraits seem nearly identical and the so-called Gainsborough shows that the tipping of the figure to the right is because Gar- rick is resting his right elbow on his knee. GARRICK AS LEON IN 'RULE A WIFE AND HAVE A WIFE . . . . . . 122 ' R. Rushbrooke Esqr del Pollard and Jukes sculp.' at left and right of ovals. Each print bears the words: 'London: Publish'd March 30th 1786 by J. Cary Map and Print-seller, corner of Arundel Street.' The right hand picture adds ' Strand' at the end, omits the hyphen in 'Print-seller,' and places the 'th' above ' 30.' GARRICK AS KING LEAR, ACT III, SC. 5 . . 128 'Done from the original Picture Chas Spooner fecit Printed for Robt Sayer at the Golden Buck in Fleet Street. Publish'd according to Act of Parliamt 176i.' The original picture was painted by B. Wilson. GARRICK LATE IN LIFE . . . . . 134 This print is in two states in the Collection of Gar- rick Prints. The first has: 'T. Gainsborough pinxt J. Collyer sculpt David Garrick Esqr Published by G. Kearsly, N'46 Fleet Street. i Novy I776.' The sec- ond places the following between the names of painter and engraver: ' Publish'd as the Act directs, i March I779, by Fielding Walker, N 20 Pater-noster Row.' xi- ILLUSTRATIONS MRs. GARRICK AT 97 . . PAGE 138 The print bears the inscription: 'Mrs Garrick. (taken Sept. 1820. Etat 97.) To His Royal Highness Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, K.G. c. c. c. c. This Plate is (with Permission) most respectfully inscribed. By His Royal Highnesses most dutiful, obliged obedient Humble Servant, J. R. Cruikshank Published as the Act directs for the Proprietor by Messrs Colnaghi Co Cockspur St Oct. 1822.' THE MAN AND HIS FRIENDS This page in the original text is blank. SOME UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE OF DAVID GARRICK I The Man and his Friends rrHAT young man never had his equal, and never 1 will," cried critical Alexander Pope on first seeing David Garrick act. Certainly the success of this young man of twenty-five was phenomenal. When he had had no more experience of the stage than one or two half- surreptitious London performances and a brief summer season at Ipswvich, he made his London debut at Good- man's Fields Theatre, hitherto unsuccessful and three or four miles from the fashionable centre of the town. How could he hope that his acting should at once set the town astir Yet that is what his Richard III, first acted October 19, 1741, did. His insight, honest meth- ods, his humor, his power - in a word his genius - were more and more steadily acclaimed as the season advanced. His second year of acting found him at Drury Lane, a favorite of the best, intellectually and socially, in London. By the autumn of 1747 he had become one of the managers of Drury Lane; by 1752, when he first crossed to the Continent for a vacation, he had become personally known to the artistic world of Paris. In brief, from 1741 till his death in January, LETTERS OF 1779, honored and even sincerely mourned, he was one of the foremost figures of his time. He was, too, one of the busiest, for not only must he act his many parts each season, -sometimes as many as a hundred, -watch over the business interests of Drury Lane, train young actors and actresses, sit for innumerable portraits, thread his way through a maze of social obligations, and read the piles of MS. plays submitted to him, but he chose to tinker many of these plays as well as to write plays of his own, and to turn out much occasional verse, -not merely prologues and epilogues, but epigrams and congratulatory or contro- versial stanzas. In addition, in those days when each man wrote his own letters, he was a voluminous corre- spondent. In the Victoria and Albert Museum is a col- lection of some twenty-two hundred letters to and from Garrick, and these can be but a part of his correspond- ence, for poor indeed is the collection of autographs which has not something of his. So varied were his powers, so mercurial was his temperament that he has been a difficult subject for his biographers, and the portrait of him acceptable to a critical yet sympathetic student of his time remains to be drawn. One of his biographers, Joseph Knight, says of him in closing his Life, "A curiously complex, interesting and diversified character is that of Garrick. Fully to bring it before the world might have taxed his own powers of exposition." Naturally, as a result 2 DAVID GARRICK of this complexity, many in his own day and since have failed to understand him; naturally, too, his great success made him intense enemies. Consequently he was not only directly vilified, but more insidiously attacked with the anecdote which told, not what his enemies knew to be true, but what they wished to have believed true. As a man he was, of course, said to be jealous, parsimonious, a toady to rank and title; as a manager uninterested in the development of the drama as drama, arrogating to himself all the best lines, hard to his actors, etc.,-in fact he was declared guilty of the whole list of sins charged up by enemies against the popular actor or actress. These accusations against Garrick the letters of the Leigh Collection do much to refute. Before Garrick settled down to his life-work, he rest- lessly considered several means of winning his livelihood. The chief plan was the establishment in 1737, with his brother Peter, of a vine business. David was to manage the London end, in Durham Yard, and Peter the busi- ness at Lichfield, the home of the Garricks. The Yard was near Drury Lane, and the associations were those most likely to foster the love of the theatre which showed as early as the age of ten, when, with a company of his playmates, he gave Farquhar's Recruiting Officer. Fitz- gerald reports' that Garrick said all that kept him from i Life of Garrick, I, 40, Percy Fitzgerald. LETTERS OF going on the stage was the pain he knew the step would mean to his mother. If, as all of his biographers except the latest, Mrs. Parsons,' report, she died very shortly after her husband, in 1737-38, this could not have been the only check, for the final step did not come till 1741. Really, Garrick's mother died some three weeks after the date of the following letter with its solicitous inquiry for her health. It is significant that the following spring shows Garrick producing the rough draft of his farce Lethe, and acting at St. John's Gate in Fielding's Mock Doctor and a burlesque of .Julius Casar; and that the fol- lowing summer brings his Ipswich experience. The words, " I should be glad of some orders, " of the last line of the postscript show that there was another incentive besides an instinct for the stage to force Gar- rick into acting. DEAR PETER. 1740. X have receiv'd Giffard's2Note safe, he returns his Thanks will pay you ye Expences You have been at when he sees you. M' Hassell's shew'd me Yesterday a Letter from his Father wherein he mentions his hav- ing pa [id] I You ye Money I lay'd down for him, if It is pay'd I must desire you to Send Me up a Bill asoon as l Garrick and his Circle, Parsons, p. i8. 2 Probably Henry Giffard, manager of Goodman's Fields Theatre, for whose benefit Garrick's Letle, in its first form, had been given at Drury Lane, April i5, 1740. 3 Here as in the other places marked by [ ] the MS. is torn. 4 YOUNG GARRICK AS RICHARD III This page in the original text is blank. 'in This page in the original text is blank. DAVID GARRICK possible, For Cash is rather Low Brounker' wants his Money, pray let me have It asoon as possible. I am very uneasy till you send Me a particular Acc't of my Mother; I hear by Severall hands she is in great Danger, pray my Duty, I desire nothing may be conceal'd from Me. Doctor James is come to Town for good all, I [hope] he '11 do very well. pray My Services [to Mr.] Nadal's2 Family, Love Services to Brothers Sisters believe me Dear Peter yrs sincerely D. GARIUCK. [At top of opposite page is written] The Ale I have receiv'd safe. y' Carriage came in all to about 1 1 shillings I believe Iwill3 prove good. I should be glad of some Orders. Much mystery surrounds the origin of Eva Maria Violette, whom Garrick married on June 22, 1749. One story4 says she was " the daughter of the Earl of Bur- lington and a young Italian lady of position, after whose death in Florence she was compelled to take to the stage as a dancer for a livelihood. Her father had, it i A friend of the family, especially of Mrs. Garrick. 2 Possibly Sadal 3 Probably this is It will, for t and TV seem to be run together. 4 David Garrick, p. I23, J. Knight. LETTERS OF is said, looked with care after her education, but the money he forwarded for her use had been misapplied by his agents. As a means of getting her near him, he used his influence to secure her a London engage- ment, and then induced his legitimate daughter, sub- sequently the Duchess of Devonshire, to accept her as a companion." Another story' "represents her as the daughter of a Viennese citizen, called Veigel, a name for which, at the request of Maria Theresa, she sub- stituted that of Violette, the name of Veigel being a patois corruption of Veilchen, a violet. She was, how- ever, unfortunate enough to attract the eye of the Emperor, and was hurriedly dispatched to England out of his way." What is certain is that she was so skilled a dancer on her arrival in London in 1746 that Walpole speaks of her as the finest in the world; that she became the fashion; that she was admitted to the best houses; and that the Burlingtons especially l)at- ronized her, Lady Burlington waiting for her in the wings when she was on. The story goes that Mlle. Violette saw Garrick act and fell so desperately in love with him that she became ill. The doctor summoned discovered the real situation, and, putting the case as a matter of life and death, won the reluctant consent of Lady Burlington, who had designed to make a titled alliance for the girl. Clearly we have here the germ I David Garrick, p. 123, J. Knight. 6 DAVID GARRICK of the story which in various languages has been given dramatic presentation, and is best known as Robert- son's David Garrick. Whatever the beginning of the affair, Garrick pressed his suit with ardor, some ac- counts asserting that once he even disguised himself in woman's clothes in order to elude the watchfulness of Lady Burlington. That he was much in love is shown not only by the letter which follows, but by all the many years of perfect companionship which ensued. The let- ter certainly proves that Garrick had no memories of serious opposition -pace the biographers-from Lady Burlington, and that she was so well satisfied with the match that she evidently had been addressing him as gendre and beau-fils. Probably these terms are not to be taken too seriously, or they will go far to establish the relationship alleged between the Violette and Lord Bur- lington. The letter certainly favors in its " our Mother at Vienna " the Viennese origin. It is a particularly characteristic letter of Garrick in his gayer mood, and shows how thoroughly he could put himself into his writing. Merton .Ags! 3d I had this Day the Hon' of your Lady ship's Letter, dated from Londesburgh,' which is the first I have been favour'd wvith, or at least that has come to my hand. I I For eight hundred years the seat of the Clifford family (Lord Bur- lington's) in the East Riding of Yorkshire. 7 LETTERS OF am affraid that from Chatsworth' is miscarried if it was directed to ye Porter at Burlington House. I am sorry your LadP makes no mention of a Letter of Mine wth Mr Moore's Verses; 2 it is something very Extraordinary to have two Letters lost in the space of a Week -what Answer can I possibly make to the Words, being trouble- some, C too importunate ; this surely is so like Irony, that were I not well acquainted wvith your LadIps goodness Disposition, I should feel it much; Your Desire Madam of receiving News from Us, about Us, cannot pos- sibly equal our Joy Pride in sending it: to give my Reasons for this Assertion I know would not be agre- able to yr Ladp tho You are too apt to forget such things as I hint at, yet I hope Wle shall always have Grace enough to remember 'Em. I shall be very carefull for yfuture how I declare My Sentime[nts] of some cer- tain Persons, tho I have a right from Every principle of Morality, by ye Laws of Gratitu [de], yet my heart shall burst rather than overf [low] Give offence - yet sure I may be permitted to transcribe a part of a Letter I receiv'd last week upon this Subject - A most worthy friend of Mine sent me his Congratulations upon my Marria [ge] desir'd to know whether Your i Property of the Duke of Devonshire, who married one of Lord Burlington's daughters. 2 Edward Moore's An Ode to David Garrick on the Talk of the Town, 1749. Rumor said that these verses on Garrick's marriage were inspired by him to ward off possible unfavorable comment. 8 GARRICK AS LORD CHALKSTONE IN HIS FARCE 'LETHE' This page in the original text is blank. N':Y'\ S Am1 This page in the original text is blank. DAVID GARRICK Lady! was for, or against Me: in his Reply to my an- swer, he hath these W\ords; (wch I set down most faith- fully) 'I am not at all surpriz'd at Lady B-'s great :aand generous Behaviour to you; for I have a List in my heart (I am sorry I cannot say it is a long one) of those :who, I imagine to have great Souls, and her her [sic] :LadyxP (tho I have not ye honour of knowing her per- .sonally,) stands very high in that List.; You see Madam tho I am forbid to open my own Mouth on this Subject, I can speak from those of other People, which will be almost as troublesome; with this difference in- deed, that I can bring proofs positive, of what they hold in Supposition only. Since I must not indulge Myself as I ought, would do, upon this favourite topick, I hope I may have recourse to another, which is, that of praising Myself, who, I myself (as Beiiedick says) will bear J[itness is praise worthy in this particular; I am so truly sensible of Every honour Favour conferred upon Me, that even My Wife (belov'd as She is) cannot In- gross my Heart thoughts: when we are alone, (which we think our happiest Moments) Your LP comes as naturally in our Conversation, as our Words: this is ye time we speak the Language of our hearts, no Won- der that You make the chief part of our Conversation. I own I have some vanity, when it is so deliciously fed with Gendre beau fils, how is it possible to con- fine it in decent bounds I know who must answer for ye Consequences I have taken care of ye Lett to M' 9 10 LETTERS OF Keith, I will likewise take care that our Mother at Vienna (for whom I have the greatest tenderness) shall be made happy with regard to her Daughter; did she know my thoughts, she would be very Easy; but as it is very natural for her to have apprehensions, so I shall look upon it as my Duty to quiet 'em, as soon as pos- sible: I love regar [d] Every Body that belongs to her, k I flatter Myself that they will have Nothing to be sorry for, but the Loss of her, which (I can feel) must be no small Matter of Concern to 'Em. -The Gardi- ner sent us a Pine Apple Melon Yesterday; the first we made a present of, to our good Neighbour, Mr Metcalf; wse are very happy in his Acquaintan [ce] Mr Blyth' din'd with us some Days ago, a very civil sen- sible Man he is, without Priesthood Bigottry [;] he seems pleas'd that Martin' has left us, he did not like her, gave us his reasons; he would have been much oblig'd to Lord Burlington for some Franks- There is a very odd Story goes about of the Miss Draxes I (I don't know how to spell ye name) at Green- wich, some young Gentlemen; the Family is in great disorder about it; it makes a great Noise in Town, I am affraid (tho very unaccountable) that it is not merely I The Rev. Mr. Blythe had performed the second marriage service, -Mrs. Garrick was a Catholic, -at the chapel of the Portuguese Embassy. 2 A maid, formerly Lady Burlington's. 3 This unusual name recurs in 177i as "Mrs. Drax" in The Bath Picrtre, M. P. Andrews. See W. F. Rae's Sheridan, x, 14I. DAVID GARRICK Report. Does not your Lade perceive what Lengths I run from your Indulgence to Me not content with four full Sides of Scribble, I am beginning a fifth! where my Impertinence will end I cannot guess; The Family of ye.4llets won't try your Patience half so much as I shall; I have had a full Description of 'em from a very good Painter, most sincerely wish it was in my Power to Ease you of such an intolerable Tax upon yf Goodnature- Your LadP knows by this, that we have receiv'd your two last Letters from Londesburgh; they came to us this Morn! at Breakfast, I could heartily wish you had seen the Sudden Change of our Faces, of the whole (Eco- nomy of ye Tea Table -What we think was then to be seen, which surpasses Every thing we can Sy! till we had read our Letters, Each had read the Other's, more than once, the Breakfast was at a Stand ! M. Maud's' best Green cool'd in ye Cups, the Two Slices of Bread Butter, (round the Loaf, and proportionably thick) which are cut Eaten by Madam Garrick Every Morning, lay neglected forgot! Mr. George2 who had been out shooting ready to Eat his Fingers, sat with his Mouth open: till finding no probability of our return- ing soon to what helik'd better, feloniously purloined one of the Lady's Slices, which occasioned such a Battle, i Well-known tea merchant. Tea was at this time still a fashionable luxury. 2 George Garrick, David's younger brother. I11 LETTERS OF that had not I interpos'd, poor George's head the China had Suffer'd -however, as we have very little Malice among us, Matters are reconcil'd, ye family is at peace. You see Madam what danger there is in overcharging us -with Joy, (as Shakespear terms it); we are trans- ported with one Letter, out of our Wits at two -I cannot think the Miscarriage of that to Me about ye Verses, is owing to any Neglect at Burlington house, I am affraid It was very awkwardly put in at Chats- worth; I live in some hopes to see it yet, tho it is a tedi- ous Letter I will very good natur'dly take the trouble of reading it. I beg you would keep ye Verses, I Wish I knew y' opinion of 'em; they are much admir'd in Town by the beaux Esprits. the same Gentleman (M' Moore) has sent Mr' Garrick his Fables for the female Sex, very finely bound indeed, in the first leaf are these four Lines to her! To Mr' GARRICK Fine Binding! and but little in 't! AJo matter, 't is a Friend in print: The Cover 's onlyfor your View, The Inside cannot tutor You. I hope by this time the hurt receiv'd by the Two Accidents is well over; I have some fear for my Lord's Foot, we all felt for your Lady'-" Eyelid -let my ad- vice be follow'd, It will hinder such Accidents for the 12 YOUNG MRS. GARRICK This page in the original text is blank. WI This page in the original text is blank. DAVID GARRICK 13 future. -If your Ladp would amuse Yourself with a Pen, instead of a Gun, there would arise no Danger to yourself, much Benefit to others, and if M' John Peters wvill be so kind to help his Memory by cutting of his Hair, or M. Knowlton wvill be so good to give his opinion of things himself, My Lord may live Many Years longer, Numbers be the better for it.' I am glad yY Lad approves of our Excuses to Lord Lady Cobham, we have had other Invitations, upon our not accepting th [em] we are told, Nothing but Chisw-ick wvill go down, upon My Word they are in the right: we were going the other Night in Imag- ination to Londesburgh, a Sweet Journey we had, illy Lady was very near Desiring to make it real, but such Objections arose, that we were oblig'd to See It, only in the Mind's Eye. your LadyP mentions in her Lett [r] something about M! Paysant ye Gazette, I rec'd no Such Lettr or Order, Suppose it was Sent in the Unfortunate packet from Chatsworth -Now for some News of very little Consequence - My Lord Radnor plagu'd our hearts to dine with him, we at last agreed (for we hate to dine from home) he had invited the Parson's Wife to meet M'" Garrick - but such a Dinner so dress'd so serv'd up in unscour'd Pewter, we never Saw; the Wine was worse, but made some- i Apparently Lord and Lady Burlington had been injured by the unexpected discharge of a gun which John Peters had declared un- loaded, when Mr. Knowlton referred the question to him. LETTERS OF what better by the dead flies; in Short, we were soon both sick unsatisfy'd; we rattled the one horse chair home as fast as we could, where we recruited our Spirits again, with a clean Cloth, two roasted Pigeons, and the best currant Pye in ye Kingdom, the county of York excepted.' However