erted himself to amuse this Nestor of the boards-and was honoured by the declaration," that Garrick himself was not greater in what he did." At length Moody was asked for a song; he complied, singing in strong, though uneven tones, the old Scottish, "Were a' Noddin," which, however, he gave with a strong Irish accent. When he had reached nearly the end of the second verse, he suddenly stopped. All waited a while, thinking that he was endeavouring to revive his memory. At length, his host gently said, Mr Moody, "I am afraid the words have escaped you." "Words, sir! what words?" asked the old man, with a look of great surprise. "The words of your song."-"Song! what song, sir ""The rest of the song, you have been so kind as to favour us with; We're a' Noddin',' of which you have sung one verse.' "Heaven bless you, sir," said Moody hastily, "I have not sung a song these ten years, and shall never sing again; I am too old to sing, sir." "Well, but you have been singing, and very well too." To this Moody, with agitation and earnestness, replied, "No, no, sir; I have not sung for years. Singing is out of the question, at my time of life." All looked at each other, and then at the old man, who exhibited, in his face and manner, such an evident unconsciousness; that it was felt unfit to advert any further to the subject. This was an affecting evidence of partial decay.

It has been often observed, that, where an individual has a peculiar source of irritability, occasions of exasperating it appear to be perpetually thrown in his way. Mathews had a nervous abhorrence of being recognised off the stage. He wished to see the "Blind Boy," then performing with great eclat at Covent Garden; and to be safe from recognition, squeezed himself into the crowd of the pit. All were occupied with the progress of this pretty drama, and he sat for a while secure. At length his ear was caught by the questions of some one, enquiring of his neighbour the names of the performers. The neighbour was evidently one of those who prefer any thing to acknowledging their ignorance, and he confidently gave a name to every actor that appeared, always giving the wrong one. Mathews thus listened to him calling, for instance, Miss Decamp, Charles

Kemble, Fawcett, Emery; Liston, Dignun, &c. Those who know any thing of Mathews's temperament, may conceive how impatiently he listened to this Solomon. At length, some deplorable underling of the scene appeared, and he heard the cicerone say, "that is Mathews." He could restrain himself no longer, but sharply said, "No sir, no sir, that is not Mathews." The man turned round suddenly, and looked at him, as with the intent of out-facing his assertion. But, in a moment, his pertinacity vanished, his compressed lips distended with a laugh, and he cried out, " Why you are Mathews;" adding, "I knowed you the moment you spoke, by your wry mouth!"

Matthews always scorned to be called a mimic, and, in fact, the name was below him. He was a mimetic genius, an imitative original. In this spirit he was constantly alive to all strange opportunities of character, and took an active delight in the exercise of his powers of burlesque. The noble rising of the Spanish nation in 1808, had excited universal enthusiasm in England; and it was suggested by a party of his friends, who were in the habit of making little country excursions, that he should, on one occasion, travel as the Spanish ambassador ! The idea was joyously put in practice. His Excellency and suite set out in two carriages for Woolwich, where they were to dine. On their arrival, a Mr Hill, a well-known and pleasant personage, who, to the gratification of his many friends, still survives, undertook the office of interpreter; and he speedily whispered to the landlord the rank of the person whom he had the honour to entertain. The intelligence acted like a spark of electricity, setting the whole of the establishment in motion. the mean-time, his Excellency sallied forth on foot, with his suite, in order to behold the wonders of the place. His appearance in itself was sufficient to produce a public effect, without the quick spreading knowledge of his rank. He was dressed in a green frock coat, buttoned up to the neck, his bosom ornamented with a profusion of orders of every sort; and on his head a large cocked hat, with viva Fernanda, in gold characters, on a purple ribbon. His Excellency also wore a pair of green spectacles. In the streets of Woolwich he was followed

In

and cheered by all little boys, to whom the ambassador bowed with amiable humility. We went into shops and bought various things, speaking volubly the jargon, which his enterpreter rendered into good English. At length, almost to his excellency's consternation, a message was sent from the higher powers of the place, that whatever the Spanish Ambassador deigned to notice, would be open to his excellency's inspection for the rest of the day, for which purpose the workmen had received orders not to quit the spot at their customary hours of refreshment, but await his commands. This was alarming. It was more than his Excellency reckoned upon, and fearful was the thought of detection under such a distinguished mark of attention. However, the ambassador graciously accepted the proffered exhibition, and viewed all that was to be seen, with due show of surprise and commendation, faithfully interpreted to the comptrollers of the works. When at last this ludicrous scene ended, the ambassador and his suite returned to take their "ease at their inn," where the preparations were indeed appalling. Every bit of plate that could be got together, not only belonging to the house, but, as they afterwards learned, from the neighbourbood, was displayed in gorgeous array to grace the visit of so distinguished a guest. The landlord and his family, and his servants, were tricked out in all their best attire, to wait upon the great man, whom they were all drawn out to greet upon his return, courtesying to him, all of which this high bred man, and illustrious foreigner, acknowledged with a grace and condescension that won all hearts. He talked unceasingly, but they could only dwell upon what his interpreter was kind enough to render intelligible. Now and then, indeed, a word of English would gratify their tortured ears. "Goode English pepel," "fine house," tanks," and such compliments sweetened their laborious attendance.

This strange frolic, which would have figured in a Spanish farce, was still carried on with equal extravagance. Among other things, the interpreter informed the landlord that his Excellency required every article of use in vast quantities, hundreds of napkins, spoons, forks, plates, those, of course, being the customs of high life in Spain. The injunction

was complied with, to the full extent of the anxious landlord's means. The first view of his Excellency's bed-room, for instance, exhibited to him about twelve dozens of towels, piled up beside his dressing table, for one night's use. The attention of the whole household was occupied by the odd variety of this accomplished diplomatist's commands, and the Woolwich boniface was completly mystified. They at length took boat for a river excursion. The ambassador, a little tired of his dignity, and hungering for the solid advantages of humbler life, resolved to resign his honours, resume his mother tongue, and leave his title behind him. Doffing his spectacles and medals, and exchanging his green coat for a blue, he came to the boat as a 66 stranger" who desired to be taken to Woolwich. This was another division of the frolic. The master being informed that his noble patron, "the Spanish ambassador," would not return, asked leave of the party to take "the gentleman" on board. On their way back, the conversation turned wholly on the superb diplomatist, and the master's description of him was so happy a mixture of prodigies and prejudices of astonishment and repulsion, that the laugh was universal till they reached Woolwich, there got into the carriages, and is escaped under cover of the dark. But in Woolwich the topic was long talked of, and though circumstances gradually were recollected, which gave the oracles of the place some awkward suspicion that they had been hoaxed with equal pleasantry and effrontery, yet the name of the stately representative of Ferdinand the Seventh, was not discovered.

Among the visitants at Mathews's cottage were some of the most remarkable theatrical persons of the time; but one was frequently there, who was destined to be in after days one of the memorable favourites of fortune; the late Duchess of St Alban's; "Harriet Mellon, then a youthful, slight, and beautiful creature. She would come, all joy and simplicity, for a day's recreation. How merry and happy she was! perhaps happier than when splendour hedged her in from the enjoyment of simple pleasures, the love of which I believe to have been inherent in her nature. I see her now, returning from a tumble into a neighbouring pond, of which her horse had

unexpectedly chosen to drink. How unaffectedly she protested, when dragged out, that she did not care for the accident. How we laughed, while we dragged off the wet clothes from her fine form, half apprehensive for the consequences of her plunge. Then again, what peals of merriment attended her re-appearance in the bor rowed ill-fitting dress that had been cast upon her, and the uncouth turban that bound her straightened hair, and which she was compelled to wear for the rest of the day. What amusement her figure created,-how many other drolleries have I seen her enact at various periods in the same place, my husband the leader of the revels. We ceased our intimacy with Miss Mellon, just as she became a rich woman; but, in after years, we never glanced at each other in public for a moment, that I did not fancy that the Duchess of St Albans looked as if she remembered those scenes, and that they were very happy." The cottage, in short, was a place not to be forgotten by its visitors. Alas! how few now remain to dwell upon the recollections this mention of it is calculated

to renew.

All the living" eccentricities" of the day, whether embodied in actors at five shillings a-week, or noble lords at ten times the number of thousands, were alike familiar to Mathews. Among those, was the late Lord Eardley. Mathews used to tell a curious story of this fantastic original. One of Lord Eardley's especial antipathies was to having attendants about him; and his still more especial antipathy was to having them of the class called fine gentlemen.

During breakfast, one day, Lord Eardley was informed that a person had applied for a footman's place then vacant. He was ordered into the room, and a double-refined specimen of the genus so detested by his lordship made his appearance. The manner of the man was extremely affected and consequential, and it was evident that my lord understood him at a glance; moreover, it was as evident he determined to lower him a little.

"Well, my good fellow," said he, "what, you want a lackey's place, do you?"

"I came about an upper footman's situation, my lord," said the gentleman, bridling up his head.

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"Oh, do ye, do ye?" replied Lord Eardley; "I keep no upper servants; all alike, all alike here."

"Indeed, my lord!" exclaimed this upper footman, with an air of shocked dignity," What department then am I to consider myself expected to fill ?" "Department! department!" quoth my lord, in a tone like enquiry.

"In what capacity, my lord?" My lord repeated the word capaci ty, as if not understanding its application to the present subject.

"I mean, my lord," explained the man, "what shall I be expected to do, if I take the situation ?"

“Oh, you mean if you take the place. I understand you now," rejoined my lord; "why, you're to do every thing but sweep the chimneys and clean the pig-sties, and those I do myself.”

The gentleman stared, scarcely knowing what to make of this, and seemed to wish himselfout of the room; he, however, grinned a ghastly smile, and after a short pause, enquired what salary his lordship gave?"

"Salary, salary?" reiterated his incorrigible lordship, "don't know the word, don't know the word, my good man."

Again the gentleman explained, "I mean what wages?"

"Oh, wages," echoed my lord; "what d'ye ask,-what d'ye ask?"

Trip regained his self-possession at this question, which looked like business, and, considering for a few moments, answered-first stipulating to be found in hair-powder, and (on state occasions) silk stockings, gloves, bags, and bouquets-that he should expect thirty pounds a-year.

"How much, how much?" demanded my lord, rapidly.

"Thirty pounds, my lord." "Thirty pounds!" exclaimed Lord Eardley, in affected amazement, "make it guineas, and I'll live with You;" then ringing the bell, said to the servant who answered it," Let out this gentleman, he's too good for me;" and then turning to Mathews, who was much amused, said, as the man made his exit, "Conceited, impudent scoundrel; soon sent him off, soon sent him off-Master Mathews!"

All this was characteristic of the old, and well-known humorist; but if his lordship had lived till our day, he would have found the "gentleman" in all probability giving him a higher

rate of astonishment, at least in the shape of wages. Thirty pounds in our impoverished day would have scarcely supplied a personage of those pretensions, with money for his menus plaisirs. The nobleman is but lately dead, who was reported to give five hundred pounds a-year to his cook! True, that nobleman's reputation was founded solely upon his dinners; and the five hundred was the purchaser of all his fame.

But there were other humorists in existence; and one piece of dexterity enacted by Incledon, a singer, whose marvellous sweetness of voice, and forcible simplicity of style can never be forgotten by those who once heard him, in general formed a striking contrast to his manners. However, on this occasion, he showed more diplomacy than we have given him credit for. One night when Mathews and he joined the Leicester company on passing through, they agreed to perform in the musical piece of the "Quaker," Incledon to play "Steady." It was not until after his name was in the play-bills, that he discovered the bareness of the wardrobe. It did not contain a fragment of the Quaker costume. Incledon, always excitable, was now wretched; an attempt to patch up a dress made him more miserable still. At last, as he and Mathews were lounging up the principal street, Incledon caught sight of a portly Quaker standing at the door of a chemist's shop. "Charles, my dear boy," said Incledon, winking his eyes, (his habit when peculiarly pleased), "Do you see that Quaker there? What a dress he has got on! just my size. I've a good mind, Charles, to ask him to lend it to me to-night." "Absurd!" said Mathews, " you could not think of such a thing."

"My dear boy," replied Incledon, "only consider what a comfort it would be to me, instead of that trumpery suit from the wardrobe. I'll go in and ask him; he looks like a good natured creature."

Accordingly, in he walked, inquiring of Obadiah for some quack medicines, and after some small purchases, began in his blandest manner and voice to address the Quaker upon the real object which he had in view.

a patient hearing." The Quaker look. ed patience itself; and Mathews, curious to hear the result, took his seat in the shop. "My dear sir," continued Incledon, "I am one of a class of men, of whom, of course, your peculiar tenets cannot allow you to know much. In fact, I am of the theatrical profession-Charles Incledon, of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, first balladsinger in England." This was uttered with great emphasis and volubility, in his peculiar dialect, that of Cornwall. The Quaker started back, and looked at Mathews, as if doubting the sanity of the person addressing him. Incledon resumed, "Pray, sir, I am an actor. I am this night advertised at your-no, not your theatre-at the theatre in Leicester, for Steady the Quaker, and it so happens that there is no proper dress for the character, which is highly complimentary to your people. Independently of the want of effect, from a bad dress, I am truly mortified to do discredit to so respectable a body as yours. In fact, part of my own family were originally of your persuasion, my dear sir; and this is an additional reason why I am anxious to do all possible honour to the revered Society of Friends. In short, my worthy sir, without your humane assistance, I shall come before all the gentry of Leicester in a dress very degrading to the proverbial neatness of your sect. Will you lend me one of your suits? You and I are of a size. And, in so doing, you will at once show the liberality of your character, and keep up the respectability of the admirable body of people, so deservedly esteemed by all the world, and by none more than Charles Incledon."

Sam Slick himself, with his "soft sawder" and "human natur" could not have done it better, and the effect was proportionate. The chemist, to the surprise of Mathews, melted by this eloquent appeal to the honour of his sect, not only lent a suit of clothes, but yielded to the persuasions of the singer, to be put into a private corner! to be an unseen witness of the manner in which the stage upheld his persuasion. That he was charmed with Steady, there was no doubt, for he readily confessed this to Incledon, on his returning the suit of clothes; but he was gravely silent about the merits of Solomon, which we presume to have been

played by Mathews, and in which the knowledge of Obadiah's presence would inevitably stimulate that keen observer to frisk with peculiar and merciless pleasantry.

The biography is, on the whole, a clever book, containing many amusing anecdotes, and well calculated to revive and retain the memory of a remarkably gifted performer. As the present two volumes bring the narrative only to the beginning of those popular performances, the "At Homes," or recitations, in which Mathews was the sole exhibitor, there must be much remaining to tell, and well worthy of being told. The actor's intercourse with individuals of rank, as well as of public name, his long and various mixture with human character under all

circumstances, and the quick sensibility to the ludicrous, the forcible, and the original, in human nature, gave him boundless opportunities of sustaining the office of a mental Lavater. Certainly no man better understood the physiognomy of the mind; and, professional as his remarks naturally must be, they often had a value beyond the theatre. To this native sagacity he added the merit of estimable personal conduct. Mathews sought none of the infamous celebrity which men, who presume themselves geniuses, are so fond of acquiring. He did not find it essential to his fame either to separate from his wife, or cast off his son; and he died, as he had lived, without a stain on his name.

How glad I am, my dear Mr North, to have found you at home!-charming snuggery!-famous fire!-and I declare there's a second tumbler on the table, as if you expected me. Your health, my dear friend!-good heavens, what intense Glenlivat!-I must add a little water; and now, that at last we are cozy and comfortable-feet on fender, glass in hand I beg to say a few words to you on the subject of German morals and German literature.

Sir, unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, I must crave your indulgence more sugar, did you say? while I dilate a little upon the many trumpet-blowings and drum-beatings we have heard on these two subjects for the last fifteen or twenty years. Morals!-oh the good, honest, simple, primitive, Germans! Literature!-oh the deep-thinking, learned, grand, original-minded Germans! Now, the fact is, sir, that the Germans have neither morals nor literature. But, as I intend, with your permissionyour bland countenance shows your acquiescence to demonstrate by the thing they call literature, the notion they entertain of the thing they call morals, I need not trouble you with a double disquisition on these two points, as in fact they are, like the French Republic, one and indivisible. Fifty years ago, they themselves con

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fess, they had no literature. capabilities of their noble language were yet undiscovered; their scholars wrote in Latin; their wits wrote in French. Poetry was defunct, or rather uncreated; for, on the top of the German Parnassus, such as it was, sat in smoke and grandeur the weakest of mortals, the poorest of versifiers, the most miserable of pedants, John Christoph Gottshed. Was he kicked down from his proud eminence by the indignation of his countrymen ?— hooted to death by their derision ?— and finally hung in chains as a terror to evil doers? My dear sir, the man was almost worshipped-yes-he, this awful example of human fatuity -a decoction of Hayley and Nathan Drake-was looked up to by the whole German nation, as an honour to the human race. It will not do for them to deny the soft impeachment now, and tell us that they look down upon that worthy. I dare say they do; but whom do they look up to between the days of Gottshed, and the first appearances of a better order of things in the persons of Wieland, Klopstock, and Gesner? To the other members of the Leipsic school, Gellert, Rabener, and Zacharia pretty men for a nation to be proud of!-No sir, you need not shake your head. I am not in a passion, I assure