Volume Iii Part 16 (1/2)

Here are the characters:

Old Febrile Mr. FARREN.

Young Febrile (his Son) Mr. HOWE.

Jack Hessians (his Friend) Mr. W. LACY.

Chalks (a Landlord) Mr. GOUGH.

Hon. Harry Staggers Mr. MELLON.

Sir Thomas Tip Mr. BUCKSTONE.

Swig Mr. WEBSTER.

The Duke of Leeds Mr. COUTTS.

Sir Smivin Growler Mr. MACREADY.

Servants, Gamblers, Visitors, etc.

Mrs. Febrile Mrs. GALLOT.

Lady Tip Mrs. HUMBY.

Mrs. Sour Mrs. W. CLIFFORD.

f.a.n.n.y Miss A. SMITH.

One scene, where Old Febrile tickles Lady Tip in the ribs, and afterwards dances out with his hat behind him, his stick before, and his eye on the pit, I expect will bring the house down. There is also another point, where Old Febrile, at the conclusion of his disclosure to Swig, rises and says: ”And now, Swig, tell me, have I acted well?” And Swig says: ”Well, Mr. Febrile, have you ever acted ill?” which will carry off the piece.

Herne Bay. Hum. I suppose it's no worse than any other place in this weather, but it is watery rather--isn't it? In my mind's eye, I have the sea in a perpetual state of smallpox; and the chalk running downhill like town milk. But I know the comfort of getting to work in a fresh place, and proposing pious projects to one's self, and having the more substantial advantage of going to bed early and getting up ditto, and walking about alone. I should like to deprive you of the last-named happiness, and to take a good long stroll, terminating in a public-house, and whatever they chanced to have in it. But fine days are over, I think. The horrible misery of London in this weather, with not even a fire to make it cheerful, is hideous.

But I have my comedy to fly to. My only comfort! I walk up and down the street at the back of the theatre every night, and peep in at the green-room window, thinking of the time when ”d.i.c.k--ins” will be called for by excited hundreds, and won't come till Mr. Webster (half Swig and half himself) shall enter from his dressing-room, and quelling the tempest with a smile, beseech that wizard, if he be in the house (here he looks up at my box), to accept the congratulations of the audience, and indulge them with a sight of the man who has got five hundred pounds in money, and it's impossible to say how much in laurel. Then I shall come forward, and bow once--twice--thrice--roars of approbation--Brayvo--brarvo--hooray--hoorar--hooroar--one cheer more; and asking Webster home to supper, shall declare eternal friends.h.i.+p for that public-spirited individual.

They have not sent me the ”Ill.u.s.trated Magazine.” What do they mean by that? You don't say your daughter is better, so I hope you mean that she is quite well. My wife desires her best regards.

I am always, my dear Jerrold, Faithfully your Friend, THE CONGREVE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY (which I mean to be called in the Sunday papers).

P.S.--I shall dedicate it to Webster, beginning: ”My dear Sir,--When you first proposed to stimulate the slumbering dramatic talent of England, I a.s.sure you I had not the least idea”--etc. etc. etc.

[Sidenote: Mr. Clarkson Stanfield.]

1, DEVONs.h.i.+RE TERRACE, _July 26th, 1843._

MY DEAR STANFIELD,

I am chairman of a committee, whose object is to open a subscription, and arrange a benefit for the relief of the seven dest.i.tute children of poor Elton the actor, who was drowned in the _Pegasus_. They are exceedingly anxious to have the great a.s.sistance of your name; and if you will allow yourself to be announced as one of the body, I do a.s.sure you you will help a very melancholy and distressful cause.

Faithfully always.

P.S.--The committee meet to-night at the Freemasons', at eight o'clock.