futility. Whoever is in a hurry, shows that the thing he is about is too big for him. Haste and hurry are very different things. I have only mentioned some of those things which may, and do, in the opinion of the world, lower and sink characters, in other respects valuable enough; but I have taken no notice of those that affect and sink the moral character. They are sufficiently obvious. A man who has patiently been kicked, may as well pretend to courage, as a man blasted by vices and crimes may to dignity of any kind. But an exterior decency and dignity of manners, will even keep such a man longer from sinking, than otherwise he would be: of such consequence is the Tо TρETOV, even though affected and put on! Pray read frequently, and with the utmost attention, nay get by heart if you can, that incomparable chapter in Cicero's Offices, upon the To TрETOV or the Decorum. It contains whatever is necessary for the dignity of Manners. In my next, I will send you a general map of Courts; a region yet unexplored by you; but which you are one day to inhabit. The ways are generally crooked and full of turnings, sometimes strewed with flowers, sometimes choked up with briars; rotten ground and deep pits frequently lie concealed under a smooth and pleasing surface: all the paths are slippery, and every slip is dangerous. Sense and discretion must accompany you at your first setting out; but, notwithstanding those, till experience is your guide, you will every now and then step out of your way, or stumble. Lady Chesterfield has just now received your German letter, for which she thanks you; she says the language is very correct; and I can plainly see the character is well formed, not to say better than your English character. Continue to write German frequently, that it may become quite familiar to you. Adieu. CXXXIX. This letter, from a person not otherwise known, contains some important information, brightly recorded, regarding the famous actress Mrs. Oldfield, and the no less famous dramatist, George Farquhar. Charles Taylour to the Publisher Rich. Sir,-In your memoirs of Mrs. Oldfield it may not be amiss to insert the following facts, on the truth of which you may depend. Her father, Capt. Oldfield, not only ran out all the military, but the paternal bounds of his fortune, having a pretty estate in houses in Pall Mall. It was wholly owing to Capt. Farquhar that Mrs. Oldfield became an actress, from the following incident; dining one day at her aunt's, who kept the Mitre Tavern in St. James' Market, the poet heard Miss Nanny reading a play behind the bar with so proper an emphasis, and such agreeable turns, suitable to each character, that he swore the girl was cut out for the stage, for which she had before always expressed an inclination, being very desirous to try her fortune that way. Her mother, the next time she saw Mr. Vanbrugh, who had a great respect for the family, told him what was Capt. Farquhar's opinion, upon which he desired to know whether, in the plays she read, her fancy was most pleased with tragedy or comedy; miss, being called in, said 'comedy,' she having at that time gone through all Beaumont and Fletcher's comedies, and the play she was reading, when Capt. Farquhar dined there, being The Scornful Lady.' Mr. Vanbrugh, shortly after, recommended her to Mr. Christopher Rich, who took her into the theatre at the allowance of fifteen shillings a week. However, her agreeable figure and sweetness of voice, soon gave her the preference, in the opinion of the whole town, to all our young actresses, and his Grace, the late Duke of Bedford, being pleased to speak to Mr. Rich in her favour, he instantly raised her allowance to twenty shillings a week; her fame and salary soon afterwards rose to her just merit. Your humble Servant, CHARLES TAYLOUR. ? |