tain, and beyond doubt meant it well, is as certain; but time and place in many things make fuch material difference, as the fame actions fuit not all men alike: for had his Lordship privately reprimanded me it would have been an obligation; but in the manner he did it-I to this moment think it was cruel and ill bred. It made fuch an impreffion that, notwithstanding after that I had a general invitation from him, which I could not from duty and policy avoid accepting yet I always wished the hour of vifiting his Lordship was over.

This leads me to a like anecdote, which fuddenly and impulsively bursts on my recollection: A first esteemed gentleman in the spacious county of York, whose polished understanding and manners were univerfally acknowledged and admired, even to the extent of popularity in the great world, fome few years fince defired to patronise a play. I sent my treasurer with the catalogue (as is ufual on fuch occafions to any leading perfon); but on looking over the lift of tragedies, comedies, and farces, he declared he could not determine, and defired Mr. Wilkinson would attend him and his party after dinner, at the 'inn where he then for a few days refided. Which mandate I obeyed; and without being arrogant, in my idea, (as his Majesty's patentee) undoubtedly ex

board, and holding fome chit chat, relative to the play and farce that he intended to fanction. Inftead of fuch ufual, and indeed common civility, after waiting a confiderable time in the bar, I was at length ushered into the room where the company had dined, when Sir

beckoned me to approach him at the upper end of the table, where I impertinently expected to have fat down; but neither found a vacancy, or the waiter even ordered to produce me a chair. Sir difcourfed relative to the play-then of York city; graciously observed I had acted Bayes, fo as to merit his approbation; and to heighten the compliment remarked, he was no judge, as he feldom vifited the theatre, either in London or elsewhere. At length he condefcendingly asked me to drink a glafs of wine, which I begged to decline; but he requested a worthy and respectable gentleman, (now living) to give a glass, the which he handed as if I had been a common porter waiting for a meffage: For I actually stood all the while at the backs of their chairs. I was moft truly happy to depart, and from that day loft all anxiety or ray of inclination to pay my devoirs, or wait on that great man, who was then termed the Grandifon of the age.

I would attribute this to want of thought at the time; but I do not fee how that could be the

cafe for fo long a fpace, where_fense and good breeding were by all allowed to be the characteriftic qualities of that gentleman. I am aware, I shall be blamed by particular perfons for mentioning the above; but in order to disarm unfair anger five minutes pause, and a little allowance may fave my condemnation. If I restrained myfelf from relating little matters, which have pleased or vexed me-I should by such a rule, be deprived of the liberty of expreffing my thoughts when differently affected. I dare fay, although it is a fact which I have related, it will be argued it might have been omitted? I fubfcribe to that. opinion; but then let every feeling mind confider, that if I am allowed the freedom to exprefs my being hurt by a perfon of quality in Ireland, and to whom I was fo greatly obliged, I certainly, have a right to mention the other in England: for, unless refpect due to his rank and character, obligations I had none; and in conclufion it was only a fpeck upon Ermine.

But his prefent Grace the Duke of Norfolk's behaviour to me is as great a contraft. I could fill a volume with encomiums, but that would offend him—and he is so univerfally known and beloved, that what I could fay would be only fuperfluous. "To grace a title that was rich before, "To gild refined gold,

His Grace of Norfolk is plain in his attire, poffeffes wit, accompanied with infinite understanding, that leads his natural temper, which is gracious and condescending, in his manner friendly and honourable, and is ever endeavouring to promote the cheerfulness and happiness of others : Yet let not that easy manner betray Ignorance into the error of being too familiar; for though his Grace's strong fenfe and good nature may smile and pardon, yet that person will find himself egregiously wrong who supposes that the first of his Majesty's fubjects in the kingdom of Great Britain ever forgets he is the Duke of Norfolk: Therefore let inferiors, out of regard to themfelves, bridle their familiarity, and always remember, that every deference is justly due.

Permit my Lord Duke to fink his own rank, to render himself still more agreeable, and beftow heartfelt joy at the sprightly board; but, Ignorance! beware of too much encroachment, left such impolicy inc. his fecret contempt, and, like Macbeth's vaulting ambition, you o'erleap yourself, and fall on the other fide. To those who are honoured with the acquaintance of his Grace of Norfolk, or to those who are strangers, I would pourtray my ideas of that nobleman in the words of Home: That,

-In his eye

Sits Obfervation; in each glance of thought
Decifion follows, as the thunderbolt

Purfues the flash.

But having carried myself into Yorkshire, as I love travelling let me now return to my ftation in Dublin. Near Christmas I began to think of making my appearance on the stage-Mr. Chaigneau invited Mr. Sheridan the manager, Mr. Victor, and Mr. Foote to dinner. Mr. Foote's time of acting drew near an expiration; he had played Cadwallader, in particular, with great fuccefs, Lord Foppington, Sir Paul Plyant, Bayes, Fondlewife, Buck, &c. He faid to Mr. Chaigneau, at dinner, that he thought it neceffary for Mr. Wilkinson to make his appearance on the Dublin stage before he departed, all joined in the fame opinion. Mr. Chaigneau wished me to fee the theatre; Mr. Victor was to dine with him the next day in a family-way, and to take me there-Mr. Sheridan was all politeness. The first play I faw was in the lattices with Mr. Victor, which lattices are what is called in London, the greenboxes; the play was the Recruiting Officer-Mr. Ryder's first appearance in that kingdom, in the character of Captain Plume; he has fince given univerfal fatisfaction, both as manager and actor in Ireland, and his merit is now well known and