In Memory Of Honours conferred By his Royal Highness ROYAL CONSORT In the year MDCCXXXVIII The prosperity of Nash continued for a longer period than is usually allotted to public characters; his popularity undiminished, and his honours untarnished; an admirable skill in play provided amply for his enormous expences, and his hilarity, gaiety, and easy address, as they contributed to the pleasure of society, gained him in return affection, if not esteem. But regard acquired by qualities which are not intrinsically excellent, can only be temporary. Those sprightly traits of character which may add a grace to youth, become ridiculous and disgusting in old age. The jest that pleases at twenty-five, will shock at seventy; nor can the most thoughtless contemplate with pleasure the man who, in the course of nature, must shortly change this being for another, idly busied about the frivolities of gay life, et totus in illis. The public now began to treat Nash with neglect, and shortly with contempt. The great, whom he had served with such devotion, rewarded him-as they are accustomed to remunerate the instruments of their pleasure-by deserting him in the hour of need. Sickness attacked him, and poverty stared him in the face. These were evils against which he had provided no defence, and therefore fell upon him with double weight. Sorrow and distress clouded the closing evening of his days, and reflection came too late for any other purpose than to display to him the disconsolate situation of that man, when he approaches his end, who has spent his whole life in the pursuit of pleasure, and the service of folly. Mr. Nash died at his house in St. John's Court, Bath, February 3d, 1761, aged upwards of eightyseven; and was buried with great respect and so lemnity, at the expence of the corporation. [A tribute to the memory of this celebrated character, as related by Dr. Oliver, shall be given in our next.] The Cabinet of Mirth. *Here let the jest and mirthful tale go round.” TH THE MATRIMONIAL RING. HE ring, at first, according to Swinburne, was not of gold, but of iron, adorned with an adamant; the metal hard and durable, signifying the durance and prosperity of the contract. "Howbeit," he says, "it skilleth not at this day what the ring be made of the form of it being round, and without end, doth import, that their love should circulate and flow continually. The finger on which the ring is to be worn, is the fourth on the left hand, next unto the little finger, because there was supposed a vein of blood to pass from thence into the heart." མ་་༥་་་་ MUSICAL ANECDOTE. .The celebrated musician, Lully, having hurt one of his toes in beating time with his cane, the sore neglected, became so serious as to threaten his life. His confessor seeing his critical state, told him, that unless he burnt what he had composed of his new opera, in order to shew his repentance for having made so many operas, he had no chance of absolution. Lilley obeyed, and the confessor withdrew, after giving him absolution. M. le Duc called to see him soon after, and said, "What, and you have burnt your opera; and you are really such a ninny as to believe in the absurdities of that Jansenist, your confessor."_" ."-"Softly, softly, my friend," replied Lully, whispering in his ear, " I knew very well what I was about; I had another `copy!" Almanack makers have time immemorial, been considered as poets: perhaps the stars have a poetical influence upon astrologers. At the head of an Almanack published a year or two ago, is the following regal table : Eight Henries, twice three Edwards, and one Stephen, Three Georges have grac'd the throne, and one Anne, ....... THE GHOST OF HAMLET. The late theatrical accident in Shropshire, where the acting manager received some slight injury from the sun taking fire, in the performance of Pizarro, is not the first instance of a manager being scorched by a flame of his own kindling. During the time of Mr. Garrick's performance in Goodman'sfields, the stage rose so much from the lamps to the back scenery, that it was very difficult for a performer to walk properly on it, and, unfortunately, it was then the custom to introduce their ghosts in a complete suit, not of gilt leather, but of real ar :mour. The dress for this august personage was, one night, in honour of Mr. Garrick's Hamlet, borrowed from the Tower, and was, consequently, rather too ponderous for the Ghost of the Royal Dane. The moment, therefore, he was put up at -the trap-door, unable to keep his balance, he rolled down the stage to the lamps, which catching the feathers of his helmet, the Ghost seemed in danger of being consumed by mortal fires, till a gentleman roared out from the pit, "Help! help! the lamps have caught the cask of your spirits, and if the iron hoops Ay, the house will be in a blaze!" The attendants ran on the stage, carried off the -Ghost, and laid him in a water tub. 》《+4.. In one of Queen Ann's parliaments, a gentleman of large fortune standing candidate for a borough, he opened an obscure house in the town for the use of his constituents. The landlord thinking this a very proper time to make his fortune, in drawing out his bill, for the mere article of ale, charged 300l. The candidate, astonished at such an imposition, refused to pay it, and said it was impossible his house could hold any thing like that quantity of liquor. "However, says he, "to do you justice, at the same time not to cheat myself, will you agree to be paid for as much ale as your house will hold?" The landlord consented, and a surveyor was immediately sent for, who, after measuring the several square feet of every corner of the house, returned the bill to amount to no more than forty-four pounds ten shillings! EXTRAORDINARY ANECDOTE. Two soldiers being condemned to death in Flanders, the general was prevailed on to spare one of them; but not having a preference, wishing only that the execution of the other might be held up as an example to the army, ordered the unfortunate soldiers to cast lots for their lives, with dice, on a drum head. The first throwing two sixes, fell to rubbing his hands, with the mingled sensation of gladness and sorrow; but was surprised when his companion threw two sixes also. The officer appointed to see the execution, ordered them to throw again. They did so, and each of them threw two fives; at which the soldiers that stood round, shouted, and said, neither of them were to die. 'Hereupon the officer acquainted the council of war, who ordered them to throw again. They did, and up came two fours. The general being informed of the circumstances, sent for the men and pardoned them, saying, "I love in such extraordinary cases to listen to the voice of Providence." ••�《:》* ACROSTIC. Lured by a glance, a smile, a word, a nod, Vows, oaths, epistles, oft persuasive prove, Theret, a man of learning in France, was one morning early taken out of his bed, and carried to the Bastile. The lieutenant of police went next day to examine him. "Sir," said Theret to him when he entered," will you have the goodness to tell me why they have shut me up in the Bastile !”"You have a great deal of curiosity indeed!" replied the lieutenant of police, with the utmost coolness, and retired. |