ring only to the author of the letter, and his abettors, who I was naturally led to imagine were my persecutors, endeavouring to put their threats in execution, I said,

'I cannot wonder that some persons are averse to my addressing the audience, when they must be conscious, that from my speaking, a scene of villany will be revealed, in which I fear they may find themselves but too deeply interested.'

"Here an apparently universal approbation followed; after which I resumed my former address to the audience in general, in which I had been interrupted, proceeding-' But I should deem myself worthy of general censure, were I not at all times, and even at this present unguarded and unprepared moment, equal to meet and to confute any accusation that can be adduced against me, either regarding my conduct as an actor, or as a man.'-Here several gentlemen exclaimed, 'I am sure of it! I'll answer for you! I know you can!'-Silence having again prevailed, and no one appearing to accuse me, I rejoined, 'It may have been imagined by some, and which I believe is the cause of this disquiet, that the part of Jaffier has been taken from Mr. Woods. I have to assure the public, upon my honour, that by a gentleman of this theatre (Mr. Bland, sen.) who was kind enough to deliver the message, Mr. Woods was offered six weeks ago the part of Jaffier; Mr. Bland being authorized by me to say, that with the permission of the manager, if more agreeable to Mr. Woods, I would undertake the part of Pierre. The reply delivered to me by Mr. Bland was verbally this: Mr. Fennell never would have offered me the part of Jaffier, had he not thought he could have made a better part of Pierre.'

"Here Mr. Woods appeared upon the stage; and after the tumult had again subsided, during which se veral persons cried out, hear Mr. Woods!' he thus began:

'I should not thus, uncalled for, have obtruded myself upon the audience, had it not been to set that gentleman right in one particular; and I can assure the public, upon my honour, that the part of Jaffier was never offered to me officially, but mentioned casually by Mr. Bland in the course of common conversation.'

"He then added- What Mr. Fennell alludes to by a scene of villany, I am totally at a loss to conceive; but I can assure the public, that a respectable, a very respectable personage, called at my house last night, to acquaint me with the intended disturbance. I was not at home; but Mrs. Woods, who knew my sentiments, assured him, that nothing could be more painful to me. than to be the cause of any public disquiet.'

"Here followed great marks of applause, and I withdrew to the back part of the stage, when, after some altercation in the front of the house, the manager was called for, and appeared.

"Manager. I must confess I cast the paris originally according to the best of my judgment; but this day se'nnight, I offered, officially, the part of Jaffer to Mr. Woods.'

"Mr. Woods.

cr

You did so, sir.'

Manager. Telling him, at the same time, that Mr. Fennell had always declared a preference in favour of Pierre; to which Mr. Woods replied, that he would rather perform Pierre.'

"Mr. Woods. Mr. Jackson certainly offered me the part of Jaffier; but as I then had studied Pierre,

however happy I might have been on this occasion to have performed Jaffier, I did not think a week sufficient time to recover it.'

Manager. What Mr. Fennell alluded to by a scene of villany, I imagine to be this letter.' Upon which I advanced, and having asked and obtained permission of the audience, was preparing to read it, when a person from the pit cried out, let Mr. Woods read it!' I felt myself hurt, but said nothing; while others immediately exclaimed, read it yourself! Let Mr. Fennell read it!' I was proceeding, when another voice called out, then read the words! This cruel attack on my veracity was felt too sensibly for concealment. I advanced to that part of the pit from whence the voice issued, and demanded, who dares imagine I would not?' The approbation of almost the whole audience was testified on this reply, by the most loud and lengthened applause; during which, somebody near me said something about duty to the public; to which I answered, I know, and will always practise, my duty to the public, but will not suffer myself to be insulted by any individual.' After which I read the letter, and then said, 'I now appeal to this public, before whom I had the honour to perform this part last summer; and to the audience of London, which also must be allowed to be a judicious one, from whom I received the most flattering marks of approbation; to both I appeal, in contradiction to the authors of this letter, whether or not I am totally incapable of performing the part I have undertaken?'

"Here the applause was such as convinced me, that I was attempting the part of Jaffier with the approbation

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of the public, however discontented some few individuals might appear:

Upon this I requested the permission of the audience to retire for a few minutes; which being obligingly granted, I withdrew.

"On the next day, Thursday 10th, I received the following letter:

'SIR,

"You will please be informed, that you was permitted by us to perform Jaffier last night, not upon account of your own merit, or of your behaviour, which was assuming to a very great degree, but merely out of regard to Mrs. Siddons, and that the company might not be disappointed in seeing her Belvidera.

We declare we have for you no enmity whatever. On the contrary, we esteem you as a young and rising performer. But we cannot with indifference see you unduly preferred to parts which have been long and most worthily in the possession of Mr. Woods, who is every way entitled to our favour, and whose well known merit we will protect, in defiance of the malice or arbitrary will of a manager, who, having no merit as a player himself, secins to be incapable of distinguishing it in others.

Although we regard you much, yet we, as independent judges, cannot allow any player to dictate to us, or to force himself upon us, because, as he alleges, he was well received in the part elsewhere. Reflect upon this; and if so, we will not again see you in the distressing situation of last night. Regard the admonitions, and gain the approbation of

Edinburgh, 10th July, 1788.'

" THE PUBLIC.

"Some time after I received the following, of no

date:

'SIR, by g-d

if you Take any more, of Mr. Woods Parts, you wold better not be in Edin", for by him that made you a gentelman as you Call yourself, I, will Brick every Bone in your Bodey, & use you like a Scounderll, as you are, and in the Men time

'You must be sensible your recent conduct as manager, has given much dissatisfaction; and you may be assured, that nothing but respect to Mrs. Siddons could have procured a tolerance for last night's performance. Be not therefore rash enough again to try the experiment; as we solemnly declare, we will not suffer your ignorance or ill will to force upon us abili ties at best doubtful, in place of those which we have so often witnessed with universal applause. If any such attempt is made in future, dread the vengeance of

THE PUBLIC."