manuscript, I found one of the actors
at breakfast with his lordship, who immediately introduced him to my
acquaintance, and desired him to read a scene of my play. This task
he performed very much to my satisfaction, with regard to emphasis and
pronunciation; but he signified his disgust at several words in
every page, which I presuming to defend, Lord Rattle told me, with a
peremptory look, I must not pretend to dispute with him, who had been
a player these twenty years, and understood the economy of the stage
better than any man living. I was forced to submit; and his lordship
proposed the same actor should read the whole play in the evening,
before some gentlemen of his acquaintance, whom he would convene to his
lodgings for that purpose.

"I was present at the reading; and I protest to you, my dear friend, I
never underwent such a severe trial in the whole course of my life at
that juncture; for although the player might be a very honest man and a
good performer, he was excessively illiterate and assuming, and made
a thousand frivolous objections, which I was not permitted to answer.
However, the piece was very much applauded on the whole; the gentlemen
present, who, I understood, were men of fortune, promised to countenance
and support it as much as they could; and Lord Rattle, assuring me that
he would act the part of a careful nurse to it, desired me to carry it
home, and alter it immediately according to their remarks. I was fain to
acquiesce in his determination, and fulfilled his injunctions with all
the expedition in my power; but, before I could present the new copy,
my good friend Mr. Supple had disposed of his property and patent to one
Mr. Brayer; so that fresh interest was to be made with the new manager.
This task Lord Rattle undertook, having some acquaintance with him, and
recommended my performance so strongly that it was received.

"I looked upon myself now as upon the eve of reaping the fruits of
all my labour. I waited a few days in expectation of its being put in
rehearsal, and wondering at the delay, applied to my worthy patron, who
excused Mr. Brayer on account of the multiplicity of business in which
he was involved, and bade me beware of teasing the patentee. I treasured
up this caution, and exerted my particular three weeks longer; at the
end of which his lordship gave me to understand that Mr. Brayer had read
my play, and owned it had indubitable merit; but, as he had long been
pre-engage