e that was near him, pronouncing the
word, "There!" with great disdain. I took it up, and perceiving with
some surprise, that it was a comedy, told him it did not belong to
me; upon which he offered another which I also disclaimed. A third was
produced, and rejected for the same reason. At length he pulled out a
whole bundle, and spread them before me, saying, "There are seven--take
which you please--or take them all." I singled out my own, and went
away, struck dumb with admiration at what I had seen--not so much on
account of his insolence, as of the number of new plays which from this
circumstance I concluded were yearly offered to the stage. You may be
sure, I did not fail to carry my complaint to my patron, who did not
receive it with all the indignation I expected; but taxed me with
precipitation, and told me I must lay my account with bearing with the
humours of the players, if I intended to write for the stage. "There is
now no other remedy," he said, "but to keep it till the next season for
Mr. Brayer, and alter it at your leisure, in the summer, according to
his directions." I was now reduced to a terrible alternative, either to
quit all hopes of my tragedy, from which I had all along promised myself
a large share of fortune and reputation, or to encounter eight long
months of adversity in preparing for and expecting its appearance. This
last penance, painful as it was, seemed most eligible to my reflection
at that time, and therefore I resolved to undergo it.

"Why should I tire you with particulars of my consequence? I wrestled
with extreme poverty until the time of my probation was expired; and
went to my Lord Rattle in order to remind him of my affair, when I
understood, to my great concern, that his lordship was just on the point
of going abroad, and which was still more unfortunate for me, Mr. Brayer
had gone into the country; so that my generous patron had it not in his
power to introduce me personally, as he intended: however, he wrote a
very strong letter to the manager in my favour, and put him in mind of
the promise he had made in behalf of my play.

"As soon as I was certified of Brayer's return, I went to his house with
this letter, but was told he was gone out. I called again next day early
in the morning, received the same answer, and was desired to leave
my name and business: I did so, and returned the day after, when
the servant still affirmed that his master was gone abroad; though I
perceiv