est with a person who was intimate with Earl Sheerwit: and that,
if I pleased, she would use her influence in my behalf. As this nobleman
had the character of a Maecenas in the nation, and could stamp a value
upon any work by his sole countenance and approbation, I accepted
her offer with eagerness, in full confidence of seeing my reputation
established, and my wishes fulfilled in a very short time, provided
that I should have the good fortune to please his lordship's taste. I
withdrew the manuscript from the hands of Mr. Brayer, and committed
it to the care of this gentlewoman, who laboured so effectually in my
interest, that in less than a month it was conveyed to the earl, and in
a few weeks after, I had the satisfaction to hear that he had read and
approved it very much. Transported with this piece of intelligence,
I flattered myself with the hopes of his interesting himself in its
favour, but, hearing no more of this matter in three whole months,
I began (God forgive me!) to suspect the veracity of the person who
brought me the good tidings; for I thought it impossible that a man
of his rank and character, who knew the difficulty of writing a good
tragedy, and understood the dignity of the work, should read and applaud
an essay of this kind, without feeling an inclination to befriend the
author, whom his countenance alone could raise above dependence. But it
was not long before I found my friend very much wronged by my opinion.

"You must know, that the civilities I had received from Lord Rattle, and
the desire he manifested to promote the success of my play, encouraged
me to write an account of my bad fortune to his lordship, who
condescended so far as to desire, by letter, a young squire of a
great estate, with whom he was intimate, to espouse my cause, and,
in particular, make me acquainted with one Mr. Marmozet, a celebrated
player, who had lately appeared on the stage with astonishing eclat, and
bore such sway in the house where he acted, that the managers durst not
refuse anything he recommended. The young gentleman, whom Lord Rattle
had employed for this purpose, being diffident of his own interest with
Mr. Marmozet, had recourse to a nobleman of his acquaintance, who,
at his solicitation, was so good as to introduce me to him; and the
conversation turning upon my performance, I was not a little surprised,
as well as pleased, to hear that Earl Sheerwit had spoken very much
in its praise, and even sent Mr. Mar