tertainment (with which the King appeared
much delighted), Mathews introduced his imitations of various performers
on the British stage, and was proceeding with John Kemble in the
Stranger, when he was interrupted by the King, who, in the most affable
manner, observed that his general imitations were excellent, and such as
no one who had ever seen the characters could fail to recognise; but
he thought the comedian's portrait of John Kemble somewhat too
boisterous.--"He is an old friend, and I might add, tutor of mine,"
observed his Majesty: "when I was Prince of Wales he often favoured me
with his company. I will give you an imitation of John Kemble," said
the good-humoured monarch. Mathews was electrified. The lords of the
bed-chamber eyed each other with surprise. The King rose and prefaced
his imitations by observing, "I once requested John Kemble to take a
pinch of snuff with me, and for this purpose placed my box on the table
before him, saying 'Kemble, oblige (obleege) me by taking a pinch of
snuff' He took a pinch, and then addressed me thus:--(Here his Majesty
assumed the peculiar carriage of Mr. Kemble.) 'I thank your Royal
Highness for your snuff, but, in future, do extend your royal jaws a
little wider, and say Oblige.'" The anecdote was given with the most
powerful similitude to the actor's voice and manners, and had an
astonishing effect on the party present. It is a circumstance equally
worthy of the King and the scholar. Mathews, at the conclusion,
requested permission to offer an original anecdote of Kemble, which
had some affinity to the foregoing. Kemble had been for many years the
intimate friend of the Earl of Aberdeen. On one occasion he had called
on that nobleman during his morning's ride, and left Mrs. Kemble in the
carriage at the door. John and the noble earl were closely engaged
on some literary subject a very long time, while Mrs. Kemble was
~300~~shivering in the carriage (it being very cold weather). At length
her patience being exhausted, she directed her servant to inform his
master that she was waiting, and feared the cold weather would bring
on an attack of the rheumatism. The fellow proceeded to the door of the
earl's study, and delivered his message, leaving out the final letter in
rheumatism.--This he had repeated three several times, by direction
of his mistress, before he could obtain an answer. At length, Kemble,
roused from his subject by the importunities of the servant, replied,