h he was always sure to captivate his audience; and he
retired with applause, such as was never better given, nor ever more
deserved. But the matter did not rest here; the moment he came off the
stage, he flew like lightning to the music-room, where he encountered
Cervetto, and began to abuse him vociferously. 'Wha--why--you old
scoundrel. You must be the most----' At length poor Cervetto said,
'Oh, Mr. Garrick! vat is the matter--vat I haf do? Oh! vat is it?'
'The matter! Why you senseless idiot--with no more brains than your
Bass-Viol--just at the--a--very moment I had played with the
audience--tickled them like a trout, and brought them to the most
accommodating silence--so pat to my purpose--so perfect--that it was,
as one may say, a companion for Milton's visible darkness.' 'Indeed,
Mr. Garrick, it vas no darkness.' 'Darkness! stupid fool--but how
should a man of my reading make himself understood by--a---- Answer
me--was not the house very still?' 'Yes, sir, indeed--still as a
mouse.' 'Well, then, just at that very moment did you not--with your
jaws extended wide enough to swallow a sixpenny loaf--yawn?' 'Sare,
Mr. Garrick--only if you please hear me von vord. It is alvay the
vay--it is, indeed, Mr. Garrick--alvay the vay I go ven I haf the
greatest _rapture_, Mr. Garrick.' The little great man's anger
instantly cooled. The readiness of this Italian flattery operated
exactly contrary to the last line of an epigram--the honey was tasted,
and the sting forgot."

THE KING AND THE PLAYER.

George the Third was frequently at Weymouth, and often strolled about
the town unattended. On the day of Elliston's benefit (at which His
Majesty had expressed his intention of being present) he had been
enjoying one of his afternoon wanderings, when a shower of rain came
on. Happening to be passing the theatre door, in he went. Finding no
one about, he entered the Royal box, and seated himself in his chair.
The dim daylight of the theatre and slight fatigue occasioned by his
walk, induced drowsiness: His Majesty, in fact, fell into a doze,
which ultimately resolved itself into a sound sleep. In the meantime
Lord Townsend met Elliston, of whom he inquired if he had seen the
King, as His Majesty had not been at the palace since his three
o'clock dinner, it being then nearly five. Elliston being unable to
give his lordship any information, Lord Townsend sought His Majesty in
another direction, and the comedian made his way to the