THE FRIENDLY CLUB.

277

but disappointed his friends by positively refusing to enter into the profession of the law. He became intimate with Elihu Hubbard Smith, while the latter studied under the physicians of Philadelphia, and Smith having determined to practise in New-York, Brown visited that city and joined those who have been denominated pioneers, becoming a member of the Friendly Club. Already he had commenced novel writing, and the young physician, the future novelist, and the dramatist, soon became inseparable. A young lawyer, William Johnson, well known since as a reporter, being likewise a member of the club, commenced his career about the same time with Elihu H. Smith, and they established themselves in the house of Alderman Waddell, in Pine Street, near Nassau Street.

The

This is the same Alderman Waddell, who became a subject for the theatrical historian by selling play-tickets in conjunction with David Matthews, mayor of New-York, in the year 1777. At that time the alderman was a member of a club of wits, very dissimilar to the Friendly Club both in habits and politics; but they were certainly wits, although as certainly bon-vivants. names of William Franklin, the son of Benjamin, and of James Rivington, the printer of the Royal Gazette, are enough to justify the character here given of that club of 1777. Waddell lived now in the same house with Johnson and Smith, occupying upper apartments, and perhaps his tenants did not see him once a month, so regular were

all parties, and so different their habits of regularity.

The apartments of Johnson and Smith were the resort of the members of their club, and the novelist was divided between them and the dramatist; sleeping at Bachelor's Hall, and otherwise domesticated in the family of the author of The Father; until a long and severe illness rendered it necessary to remove him altogether to the house of the latter. While thus situated, and surrounded by such friends, we shall see that the dramatist was induced to become a manager of the New-York theatre.

CHAPTER XIII.

1796-Mr. and Mrs. Johnson-Mr. and Mrs. Tyler-Mr. JeffersonMrs. and Miss Brett-Mr. and Mrs. Cleaveland-Mons. and Madame Val-M. Francisquy-M. Dubois-Opera of The Archers— Mr. Hogg-A third Manager added to the partnership of Messrs. Hallam and Hodgkinson, whose violent quarrels had threatened destruction to the Company-Endeavours to mediate-Williamson of the Haymarket, London-Revived Quarrels-Mrs. Hallam withdrawn, and a new Agreement among the Directors-Company at Hartford-John D. Miller-Old American Company open in New-York, 1796-Mysterious Monk-Arrival of Wignell with Mrs. Merry, Mr. Cooper, &c.-Godwin-Holcroft-Edwin and Angelina-Bourville Castle-John Blair Linn-Doctor Elihu Hubbard Smith-Tell Truth and Shame the Devil-The Comet-Mr. Miller-Vexations of Theatrical Management-Dialogue with a would-be Actor-Wignell opens the Philadelphia theatre, December 5, 1790-Mrs. Merry-Mr. Cooper.

FEBRUARY 10th, 1796, was a remarkable era in the history of the theatre of New-York. We have seen that Hallam and Hodgkinson had successfully quartered their troop upon the good people of Boston, to the mutual satisfaction of the strangers and citizens. They now opened the house in John Street, New-York, with the good old comedy of The Provoked Husband, and by a very judicious cast of the play showed an accession of strength, as well as numbers, which warranted the success they met with this season. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, Mr. Jefferson, and Mrs. Brett, all made their debut at the

same time:- Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Brett in Sir Francis and Lady Wronghead; Mr. and Mrs. Tyler as Manley and Lady Grace; Mr. Jefferson as Squire Richard, and Mrs. Johnson as Lady Townley. We will speak of these in succession, according to our estimate of their value as play

ers.

Mrs. Johnson was a tall, elegant, beautiful young woman, whose taste in dress made her a model for the belles of the city, and whose manners were as fascinating off as on the stage. Her irreproachable character and demeanour rendered her playfulness harmless to herself or others; for the most licentious would see at a glance that he must not approach, in that character, within the circle of her influence. She was almost too tall, yet the spectator did not wish her shorter, and if any movement appeared like an approach to awkwardness, it was only to be attributed to modesty. She had not the self-possession of Miss Farren or Mrs. Merry, though more like the first than the last. She was more beautiful, but not so good an actress as either, and at the time we now speak of, America had not seen so perfect a fine lady in comedy. This lady made her first appearance in Mr. Brunton's company, and Mrs. Merry has told the writer that she could not recognise in the elegant Mrs. Johnson the tall, awkward girl of that period. She had prudently accepted the hand of Mr. Johnson, much her senior, but one who could protect and instruct her. She lived respected and

esteemed, and, after several visits to her native land, she died in America, in the arms of a beloved and most worthy daughter.

As an actor, Mr. Jefferson stands next. Perhaps, as an actor, he ought to have been placed first, but "place aux dames" where any doubt exists. He was then a youth, but even then an artist. Of a small and light figure, well formed, with a singular physiognomy, a nose perfectly Grecian, and blue eyes full of laughter, he had the faculty of exciting mirth to as great a degree by power of feature, although handsome, as any uglyfeatured low comedian ever seen. The Squire Richard of Mr. Jefferson made a strong impression on the writer; his Sadi, in The Mountaineers, a stronger; and, strange to say, his Verges, in Much Ado about Nothing, a yet stronger.

Joseph Jefferson was invited to this country by Mr. C. Powell, for Boston (he paying the passage money and agreeing to give seventeen dollars per week salary), and arrived in 1795. Powell having failed, Jefferson engaged with Hallam and Hodgkinson. He was the son of Mr. Jefferson, a contemporary and friend of Garrick. Mr. J. Jefferson had been under Bernard's management in England. We shall often have occasion to mention this excellent comedian, who lived among us, admired as an actor, and esteemed as a man, for six-and-thirty years, paying the debt of nature while this work is passing through the press in