manager here." This passed with his partner, who was advised by him to make up a company immediately, and in consequence proceeded to Philadelphia, with a view to engaging Mr. Bernard as stage manager and first comedian for the ensuing season, his engagements with Wignell and Reinagle being at an end in the month of August of this year. Mr. Bernard declined the offer. His note of Thursday the 12th of April, 1798, concludes with offers of services with other performers in England, or elsewhere—wishes for success, &c. "I am sorry circumstances will not permit me to quit Philadelphia, but a promise has been extorted from me to continue, by those friends that I cannot disoblige: I once more return you sincere thanks for your polite offer and friendly wishes."

Mr. Benjamin Carr was at this time a publisher and teacher of music at Philadelphia. The reader will perhaps recollect that he was the composer of the music for the manager's William Tell, or Archers, and performed in it. At his house by appointment a negociation was commenced with Mrs. Oldmixon. She stated that she had received offers from Mr. Whitlock, for Charleston; that her previous engagement at Philadelphia had been seven guineas per week, and a benefit ensured; that she would engage for the best old women, in comedy, the comic singing characters, and occasionally a serious one, and the best chambermaids -and referred the manager to Sir John.

The manager had an interview also with Harwood. On the 13th of April, the New-York manager rode to Germantown in the stage, and found waiting for him, at the inn, a horse, sent by Sir John Oldmixon, for his accommodation, and a servant with a horse and cart, the identical market-cart before mentioned. The manager preferred a walk of a mile and a half to Sir John's cottage, where he passed the night, having in the evening engaged the lady at the salary above mentioned, she finding her own dresses for the stage. Her benefit was to be free from charges, and 38 weeks in the year to be paid for, unless the theatre was shut by some unavoidable calamity. The knight's signature is to the engagement, in very gentlemanly illegible letters.

On returning to New-York the following note was written to Mr. Hallam.-" Sir, the committee of proprietors of the new theatre, not choosing, or not having the power to prolong the lease of it beyond the present season on the terms agreed to with Mr. Hodgkinson and myself, and Mr. Hodgkinson declining all further concern in the holding or improving the said theatre, all engagements, agreements, or contracts, depending upon our jointly holding and improving it, must necessarily cease at the close of the season. The above-mentioned committee have, however, in consideration of the loss sustained by me in the management, offered the house to me for the ensuing year for

the sum of 5000 dollars, and it is my intention, immediately on the close of the present season, to proceed in decorating the house and preparing a full stock of scenery, and to open it early in Sep

tember.

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Your situation and theatrical character entitle you to every consideration on a change of this kind, and I hereby offer to sell to you my lease for the sum which shall appear on closing the present season to have been lost by me, in consequence of my having hired the new theatre, provided I can obtain the consent of the proprietors so to do; in which case I will altogether withdraw; or I will for the half or fourth of my aforesaid loss sell the half or fourth of any profit I may gain in the ensuing year, you joining with me in the business and leaving the direction to me; or, I offer for your assistance and the assistance of Mrs. Hallam as performers 50 dollars weekly, you both finding your stage clothes; and, in addition, a weekly sum to be determined upon for the use of your theatrical property, to be agreed upon by us or left to indifferent persons." To the last proposal he acceded.

On the 27th of April, 1798, articles of agreement were signed by Carlisle Pollock, Jacob Morton, and Wm. Henderson, on the one part, and Wm. Dunlap on the other, and witnessed by E. H. Smith and Wm. Johnson, by which the theatre and "the property belonging to it" were leased, and possession agreed to be given immediately on closing the present season, for the sum of 5000

dollars for one year, to be paid at eight payments. Untransferable rights of free admission to be given to 113 persons, except on benefit nights. If, from war, prevailing sickness, or other public calamity, the theatre should not be opened for eight months during the year, a deduction to be made of one hundred and forty seven dollars and five cents for each week it is so closed. Scenery made during the year to be valued fairly and paid for by the proprietors.

On the 13th of April, Mr. Burk's tragedy of Joan of Arc was brought out. It was execrably performed by the male actors. The female performers were never deficient in their duty. The receipts were 238 dollars. The managers declined repeating it, unless the author gave security for the expenses. He said that Brockholst Livingston, Esq. had consented to be his security; but on a note being addressed to that gentleman he returned for answer, that " Mr. Burk had mistaken him, and that he had advised him not to risk the repetition of his play."

Mr. Hodgkinson brought out a farce, written by his friend Milne, called A Flash in the Pan.-It proved so.

The benefits commenced on the 10th of April, and several new dramatic pieces were hastily got up, all of which were consigned to merited oblivion. Among them we must mention one called The Federal Oath, or Americans strike Home, by the infamous Anthony Pasquin. This man was intro

His

duced to the writer by Mr. Hodgkinson. appearance was not more prepossessing than his writings. He afterwards offered to hire himself for a low salary to puff the theatre. The offer was declined. His real name was Williams. He obtained a living in London for years, by writing libels on players and painters. A judge on the bench, we think Lord Mansfield, said, "his touch is pollution." Yet we see this man's opinions, in matters of art, gravely quoted in modern books.

Mr. Cooper, Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Melmoth, Miss Westray, Miss E. Westray, and generally the most valued of the company, chose to re-engage with the New-York director. Mr. Martin was engaged as a deputy stage manager. Mr. Johnson made a verbal engagement for himself and wife at 25 dollars per week each, but shortly afterwards informed the manager that he had determined to go to England, in consequence of a letter, which he produced and read, from a friend, who informed him that both Harris and Wroughton wished for Mrs. Johnson's services, and a situation was open to her at either house. Harris," he said, "offers her a salary which will entitle her to give orders" (this was explained as meaning a sum not under six guineas)," and in case of success as good a salary as any woman in the company." The offer of Mr. Harris was accepted.

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The theatre closed on the 29th of June, 1798, and Mr. Hodgkinson, with a part of the company, went on to Boston and opened the Haymarket.