RETROSPECTIONS or THE STAGE. BY THE LATE JOHN BERNARD, NAGER OF THE AMERICAN THEATRES, AND FORMERLY SECRETARY TO THE BEEF-STEAK CLUB. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON HENRY COLBURN AND RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. 1830. CONTENTS THE SECOND VOLUME. CHAPTER I. 1784. Bristol. Tom Blanchard,, the Child of Nature his complacency. An example. Mr. Palmers Coaches an overturn, and Blissets comment. Weeks, the Inn keeper David Ross, and George Barn well QukTs Cri ticism. Anecdotes of George Powell. Holland and Powell the Dramatic Orestes and Pylades. Footes joke. Billy Bates, and his Benefit. Shuterand the Bristol Hogs. Bath The Green-room. Meyler the Epigrammatist. Doctor Harrington. Anecdote of Madame Mara. Mr. Peach. Sir John Danvers his eccentricities, his stockings, coach, wine, library, c Earl Conyngham his recollection of Garrick and Quin, and comparison. Model of my Lord Qgleby. Sir John Oldmixon, the Bath Beau, and his curls. Captain Stanley, the Bath Bacchus, and his nose .... Page 1 IV CONTENTS. CHAPTER II. 1784-5 Anecdotes of the Institution of the Bath Catch Club Sir John Danvers, the proposer. Earl Conyngham, Lord Cork, c., Committee Meyler, Poet Laureate Rauz zini. Musical Conductor Dr. Harrington, Composer and Physician. Jeu desprit. Its Rules and Order. Ladies Night. Duchess of Devonshire. Incledons de but at Bath. Rauzzinis contempt for English singing, his conversion. His criticism on Incledon, c. Incledons mode of u recol lecting the words. Swansea, Blissets reading in Rue ful. Sir J. Danvers generosity and attachment, the subject of sarcasm. 1785-6. Bath. Mrs. Eston Anecdotes of Dr. Herschel, Musician and Astronomer, when in the Bath Orchestra. Sarcasms of his companions, and of mine, The absentee Planet. A surprise. Mrs. Baddeleys beauty. Edwins Comment The Doctors Generosity. Charles Dibdin and Mrs. Harris. Debut of Miss Brunton, The friendship of an Eccentric. Brighton. Royal patronage and compliment 34 CHAPTER III. 1786-7. Bath Amateur Theatricals, Major Halliday and his Companions. Brabantios Address. Criticisms on Cassio Captain Stanley and his comment. Anecdotes of the early life of Sir Thomas Lawrence. Old Lawrence the lt Reader, and Innkeeper, and Jonathan Payne. Lit. tie TomV notoriety his taking Edwins likeness his . rea dings. Tom, dont touch Satan. Young Lawrences ra uaatic propensity s a Rehearsal and a Scene House-warming at Frome. Handy and Captain Stanley. A Recipe for im proving Madeira. Incledons volunteered Song, and encores CONTENTS. V his Address. Miss Pooles d but. Mrs. Dickons. An At tempt at Authorship. Meylers hoax. Mr. Pettingall and the Liar. Death of the Earl of Conyngham Death of Jonathan Payne, and his Epitaph Engagement for Lon don. Brighton Interview with H. R. H. the Prince. Major Hanger and Mrs. Johnson. Sheridan and Fox . 72 CHAPTER IV. 1787-London. Accident Honest Surgeon De but in Archer. London Green-rooms. The Talent of those times. Beef-steak Club its Members, Officers, c. its Port. Admiral Shuldams Pun. Comparison of the Beef-steak and the Catch Club, Wit and Music. Visit to Mack lin his exaggerated Age his Manners his Mind favourite Reply the terrific play of his Features. Anecdote of George the Second, Macklins Egotism Satirized by Foote at the Hayraarket. Anecdote. Macklins classic attainments his interview with Dr. Johnson.. The two Ursa Majors. Ply mouth. Commodore M Bride and the Bonny Pheasant Sailors attachment to Theatres Anecdote of the Commo dore and his Crew. A sailors complacency and benevolence. Anecdote. Mr. Prigmore and his Breeches . . 107 CHAPTER V. 1788-9. London. Bucks Lodge. Assume the Secretary ship of the Beef-steak Club. - Scale of the Members Quali ties. Anecdotes of Sheridan and Fox, Bannister, Miles Peter Andrews, Delia Cruscan Merry, Bate Dudley, Bear croft, Woodfall, Major Arabin, and Barry the Hatter. Lord Galways Waggery Peg Timber-toe. The three 46 Stage Gentlemen, Smith, Lewis, and Garrick. Ex change no robbery...