
give me a meeting upon it; and as a testimony of his esteem, made me a present
of a general order for the season, by which I would be admitted to any part of
the theatre. - This was a very agreeable compliment to me, whose greatest
pleasure consisted in seeing dramatic performances, and you need not doubt that
I often availed myself of my privilege. As I had an opportunity of being behind
the scenes when I pleased, I frequently conversed with Mr. Brayer about my play,
and asked when he intended to put it into rehearsal, but he had always so much
business upon his hands, that it remained with him unopened a considerable
while; and I became very uneasy about the season, that wasted apace, when I saw
in the papers, another new play advertised, which had been written, offered,
accepted and rehearsed in the compass of three months, without my knowledge or
suspicion. - You may easily guess how much I was confounded at this event! I own
to you, that in the first transports of my anger, I suspected Mr. Brayer of
having acted towards me in the most pitiful, perfidious manner; and was actually
glad at his disappointment in the success of his favourite piece, which by the
strength of art, lingered till the third night, and then died in a deplorable
manner. But now that passion has no share in my reflection, I am willing to
ascribe his behaviour to his want of memory or want of judgment, which, you
know, are natural defects, that are more worthy of compassion than reproach.
    About this time, I happened to be in company with a gentlewoman, who having
heard of my tragedy, told me, she was acquainted with the wife of a gentleman,
who was very well known to a lady, who had great interest with a person who was
intimate with Earl Sheerwit, and that if I pleased, she would use her influence
in my behalf. - As this nobleman had the character of a Mæcena in the nation,
and could stamp a value upon any work by his sole countenance and approbation, I
accepted her offer with eagerness, in full confidence of seeing my reputation
established, and my wishes fulfilled in a very short time, provided that I
should have the good fortune to please his Lordship's taste. I withdrew the
manuscript from the hands of Mr. Brayer, and committed it to the care of this
gentlewoman, who laboured so effectually in my interest, that in less than a
month it was conveyed to the Earl, and in a few weeks after, I
