became however necessary that he should think of something in good earnest. For this purpose he completed an opera, which he had had long in contemplation, and which he had been repeatedly requested by one of the managers to put the finishing stroke to. He sent it, and as he knew pretty well the trim of this sort of business, his compact was that he would stand or fall by its merits, without the interference of any other person. This was charming, it would have a prodigious run, and every attention should be paid it.
Our hero called on the manager to consult on the necessary steps to bring it before the public. He was still received with great warmth. He wished however he would be advised.
'In what?'
Why suppose he waited upon the editors of the different papers, to bespeak favour.
'Why? If it deserved applause it was to come from the public, not the

newspapers. If it did not, their purchased favour would be a satire on the performance, and an insult to the public.'
This was good theory, but not practicable. Charles said it should be practicable in his case, or nothing should. It was material to him to come at the truth. If he falsely flattered himself, and had not abilities for what he had undertaken, nothing could be kinder than to undeceive him. If he had, let his reward come spontaneously from those who he was sure would pay it with interest if it was his due. He spoke charmingly; it was a pity he did not know what stage conduct was. Charles said it was a pity the manager did not know what it ought to be. The manager rallied Charles, and Charles did not spare the manager, who however did not wish to lose the piece, of which he had a great opinion.

After some necessary matters were settled, they parted, agreeing that the opera, like an act of parliament in a certain stage, should be copied for the use of the members.
Charles that very evening received a summons to breakfast with the manager the next morning. He went, and had he not known his man, must have been astonished at seeing himself treated with a distant coolness. He had been thinking; some of the

passages did not strike him as at first: A friend of his—. Our hero gave him, in a few words, to understand that, by agreement, no friends were to interfere. It was very true, but the expence of a first piece was a large stake. Very likely, our hero said, and