"She now begins to fume about Mr. G "trifling, after he had pofitively agreed to engage "her daughter. They had feen Mr. O "who seemed hurt at Mr. King's being engaged, " and told them the mafter was about two more; "the one a stranger, who was to play the Pro"voked Husband at Richmond that night, and "that Mr. G and his lady talk of seeing "Portsmouth. << Your sweet monkey was fent home in disgrace "for getting into Lady Forbes's bed, with several "other misdemeanors, so that I don't know what "to do with the beaftly he-creature. "Mrs. Townshend, talking about the fhrimps; "fays, that they are vaftly fine and cheap at "Portsmouth, and will keep fo as to come sweet; "fo that I would have you inquire the price of "two pair of fine foles, and, if reasonable, "alfo to Lady Forbes, Mrs. T. and Mrs. B. if an opportunity offers, fend them; if not, when "you return will do as well.-My compliments to the Rival Queens. "I am your most affectionate mother, "G. WILKINSON." On Monday, July 23, I acted Hamlet, Mr. Moody the Grave-digger; dancing by Mrs. Blake (better known by the name of Mifs Polly Dur As I was ham). The farce was the Chaplet. paying attention, in the fifth act, to Mr. Moody's Grave-digger, Mr. Kennedy (the manager) plucked me by the fleeve, and said, "Mind what you do, for Mr. Garrick is in the pit !"-It rather alarmed me; but having time before my entrance to reconnoitre, and not finding any likeness I looked upon it as a joke; and not hearing from any perfon that he had been feen, and fo well known, I went out to fupper and ftaid late:-But the next morning, July 24, I was waked by a messenger from the Fountain Tavern, with Mr. Garrick's invitation to breakfast: I was of courfe aftonished at such an unexpected vifitant at Portfmouth, and wondered ftill more at the occafion, which in my hurried thoughts I could not devife. I inftantly returned an answer that I would with pleasure wait on him; haftily equipped myself, and entered the room that great personage then graced, made my bow, and received a very hearty and friendly meeting. Here was a change! The following thought occurred to me. O world! thy flipp'ry turns, O world ! Whofe double bofoms feem to wear one heart, Whofe hours, whofe bed, whofe meal and exercise, Unfeparable, fhall within this hour, On a diffention of a doit, break out To bittereft enmity. So felleft foes, Whose paffions and whose plots have broke their fleep, Some trick not worth an egg, fhall grow dear friends, On this wonderful greeting we were the most cordial, good, eafy acquaintance that can be imagined: We chatted agreeably, for he feemed as pleafed as I really was at this aftonishing altera tion. After breakfast we walked on the ramparts, and then went to the dock-yards; he was in such good fpirits that he ordered a bottle of hock to be made into a cool tankard, with balm, &c. It was at noon in the height of fummer, and the heat was his excufe for fo extraordinary a draught to him before dinner. My reader may be certain that whenever Mr. Garrick chofe to throw off acting and dignity, and was not furrounded by business to perplex him, he had it in his power to render himself a moft pleafing, improving, and delightful companion. Mr. Garrick's walking arm in arm with me, was an honour I dreamed not of. He congratulated me on being so great a favourite; and what, he faid, was of much more fervice, the being fo well acquainted with the leading people at that L place, of which, by inquiry, he foon heard all particulars; told me, he was on a vifit at Dr. Garney's, a gentleman of eminence who lived at Wickham, about eight miles from Portsmouth, to the left of Portfdown, once a phyfician, but had given over practising-his fortune being fully equal to ease and affluence. Mr. Garrick told me this vifit had been for years promised, but not paid till now; faid, that Dr. Garney was an old and intimate friend, and he fhould be there feven or eight days Mrs. Garrick was there, and had fent him as a meffenger, with Dr. Garney's compliments and her commands to infift that I would fix my own day, and give them the pleasure of my company, which vifit they would all return: So, Tate, says my kind Mr. Garrick, mind you are well provided, for we shall make it early in next week. This obliging invitation I gladly complied with, dreffed in my best, and even of that he took notice, and faid all was well except my buckles, which being (in the present fashion) large, and low on the instep, he observed were like a failor's. I did not want for lace to make me a gentleman-not abfurd then-but fuch a figure now would be laughed at as it paffed along. Mr. Garrick received me at the Doctor's more like his fon than merely a common acquaintance, to whom he meant only to be civil and well-bred : Nor was Mrs. Garrick a jot lefs kind; the fcorned to be ontdone in courtesy, and met me with all that apparent regard as if a beloved relation had just arrived from the Eaft-Indies. She was in truth a most elegant woman:-grace was in her step.I was introduced to Dr. Garney, his lady, and fon, and after that to company who were quite strangers to me. They appeared juft like what were their univerfal well-known character, every thing that was good, with power and will to render their pleasant manfion a happy refort for their acquaintance; the fituation was a little paradise in every refpect that art and nature could contribute to make fo; it appeared to me to much advantage, as the four immediate miles from Portfmouth till you reach Hilfey barracks, the country is very indifferent, very dreary, and all confined, for thofe four miles are regular fortifications, ditches with draw-bridges, &c.; fo that if it was not for the ramparts next the fea, with that beautiful profpect of the Ifle of Wight, the ocean, and the thipping, Portsmouth would be a very disagreeable fituation. In fhort, much as I liked that refidence I never could approve of it as a pleasant fummer retreat, the ramparts being the only good walk, and thofe fo exposed to the fun and reflection from the water, that it made the evening intolerable; nor has there been a poffibility I fancy, from the |