who was not then ten years old, shewed them how the patriotism of Rolla, and the bloody policy of Richard, ought, and was thereafter to be exhibited. They were deaf to the prophecy, indeed; but they were, nevertheless, well pleased with the ingenious little player, and rewarded him with a shower of shillings and sixpences, which he would not pick up! The money however was forced on him at last, and he was sent home richer than he had ever been before, and flushed with success. Lest the reader should apprehend danger to him from this sudden influx of wealth, be it known that "Miss Carey" took the precaution of invariably relieving him from such incumbrances, until he arrived at years of-discretion. CHAPTER II. PROTECTED BY MRS. CLARKE-RUNS AWAY-ENTERS RICHARDSON'S COMPANY -ACTS BEFORE KING GEORGE THE THIRD-HIS TRUANT HABITS-HIS THEATRICAL EDUCATION UNDER MISS TIDSWELL - -QUESTION AS TO HIS DESCENT FROM THE DUKE OF NORFOLK. MRS. CLARKE did not give up the boy when he had ceased to amuse her. On the contrary, she invited him continually to her house, and endeavoured to find out some mode of benefiting him. An opportunity not presenting itself very readily, she proposed to take him altogether from his mother. This was gladly assented to, and the child was transferred to Mrs. Clarke's protection, on the understanding that whatever he should obtain from his exhibitions before private friends should, after retaining a small portion to pay the expense of masters, be given to his mother. It was under these circumstances that he was taught to dance, to fence, and to ride, and that he received instruction in various other ways. For the purpose of enabling him to receive these lessons uninterruptedly, he was kept at a lodging; so near to Mrs. Clarke's house, however, as to be within reach of immediate controul. His studies were varied by occasional performances before private parties, at the houses of his protectress and of her friends. Previously to these, she would lend him books, recite to him, hear him rehearse, and in other respects afford him her counsel. But when he gave his dramatic entertainments, all the characters were sustained by himself: "He had his exits and his entrances, And [truly] in his time played many parts." He had moreover a little bell, which he rang when the imaginary music was to begin; after which he entered, soliloquised, went through the dialogue (on both sides), fought, frowned, triumphed, and died, with ten times the applause of ordinary heroes. When the exhibition was to take place at any other house than that of Mrs. Clarke, he was sent there in her carriage, with his dramatic "properties," consisting of a hat and feathers, a sword, and white gloves: in other respects he wore the common costume of the day. He generally resorted to Shakspeare for his subjects, but would sometimes make little plays out of Spenser's Fairy Queen. And for his own amusement, in his leisure hours, he would frequently play on the piano-forte, by ear, or invent tunes, having however a book of music (which he could not read) always before him. From all accounts, he appears to have been docile during this interval of his life; so completely so indeed, that we, now and then, try to think that the fact of his having been such an utter rebel and truant at other times, may be attributed in some degree to the idle and vagabond examples before him, rather than to a temper absolutely impracticable. He was, it is true, somewhat passionate, but the report is that he was generous also, and was liked by all persons about him. To speak of his humbler doings,-his agility at this period was remarkable, for " he could throw himself into all sorts of postures, and climb like a monkey." He sang prettily also, and shewed a great talent for mimicry. Some of our readers may remember that he occasionally gave proofs of these last-mentioned accomplishments in the latter part of his life. He dwelt nearly two years under the protection of Mrs. Clarke, and finally quitted it by reason of the following circumstance: |