| Citation |
RNYG.781.105
6 Jun 1781:31 (489)
Genuine Letters to and from the late David Garrick, Esq.
Soon after the late Mr. Garrick had purchased a mosery(?)
of Drury Lane Theatre, he discovered the company required a
considerable recruit of low actors; in choice of those he
generally paid attention to person and look, more than to
genius, for as they seldom had any thing to say, the eye was
principally consulted. There was at that time about the
Theatre, a very whimsical fellow whose name was Stone; he
had much humour, but could never be prevailed upon to tread
the stage. Mr. Garrick however, found him something to do,
and he was employed in recruiting about the town for the
drama: whenever he brought a person who was permitted to
make an essay, whether sucessful or otherwise, he had a
certain sum given him for his trouble, and for three or four
years this man (who had acquired the appellation of the
Theatrical Crimp) made in this kind of service a tolerable
subsistence. A variety of letters passed between Mr.
Garrick and Stone during the course of their negotiations.
Four of them we have been lately favored with by a
gentleman, who informs us that the following were written in
the year 1748.
Sir, Thursday noon.
Mr. Lacy turned me out of the lobby yesterday, and behaved
very ill to me--I only ax'd for my two guineas for the last
Bishop, and he swore I should'nt have a farthing. I can't
live upon air--I have a few cupids you may have cheap, as
they belong to a poor journeyman shoemaker, who I drink with
now and then. I am, your humble servant [signed] Wm.
Stone.
Answer.
Stone, Friday morn.
You are the best fellow in the world--bring the cupids to
the theatre to-morrow. If they are under six and well made
you shall have a guinea a piece for them. Mr. Lacy will pay
you himself for the bishop--he is very penitent for what he
has done. If you can get me two good murderers I will pay
you handsomely, particularly the sporting fellow who keeps
the apple-stand on Tower-hill, the cut in his face is quite
the thing. Pick me up an alderman or two for Richard, if
you can, and I have no objections to treat with you for a
comely mayor. The barber will not do for Brutus, altho' I
think he will succeed in Mat.
D---- G------
*The person here called the bishop was procured by Stone,
and had often rehearsed the part of the Bishop of
Winchester, in the play of Henry the Eighth, with such
singular eclat, that Mr. Garrick frequently addressed him at
the rehearsal as Cousin of Winchester. The fellow, however,
never played the part, although the night of his coming out
was announced in the public papers. The reader will soon
guess the reason from the two following letters that passed
between Mr. Garrick and Stone, on the very evening he was to
make his appearance.
Sir, The Bishop of Winchester is getting drunk at the
Bear+, and swears d---n his E--'s if he'll play tonight. I
am yours, [signed] Wm. Stone.
Answer.
The Bishop may go to the Devil.-- I do not know a greater
rascal, except yourself.
D. G-------.
+A public house in Bow Street, Covent-Garden, much
frequented by the Heroes of the Sock & Buskin, at that
period.
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