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 -^Vlf |!^'l\'f!?C/y
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF 
 
 THE DISPUTES 
 
 SUBSISTING BETWEEN 
 
 THE PATENTEES 
 
 O F 
 
 COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR J. FLETCHER, IN ST. PAU L' S-CHURCH-YARD. 
 
 MDCCLXVIII.
 
 For Reading Room Only 
 
 APOLOGY. 
 
 "FN 
 
 A.N advertifement having appeared in the Public Advertiferof Ja- 
 nuary 27, figned George Colman, importing that a ftate of xhe differences 
 fubfifting between the proprietors of Covent-Garden theatre would be 
 fpeedily publillied , T. Harris and J. Rutherford, two of the patentees 
 and proprietors of the faid theatre, conceiving themfelves to have been 
 greatly injured, both in perfon and property, by the faid George Colman, 
 think it incumbent on them, as well in j unification of themfelves as ouc 
 of refpe6l to the publick, to prevent, as far as lies in their power, any 
 mifreprefentation of fads in which they have been concerned. They 
 hope, therefore, it will not be deemed impertinent in them to fubmit 
 their own narrative of the cafe, fupported by indubitable and authentic 
 evidence, to the impartiality of the publick; on whofe protedlion and 
 encouragement, the fuccefs of the theatre, and the fecurity of their 
 property in it, immediately depend. 
 
 T. Harris. 
 
 J. Rutherford, 
 
 A 2 

 
 I ] 
 
 A NARRATIVE 
 
 OF THE DISPUTED BETWEEN THE 
 
 PATENTEES OF COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE. 
 
 H E patents and properties belonging to Covent- Garden theatre 
 being on fale, purfuant to the late Mr. Rich*s will, T. Harris and J. 
 Rutherford, two of the prefenc patentees, formed a defign of purchafing 
 them, and entered into a treaty with Mr. Rich's executors for that 
 purpofe. 
 
 On farther deliberation, they judged it expedient to invite Come third 
 perfon, of abilities and experience in theatrical affairs, to join with 
 them in the intended purchafe. Mr. William Powell, an a<5bor of 
 known and ^knowledged merit in his profeflion, was accordingly 
 
 B thought
 
 [ 1 
 
 thought of, and made acquainted with their defign. But, as Mr. Powell 
 was then under an engagement to the patentees of Drury-Lane, he 
 thought it an obftacle to his entering into that propofed 5 nor could he, 
 on the matureft confideration, find any other means of obviating this dif- 
 ficulty than that of inviting George Colman, Efq-, a friend of his, to 
 be, in like manner, jointly concerned in the affair. This, therefore, 
 he propofed j reprefenting, at the fame time, what great advantages 
 would be derived, particularly in the management of the theatre, from 
 a connedlion with a gentleman of his extenfive reputation and 
 abilities. 
 
 To this propofal Harris and Rutherford, thinking the concurrence 
 of a fourth perfon unneceflary, were fome time averfe, till the confide- 
 ration of Mr, Colman's talents as- a dramatic writer, and his known 
 familiar intercourfe with the ftage, induced them to acquiefce ; in 
 hopes of reaping at lead fome of thofe many advantages on which Mr. 
 Powell fo warmly expatiated. 
 
 On the 31ft of laft March, therefore, the parties entered into articles, 
 for proceeding in the treaty begun by Harris and Rutherford j who 
 were thence empowered to purchafe, on the joint account of all four, the 
 faid patents and properties of the theatre, at a fum not exceeding fixty 
 thoufand pounds ; which fum was to be advanced in equal proportions 
 by each party ; who were accordingly to become jointly podefTed of, and 
 interefted in, the patents and properties fo purchafed, and to be jointly 
 and equally concerned in the management of the theatre. By the fame 
 articles alfo they feverally engaged to execute proper deeds and inftru- 
 ments for that purpofe when the purchafe fhpuld be compleated. 
 
 On the 30th of April following, Harris and Rutherford adually 
 contraftcd for the patents and theatre 5 depofiting at the fame time the 
 fum oi ten thoufand pounds, their feparate property, in part of the pur- 
 chafe
 
 [ 3 ] 
 
 chafe money; the remainder of which was to be paid on the firfl: of July 
 then next enfuing. 
 
 The contrad being thus made, the four parties foon after met together, 
 in order to fettle the form of articles, to be entered into, in conformity 
 to their preceeding agreement ; when, to the great furprize of Harris and 
 Rutherford, Mr. Colman propofed that he himfelf fhould be inverted 
 with the whole and fole management of the theatre. Manifeft, however, 
 as was the abfurdity of any perfon*s fubjefling fo confiderable a fharc 
 of property to the uncontroulable difpofal of another, Mr. Powell 
 affented to this ftrange propofal ; by which he was to embark fifteen thou- 
 fand pounds in.an undertaking, with the conduct of which, even in the 
 greateft emergency, he was to have nothing to do. 
 
 It muft be owned that Harris and Rutherford entertained at that time 
 ho doubt either of Mr. Colman's capacity or inclination to condufl the 
 theatre to the beft advantage ; but, as it was impofTible for them to be 
 affured that no finifter accident might render their interpofition necelTary 
 to the fecurity of their property, they conceived no men of common 
 fenfe could Hand excufed for divefting themfelves of the power of fuper- 
 intending it. Add to this, that Harris and Rutherford gave Mr. Colman 
 repeatedly to iinderfland that, as they fhould engage in no other em- 
 ployment, they intended, in conjunction with him, to make the manage- 
 ment of the theatre at once their occupation and amufement. They 
 objedied to Mr. Colman's propofal, therefore, not only as abfurd in itfelf, 
 but as being contrary to their known intentions in the purchafe of the 
 theatre, and inconfiftent with the terms of agreement on which that 
 purchafe was made. Willing neverthelefs to indulge Mr. Colman in 
 his defire of appearing the adling manager, the following articles were 
 at length agreed to. 
 
 B 1 ARTICLES
 
 I 4 li 
 
 ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT, R E S P E C T I N GT 
 THE MANAGEMERT OF C O V E N T-G A R D E Nt 
 THEATRE. 
 
 il oi 
 
 VrHereas Thomas Harris, John Rutherford, George Colman; 
 and William Powell, by certain articles of agreement, dated the 31ft 
 day of March lafl:, did agree to purchafe of the reprefentatives of John 
 Rich, Efquirej.deceafed, two patents for exhibiting theatrical performances, 
 and the feveral leafes of Covent: garden theatre, and the rooms, buildings, 
 conveniencies, furniture, cloaths, fcenes, decorations, mufic, entertain- 
 ments,, and all things belonging to the faid theatre, and the faid Thomas 
 Harris and John Rutherford^. were thereby authorifed ta treat for and pur- 
 ' chafe the fame, at a fum not exceeding 60,000/. and the purchafe-money 
 was to be advanced by the faid parties equally, and they were to become 
 jointly poflefTed oj, and interefted in the premifes fo to be purchafed, 
 and were to be jointly and equally concerned in the management of the 
 faid theatre, and were to execute proper deeds and inllruments for that 
 purpofe,, when the faid purchafe fliould be compleated. And whereas 
 the faid Thomas Harris and John Rutherford, have accordingly contradled 
 and agreed with the reprefentatives of the faid John Rich, for the pur- 
 chafing of the faid patents, leafes, premifes and things, at and for the 
 fum of 60,000/. and fuch purchafe is to be compleated on the fir ft: of 
 July next. Now the faid feveral parties having perufed, and fully under- 
 ftanding the purport and contents of the faid contrafl, do approve of and 
 confirm the fame, and having alfb in confequence thereof taken into their 
 confideration the management of the faid theatre, they have for the better 
 and more eafy condufting the bufinefs thereof, as well as for their joint 
 and equal benefit and advantage, agreed, and do hereby mutually declare 
 and, agrec^ 
 
 L That
 
 1; 3 ] 
 
 I. That notwltliftanding any thing contained in the faid agreement 
 already made between the laid parties, the faid George Cohnan (ball be 
 invefted with the direflion of the faid theatre, in the particulars following, 
 riz. That he fhall have the power of engaging and difmiffing performers 
 of all kinds-, of receiving or rejecting fuch new pieces as fhall be offered 
 to the faid theatre or the proprietors thereof; of cafling the plays ; of 
 appointing what plays, farces, entertainments, and other exhibitions,, 
 fhall be performed; and of conducing a!l fuch things as are generally 
 underflood to be comprehended in the dramatic and theatrical orovince. 
 
 II. That the faid Thomas Harris and' John Rutherford, fhall be 
 defired to attend the comptrollment of the accounts and treafury relative 
 to the faid. theatre. 
 
 hx^ ^'.- 
 
 III. Provided always and in as much as the faid Thomas Harris and 
 John Rutherford, will have leifure to attend to the affairs of the faid 
 theatre, and the faid WiMiam Powell is to be engaged as an ador or per- 
 former on the ftage, (for which purpofe feparate articles are intended to 
 be entered into between him and the other parties) in which his time and 
 attention will be chiefly employed and taken up, fo that he will not be able 
 to apply himfelf in the managing the bufinefs of the faid theatre. It is there- 
 fore hereby further agreed, that the faid George Colman (hall from time 
 to time,, and at all times hereafter, communicate and fubmit his conduct, 
 and the meafures he fhall' intend to purfue, unto them the faid Thomas 
 Harris and John Rutherford ; and in cafe they (hall at any time fignify 
 their difapprobation thereof in writing unto the faid George Colman, 
 then and in that cafe the meafures fo difapproved of, fhall not be carried 
 ih to execution, any thing before contained to the contrary notwithftarid- 
 ing. Yet neverthelefs with refped to the faid William Powell, it is in'- 
 tcnded and agreed that he fliall at all times give his advice and afTiftancc 
 relative to any part of the bufinefs of the faid theatre, when thereunto 
 
 defiredi
 
 . [ 6 ] 
 
 dcfircd by the other parties. Witnefs the hands^ the faid parties this 
 14th day of May, 1767. 
 
 "Witnefs Thomas Harris. 
 
 James Hutchinson, John Rutherford. 
 
 George CoLMAN. 
 William Powell; 
 
 It Is prefumed that nothing can be more clear and explicit than the 
 reftridions contained in the third claufe of the above articles -, and that 
 Mr. Colman underftood them in the moft literal fenfe, will fully appear 
 when we come to exhibit his letter of the firft of November following.* 
 
 On the 28th of the fame month, it was judged proper for the patentees 
 to enter into the fubfequent agreement feverally, refpefting them all as 
 proprietors of theatrical entertainments, and refpefting Mr. Powell in 
 particular, as to the fervices expedted of him in his profeffion as an afbor. 
 
 MEMORANDUM OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN 
 THE PATENTEES OF COVEN T-G A R D E N 
 THEATRE, AND MR. WILLIAM POWELL. 
 
 JVlEmorandum, it is agreed this 28th day of May 1767, between 
 George Colman, Thomas Harris, and John Rutherford, Efquires, and 
 William Powell, the intended purchafers of Covent-garden theatre, and 
 <the patents, leafes, matters, and things thereunto belonging, as follows, 
 
 Infertd in the courfc of the narrative. 
 
 viz.
 
 [ 7 ] 
 
 viz. That the faid William Powell fhall and will be employed as an a6lor 
 or performer in the faid theatre or playhoufe, for the benefit and advan- 
 tage of all the faid parties, for and during the term and fpace of feven years, 
 from the firft day of September now next enfuing ; and the confideration 
 thereof fhall be paid out of the interefts and profits of the faid theatre, 
 at and after the rate of 400/. per annum, at fuch times and in fuch pro- 
 portions as the faid WUliam Powell fhall think fit and require the fame, 
 and fhail alfo have a benefit every feafon during the faid term, clear of 
 all de.iu(5lions and expences whatfoever. And it is hereby further agreed, 
 that in cafe any other ptirformer or player to be engaged by the faid par- 
 ties, fhall have a larger falary than is hereby agreed to be paid or allowed 
 to the faid William Powell, then and in that cafe fuch addition fhall be 
 made to the faid falary of the faid William Powell, as will exceed the 
 falary of fuch other perfon or perf^)ns. And it is further agreed, that 
 neither of the faid parties fhall, after the firfl day of Odober now next 
 enfuing, diiring his intereft and concern in the faid theatre, aft, or write or 
 have any fhare, interefl or concern in for or upon any other ftage, theatre 
 or playhoufe wharfoever. And alfo that any of the parties producing 
 any new play, farce, entertainment, or other exhibiton, or any alteration 
 of an old play, farce, &c. fhall have and be entitled to the common and 
 ufual emoluments accruing to authors from fuch produdlion, exclufive of 
 the other parties. 
 
 Witnefs George Colman. 
 
 James Hutchinson. Thomas Harris. 
 
 John Rutherford. 
 William Powell. 
 
 On the firfl of July the contract with Mr. Rich's executors vsrasc^m-. 
 pleated, the remainder of the money paid *, and the proper afhgnments 
 executed. 
 
 * It ill becomes a m?n, who confers a voluntary obligation, to remind the perfon obliged 
 
 of ihc farour done him. T. Harris would cherefore have b;en filcnr, with regard to the 
 
 4 pre-
 
 I 8 3 
 
 It will hardly be fufpe^led by any reader, pofleflcd of common-fenfc 
 or acquainted with the principles of common juUice^ that any one of the 
 .parties, fubfcribing to articles fo very explicit and determinate, fhould 
 take upon him, almoft immediately, to ad in diredl contradiftion to 
 xhem. 
 
 At the meeting of the company before the opening of the theatre, how- 
 ever, Mr. Colman's behaviour began to appear in a very extraordinary 
 Jight. It was very natural for Harris and Rutherford to fuppofe that Mr. 
 Colman, who was perfonally k:.own to the performers, would introduce 
 the principal of them, at leaft, to his brother patentees, on their firft ap- 
 pearance at the theatre. So far, however, was he from doing this, that 
 when they were advancing to fpeak to him, as he was feated on the 
 middle of the ftage, he rofe up, and with a petulance he could not 
 conceal, defired them to withdraw, left they Ihould interrupt the 
 rehearfal ; leaving them to introduce them felves to the company, and 
 take their own feats where they might think proper. 
 
 Difrefpeflful as this behaviour appeared, it would have been thought 
 too infignificanta circumftance to be here taken notice of, did it not lend 
 a clue to the maze of Mr. Colman's future proceedings ; all which afford 
 the moft circumftantial evidence that he had, even fo early as the open- 
 ing of the theatre, formed a defign of afling as if the other proprietors 
 had fubfcribed to his firft romantic propofal of being fole manager, inftead 
 of his having engaged * from time to time, and at all times, hereafter to 
 ** communicate to and fubmit his conduct, and the meafures he (hall 
 
 predicament in which Mr. Powdl flood at the time of this payment, had not Mr. Powell 
 been pleafed, more theatrically than gratefully, to deny that when he had none but perfonal 
 fecurity to offer for a confiderable fum of money which he borrowed on this occafion, T. 
 Harris did agree to give the lender a real fecurity of his own ; without which the money 
 would not have beea advaaced. Of this the fad itfelf is an inconteftible proof. 
 
 3 ** intend
 
 t 9 3 
 
 intend to purfue to T. Harris and J. Rutherford.'* Mr. Colman indeed 
 foon grew too impatient of even the appearance of controul, to fubmic 
 any thing to the judgment of his Colleagues j and though, after much 
 expoftulation he affented to a weekly meetings for advifing about the 
 bufinefs of the theatre, it lafted only a few weeks -, nor was it of any 
 effect while it did laft; as Mr. Colman was neither pleafed to lay open 
 his whole plan, in order to know the opinion of Hawis and Rutherford 
 concerning it, nor to a6t in conformity to their opinion when he did 
 know it *. 
 
 It was not till Thurfday the 29th of Odober, however, that Mr. 
 Colman openly and avowedly difclaimed their right to lay him under 
 any reftraint ; which he then did, in the moft pofitive terms , declaring 
 that he would never difclofe to them any of his future intentions, but 
 would be refponfible to thcpublick only, and not to them, for the confc- 
 qucnces f. 
 
 Mr. Colman has endeavoured to juftify this proceeding, by pretending that Harris and 
 Rutherford were too little converfant in theatrical matters to advife him on thefe occafions. 
 But though \ve fhould grant that the Warit of experience in what is doing behind the curtain, 
 .prevents a perfon's knowing what will pleafe before it, was Mr. Colman ignorant of 
 their inexperience in this particular before ? Did he not know they were neither authors 
 iior aftors by profeflion, when he ligned the articles fubjeding' himfelf to their Controul ? 
 It is not for Harris and Rutherford to determine how far the above plea is valid ; they 
 arfe but toQ well convinced however that an impartial review of the boalled (kill and abilitieF> 
 Mr. Colman has difplayed in the management of Covent-Garden theatre this feafon, will 
 afford fmall proofs of the proficiency he made in the ftudy of theatrical management, for 
 many years behind the fcenes at Drury.Lsine* 
 
 f As to Mr. CoImaa*s particular motives for fuh a declaration at that time, we (hall 
 confider the validity of them, when compelled to examine into the propriety of his cond aft 
 as a theatrical manager. At prefent we are only flating the fads, which may enable the 
 publick to judge of the reftitude of his behaviour, as a man. : :,r ,^u r 
 
 C In
 
 t 'o 3 
 
 In this refolutioti he perfifted, in fpite of all remonftrances, till the 
 Sunday following ; when, notwithftanding he had declared, and that even 
 on the Saturday night preceding, he would have no farther communi- 
 cation with them, he addrefled to them the following epiftle : 
 
 TO THOMAS HARRIS, E S Qj. 
 
 AND 
 
 JOHN RUTHERFORD, ESQL; 
 
 Gentlemen* 
 
 X Have feen Mr. Powell ; but after what has paff, a perfonal mtercourfe 
 between us cannot be expected. According to our articles, I fliall from, 
 time to time fubmit to your confideration the meafures I propofe to 
 purfue in the management of the theatre, and any mcaflircs againft 
 which you Ihall jointly proteft in writing, according to our articles, Ihall 
 not be carried into execution. 
 
 Nov. I, 1767. ^- Coi-MAN. 
 
 Surely nothing can be more plain than that Mr. Colman, at the 
 time of writing the above letter, underftood the articles he had entered 
 into, in the moft literal fenfe , and that he had then no conception of 
 making that artful diftinftion between the letter and fpirit of them ; 
 which he afterwards judged it expedient to do in his letter of January 5 
 following*. 
 
 f Infertod in the courfe of the nanative. 
 
 Whac
 
 [ ] 
 
 What conftrnfllon can then be put on his condudl, in calling together 
 the principal performers the very evening of the day in which he wrote 
 this letter, in order to perfuade them that he was folely inverted with the 
 abfolute management of the theatre ? Yet, inconfiftent as fuch behaviour 
 mult appear, this he did without having feen or heard from Harris 
 or Rutherford ; inviting the faid a6tors to a tavern, where he difingenu- 
 oufly communicated to them the fubftance of the firfl: claufe of the articles 
 before inferted f, to give colour to his pretenfions j entirely fupprefling 
 the third claufe, by which his power was fo exprefsly limited. 
 
 This tranfadion, of courfe, reduced Harris and Rutherford to the 
 neceffity of reading to the company, aflembled on the ftage next morn- 
 ing, the whole of thofe articles. In confequence of which ledlure, Mr. 
 Colman did apparently take Ihame to himfelf, and declare, in the pre- 
 fence of Meflfrs. Woodward, Smith, Gibfon and others, that he would 
 for the future fubmit the meafures he intended to purfue, to the confide- 
 ration of Harris and Rutherford, agreeable to the tenor of their articles, 
 and the fubftance of the letter he had written them the preceding day. 
 
 The reconciliation which enfued on this declaration, gave "^H'^ntiff arid 
 Rutherford fome reafon to hope that affairs would now be carried on irt 
 an amicable manner, and conformably to thofe intentions, with which 
 they engaged in fo confiderable an undertaking. They were very fopn 
 furprized however with the information of Mr. Colman's having, on his 
 own authority, and without their knowledge or confent, taken upon him 
 to engage Mr. and Mrs. Yates ; the former at ten pounds a week, with 
 a benefit, and the latter at five hundred pounds for the feafon, with a 
 like benefit t. f V 
 
 t See page 4. 
 
 % Not that Harris and Rutherford would have objefted to the expenco of this engage- 
 ment, or to any other conducive to the entertainment of the publick, could that have been 
 
 C 2 efFeaed
 
 -H 
 
 The furprize of Harris and Rutherford, at this information, was by 
 fo much the greater, as all the four proprietors, in a confultation held 
 i'omc few days before on the fubjeft, had been unanimouQy of opinion, 
 that as their company then flood, it was impofliblc, without breaking 
 through the eftablilhed cuftoms of the theatre, ta avail themfelves pro- 
 perly of the fervice of thofe excellent a6tors. Add to this, that, having 
 a right to think their confent neceflary to Mr. Colman's forming an en- 
 gagement of fo much expence and confequence, they could not help 
 regarding it as another grofs breach of the articles fubfifting betweea 
 them*. ' -"' J r > J 
 
 To this afl of Mr. Colman*s, ncverthelefs Mr. Powell, not only aficnted, 
 bat even afFedled to juftify it : from what motives we prefume not to 
 fay \ as we fhould be very forry to impute any adlion to a iinifter defign^ 
 
 effefted in any proportionable degree. They by no means wi(h to facrifice the amofement* 
 of the town to their private emolument ; but it is to be obferved, that when a company i& 
 full, the engagement of additional performers, even of the greateft merit, muft create 
 great confufion, and at leaft render thofe ufelefs who would otherwife have fupplied their 
 places. There is no doubt that Mr. and Mrs. Yates would in any circumdances be a valu- 
 '^^ble acquifition to either theatre, although, from their too late engagement the prefent feafoa^ 
 at Covent-garden, they have had (particularly Mr. Yates) fewer opportunities of difplay- 
 ing their refpelive talents, and confequently of being fo ufeful as their great reputation 
 might give reafon to expedt. 
 
 It has been pretended by Meflrs. Colman and Powell, that Harris and Rutherford, 
 though not privy to the engagement of Mrs. Yates and her hufband, did afterwards aflcnt 
 to that meafure ; of Which their acquiefcing in the payment of their refpedlive falaries 
 is a proof. ^It may be aiked however, in anfwer to this plea, what could Harris and Ru- 
 therford have done to any purpofe after the contraft was aftually made ? Had they put aa 
 abfolute negative, as they were empowered to do, on the fulfilling fuch contract, would 
 not Colman and Powell have had a very plaufible, if not a juft, pretence, to charge them 
 with a penurious reluftance to contribute their utmoft to the entertainment of the town ? a 
 pretence which, they beg leave to alTure the publick, never had, nor ever (hall have, any^ 
 foundation cither in their principles or condudl. 
 
 which
 
 [ '3 1 
 
 vhicFi may be fairly attributed to an ingenuous one. If the public how- 
 ever, take into confideration, that Mr. Powell became entitled as an adtor^ 
 to the addition of one hundred pounds to his yearly falary, in confequencc 
 of Mrs. Yates's receiving five hundred, we leave them to make what com- 
 ment they pleafe on Mr. Powell's conduct in this particular*. 
 
 Perhaps they may be affifted in making Ilich comment by Mr. Powell's 
 fubfequent behaviour. 
 i50wJDd ,'3fHiiady> ^tjbr' 
 
 Certain it is, that Mr. Powell carried his aflent to Mr. Colman's pro- 
 ceedings a very unwarrantable length; a remarkable inftance of which 
 foon after prefented itfelf j when, at a meeting of all the proprietors, the 
 latter propofed his taking out of the treafuryof the houfe, a fum between 
 iixty-four and feventy pounds, on account of his having inferted a few 
 lines in the comedy ot the Rehearfal-f, and his intended alteration of the 
 tragedy of King Lear; in which propofal Mr. Powell moft jceadily .^- 
 quiefced. ' -^'"'^ >-<-'''oi:c<;oi(^ /as m b'sf^^fi 
 
 As it was impoffible alfofor Harris and Rutherford to know how far the 
 projeded alteration ot King Lear might entitle Mr. Colman to that fum; 
 and, as they were willling to allow of every emolument due to him^^s a 
 
 Iq order to obviate any fufpicion of finifter views in Mr. Powell, it has been given 
 cut that he could not take the advantage above-mentioned, of the agreement with Mrs. 
 Yates, becaufe Mr. Woodward had likewife a greater falary. But it is to be remarked that 
 Mr. Woodward's engagement yvith the theatre was antecedent to the formation, of the 
 articles with Mr. Powell ; by virtue of which he was entitled to a larger falary than any 
 other performer or player hereafter " to be engaged" in the fervice of the houfe. See 
 fiiemorandum of thofe articles, p. 6> 
 
 + A cuftomary liberty taken from time to time with this play in reprefentation ; 
 and particularly by the celebrated manager of Drury-lane, who, we are aflurcd, never 
 charged a fingle farthing to his brother patentee for fuch fcrvices.. 
 - ' i writer.
 
 I H ] 
 
 writer, they did not directly oppofe the propoficion then made ; yet 
 could not help mentioning the impropriety of taking out the money till 
 the altered play was produced*. 
 
 - , pfi ^ . ., ' 
 
 In return for this complacency on the part of Mr. Powell, Mr. Cet- 
 man, at the very fame meeting, as readily aflented fo the former's mod 
 unreafonable demand of a benefit, to indemnify him for the lofs he ihould 
 fuftain in not ading at Briftol theatre the enfuing fummer. Nay Mr. i 
 Colman went fo far as to infill warmly on the reafonablenefs and equity 
 of fuch demand ; notwithftanding it was exprefsly ftipplated in the 
 articles which they mutually entered into on the 28th of May, that none 
 of the partiea (hould after the firft day of September then next enfuing, 
 bq coinccrned in any other theatre whatever f. oocdoTftje 
 
 ; Tne abfurdity, not to fay the infolenceof this proceeding, could not 
 fail to ftrike Harris and Rutherford in a very peculiar manner, and to 
 fuggeft a fufpicion that Meffrs. Colman and Powellhad formed the 
 defign of taking an advantage of their ignorance of playhoufc cuftoms 
 and artifices, to difpofe of the general property of the theatre at their 
 own plcafure, and to lofe no opportunity of converting it to their 
 private emolument. How far fuch a fufpicion was juftified by the above 
 fad:s, is fubmitted to the determination of the publick. :c 
 
 * Mr. Colman did neverthelefs appropriate the faid fum, although he did not produce 
 the play, nox indeed appear to have it ready, even on the fccond of January following; 
 when he was exprefsly required, by letter from Harris and Rutherford, either to pro- 
 duce the play or repay the money into the treafury of the theatre ; neither of which 
 he thought proper to do: fo that the money thus appropriated by Mr. Colman, (i. e. near 
 fevcnty pounds) ftands at prefent as an equivalent for the few fpeeches inferted in the 
 Rehearfal ; a performance which on the fecond night of its exhibition did not bring 
 feventy pounds into the houfe. 
 
 t See the copy of thofie articles, page 7. 
 
 With
 
 f '5 ] 
 
 With regard to Mr. Powell's adling at Briftol ; Harris and Rutherford 
 conceiving that his advice refpeding the management of the theatre, 
 mioht in the fummer-time be difpenfed with; they,. in order to (hew their 
 unwillingnefs 'to deprive him of any pecuniary advantage which they 
 could reafonably afford him, at length affented to his going, notwith- 
 ftanding they conceived it derogatory from the chara6ter of a patentee 
 of one of the Theatres-Royal in London, to think of fuch an ex^ 
 pcditiqn*. '^^'^^ 
 
 /liaptj brtB ?l3 ^ 
 
 ; The next irregularity committed by Mr. Colman, was produ6bive of- 
 the mod flagrant proofs of his being determined to break through every 
 reftraint his articles laid him under; and of adting not only without the 
 approbation of Harris and Rutherford, but in dired oppofition to their 
 mod pofkive and legal remonftrances. This was on occafion of the per- 
 formance of the play of Cymbelinc ; which, on account of fome perfonal- 
 altercation that had pad relative to the cafting of the parts -f, had been' 
 by mutual confent for fome time laid afide. The duty of the patentees 
 however, requiring the exhibition of that play for one night J, Mr, Col- 
 man laid hold of that- opportunity to order its repetition; notwithftanding 
 he knew fuch a repetition mud be extremely difagreeable to Harris and 
 "Rutherford; as tending to revive the difputes which that play had before 
 occafioned : a confideration that would doubtlefs have had fome weight 
 with Mr. Colman, had he duly dudied the peace and good order of 
 
 FTarris and Ruthftford would indeed have given Mr. Powell formal leave in 
 writing to go to Briftol ; but to this Mr. Colman objefted ; the money arifing from a 
 benefit, appearing both to Colman and Powell the more elegible objed. . , " ' 
 
 t Mr. Colman wanting Mifs W to play the part of Imogen ; which Harris and 
 Rutherford, conceived would be better fupplied by Mfs. L , who had played it the pre- 
 ceeding feafon at Drury-lane. On Mrs. Yates's joining the company however, and refufing 
 to give up the part, it was afligned to neither. 
 
 X December 28.- 
 
 + the
 
 I i6 1 
 
 the theatre; clrcumftances of much greater confequencc than either the 
 profits arifingto the proprietors, or the entcvtainmcnt afforded tiie publick 
 by the exhibition of the play in queftion*. Harris and Rutherford there- 
 fore, thought it neceffary on this occafion to fend Mr. Colman the foW 
 lowing card> after the play had been given out for the fecond time. 
 
 TO G. COLMAN, ESQ,; 
 
 JVl R. Harris and Mr. Rutherford prefent their compliments to Mr. 
 Colman, are much concerned that he direded Cymbeline again to be 
 given out. Mr. Colman is well acquainted with their fentiments on 
 the fubjedb, and how much it is their defire that play fhould, for the 
 prefent, be poftponed. Doubt not he will conduct this affair accor- 
 dingly. 
 
 Monday 28 Dec. 1767, 11 o'clock at night. 
 
 Mr, Colman ftill perlifting in his defign, another earned rcmonftrance^ 
 defiring him for their mutual quiet to defift from his purpofe, was made 
 him the next day ; which proving ineffectual, the following prohibition 
 was fcnt him in form. 
 
 TO O. COLMAN, ESQj 
 
 VV E abfolutely difapprovc the performance of Cymbeline at ou^ 
 theatre untill farther confideration. 
 
 Wedncfday. 30 Dec. 1767. T. Harris, 
 
 J. RuTHRFORtJ 
 Efpecially as it was frequently exhibited it Drnryklane. 
 
 To
 
 C 7 1 
 
 To the above formal prohibition was annexed the following letter, 
 
 CJUR right to forbid the reprefentation of the above play wc 
 draw from the articles entered into between us ; from your letter of 
 the firft of November laft, which runs thus, " any meafures againfi 
 *' which you jhali jointly pro t eft in writings Jhall not be carried into 
 " execution " and from your folemn declaration to the fame purpofc 
 the fucceeding day, in prefence of MefTrs, Woodward, Smith, Gib- 
 fon, &c. It is with the lefs regret that we write in this abfolute 
 manner, as our repeated defires on this occafion have failed to make 
 the leaft impreffion. 
 
 We are, Sir, 
 
 Your humble Servants, 
 
 T.Harris. 
 
 Sent away at 12 o'clock at noon. J. Rutherfor d. 
 
 In anfwer to the above, about an hour after, Harris and Rutherford 
 received the following laconic epiftle from Mr. Colman, with Mr. Powell's 
 approbation, as under annexed. 
 
 TO
 
 t ^ 1 
 
 TO T. HARRIS, ESQ.; 
 AND J. RUTHERFORD, ESQ,; 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 X Have juft received your mandate, and will print it as a reafon to 
 the publick, for performing no play to-morrow, 
 
 Dec. 30, 1767. G. COLMAM. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 VJf R E A T part of our boxes being taken for the play of Cymbeline, 
 great damage muft accrue to my property, by your method of proceeding, 
 and I muft appeal to my friends and the public for redrefs. I moft 
 fincerely concur with Mr. Colman's fentiments above, and fhall abide by 
 his determination. 
 
 I am your humble fervant, 
 
 W. Powell. 
 
 Juftly alarmed at the above threats of Meflrs. Colman and Powell to 
 /hut up the theatre, Harris and Rutherford took proper meafures to 
 prevent their defigned interruption of the public entertainments, and 
 fent notice of it to Mr. Colman, as follows : 
 
 T O
 
 [ 19 1 . 
 TO G. C O L M A N, t S Q^; 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Af you refufc to give diredions for a play to-morrow night, wc 
 fhall : Whether they will be obeyed or not, is for future confideration. 
 What you are pleafed to call our mandate, can be no reafon for {hur- 
 ting up the theatre, as you have the whole circle of the drama (Cymbc- 
 line excepted) from whence to cled: the play. Whatever damages may 
 arife, we doubt not will be at your peril, as they can only enfue from 
 your committing a breach of the moft folemn and legal engage- 
 ments. 
 
 Wc are your humble fervants, 
 
 Wednefday, 30 Dec. 1767, T.Harris, 
 
 4 o'clock. J.Rutherford. 
 
 It is prefumed the above letters need no comment : and we leave 
 the publick to judge of the condufl of a man, who could thus deter- 
 mine to abandon * the management of the theatre, merely becaufe he 
 
 And that Mr. Colraan did abandon the theatre is evident, from his leaving Powell 
 to give out the play at his own jodifcretion, and the prompter's notice to Harris, dated 
 the fame evening. 
 
 TO T. HARRIS, E S Qj 
 Sir, 
 
 By Mr. Powell's order, the Clandeftinc Marriage will be reheafed to- 
 morrow at ten. 
 
 Yoor rooft obedient fervant, 
 
 Joseph Yovncer. 
 
 D 2 was
 
 [ 20 J 
 
 was required to aft in conformity to thofc articles, by which fuch 
 management was put into his hands. 
 
 We will even fuppofe, for a moment, the above prohibition on the 
 part of Harris and Rutherford to have been merely a groundlefs and 
 capricious difplay of that authority which the negative claufe in their 
 articles confefiedly invefted them with. Yet furdy as it was the firft 
 prohibition of the Icind, and Mr. Colman had the whole (lock of plays 
 to apply to, one only excepted, nothing can excufe him for this ralh 
 and precipitate refolution ! But if, on the other hand, fuch prohibition 
 was founded on motives which every man of fenfe and fenfibility muft 
 feel the force of,, while the refolves of Mr. Colman were the mere effedl 
 of fpleen and refentmcnt , his behaviour muft furely appear not more 
 abfurd than criminal* 
 
 But though Mr. Colman thus precipitately withdrew himfelf from 
 the theatre, he left Mr. Powell to give out the play in difpute ; 
 which was accordingly afted on the thirty-firft of December, in open 
 defiance of Harris and Rutherford, and in direct breach of the articles 
 fubfifting between the patentees* 
 
 - On this proof of Meflfrs, Colman and Powell's total, difregard to their 
 -^gagements, Harris and Rutherford grew naturally more and more 
 alarmed at the apparent danger of their property. They judged it im- 
 mediately expedient therefore to audit the accounts of the theatre, and 
 to enquire into the ftate of the wardrobe ; to which latter there had been 
 lately made very confiderable and expenfive additions. To this end they 
 ordered the treafurer to prepare his accounts, and wrote the following 
 letter to Mr. Powell. 
 
 * And that of the mod unmanly refentment ; of which there might, and will, be pro- 
 duced the moft damning proofs/' if Mr. Colman ihould carry his indifcretion fo far as 
 to make it necefTary. 
 
 TO
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
 TO W. P O W E L L, E S Q^ 
 
 Sir, 
 
 \yE defire you will prefent our compliments to Mrs. Powell *, and 
 acquaint her we defire fhe will be pleafed to fend every thing in her 
 pofleffion appertaining to the theatre, to the wardrobe-keeper's office, as 
 we intend forthwith to examine the ftate of both wardrobes : that you 
 will alfo inform her we are much obliged to her for the trouble fhe hath 
 hitherto incurred ; but requeft (lie would not make any farther purchafe 
 on account of the theatre, as we fhall give diredions to the treafurer to 
 pay nothing but incidental charges, until previoufly confented to by 
 us. 
 
 T. Harris. 
 Dec. 31, 1767. J. Rutherford* 
 
 Mr. Foweirs reply to the above requifition. 
 
 TO T. HARRIS, ESQ.; 
 
 AND J. RUTHERFORD, ESQj 
 
 ' Gentlemen-, 
 
 Jl O U R direfbions to Mrs. Powell cannot be complied with. The 
 unappropriated cloaths belonging to the theatre, have ever been kept 
 
 * Mrs. Powell having obligingly taken the trouble to make many confiderable purcharc 
 for the ufe of the theatre.
 
 out of the houfe, under the care of one of the proprietors. They are 
 now in my poflclTion, always free for your infpedion, and forth-coming 
 for the proper ufe of the theatre. However you may efteem Mrs. 
 Powell for the care and trouble fhe has taken to herfelf concerning the 
 property, I believe every gentleman that has made an advance in the 
 purchafe, when they are acquainted with it, will think themfelves 
 greatly obliged to her. Whatever your doubts may be for the fafety of 
 that part of your property in my poflcflion, I know not ; but this I 
 know, that my condud has hitherto been fuch as not to have my 
 honefty or Mrs. Powell's called in queftion ; fo that you may be aflurcd 
 your property is ever fafe with either of us. 
 
 Your humble fervant, -J"-' 
 
 I Jan. 1768. W. Powell. 
 
 P. S. Mr. Colman by our articles is invefted with the theatrical 
 as well as dramatic diredion of the theatre, and the care of 
 the women's wardrobe, and that of the men's, was defircd 
 
 by Mr. Colman to be taken by Mrs. P and myfelf, 
 
 without any objedion on your part, and therefore we fhall 
 pay every attention to the department, for the good of 
 the property, and the pleafure of the publick. And you 
 muft give me leave to tell you, that you fliall find I am 
 not that CYPHER, even according to our prefent 
 articles, as you fccm by your treatment to imagine, 
 
 I am yours, &c, 
 
 W. PoWEtL.
 
 t '3 ] 
 
 It 13 here to be obferved, that Mr. Powell founds his right, of refufing 
 to deliver the cloaths in his wife's pofTeflion into the cuftody ot the 
 wardrobe keeper, on a pretended cuftom. He fays, " the unappro- 
 " priated cloaths belonging to the theatre have ever been kept out of 
 ** the houfe, under the care of one of tlie proprietors." This may, 
 indeed have poflibly been the cafe with fome former proprietors j but 
 how arc Harris and Rutherford bound to follow their example? 
 They think the property in queftion would, for many reafons, be better 
 depofited in the hands of the wardrobe-keeper ; and conceive the publick- 
 will be alfo of their opinion, that the delivery of them when required 
 into the proper office would have been a ftronger proof of the honefty 
 Mr. Powell boafts of, than his peremptorily declaring the requificion 
 could be complied with. As t Mr. Powell's being treated as " a Cy- 
 ^i&^r, " certain it is that Mr. Colman treats him as fuch, in his letter of 
 the firft of November ; wherein he fo explicitly recognizes the reftrain- 
 ing power of Harris and Rutherford, and makes not the lead mention 
 of Mr. Powell, as if he was indeed a C YPH.ER, and there was no- 
 fuch patentee exifting. 
 
 We cannot help taking notice alfo of the ftrefs Mr. Powell lays in 
 particular on the present articles. It is certain iht frefent articles zvq 
 not well calculated for the game MefTrs. Colman and Powell fcem dif- 
 pofed to play into each other's hands. But can either of them be fo 
 abfurd as to fuppofe, that Harris and Rutherford will ever enter into 
 future articles, with perfons who have difplayed fo confcientious a regard 
 to the obfervance of the /T^/^w^ ? 
 
 The impertinent infinuation, thrown out by Mr. Powell, refpeding 
 fuch gentlemen as interefted themfelves in the purchafe of the theatre, 
 would be here paffed over with contempt ,: had it not been immediately 
 followed by a flill more impertinent application to feveral of Harris and 
 Rutherford's particular friends: of which application Meflrs. Colnvan 
 and Powell thought proper to give them the following notice. 
 
 4 TO
 
 TO MESSrt. HARRIS 
 
 AND RUTHERFORD. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 15eING confcious of the rectitude of our conduct, we are willing and 
 defirous to fubmit it to your mod intimate and particular friends ; for 
 which purpofe we have fummoned the underwritten gentlemen to the 
 King's Arms tavern in Cornhill next Tuefday at one o'clock, when if 
 you pleafe you may attend. 
 
 We are. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 Your humble fcrvants, 
 
 G. COLMAN. 
 
 Jan. I, 1768. W. Powell. 
 
 C F , Efq; H B , Efq; 
 
 R O , Efq; T L , Efqi 
 
 P , Efq; N~, Efqj 
 
 M D , Efq; 
 
 What ideas Meffrs. Colman and Powell may entertain of moral refti- 
 
 cudc, the reader who hath perufed this narrative with attention, will 
 
 3 probably
 
 f i5 ] 
 
 probably be at a lofs to determine. He will very readily conceive haw-r 
 ever from the above letter alone, that they muft entertain very 
 flrange notions of humanity and good manners. In this appeal to the 
 friends of Harris and Rutherford, they have dared to treat the latter 
 as contemptuoufly as if not arrived at years of difcretion, and incapable 
 of anfwering for their own conduct. What unparalled infolence! But 
 even fuppofing they had a plea for this, what can juflify their imperti- 
 nence mfummoning together a number of gentlemen of refpedtable cha- 
 radters, to a common tavern, to trouble them with a dilpute in which 
 few of them were concerned, and none could with propriety interfere ! 
 The mortification therefore which Meffrs. Colman and Powell met with 
 on this occafion, was undoubtedly juft; few of the gentlemen attending, 
 and three of them, being thofe only to whom Harris and Rutherford 
 were known, treating the fummons they had received with the contempt 
 it deferved ; as appears by the following letter left for Meflrs. Colman 
 and Powell at the place of meeting. 
 
 FOR G. COLMAN, 
 AND W. POWELL, ES Q.U IRES. 
 
 To be left at the King*s-Arms tavern Cornhill. 
 
 Gentlemen, ' i/' 
 
 W E have each of us a fummons to attend you on the affairs of Covent- 
 garden theatre. But as we cannot poffibly have any right to interfere in 
 this matter, muft beg leave to decline the meeting. Meffrs. Thomas 
 Harris and John Rutherford, are gentlemen, who, in our opinion, will 
 
 E never
 
 [ s6 ] 
 
 never aft contrary to the principles of honour and right. As our friends; 
 therefore, wc are ever ready to fupport them to the utmoft of our 
 abilities. 
 
 We are, 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 Your humble fervants, 
 Jan. 5. 176a- 
 
 This attempt * to prejudice Harris and Rutherford in the opinion of 
 their friends having failed, the impatience of Mr. Colman could no longer 
 be kept within bounds; but broke out the fame day, in the following 
 extravagant letter, written in anfwer to feme remonftrances of Harris and 
 
 An attempt as bafely defigned as meanly executed ; Colman and Powell, ignorant of 
 the real connexions of Harris and 'Rutherford, going to enquire of their follicitor for the- 
 addreffes of thofe gentlemen to whom they.fuppofed Harris and Rutherford obliged. To 
 this purpofeMr. Hutchinfon's card of the 30ch of December, 1767. 
 
 " Mr. Hutchinfon prefents his bed compliments to Meflrs. Harris and Ruther- 
 ford, and begs leave to acquaint them he has juft now had a vifit from Mr^ 
 * Colman and Mr. Powell, to know the adrefles of Mr. O Mr. N and 
 " Mr. F , in order, they fay, to lay a flate of the affairs before them and the 
 ** other gentlemen, who have advanced money upon the Security of the theatre.'* 
 
 Let our readers compare this difingenuous behaviour, particularly in Mr. Powell, with 
 that of T. Harris, who, wanting to borrow no money on the fecurity of the theatre for 
 him/f/f^ yet lent that fecurity for Powell; and wc may leave them to their own reflections 
 en it. 
 
 Rutherford
 
 r 27 ] 
 
 Rutherford agalnft his unjuftlfiablc proceedings*, and the danger they 
 thence apprehended to the intereft of the theatre. r 
 
 TOMES S". HARRIS 
 AND RUTHERFORD. 
 
 Gentlimen^- 
 
 1 H E intereft of the theatre is in no danger but from your conduct 
 find your partialities. Mr. Powell, who has a right to give his advice 
 and attendance when called on, perceives that it is not poflible for us 
 to keep our doors open, if the diredlor is liable to fuch frequent and 
 ftudied interruptions : and we are advifed that no court can ever be led 
 fo far to mifconftrue the articles between us, as to fuppofe the giving you 
 a power that muft be fo prejudicial to our common intereft, could be the 
 intention of it. I ftiall continue to aft in a manner confiftent with the 
 fpirit of it, and wifh you to do the fame. As to the reflitude of your 
 conduft, or of our own, I fliall fubmit that matter to the publick : be- 
 fore whom I ftiall lay a full ftate of the cafe in a very few days f . 
 
 Jan. 5, 1768. G. CoLMAN. 
 
 * Particularly in regard to his exhibiting the Merchant of X^'enice when Mifs Macklin 
 'was indifpofed, in oppcntion to the remonllrances of Mr. Macklin againil it ; to the dif- 
 credit of that performance, and the great confufion of the aftrefs, who played on the 
 Ihorteft warning the capital part of Portia. 
 
 f- This has been the conftant threat of Colman, from the very commencement of the 
 difputes J relying doubtlcfs on his literary abilities for the fupport of his caufe, and well 
 
 E 2 knowing
 
 E 28 T 
 
 " iThe reader is defircd to compare this letter with that received from, 
 Mr. Col man on the firft of November, and then to judge whether any. 
 fufficient reafon can be given for the total change in the writer's fenti- 
 ments concerning the fpirit of the articles alluded to. 
 
 Mr. Colman here .alledges it to be Mr. Powell*s opinion, that the 
 doors of the theatre cannot be kept open, if the diredor is liable to 
 fuch frequent and ftudied interruptions. Now the truth is, that, what- 
 ever right was invefted in Harris and Rutherford to control Mr. Colman 
 in his management, he never did fuffer them to interrupt him in fa(51:, 
 except in deferring the exhibition of Cymbeline before Mrs. Yates's 
 admifTion into the company. 
 
 They did indeed fometimes take the inefFedual liberty to remind him- 
 of the irregularity of his proceedings, in not properly acquainting them 
 from time to time with his intended meafures. They endeavoured alfo.. 
 to pcrfuade him to take proper methods to render Mr. Yates, Mr. 
 Macklin, and fome other performers of known merit and popularity,, 
 more ufeful in the theatre, and of courfe more conducive to the enter* 
 tainment of the publick. 
 
 'If they objefled alfo to any part of his a<51:ual condufl, it was only in- 
 the way of general advice and remonftrance -, which could not, with anyt 
 propriety be conftrued into an interruption of his management , much 
 lefs a ftudied one, and fuch as obliged him to Ihut up the theatre *. 
 
 knowing the reloftance of Harris and Rutherford to trouble the poblick on fo iarproper 
 an occafion as the fquabbles of individuals. Nothing, indeed, but the abfolute ncceffity of 
 removing the unjnft afperfions caft on them, and of preventing the difGpation of their pro- 
 perty, could have made them break that rcfpedlful filence, which they have hitherto im- 
 pofed on themfelves, out of the profoundeft regard to the publick. 
 
 * Nothing can be more abfurd and inconfiftent than fuch a pretence, if it be confi- 
 dered that even their abfolote and formal prohibition of the repetition of Cymbeline, not- 
 ' witbilanding.
 
 [29 I 
 
 It was never denied by Harris and Rutlierford that Mr. Powell had a 
 right to give his advice, when called upon by the other three parties -, 
 but they never conceived that they were under any obligation to take that 
 advice i and much lefs that it was to be taken by any one of thofe parties^ 
 in oppofition to the other two. Nothing of this kind appears from the 
 letter of the articles : but perhaps counfellor Powell hath difcovered fuch 
 a latent meaning in the fpirit of them, in the fame manner as Mr. Col- 
 man's other fagacious advifers have convinced him, that the tenor of 
 thofe articles is now totally different to his conceptions of them three 
 months ago. 
 
 That the power with which Harris and Rutherford arc invefted by 
 the fubfifling articles, muft be prejudicial to the common intereft of the 
 parties, Mr. Colman and his advifers feem too readily to take for granted. 
 At prefent this affertion muft be merely problematical, as that power has 
 nev^r in any fingle inftance been efficaciouily exerted. It can never furely 
 be obvioufly deducible from the terms of the agreement. If it were, how 
 comes it that Mr. Colman, a gentleman bred in the ftudy of the law, 
 (hould enter into fuch abfurd articles ^ But that no fuch inference can be 
 drawn, is boldly prefumed, on the aflurance of fome of the firft and 
 ableft council, learned in the laws of this kingdom-, whofe opinions have 
 been taken on this occafion, and who are unanimous that a court of 
 Equity would, on a hearing of the caufe, decree a fpecific performance of 
 the articles in queftion. 
 
 A copy of one of thefe opinions was accordingly tranfmitted direftly 
 to Mr. Colman, in hopes that it might influence him to come to fome 
 
 withll^nding it indioced Mr. Colman to retire for a while from his direftorlhip, was yet 
 of.no interruption of the buiinefs of the theatre; that play being re-exhibited on the night 
 for which it was given out, and repeated afterwards. 
 
 4. reafonable
 
 t 30 ] 
 
 Tcafonable terms oF accommodation with Harris and Rutherford, and 
 induce him to admit in fadl of their having what they had an indubitable 
 right to, a negative voice in the management of the theatre, and the 
 difpofal of their common property. 
 
 "This opinion * was accompanied by a letter from Harris and Ruthcr-; 
 ford, of which the following is an extraft. 
 
 TO MESS". C O L M A N, 
 AND POWELL. 
 
 Gentlemei*, 
 
 iNclofed you will receive a copy of 's opinion on our cafe. Aa 
 
 his abilities and integrity are well known to Mr. Colman, we have the 
 
 The fubftance of which was, that, on a perufal of the cafe of Harris and Rutherford, 
 and the articles of their mutual agreement with Meffrs. Colman and Powell, together wiih 
 the letters which had paflbd between them, it appeared that Meflrs. Colman and 
 Powell had been guilty of many material and fubllantial breaches of the Taid articles : 
 And that farther it appeared from fuch conduft, that they were determined to throw ofF 
 all regard to their articles, and to z&. in the management of all matters relative to the 
 theatre, as fole and entire owners thereof, in abfolute exclufion of Harris and Rutherford, 
 from fuch management. It was alfo this council's further opinion, that on the filing of a bill 
 in Chancery againft the parties, the court would not only decree a fpecific performance 
 of the articles for the future, but would order Meffrs. Colman and Powell, to make fa- 
 tisfadion to Harris and Rutheiford for their refpeftive (hares of all damages which ftiould 
 appear to have been fuftained by any breach of thcfe articles by them refpcflively : And, 
 at thie fame time would order Mr. Powell and his wife to depofite in the proper office of the 
 theatre, fuch part of the wardrobe as rhey improperly withheld in their own poffeffion. 
 
 greater
 
 r 31 I 
 
 greater reliance upon the impreflions they muft neceflarily make. This 
 opinion, as well as others we have taken, points out the infallible remedy 
 for redrefs i yet, like the reft, it advifes an adjuftment by arbitration, 
 becaufe our difputes, differing from the generality, muft be attended 
 with the fevereft injury to the property litigated, exclufive.of the 
 adlual pcrfonal expence to be incurred individually^ We therefore 
 propofe an arbitration of our difputes, by four gentlemen totally uncon- 
 cerned in affairs of the theatre, two to be nominated by us, unexception- 
 able in point of rank, fortune, and reputation, and impartial, never 
 having been in the leaft concerned in our affairs. If you ITiall both 
 concur in this propofal, and nominate two gentlemen of equal confidera- 
 tion and impartiality, we (hall be ready to enter into bonds for fubmitting 
 to the award of the gentlemen fo nominate:d. 
 
 In anfwer to this letter, and in order to invalidate the opinion 
 therein mentioned, Mr. Colman affected to think a fair and impartial 
 ftate of the cafe had not been laid before the council*. And in a fub- 
 fequent letter, from Meflrs. Colman and Powell in conjunftion, the 
 propofed arbitration appears to be artfully eluded, by their faying 
 only in general terms, that " they were ready to refer to proper perfons 
 " the care of framing a plan of articles which might prevent future 
 " uneafmels." ,,^ f^M Ibwo't 
 
 This not being thought fufEciently explicit, Harris and Rutherford* 
 again applied to them for a more precife and pofitive anfwer to their 
 propofal} which application produced the following reply. '"" '^^"-^'^ 
 
 * Setting the caft, however, as to the damages complained of, out of the queftion, the 
 above-mentioned opinion, refpefling the fpecific performance of the articles, was confirmed 
 by that of other learned council, and thofe of the firft eminence, who gave the fame in the 
 iTioft explicit terms ; with this addition, that thofe articles were entered into upon valuable 
 confideraiion, were exprelTed with clearnefs and certainty, nor could admit of any doubt 
 in their conftruftion as to the rights and powers of the refpedlive parties. 
 
 3 TO
 
 ^ J 
 
 TO THOMAS HARRIS, ESQj 
 AND JOHN RUTHERFORD, ESQ^ 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 t/XJ T of tendernefs to yourfelves, we forbore to enter into any pafl: 
 tranfa6tions, as an enquiry of that nature muft neceflarily lay open 
 the real caufe of the unhappy difference between us; nor indeed is any 
 thing material to the general intereft and happinefs, but a proper 
 arrangement of matters for the future. We propofed therefore, and 
 we now repeat the propofal, toi refer to proper pcrfons the care of fet- 
 tling the articles in fuch a manner, that the management of the theatre 
 may be carried on to the fatisfadion of all parties : nor have we any 
 objeiftion, if you think it agreeable, to fubmit our paft condudl to the 
 confideration of the fame perfons ; confident as we are, that in the opi- 
 ^ nion of any unprejudiced judge, we fhall be found to have deferved a 
 ^^.,yery diffcr^ent treatment than we have met with from you. 
 
 We are, 
 
 -iii^ '1. J- Gentlemen, 
 
 Your humble lervants, 
 
 ' ' G. COLMAN. 
 
 W. Powell. 
 
 The
 
 [ 33 ] 
 
 The attentive reader will obferve that this fecond anfwer is couched 
 in as vague and equivocal terms as the preceding ; the doubtful ex- 
 preflion of proper perfons being ufed in both. Is it poffible that men, 
 really confcious of the integrity of their aflions, as Mefirs. Colman and 
 Powell here pretend to be, fhould hefitate in approving fuch perfons as are 
 defcribed in the letter of Harris and Rutherford, viz. difinterefted men 
 of rank, fortune, and reputation ? 
 
 The uncommon effrontery of Colman and Powell, in afFefting a 
 tendernefs for Harris and Rutherford in not difclofing the real caufe of 
 their difference, is of a piece with the reft of their behaviour, equally 
 contemptuous and contemptible. To have the aflfurance to pretend, and 
 that in a private letter *, addreffed to the parties themfelves, that the 
 unhappy differences between them are owing to any fingle caufe, 
 when they muft be confcious, if they had any conference at all, of their 
 having given repeated and aggravated caufes of difference ! To have 
 the affurance, in reply to complaints made againft them for the violation 
 of articles formally fubfifting, to propofe the new modelling thofc 
 articles, or the framing of new ones ! They may indeed well boaft they 
 are confident j for their confidence appears in this to be matchlefs. It 
 is difficult however to fay which is the greated fubjedl of admiration, 
 the cxcefs of their folly or that of their infolence, in this complicated 
 inftance of both, undoubtedly the greateft infult that ever was offered 
 to men of the leaft pretenfions to common underftanding. 
 
 It is little to be wondered at, that, on Meffrs. Colman and Powell's 
 thus evading the propofal of an equitable arbitration, all epiflolary corrc- 
 
 Or are we to Ajppofe this private letter artfully written, with a view to give fom* 
 toloDr to their pretenfions and praftices, Ihould it hereafter come to be neceffarily made 
 publick. 
 
 F ipondcncfe
 
 t 31- ] 
 
 fpondence between the parties, on the fubjed of tlicir difputcs, fhould 
 have an end. 
 
 A meeting of their refpeftive folicitors did indeed take place foon 
 after, but proved incfFcdual ; fo that things remained in this fituation, 
 when the accidental publication * of a loofe and defultory ftate of their 
 cafe, injudicioufly and imperfcdly drawn up, induced Mr. Colman to 
 publifh the advertifement, which laid Harris and Rutherford under the 
 neceflity of making this remonllrance; on a candid perufal of which, it 
 is prefumed there is no impartial reader who will not rather wonder at 
 their long filence, than cenfure them for the prefent appeal to the 
 publick. 
 
 Having thus given an exaft and faithful narrative of fuch fafls as 
 relate to the legality and redlitude of Mr. Colman's conduft, in regard to 
 Harris and Rutherford, we beg the reader's farther attention to a few 
 general refleflions on his behaviour as a theatrical manager, and the pro- 
 
 By having been fcandalouOy and unjuftiilably exhitited by the mafter of Slaughter's 
 coffec-houfe; where h had been cafaally and unintentionally left upon the table. Great 
 paihs indeed have been taken, to reprefent this accident as a wilful raiftake of Harris 
 and Rutherford ; tending to injure the charadler of Meflrs. Colman and Powell. And yet 
 nothing could appear more plain, on the very face of the thing itfelf, than that fuch 
 cafe could not have been intended for public infpe^ion ; which the feveral blank fpaces 
 kft for the future infertion of names and dates, with the references to letters and memo- 
 rials not annexed to it, fufficiently evince. It was thought incumbent therefore on Harris 
 and kutherford, publicly to difclaim fo illiberal a defign ; in doing which, however, 
 they did not (as hath been falfely reprefented) difavow the papers fo left, or mean in the 
 Jeail to exculpat? Meffri. Colman and Powell of the feveral fads thereia charged upoa 
 iheo). 3 
 
 priety
 
 [ SB J 
 
 priety of their exerting their undoubted right to controul him in that 
 province. 
 
 Harris and Rutherford have feverely felt, and therefore are extremely 
 fenfible of, the difadvantage they lie under from a comparative view of 
 the known abilities of the refpedtive patentees. They have had the fre- 
 quent mortification of having their moft legal and juft complaints difre- 
 garded on the prudential plea of their own intereft. They have heard 
 it repeatedly alledged, even by thofe who have acknowledged the injuflicc 
 and infolence of Meflrs. Colman and Powell's behaviour, that it would 
 be yet highly indifcreet for them (Harris and Rutherford) to interfere 
 in the condud: of an undertaking, for which it has been inconfiderateJy 
 taken for granted they were unqualified. 
 
 But, let us take the liberty to afk, if it be not poflible for fuch advi- 
 fcrs to have impofed on themfelves in this particular, by carrying their 
 notions of the reputation and abilities of Meffrs. Colman and Powell, 
 much farther than their influence in the management of a theatre ex^ 
 tend. 
 
 They prefume not to enter the lifts with their brother patentees in 
 their refpedive profeflions. But, as they pretend neither to write come- 
 dies nor to enadt tragedies, fo neither do they pretend to talents for com!* 
 pofing mufic, leading the band, inventing dances, or defigning and 
 painting the fcenes. Yet they conceive it Jittle lefs unreafonable to expe(5l 
 a manager to be a painter, architefl, compofcr, fiddler, or figure- 
 dancer, than to fuppofe he fhould neceflTarily be either an author or aftoc. 
 
 The proprietors of a theatre, may certainly avail themfelves of the 
 feveral talents of muficians, dancing-mafters, archite(5ts, painffers, players,, 
 poets, and even of managers, if neceflary, on paying them a valuable- 
 
 E 2 confiderationi
 
 r 3 ] 
 
 confidcratlon for their fcrvlces*! And while they are moded or prudent 
 enough to make the public voice their direflor, in the employment of 
 luch as afford the town the highcft entertainment j it is furely a llrange 
 abfurdity, to fuppofe that men, in the lea^t acquainted with bufmcls, 
 Ihould be unequal to the care and conduct of their property in a theatre. 
 
 If to this plea (hould be oppofed an imaginary circumftance, jnduf- 
 trioufly propagated about the town ; viz. that the profits of the theatre 
 this feafon have been gi eater than that of former years; and therefore 
 aflual experience ought with prudent men to prevail over fpeculative 
 reafoning : Harris and Rutherford make anfwer, that, though it is at 
 prefent impolTible for them to afcertain what the profits of the feafon 
 will be, they are fufficiently authorifed to deny the fad : which is all the 
 fatisfaflion they can at prefent give the reader as to this particular. For, 
 however injurioufly they have been treated by MeiTrs. Colman and 
 Powell, they do not think themfelves at liberty, with6ut their confent, to 
 expofe the receipts and difburfements of the theatre, even were it in any 
 
 ^nctoitgt to t 
 
 It may not be improper to cbfervc here, that Mr. Co!man*s not (lipulatiag for 
 fach a confideration, when he accepted of the nominal direlor(hip of the theatre, is <i 
 corroborating proof that it was never intended he (hould take more trouble on himfelf 
 than Hariis or Rutherford : as, had it been otherwife, he would certainly have been as 
 much cntitl. d to a falary for managing, as Mr. Powell was to his falary for afting. Un- 
 lefs indeed Mr. Colman's known difregard to pecuniary emoluments may be fuppofed to 
 have induced him to make a prefent of his fervices to his brother-patentees. For it will 
 hardly be fuppofed, by perfons convinced of the eon/cioas reSiinda he boafts of, that he 
 could haTe an/ Snifter views to aflfwer by his unrequefled officioafnefs. 
 
 At
 
 C 37 1 
 
 At the fame time, neverthelefs, they cannot negleft this occalion df 
 gratefully exprefTing the higheft fenfc of the obligations conferred on them 
 by the town, in its generous approbation of the moderate efforts 
 
 exerted for its entertainment at Covent-Garden theatre this feafon. ^ 
 
 lO ;;Iuod> 
 
 They Ihould think themfclves as highly undeferving fuch approbation, 
 if they ctould on their part approve of thofe little artifices, which have too 
 frequently been made ufe of, to betray the publick into an appearance of 
 applauding what in reality they were fo candid as relu<5lantly to condemn j 
 artifices that have been fometimes carried to the utmoft extravagance, 
 to the prejudice of the proprietors, and difguft of the town. *^ ' ^i5'^"*^- 
 
 If the "art of 'tKeatncal management indeed conlllt in the praclice of 
 fuch petty expedients, to betray the confidence and impofe on the judg- 
 ment of the publick ; if it confift in forcing dull performances and 
 unpopular performers on a patient audience ; the majority of which are 
 introduced merely to keep the reft in countenance , if it confift in 
 keeping news-paper fcribblers in pay to defend grofs partialities, to apo- 
 logize for wilful negle<5l, and to enhance the feeble efforts of ignorance 
 and infufficiency ; Harris and Rutherford confefs they are unequal as 
 averfe to the tafk of theatrical management. Nay, they muft be fo 
 frank as to fay, that they fhould never have hazarded their property 
 on the fuccefs of fuch an undertaking, had not they conceived it might 
 have been conduced to advantage on a more liberal plan. 
 
 But if a fincere defire of contributing to the real entertainment of the 
 publick, joined to a determined refolution to take every juft meafurc 
 conducive to that end, may be Ibppofed to qualify men long attached to 
 the ftage, affifted by perfons of known experience and abilities, for the 
 management of a theatre, they flatter themfelves they will not be found 
 incapable of fuperintending their property in that of Covent garden, 
 
 a equally
 
 [ 38 1 
 
 eqUaUy to their own emolument, and the fatisfadtion of the publick } 
 under whofc aufpices therefore, they beg leave to take refuge, and to 
 fubfcribe themfelves that publick's 
 
 Moft obliged, and mofl; devoted. 
 
 Humble Servants,. 
 
 T. Harris. 
 
 J. Rutherford. 
 
 THE EN D;
 
 ,( 
 
 TRUE STATE 
 
 Of the Differences fubfifting between 
 
 THE PROPRIETORS 
 
 ^^ vr! f"r r v. j 
 
 COVENT-GARDEN THEATREi- 
 
 INANSWERTO 
 
 A Falfe, Scandalous, and Malicious Manuscript LibeI, 
 exhibited on Saturday, Jan. 23, and the two following Days ; 
 and to a Printed Narrative, figned by T. Harris and 
 J. Rutherford. 
 
 By GEORGE COLMAN. 
 
 London, 
 
 Printed for T. Becket, in the Strand j R. Baldwin, in Paternofler-Row ; and 
 R. Davis, the Corner of Sackville-ftreet, Piccadilly. 
 
 MDCCLXVm.
 
 Although the following State of our Cafe has been 
 drawn up by Mr. Colman, I defire to be confidered 
 as equally refponfible for its Contents. 
 
 WILLIAM POWELL.
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 Feb. 10, 1768. 
 
 ON Thurfday laft, after I had begun to prepare thefe Papers for the 
 Prefs, my friend Mr. Rice, between whom and Mr. Rutherford 
 a very ferious difference had that day been brought to a happy con- 
 clufion, intreated me, in the moft earneft terms, at leall to fufpend 
 my Publication ; as he had yet hopes, by his prefent influence with Mr. 
 Rutherford, to accommodate our differences. I confented, and went the 
 next morning to Richmond, where I received the following letter from 
 Mr. Rice, the contents of which induced me to refume my thoughts of 
 publication ; and indeed, rendered it incumbent on me to expedite in 
 as much as pofllble ; which I hope will be fome apology for the appa- 
 rent halle and inaccuracy of the following Narrative. The attention 
 due to it muft, however, depend upon fadls. Mr. Rice's letter is as 
 follows i and is publiihed at his own requeft. 
 
 ** Dear Coiman, 
 
 <' YOU may remember that I acquainted you before you went out 
 of town, that the moment the affair of laft Thurfday was over, I 
 thought it a very proper opportunity to avail myfelf of the fituation I 
 tlien ftood in, and told Mr. Rutherford the only advantage I would wifh 
 to make of the many advantages I had then given him, would be to ren- 
 der myfelf the inftrument of bringing about a thorough reconcihation 
 in the Theatre : Mr. Rutherford replied, that nothing in the world 
 would give him greater pleafure ; and that he fhould be the happieft 
 man living if thofe difputes were once fettled. From the many compli- 
 ments Mr. Rutherford paid me on this occafion, and the very concihat- 
 ing difpofition he was then in, I really was weak enough to believe him 
 fmcere. I faw him the fame evening at the Playhoufe, and we agreed to 
 meet the next day at Mr. Harris's in Surry-flreet. If you recoiled, I 
 begged you not to proceed in your Publication. I went to Mr. Harris's 
 at the time appointed, and to my great furprize found only Mr. Harris, who 
 made an apology for Mr. Rutherford's not being there, but faid that Mr. 
 Rutherford would meet me any where in the evening, if I would leave 
 word where I was to be found. I mentioned the Bedford Coffee-houfe. 
 Mr. Harris's converfation and mine was rather general, as I told him 
 that my bufmefs was with Mr. Rutherford ; that 1 thought I had a claim 
 upon that gentleman, and meant to ufe it to make all the Patentees 
 friends , and that I fhould make a point of Mr. Rutherford's ufing his 
 influence with him to bring about a reconciliation of all parties. Though 
 Mr. Harris did not feem fo well difpofed to a compromife as Mr. Ruther- 
 ford, yet he did not give me the leaft reafon to expedl the mnnmivre of ihis, 
 
 morn-
 
 (' 4 ) 
 
 morning. In the evening I went to the Bedford Coffee-Houfe, and found 
 the inclofed note * for mc there , and when I went home I found a dupli- 
 cate of it : I did not go to Mr. Rutherford's this morning, but waited to fee 
 him inVilliers-Street. In the mean time, thePublickAdvertifer was brought 
 me as ufual, when, to my very great ailoniihment, I faw their Narrative 
 advertifed. Mr. Rutherford came at the time appointed in his note. It 
 was with great difficulty I could keep my temper with him j and I told 
 him, in the prefence of Mr. Allen and a HairdrefTer, that I did intend 
 to fay a great deal to him, but that the very difmgenuous manner he 
 had dealt with me, had put it out of my power to have any thing to 
 fay to him or his friend'Mr. Harris -, adding, " Had you told me, or even 
 fent me word yefterday, that my interfering was quite unneceflary, as 
 your Cafe was to be publiftied this morning, I am fure I could not 
 have been in the leafl offended ; but, inftead of that, you confented to 
 confer about an accommodation, and concealed your intention of pub- 
 lifhing your Narrative : Such difmgenuous treatment from you I thought 
 I did not dcferve.- I now renounce you both for ever, and think you a 
 Couple of people capable of doing every thing that is bad.'* He faid, 
 he was very forry for my ill opinion of him , but declared, notwith- 
 flanding what had pafled, that any thing I had to fay in this difpute, 
 lliould have more weight with him than the remonftrances or argu- 
 ments of any other perfon. I intend to come to Richmond, and dine 
 with you to-morrow.'* 
 
 Saturday Evening, I am, Dear Colman, 
 
 Feb. 6, 1768. 
 
 Moft affectionately yours, 
 
 WOODFORD RICE. 
 
 Mr. R U T ij E R F O R D's NofcJ 
 
 *' Mr. Rutherford'^ tnoji frietidly compliments wait on Capt. Rice. JVas 
 extr Andy forry that be could not wait on him in Surry-Street 7^-^(3)' -, but 
 will be very happy to fee him in Newman-Street, to-morrow at ten, to 
 b-eakfafi. 
 
 " If that fiould pfove inconvenient to him^ and he fhould not hear frotn him^ 
 will call in Villiers-Strcet, about twelve.'' 
 
 Friday Evening, ^^ ,., 
 
 9 o'clock.
 
 [ ' ] 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 BEFORE I enter upon my Narrative, it may not be improper to 
 acquaint the Publick with the reafons that have induced me to 
 give them this trouble ; and to (hew them that filence mull have 
 been interpreted as a tacit acknowledgment of guilt in myfelf and Mr. 
 Powell, who could not forbear to reply to the moft grofs and open ca- 
 lumnies, if we entertained a proper regard for our reputations, and 
 wlfhed to be confidered as m.en who held their good name " as the ini- 
 " mediate jewel of their fouls." 
 
 Contempt of flander is indeed an heroick quality, and confcious inno- 
 cence is the fureft antidote to its poifon. But there are circumftances 
 wherein the world has a kind of right to arraign our condud ; not to 
 mention, that it requires a very uncommon fhare of philofophy not to 
 refute fcandal and malice, when we have the means of juftification in our 
 power. 
 
 On Saturday, the 23d of January, we were informed that there lay for 
 publick infpeftion, at Slaughter's Coffee-houfe, in St. Martin's-lane, a 
 manufcript paper, wherein we were charged, in diredt terms, with the 
 moft infamous collufion in the management of the Theatre ; a collufion 
 intended to promote our own feparatc and private emolument, and confe- 
 quenily to defraud MefT. Rutherford and Harris, the joint- Iharers in the 
 property. 
 
 Notwithftanding thofe two gentlemen had for fome preceding weeks 
 betrayed the moft hoftile difpofition toward us, and endeavoured to render 
 the management of the Theatre as hazardous as it is troublefome -, yet 
 that they, or their friends, ftiould think, it advifable to appeal to the 
 Publick, by drawing up a partial ftate of our differences, feemed almoft 
 incredible. In the evening, however, we repaired to the Coffee room, 
 and on a perufal of the libellous paper in queftion, we found it to be 
 more replete with falfhocd, fcandal, and malice, than it had even been 
 reprefented to us j nor indeed was it pofTible for any perfon, not minutely 
 acquainted with the facts, to difcern how much they were diftorted iQ 
 order to give the leall colour to the charges brought againft us. 
 
 B The
 
 I t 3 
 
 * The paper was conceived in the following terms : 
 
 Aflxtri fi^~ijthe <^fi between Thomas Harris, John Rutherford, George 
 CoLMAN, <7J William Powell. 
 
 ** THE patents, &c. of Covent Garden Theatre, being to be fold, purfuant 
 to the direiStion of the late Mr. Rich's will ; Thomas Harris and John Ruther- 
 iord formed a dcftgn of purchafing them, arid entered into a treaty with the exe- 
 cutors of faid Rich ; but afterwards thought proper to invite fome one perfon con- 
 verfant in thefe matters to fhare with them in the purchafe , one who might 
 ftrengthen the company as a performer, and aflift them in the management there-- 
 of. They pitched upon Wilham Powell the player, to whom the plan was com- 
 municated. At firft his only objection was, an article fubfifting between him and 
 the patentees of Drury Lane Theatre ; but he afterwards, in his own mind, got 
 over that difRculty, and propofed a friend of his, George Colman, a dramatic au- 
 thor.} and urged the expediency of admitting him into the treaty, by greatly exag- 
 gerating the fervice he would do in aflifting the Theatrical Management. At 
 length Harris and Rutherford agreed, not only to the admiflion of William Powell, 
 but alfo his friend George Golman. Whereon, March 3ifl:, 1767, thefe four 
 gentlemen entered into articles of agreement between themfelves, for concluding 
 fach purchafe ; and Harris and Rutherford were impowered to conclude the treaty 
 they had begun on their own account, and the four parties were to be equal 
 fliarers. 
 
 " April ift, Harris and Rutherford contraled for the purchafe, and 10,000 I. 
 the property of Harris and Rutherford, was depofited on that day, the remainder 
 of the 60,000 1. to be paid the ift July next enfuing. And foon after, all four 
 parties met on the fubjedl of their future articles, when Colman propofed to have 
 the uncontrouled management, which Powell approved; but Harris and Rutherford, 
 (being exceedingly furprifed) warmly, and reiteratedly, protefted they never would 
 confent to any other articles, but fuch as would give them a perfeft equality of 
 power with Colman. Whereupon, after much deliberation, the four gentlemen, 
 <Dh 14th May laft, figried an agreement, by which Colman was appointed a6ting 
 manager, Wrth this reftriftion, that he was from time to time, and at all times, to 
 communicate and fubmit his condudl^, and the meafures he fhould intend to purfue, 
 unto Harris and Rutherford, who were impowered to put a negative on any fuch 
 meafure which they fhould jointly difapprove. 
 
 ** Powell was to give his advice and afliftance when required, 
 
 *' May 28th, Powell was engaged as an adlor for feven years, at 400 1. a year, 
 and clear benefit ; and if any performer, or player, fhould be allowed more, 
 <hen an additional charge was to "be allowed Powell, fo as to exceed fuch future 
 player. 2d, None of the parties fhould have any concern in any other theatre. 
 .. July ift. The contraft with Rich's executors was compleated, and the money 
 then p9id.;..buc Colman and Powell were deficient in their proportion of purchafc- 
 
 * It was in^orfed, " A narrative of tranfaftions relative to Covent Garden Theatre." 
 "And at fome diftance was Written, in another handy * For the ufe of the gentlemen of 
 Slanghter's CofFee-houfe j" which words were alfo written on the margin of the fcveral 
 leaves of the manufcript. 
 
 8 money
 
 t 3 3 
 
 money g,cool. whereupon the fum w^ bqrrovved, acid Harris aad. Rifj^rford were 
 fecurities for Colman and Pov/ell. r ,. ., . 
 
 " No fooner were they in pofTeifioD .of the.theatVe,;$fc, but Coln^an begaf^ tp 
 act in a mpft arbitrary and infolent ra^qner ; he fcarce even deign'd to cpnfult Har- 
 ris aiid Rutherford in any one meafure j he received and rejedted dramatic pieces; 
 engaging and refuftng performers,. &.<:. &0. without ever mentio/iing them; and 
 at the firft rehearfal, inftead of introducing them to the performers, :(wljucb. were 
 fixed by him) he forbad them the f^age, therelpy endeavouring to prevent Harris 
 and Rutherford from fuperin^ending his eondud. 
 
 '* After much expoftijlation, Colman afTented to a weekly meeting, when .he, 
 Colman, was to propofc fuch plays, &c. and all fuch other meafures, as he 
 thought might be proper for' the week foliovving. This meeting was ohferved by 
 all parties for a few weeks j yet Harrfg and Rutherford could not help feeing, that 
 Colman did not, at the meetings, propofe all the meafures .he iwterided to purfuej 
 and that when he knew the lentiments of Harris and Rutherford, he generally 
 aded in contradilioii to them. 
 
 ** Fearing to throw the whole afFair into confufion, Harris and Rptherford bore 
 this kind of treatment, and repeated infuhs, from Colman, without refenting 
 them, as he IHII kept, in fome degree, the rank of .d^pency, and did not openly 
 difclaim their nega<ti\e power; but on Thurfday, the , ,^ day of October, he, 
 in the higheft terms.* and moft aggravating language, openly difclaimed their right 
 of reftraining him., andj/olemnly declared, that to them Jie would never difclofe 
 his future intentions ; and that he. would be refponiible to thcpublic, not to them, 
 for the confequences. Though they knew of no caufe, yet this appeared to them 
 the language of paffion or m^dnefs ; therefore, he was again, the fucceeding day, 
 aflced, if he would comply with his arti,cles, and propofe his meafures, &c. Ac- 
 cordingly he again refufe'd ; and being expoftujated vvith again and again, he oji 
 Saturday night declared, he would have.no further communication with either of 
 them J yet, notwithftanding all this, oil Sunday November the ift, he wrote them 
 a letter, (vide copy marked A) wherein he recognizes the articles, recapitulates 
 the fubflance of them, and promifes to adhere to them for the future : but (ftrange 
 as it muft appear !) he io foon forgot hispromife, that without having either beard 
 froJUi or feen faid Harris and Rutherford, he, on the very fame night, and with- 
 out their knowledge, or giving them the leaft notice thereof, fummoned all the 
 principal performers to a tavern, and there harangued them, and acquainted them, 
 that he was invefted with the abfolute management of the theatre, and entirely 
 fupprelFed Harris and Rutherford's right of controuling him. This condudl oblig- 
 ed Harris and Rutherford to read publicly on the ftage, on Monday morning, the 
 whole articles, when Colman, in appearance, took Ihame to himfelf, and declar- 
 ed, in the prefence of Woodward, Smith, and Gibfon, &c. that he would fub- 
 mit his meafures to their controlment. , 
 
 " During thefe tranfadlions, it was impoffible for Harris and Rutherford tP \be 
 blind to the ridiculous partialities of Colman; yet they were of opinion, the 
 caufes of them were of fuch a nature, that as men, they could not take notice 
 of them ; but the inftance was fo glaring, in calling the play of Cymbeline^ that, 
 in duty to the public, Harris and Rutherford were obliged to take notice of it. 
 What can be more diftreffing to men who have the leaft fenfe of honour or gene- 
 rofity, than being obliged to difclofe the foibles and infirmities of others ! yet a 
 concife and true declaration oi this fort, Harris and Rutherford find to be the only 
 
 B 2 way
 
 [ 4 ] 
 
 way that can clear themfclves and others, from the Imputation Colman has no lefs 
 artfully than wickedly put upon them. The uncommon effrontery Colman hjs 
 exhibited in making a iuppofcd partiality to a certain adlrefs, his great plea of 
 complaint, and even carrying his aflurance to fuch a height, as to fummons the 
 friends of Harris and Rutherford, with others who were ftrangers to them, and 
 then wickedly depending on alarming and frightening them with falfe accounts of 
 their condud rcfpeting the above lady, the narrators hope will be deemed a fuffi- 
 cient occafion for their fetting that affair in a clear light. Colman had conceived 
 a violent pique and refentment again ft the above mentioned af^refs, the caufe of 
 which (hall not be here related ; but whilft others are conjecturing, Colman muft 
 burn with {hamc, as that lady's conduct had ever been moft unexceptionable in 
 the theatre. Harris and Rutherford could not help frequently expoftulating on the 
 injuries he delighted to inflict on her; in particular, although the whole theatre 
 deemed her, as the company then ftood, [Mrs. Yates being not then engaged) the 
 propereft perfon to have the part of Imogen in the play of Cymbelinc; yet he, 
 (Colman) at once to gratify his refentment to her, his luft of ailing contrary to 
 the opinion of Harris and Rutherford, and his fpirit of gallantry, infifted moft 
 heartily, that that character fliould be given to a certain young adlrefs ; but with 
 much ado he was {hamed from his purpofe, and he pledged his honour, that the 
 iirft mentioned lady fhould have the charafter. It may not be improper to re- 
 mark here, that after Mrs. Yates was engaged, it was umverfally acknowkdgtd^ 
 that no perfon in our company could Hand in competition with her for that cha- 
 raifter. Yet, after the conceffions that were made by Colman, November the 
 ad, and the reconciliation that enfued, it was agreed by all parties, that as Colmzn 
 had abfurdly made that play a matter of difpute, it fhould be laid afide, and not 
 wot ready for exhibition, until approved by Harris and Rutherford ; but notwith- 
 uanding that, he has fince, viz. on the day of thought proper 
 
 to perform it in oppofuion to their written difapprobation. 
 
 ** On the day of Colman took upon him, without the 
 
 knowledge or confent of Harris and Rutherford, to contrail with Mr. and Mrs, 
 Yates as players, viz. Mrs. Yates at 500 1. per annum, and Mr. Yates at 10 1. 
 a week, with benefits. Though the merit of thefe two performers would at firfl: 
 fight induce one to think, that this ftep, though irregular, was for the intereft of 
 the proprietors, yet, in fail, it has turned out very much the reverfe; nay, it had 
 been viewed in that light three or four days before by all the proprietors, who 
 jointly declared their fentiments againft fuch a ftep. Colman engaging them in 
 this clandeftine manner may be accounted for from the following motives : Firft, 
 being very avaricious, and Powell and himfelf being in perfeil collufion from firfl 
 to laft, he, by giving 500 1. to Mrs. Yates, made an addition to Powell's falary of 
 100 I. per annum : and again, by doing an ail of fo much confequence, without 
 the knowledge of Harris and Rutherford, and even againft their confent ; he there- 
 by meant to prove to the whole theatre, that he could and would ail without 
 confulting or regarding them ; and, in confequence, expofe Harris and Rutherford to 
 <ierifion. That this was a powerful motive, was plain from his immediate fubfequent 
 boaftings " That he had made this engagement on his own authority." The 
 real lofs fuftained by this meafure cannot be eftimatcd at lefs than 1500 1. which 
 way be thus made appear : The falaries of capital performer?, that were before en- 
 gaj^ed, aod now rendered ufelefs, the addition of Powell's falary, the incredible 
 
 cxpence
 
 r 5 3 
 
 cxpence of drefles for Mrs. Yates i add to this, a lofs which has been exceedingFy 
 heavy, though it cannot be afcertained, incurred by Colman's neglecting his duty 
 in reviewing and getting up all other plays, except thofe in which the two above- 
 mentioned performers, and William Powell, had capital characters ; endeavouring 
 by fuch moft unjuftifiable means, to give colour and fan<5tion to the flep he had 
 taken, 
 
 '* 1 he following is a proof of the glaring degree to which Colman and Powell car- 
 ried their collufion. At a meeting, on or about the 20th of November laft, between 
 all the four paities, Colman propofed taking out of the treafury a fum from 64 to 
 70I. on account of the infertion of a few lines in the Rehearfal, and his propofed 
 alterations of King Lear; to all which Powell concurred immediately, and warm- 
 ly; but Karris and Rutherford remonftrated, that it would he more proper to take 
 the money after the tragedy was produced. Yet, notwithftanding, Colman did 
 takeout of the treafury that fum, between 64. and yol- fince which Harris and 
 Rutherford have neither feen nor beard of the play. At the very fame meeting, 
 Powell, notwithftanding his articles to the contrary, earntftly infifted on the equity 
 of his having the benefit arifirrg from fome one night, on account of his not going 
 to Brillol theatre in the enfuing fummer; to which propofal Colman immediately 
 and warmly concurred. At length, to avoid difpute, Harris and Rutherford con- 
 fented that Powell (hould go to Briflol theatre, but Colman refufed; notwithftand- 
 ing he urged the propriety of giving him a benefit, and flew into a great heat and 
 paffion becaufe Harris and Rutherford would not confent to it. 
 
 *' What aggravates, to Harris and Rutherford, the very extraordinary expences 
 for drefTes, &c. is, that Colman has taken upon him, with fome finifter view or 
 other, to depofit a great part of the wardrobe, amounting to a very large fum, in 
 the'houfe of Mr. Powell, inftead of the place appointed for that purpofe in the 
 theatre; and Powell, in the moft infulting terms> refufcs to bring them to the pro- 
 per place, though applied to by letter. 
 
 '* Through Mr. Colman's ill condut, in the management of the theatre, in 
 meafures purfued without the knowledge, or againft the confent, of Harris and 
 Rutherford, they verily believe a lofs not lefs than 3,500!. has been fuftained ; 
 which fum will not appear extraordinary, to thofe who know the very large receipt* 
 and d.fburfements of a theatre, and which altogether depend on the management 
 thereof. 
 
 *' It is not fo much the abovementioned lof/es that alarm Harris and Rutherfordi 
 as that they plainly perceive the ultimate views of Colman and Powell to be theit 
 total exclulion, which they purpofe to bring about, by fetting them, Harris and 
 Rutherford, at fo great a diftance, and keeping thsm fo ignorant of their own af- 
 fairs, that they may not be able to fee through the future operations of Colman 
 and Powell ; and which will unqueftionably be dire(5ted for the purpofe of their 
 private emolument. 
 
 *' From the foregoing cafe, how very unjuftifiable the behaviour of Colman and 
 Powell is, in perfifting (in defpite of honour and honefty, and the known origirial 
 intentions of Harris and Rutherford, and their prefent fubfifting articles) to mif- 
 manage their property, every reader is left to determine." 
 
 On Monday, January 25, the Prompter of the Theatre, a very honeft 
 and intelligent man, who thought himfelf a party aggrieved by that 
 
 pare
 
 part of the paper which related to a certain young alrefs, waited on 
 MefiT. Harris and Rutherford, who both dliclaimed any knowleclge of 
 fuch a paper having been expofed till within two hours before that in- 
 ftant ; adding, however, that they could eaftly conjecture the quarter from 
 which it proceeded^ and fccming to afcribe the publication of it to the intempe- 
 rate zeal of fome particular friend. Upon their exprcfling a defire to lee 
 the paper, the Prompter produced a copy of it ; which Mr. Rutherford 
 turned over with much apparent eagernefs and curiofity, and joined with 
 Mr. Harris in a requell tliat it might be left in their hands. It was fo, 
 and the Prompter departed j but not without previoufly declaring, that, 
 fmce the Paper did not appear to have their fanflion, he hoped they would 
 not be offended, if he took every occafion of teftifying his contempt 
 and deteftation of that part of it, which was relative to a certain young 
 aBrefs. 
 
 Within lefs than an hour after this interview were received, by the 
 feveral perfons to whom they were addrefTcd, the two following Letters : 
 
 To George Colman, Efq. and W. Powell, Efq. 
 " GentlemeNj Monday 25th Jan. 1768. One o'Clock. 
 
 *' THIS inftant we are inform'd of a paper having lain for publick infpedlion 
 at Slaughter's CofFee-houfe ever fince Saturday morning. We think it proper to in- 
 form you, that we were greatly furprized at the above information, being intirely 
 ignorant that fuch a paper was left there, until now acquainted therewith. Are, 
 
 Gentlemen, Your humble Servants, 
 
 T. HARRIS. 
 J. RUTHERFORD.** 
 
 To the Majler of Slaughter*^ Coffee-Houfe, 
 "SIR, 
 
 *' I AM aftoniflied to hear you have expofed a paper (indorfed " A narrative of 
 tranfadions relative to Covent Garden theatre") that was by accident left on Satur-* 
 day morning on one of your tables. 
 
 '* You are required immediately to feal it up, and fend it by the bearer. 
 
 Your humble fervant, 
 Surry Street, Monday morning, Jan. 15th. T. H A R R I S." 
 
 On the fame day, and the next morning, the following notes pafied 
 between Mrs. Yates and Mr. Harris : 
 
 " MRS. Yates prefents her compliments to MefT Harris and Rutherford. She 
 has feen a copy of a paper in their names left on the table of a CofFee-houfe, where- 
 in they are pleas'd to complain of heavy lofTes fuftained in confequence of her en- 
 gagement at Covent- Garden. She begs to know whether it has their fandion ; 
 becaufe, if it has, Mrs. Yatesj injuflice to bcrfclf, will give it a publick anfwer : 
 
 if.
 
 [ 7 J 
 
 if, on the other hand, fome bufy meddling fcribbler has made free with their 
 names, (he will treat it with the moft filent contempt." 
 Monday, Jaii. 25th, King-ftreet, Covent-Garden. 
 
 " MR. Harris prefents his compliments to Mrs. Yates : flatters himfelf no one 
 but the enemies of Mr. Rutherford and Mr. Harris, or thofe to whom they are en- 
 tirely unknown, can pretend to fuppofe them capable of fo very mean an action, 
 as to fubmit a cafe in which they were any ways concerned, to the opinion of a 
 Coffee-room." 
 
 Surry-ftreet, Tuefday morning, 26tb January. 
 
 The fame evening Mr. Harris told the Prompter, that it was hoped 
 he would not be too violent or acrimonious in his language concerning 
 the written paper left at Slaughter's ; for although Mr. Rutherford and 
 himfelf utterly difclaimed the circulation of it, yet as .malevolent per- 
 fons would undoubtedly attribute it to them, fuch language from him 
 would be confidered as an indiredt affront to themfelves. 
 
 The next morning, January 26, the following Advertifement appeared 
 in the Publick Advertifcr and the Gazetteer : 
 
 " A WRITTEN paper, wherein our names were inferted, having been ex- 
 hibited at Slaughter's Coffee- houfe, we think it neceffary to declare, that it was 
 done without our confent or knowledge. 
 
 T. HARRIS. 
 
 J. RUTHERFORP." 
 
 N. B. This was alfo in Publick Advertifer of 26th January. 
 
 On perufing the above Advertifement we fent them the following 
 Letter : 
 
 To J. Rutherford, E/q. andT. Harris, Efq. 
 
 " Gentlemen, Jan. 26th, 1768. 
 
 ** WE are very glad to find that you have thought proper publicly to declare 
 the written paper, fo injurious to our characters, was exhibited at Slaughter's 
 coffee-houfe without your knowledge or confent ; but we could wiih, that you had, 
 at the fame time, difavowed being the authors of it ; for if you do not difclaim that 
 alfo, it is a matter of great indifference to us, whether it was circulated by your- 
 felves or your friends. We think it incumbent on you to add fuch a declaration 
 to your advertifement, as otherwife, we muft ftill confider the paper as coming di- 
 re(Sly or indiredly from yourfelves. We are, &c. 
 
 G. COLMAN. 
 W.POWELL." 
 
 To
 
 [ * J 
 
 To this Letter we received the next day the following anfwer : 
 
 To G. C. and W. P. Ej\u 
 " Gentlemen', 
 
 " YOU are in an error if you imagine the advertifeiv.ent we publlflied was in- 
 tended for any other purpofe, than to contradil the inhnuations which wc heard 
 had been thrown out, that we were the circulators of the paper exhibited at SIauh- 
 tct's coffee-houfe, which we neither were dire<SlIy or indiredtly. 
 
 ** Whenever we thinic proper to acknowledge ourfc'ves the authors 'of any pro- 
 du(5tion, it will be from the fuggeftions of our own minds, and not at the requift- 
 tion of any man whatfoever. We are, Gentlemen, yours, he. 
 
 Surry-ftreet, Wed. morn. T. HARRIS. 
 
 Jan. 27th, 1768. J.RUTHERFORD." 
 
 In the Gazetteer and Publick Advertifer of the fame day appeared this 
 Advertifcment : 
 
 Speedily will be publijh^d, 
 
 " A TRUE ftate of the differences fubfifting between the proprietors of C. G, 
 'i^heatre, in anfwer to a falfe, fcandalous, and malicious libel, highly injurious to 
 the charaters of MefT. Powell and Colman, exhibited on Saturday, Jan. 23d, and 
 the two folJowing days, at Slaughter's Coffee- houfe, in St. Martin's-lane. 
 
 By GEORGE COLMAN." 
 
 In the fame papers of the next morning appeared the following : 
 
 ** GREAT enquiries having been made after the Author of a paper left by ac- 
 cident at Slaughter's Coffee-houfe on Saturday laft, any perfon who has publicity 
 expreffed himfelf to have been injured by the exhibition of that paper, may receive 
 information concerning the Author, by applying to either of us. 
 
 T. HARRIS, SuiTy-ftreet. 
 
 J. RUTHERFORD, Newraan-ftreet," 
 
 In confequence of the above Advertifcment Mr. Bury, an attorney of 
 KingVBench- Walks, Temple, waited on Mr. Harris from us, for the 
 information promifed in the advertifcment conceraing the author ; againil 
 whom (he told Mr. Harris) he had orders to commence a profccution. 
 To this Mr. Harris replied, that Mr. Bury did not come within the 
 defcription of the advertifcment, and that neither himfelf nor Mr. Ruther- 
 ford could give an anfwer to any perfon's attorney. ' 
 
 The fame day, an hour or two after, Mr. Bury waited on Mr. Harris 
 a fecond time, and delivered the following Letter : 
 
 To J. Rutherford, and T. Harris, Efqn. 
 ** Gentlemen, 
 * IVE have puklickly exprejfed ourfelves to have been injured by the libellous paper 
 left at Slaughter's coffee-houfe; we now apply to you for the information you have 
 10- day promifed by publick advertifement concerning the author. 
 
 G. COLMAN. 
 W. P O W E L L."
 
 I ] 
 
 At this interview another gentleman, whom Mr. Bury fuppofed to be 
 Mr. Rutherford, was prefent. This application, however, proved as 
 fruitlefs as the former. Mr. Harris faid that they could fend no written 
 anfwer, nor any verbal meffage : and upon being afked what was the in- 
 tention of their advertifcment, again replied, that they could fend no 
 written anfwer, nor any verbal meflage. Mr. Bury then obferved, that 
 Mr, Powell and Mr. Colman had publickly declared themfehes to have been 
 injured by the paper -, and afked if thofe gentlemen, on a perfonal appli- 
 cation to them, (MefT. Harris and Rutherford) might receive the infor- 
 mation promifed in the advertifement. Mr. Harris replied, that they 
 could fend no other anfv/er than what he had juflf before given. 
 Upon enquiry after the manner in which the Paper came to be ex- 
 hibited at Slaughter's CofFee-houfe, the fat ftands thus. 
 
 On Saturday, January 23, about noon, as Mr. Julliott, of Henrietta- 
 ftreet, apothecary, was fitting in a box at Slaughter's Coffee-houfe, 
 reading the news-papers, two young gentlemen entered the room, and 
 defired to pafs him. They paffed him, and fat down in the fame box. 
 After fome time they pulled out a book and a written paper, and called 
 for pen and ink. The bar-maid afked, if they did not want 2iny paper? 
 They replied in the negative, and ufed the pen and ink in making infer- 
 tions or erafements, or both, in the manufcript which they hadjuft be- 
 fore produced. In about a quarter of an hour they departed -, and Mr. 
 Julliott, after having fufHciently amufed himfelf with the news-papers, 
 happened to caft his eye on the manufcript, which lay on the table. Ac 
 firft he thought it might have been by accident left there , but feeing it 
 indorfed, " A Narrative of Tranfaclions relative to Covent-Garden- 
 Theatre," took it for granted, from the title, that it was left there for 
 general infpeftion, and accordingly made no fcruple to examine the con- 
 tents of it J on perufal of which he told the fervant in the bar, that it re- 
 lated to the difputes among the Covent-Garden Managers ; and that he 
 fuppofed that the two Gentlemen who had jufl left the room, were no 
 ether than MefT. Rutherford and Harris. 
 
 Mr. Julliott does not recolledt that the Paper was alfo indorfed, " For 
 the ufe of the Gentlemen of Slaughter's Coffee-houfe," at the time that 
 he faw it. Mr. Piefton, the mafter of the CofFee-houfe, is confident 
 that neither he, nor any of his people, to the befl of his knowledge or be- 
 lief, added thofe words ; and a gentleman (whofe name will be mentioned 
 if the fad is difputed) who perufed the paper about two o'clock the fame 
 day, well remembers that it was then fo indorfed. 
 
 It has been contended that this Paper was nothing more than the 
 heads of a Law-Cafe, left by accident on a Coffee-houfe table. The fub- 
 pance of it may have been, and I believe has been, laid before Counfel ; 
 
 C but
 
 ff 10 ] 
 
 but the very form of ir, as it now ftands, pronounces It to have been 
 drawn up with another view. Be that as it may, it lay for three days toge- 
 ther in the Coflfce-room, as common and publick as the Daily Advertiser j 
 fo that the chara<5ters ot the parties vilified were equaiiy injured, whether 
 k was left there by accident ordefign. We have ftiled this paper " afalle, 
 fcandalous, and maJicious libel." We repeat thofe exprefTions, confident 
 that every difpalfionate reader of the following narrative will aflent to the 
 iuftice and propriety of the terms in which, we have fpoken of the Paper, 
 The charges of coUufioa and fraud affed us t^o decpiy to be mentioned 
 without fome emotion. As to the virulence and malignity of the ftile, 
 and the words " efi^rontery," *' affurance,'* " void of hoaour and honefty," 
 &c. &c. we take them from whence they come, and confider them as 
 mere paper and packthread to make up the parcel of fcandal. The 
 expreflions of contempt thrown on. us on aecouat of fuppofcd talents, 
 which we Hi ou Id be proud to poifcfsj give i^s nor^ pain ; and we look on 
 the terms IViliiain Powell the Player^ and George Caiman a Drama tick Au^ 
 thor^ as mere words of courfp, like John Rutherford, aad Thomas Harris, 
 Efquires. 
 
 Confcious of the integrity of my actions, and that the more my con- 
 duct was known to the world, che more fully ic would be juftified, i 
 have in fome peevifli momencs, when provoked to the uttermoft, threat- 
 ened to appeal to the Publick-, but on cooler refle<5tion was always averle 
 to fuch a proceeding ; and it is not without the greateft regret that I am 
 now driven to publidi letters, and lay open converfation. The reader 
 indeed will imn>ediately perceive that they are not fuch as pafs between 
 friend and friend ; or, if they were, that I have not been the aggreflbr in 
 this inftance. My letters have been Submitted by my profeft adverfaries 
 to Counfel, and the moft cafual expreflions dropt carelefsly in the flow of 
 table-talk have been urged againft me as folemn refolutions. Thefe very 
 letters and converfations arc alfo the bafis of the black charges brought 
 againft me ; fo that I do but meet the Libeller on his own ground , on 
 which, if he ufes the arms of Falrtiood for the attack, I have certainly ib. 
 i^ght to have recourfe to Truth for ray (hield. 
 
 A TRUE-
 
 * i^ I 
 
 A 
 
 TRUE STATE, &c. 
 
 ABOUT the latter end of laft March, Mr. Powell defi red to fpeak 
 with me on parcicular bufinefs, and acquainted me that a couple 
 of gentlemen had applied to him to become a joint purchafer 
 with them of the patents, &c. of Covent-Garden Theatre -, that he could 
 never think of embarking in fuch an undertaking with two inexperienced 
 young men, who perhaps might know but little of the world, and cerr 
 tainly could know nothing of the internal management of a Theatre ^ 
 that he had not fufBcient confidence in his own abilities to fuppofe himfclf 
 equal to the talk ; but that, if he had my affiftance, he did not doubt of 
 fuccefs ; concluding with a requeft of ray permiffion to mention me to 
 the two gentlemen, and at the fame time declaring, that, unlefs I were 
 included in the treaty, he fhould decline the propofal, fearing it might 
 terminate in his ruin. 
 
 Mr. Powell, with my confent, mentioned my name to the gentlemen. 
 They objeded to taking in a fourth ; but Mr. Powell declared his opi- 
 nion, that they would reap more profit from a fourth (hare with Mr. 
 Colman's affiftance, than from a third without him. 
 
 A few days after, on another interview between Mr. Powell and the 
 gentlemen, they told him that they had confidered of his laft propofal ; 
 in confequence whereof they had made proper enquiries concerning Mr. 
 Colman, and found his acceffion to the partnerftiip fo defirable a circum- 
 ftance, that they returned Mr. Powell many thanks for making fo happy 
 an improvement of their plan, and defired to have a meeting on the oc- 
 cafion with Mr. Colman as fooii as poftible. 
 
 C 2 Accord-
 
 6 1? 3 
 
 Accordingly, on the thirtieth of March, all the four par- 
 
 ^^^6^' ^'" ^^^ ^^ ^^' P^wel^'s- Mr. Colman being afked by Mcff. 
 Rutherford and Harris, whether he had considered of the af- 
 fair which Mr. Powell had at their dcfire communicated to him, repHcd, 
 that he thought himfelf much obliged to Mr. Powell for his good opi- 
 Tiion, but could not think of availing himfelf of fuch a partiality, unlefe 
 they concurred in Mr. Powell's fentiments , and that if they were not of 
 opinion that Mr. Colman's advice and alTiftance were efTential to the wel- 
 fare of the undertaking, he would by no means think of becoming a party 
 concerned merely from the nomination of Mr. Powell. Their reply to 
 this declaration was conceived in the mofl: handfome terms ; and, to con- 
 vince Mr. Colman that the many civil things they faid on this occafion 
 were not words of courfe, they afterwards recurred to this fubje<5l, and 
 repeatedly aflured liim of the great value they fet upon his acceflion to 
 their fcheme, independent of every other confideration than their tho- 
 rough perfuafion of the advantage that would refult from it in the fuccefs 
 of the Theatre. Being late, it was agreed, after a fhort converfation on 
 the intended purchafc, that fhe four (hould have a fecond meeting the 
 very next night, in order to come to a final determination, and to enter 
 into articles of agreement among themfelves concerning the purchafe. 
 Juft before their parting, Mr. Colman, addrefiing MefT. Harris and 
 Rutherford, obferved, that managing a Theatre was like ftirring a fire, 
 which every man thought he could do better than any body elfe. *' Now, 
 ** gentlemen, faid he, 1 think I ftir a fire better than any man in England.'* 
 To this they replied, " Do you manage ; let Mr. Powell aft ; all we 
 * want is to have good intereft for our money." 
 
 _^ The next evening we met again ; and, at the defire of MefT. 
 
 '** Rutherford and Harris, Mr. Hutchinfon, a gentleman whom 
 they particularly recommended for his abilities and integrity in his pro- 
 feffion, attended with an inftrument prepared for us to fign. By this 
 agreement, MefT. Rutherford and Harris were empowered to treat for 
 the purchafe of the Theatre, &c. at any fum not exceeding 6o,oool. 
 forty thoufand to be raifed by themfelves, and twenty by Colman 
 and Powell, whom they were to aflift with a loan of 5000 1. each, to 
 make up their proportions of the purchafe-money. On Mr. Hutchin- 
 fon*s reading over this inftrument, when he came to that part of it 
 
 'wherein it was recited, that the four parties Jhoitld be jointly and equalfy 
 concerned in the managefhent of the Theatrey Mr. Colman begged leave to 
 
 Interrupt him, and told him it was aiettled point that he (Mr. Colman) 
 was to be inverted with the direction of the Theatre ; whereupon, to hrs 
 
 'very great furprife, Meff. Harris and Rutherford declared, that they 
 ntver had the leaft intention of forming fuch an article j that, as they had 
 
 ihe
 
 [ -3 ] 
 
 the turn of the fcalein the purchafe-money, they could not think of low- 
 ering their confequence in the purchafe, &c. Mr. Colman faid, that he 
 took it for granted (as he moft certainly did) that this matter had been 
 previoufly underftood on all fides ; and that he had plainly declared to 
 Mr. Powell, on his firft application, that he would never be concerned in 
 the purchafe, unlefs he (hould be inverted with the theatrical direftion. 
 Mr. Powell allowed the truth of this affertion, but faid nothing in appro- 
 bation of Mr. Colman' s claim of the management; and McfT. Rutherford 
 and Harris, feeming fenfible of his fuperior utility in this province, but 
 unwilling to acknowledge that fuperiority under their hands, the agree- 
 ment was at laft figned by each of the four parties, in the form in which 
 it had been originally prepared. 
 
 This tranfaflion pafTed on the thirty-firft of March, though the manu- 
 fcript paper exhibited at Slaughter's, as well as the printed Narrative, for 
 the fame purpolcs of fallacy that will appear through the whole, place it 
 much later. ': 
 
 The next morning I fet out for Bath, where I remained till ; 
 
 the third or fourth of May. In the mean time, MefT. Harris ^" 
 and Rutherford contraAed for the purchafe, depofited io,oool. and 
 agreed for the payment of the remainder on the enfuing firft of July. 
 
 I have been extremely particular in the above relation, becaufe f am 
 refolved not to fupprefs or difguife the moft minute fad, that may feeni 
 in the leaft favourable to MefT. Rutherford and Harris. For a like rea- 
 fon 1 ftiall fupprefs all my reflexions and refolutions declared to particu- 
 lar friends, till I had the pleafure of feeing thofe gentlemen again, which 
 was not till fome days afcer my return to town ; the lame me- 
 lancholy occafion that fummoned me from Bath fooner than I 1767!^ 
 propofed, having alfo fecluded me from company. In the mean 
 time, Meff. Rutherford and Harris expreffed the greateft impatience for 
 an interview with me, apart from Mr. Powell. On the very firft con- 
 ference, they teftified, in the warmeft terms, their earneft defire that I 
 fhould be invefted with the theatrical diredlion, complaining at the fame 
 time of the indifcretion of Mr. Powell, to whom they afcribed the noto- 
 riety of our intended purchafe, which was now become the common talk 
 of the town, and our names inferred in every news-paper. 
 
 It is but juftice to Mr. Powell to declare, that it afterwards appeared 
 that, from the peculiar circumftances of Mr. Rich's will, his widow 
 thought herfelf bound in honour to declare to fome other candidates for 
 the purchafe, that (lie had given nocice to the truftees of her having con- 
 trafled for the fale. This circumftance, as well as the neceffary appli- 
 cations by each of the parties to their friends for the requifite fum, tended 
 to make the treaty publick. One part of Mr. Powell's condud on this 
 2 occafion.
 
 t u I 
 
 occafjor;, tliough it certainly contributed to betray our operations, is 
 very much to his honour, though the written Narrative, with the fame 
 Jpirit of candour that animates the whole, endeavours to interpret it to 
 his difad vantage, and to tax him wi^th a (candalous breach of faith to the 
 Patentees of Drury-Lane Theatre. The truth is, that the very day 
 after MelT. Rutherford and Harris had applied to Mr. Powell, he com- 
 municated the n"iatter to Mr. Ijacey, who very kinaly affured him of his 
 beft wilbes, and a continuance of the fame fricndlhip which he had (hewti 
 to Mr. Powell onievery former occafion. Mr. Garrick was then at Bath. 
 In a word, Meff. Harris and Rutherford now infitted on 
 ^^Jw* the expediency of invefting Mr. Colman with the diredtion of 
 the Theatre, and were extremely follicitous to fettle this point 
 before Mr. Powell's fummer-engagements fhould call him out of town. 
 To this end it was propofed, that we ihould each of us confider of that 
 and fome other neceffary articles, and throw our thoughts concerning 
 them upon paper. I did fo , and Mr. Harris, in a few days, took occa- 
 fion to call upon me one morning nlone. I then fubmitted to him a pa- 
 per containing a (ketch of fome articles, and, among the reft, one re- 
 lative to the management, which was as follows : 
 
 ** That Geor-ge Colman fhall be jnvefted with the theatrical direc- 
 tion, that is to fay, the power of engaging and difmiffing aftors, ac- 
 ** trefles, fingers, dancers, muficians, &c. &c. of receiving or re- 
 ' jeding fuch new pieces as (hall be offered to the Theatre ; of cafting 
 ' the plays ^ of appointing what plays, farces, &c. (hall be performed ; 
 ' together with the fole condud: of aiU fuch things as are generally un- 
 *' derftood to be comprehended under the dramatick and theatrical pro- 
 *' vince : Provided ahwrys that the f aid George Colman Jhall not do any aB 
 *' contrary to the opinion of a'ny two of the ether partners in writing ex- 
 *' prejfed : and that if I he four pattne^s fball be equally divided in oprnion^ 
 ' that the matter in difpute fball be referred to two arbitrators^ one for each 
 * party \ and if the faidtwo arbitrators cannot agree ^ that they fhall join in 
 * appointing one other arbitrator^ whofe opinion fhall be deciftve a}id final *^ 
 
 ( 
 
 On perufing the abov rough draught of an article, Mr. Harris did 
 me the honour to obferve, that the footing on which 4 was willing to reft 
 my management was extremely generous, and agreeable to the candour 
 which I had (hewn in my whole tranfaiftion with them -, but that he 
 diought it nece/Tary that 1 (hould have more power than fuch an article 
 would give one j that he had the greateft efteem and regard for his friend 
 Mr. Rutherford, whom he thought a very honeft, good-natured man, 
 but that there were no two pcrlbns in *he wofid more likely to differ in 
 
 opinion
 
 t '5 ? 
 
 opinion than himfelf and Mr. Rutherford ; (o that if Mr. Rutherford an^ 
 Mr. Powell fhould happen to join in oppofition to any of my meafures, 
 an obftrudtion in the management muft neceflarily enfue ; that his bro- 
 ther-in-law, Mr. Longman, had told him, that he and Mr. Rutherford 
 mgk^ differ y but that he and Mr. Colman never could; he could wi(h, 
 therefore, that I would agree to put Mr. Powell entirely out of tht quef^ 
 tion, and to place the whole negative power in himlelf and Mr. RutheiH 
 ford, and then (added he) " Tou will always be fure of o^y. of tis.''* 
 
 Although this fcene paft entirely between Mr Harris and me, yet the 
 truth of it does not reft on my bare affertion j for I recapitulated all thefe 
 circumftances to Mr. Harris fome weeks ago at the Theatre, in the pre- 
 fence of Meffrs. Rutherford, Powell, and Hutchinfon^ He allowed the 
 facts, but added, that he had been m.iftaken in me. 1 returned him the 
 compliment. 
 
 I fell into the fnare, and faid, that if Mr. Powell could be prevailed 
 on to affent to fuch an article, I had no objedlion to it. Mr. Rutherford, 
 in this inftance, as in every other, implicitly fubmitted to the opinion of 
 Mr. Harris. Mr. Powell, however, Ihewed great repugnance to giving 
 me the diredlion. On my expoftulating with him alone on this fubjeft, 
 and reminding him of his firft application to me, and my declared refo- 
 lutions at that period, he frankly confefTed that he had been advifed to ths 
 contrary ; but that, on refleftion, he returned to his original in^ca^oin&., 
 and was content to put his fame and fortune into my hands. ! 
 
 This is the real hiftory of the article refpedling the manage- 
 ment, which was accordingly figned by all parties on the .14th ^^ ^^ 
 of May, and is as follows : . . ! ' ' 
 
 *' WHEREAS Thomas Harris, John Rutherford, George Colman, and William 
 Powell, by certain articles of agreement, dated the 31ft Day of March laft, did 
 agree to purchafe of the Reprefentatives of John Rich, efq. deceafed, two patents 
 for exhibiting theatrical performances, and the feveral leafes of Covent-garden the- 
 atre, and the rooms, buildings, conveniences, furniture, cloaths, fcenes, decora- 
 tions, mufic, entertainments, and all things belonging to the faid Theatre j and 
 the faid Thomas Harris and John Rutherford were thereby authorifed to treat for, 
 and purchafe the fame, at a fum not exceeding 6o,DOO 1. and the purchafe-monev 
 was to be advanced by the faid parties equally, and they were to become jointly pof- 
 fefled of, and interefted in, the premiffes fo to be purchafed, and were to be jointly 
 and equally concerned in the management of the faid Theatre, and were to execute 
 proper deeds and inftruments for that purpofe, w-hen the faid purchafe fliould be 
 completed. And whereas the faid Thomas Harris and John Rutherford have ac- 
 cordingly con tra<Sled and agreed with the reprefentatives of the faid John Rich, for 
 -the purchafing of the faid patents, leafes, premiffes, and things, at and for the fumt 
 of 60,000 1. and fuch purchafe is to be completed on the firit of July i>ext : Now 
 the faid feveral parties, having perufed and fully unde/ftanding the purport 
 aruj contents of the faid contrail, do approve of, and confirm the fame. And hav- 
 7 "S
 
 [ .6 ] 
 
 ing alfo, in conrcquence thereof, taken into their confiJeratibh the Management' of 
 the faid Theatre, they have, for the better and more eafy conducing of the bufinefs 
 thereof, as well as for their joint and equal benefit and advantage, agreed, and do 
 hereby mutually declare and agree, that, notwithftanding any thin contained in 
 the faid agreement already made between the faid parties, the faid George Colman 
 ftiall be inverted with the Direction of the faid Theatre in the particulars following, 
 viz. tht he (hall have the power of engaging and difmifling performers of all kinds j 
 of deceiving or rejeling fuch new pieces as fhall be ofFired to the faid theatre, oc 
 the proprietors thereof j of cafting the plays ; of appointing what plays, farces, en- 
 tertainments, and other' exhibitions, ihall be performed ; and of conducing all fuch 
 things as are generally underftood to be comprehended in the dramatic and theatri- 
 cal province. And that the faid Thomas Harris and John Rutherford fhall be de- 
 lired to attend to the comptrolment of the Accounts and Treafury, relative to thd 
 faid theatre. Provided always, and in as much as the faid Thomas Harris and John Ru- 
 iherford will have lei/ure to attend to the affairs of the faid theatre, and the faid TViUiam 
 Powell is to be engaged as an Aior or Performer upon the Stage (for which purpofefeparat^ 
 articles are intended to be entered into between him and the other Parties )j in which his 
 tim* and attention will be chiefly employed and taken up, fo that he will not be able to apply 
 himfelf in managing the bufinefs of the theatre j it is therefore hereby further agreed, that 
 the faid George Colman Jhall, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, communicate 
 andfubmit his conduSi^ and the meafures he Jhall intend to purfue, unto them the faid Tho- 
 mas Harris and John Rutherford ; and in cafe they Jhall, at any tim?, fignify their df ap- 
 probation thereof, in writing., unto the faid George Colman, then and in that cafe the mea^ 
 Jures, fo difapproved of, Jhall not be carried into execution, any thing before contained to 
 the contrary thereof notwithjlanding. Tet, neverthelefs, with refpei to the faid Tf^tlliam 
 Powell, it is intended and agreed, that he Jhall, at all times, give his advice and ajjiflanc'e 
 relative to any part of the bufinefs cf the faid theatre, when thereunto defired by the other 
 parties^ Witnefs the hands of the faid parties, this 14th day of May, 1767. 
 
 _, ^ T. HARRIS, 
 
 Witnefs, JNO. RUTHERFORD, 
 
 J A. HUTCHINSON. G. COLMAN, 
 
 WILL. POWELL." 
 
 It was at the lime of the above conference that Mr. Harris fir ft men- 
 tioned Mrs. Lefljngham, expreffing his defire that llie might be engaged 
 at our Theatre ; but at the fame time requefling that / would not be 
 alarmed on this occafion, as he did not wi(h to have her confidered with 
 more partiality than any other Performer, either in regard to the allot- 
 ment of Parts, or proportion of Salary. I very readily acquiefced in re- 
 ceiving her, provided fhe could, with any propriety, difentangle herfeif 
 from her engagements at Drury Lane j and even declared a propenfity to 
 Ihew her any reafonable parriality, which I did not doubt was all that 
 would be required. 
 
 vi , ^ On the 28ih of May was figned another Article, chiefly 
 
 rflay *" relative to Mr. Powell's engagement as a Performer, of which 
 
 moreilrall be faid in the fequel. By the fame Article: it was alfo agreed, 
 
 ' y'^^'tf^q^he qf the pkrtics (hould be concerned in any other Theatre \ and 
 
 that
 
 t "7 ] 
 
 that any of them producing any new Play, Farce, Entertainment, or otiier 
 exhibition, or any alteration of an old Play, Farce, &c. fhould have 
 the common emoluments accruing to Authors from fuch produdlions, 
 txclufive of the other parties. 
 
 On the firft of July the contra6t with Mr. Rich's executors 
 was compleated, and the money then paid; but in order to ef- J"^' 
 fe6l the purchafe, the fum of Fifteen Thoufand Pounds had been bor- 
 rowed, VIZ. Six Thoufand for Mr. Rutherford, Five for Mr. Colman, and 
 Four for Mr. Powell; for fecuring which fum of Fifteen Thoufand Pounds 
 the three fourth fhares of Meflrs. Rutherford, Harris, and* Colman, were 
 mortgaged, Mr. Powell having made over the firft claim on the whole of his 
 Ihare to the perfon of whom he had borrowed the other Eleven Thoufand 
 of his proportion of the purchafe. By this account it will appear, that 
 Meffrs. Harris and Rutherford were not called upon to make good their 
 original contrad ; that Mr. Powell raifed One Thoufand Pounds more 
 than his contrail required ; that Mr. Colman was not obliged to them, 
 diredly or indiredly, for a fingle fliilling ; that he was a joint iecurity with 
 them for the Four Thoufand advanced to Mr. Powell , and that Mr. 
 Colman raifed, independent of the patent fecurity, One Thoufand 
 Pounds more than Mr. Rutherford, who brought but Nine Thoufand 
 into the common ftock to Mr. Colman's Ten. It will fcarcely be con- 
 tended that Mr. Colman could not raife 5000I. on his ihare ; at leaft it 
 cannot be urged with a good grace by MeflTrs. Harris and Rutherford, 
 who often affured him how much more eafily the money was raifed by 
 the ufe of his name : not that thefe particulars would be worth mention- 
 ing, if it were not to (hew that there is not the moft minute circumftance 
 in this whole tranfaftion, wherein the writer of the libellous Narrative has 
 not attempted to deceive. 
 
 The purchafe being completed, Mr. Powell, who came up 
 to town on purpofe to fign the writings, returned to Briftol ; ' ^' 
 and MefTrs. Rutherford and Harris fetout on atourof pleafure to Buxton, 
 Matlock, Harrowgate, &c. leaving all the care of preparing the Houfe 
 and Company for the enfuing feafon to Mr. Colman. Before their depar- 
 ture Mr. Colman (hewed Mr. Harris a paper containing a fketch of the 
 alterations then propofed in the Company, and lamented the want of his 
 and Mr. Rutherford's and Mr. Powell's alTiftance and advice in the courfe 
 of his future operations during the fummer ; on which occafion Mr. Har- 
 ris, with much politencfs and apparent fincerity, replied, that it was of 
 no confequence, (ince they (hould have nothing to do but to approve 
 what he propofed. 
 
 The many cares attending my new (ituation are not eafily 
 imagined i but I was embarked on a lea of troubles, and was ^"^* * 
 ^ . D refolved
 
 [ j 
 
 refolved to make way, if poflible, with chearfulnefs and refolution. Af- 
 ter a moft laborious and unwearied attention to the bufinefs of the The- 
 atre for fix or feven weeics, having fettled tvery thing in the beft manner I 
 was able, I went down to Briftol, and communicated all my proceedings 
 to Mr. Powell, who exprefled great fatisfaflion at the meafures I had 
 taken* In about three weeks 1 returned to London, expedling to meet 
 the two other gentlemen returned from the North, and to find them in the 
 fame good humour which they maintained before they fet out. 
 ^ In this, however, I was cruelly deceived. They received mc 
 
 "*^^' in tke coldeft manner, and inftead of feeming fenfible of the 
 trouble I had taken, broke out into complaints of their not having been 
 made duly acquainted with all my proceedings. The only material Iteps 
 I had taken, were the receiving a Comedy of Dr. Goldfmith, and making 
 an engagement with Mr. Macklin , neither of which, efpecially the 
 latter, i liiould have done merely on my own judgment, had it not been 
 almoft next toimpoflible to have obtained their opinion; as their motions 
 yvere quite uncertain, and I never received a letter from either of them, 
 till a few days before I went to Briftol. Of thefe meafures, however, 
 fhey declared their entire approbation , but before we parted, Mr. Ruther- 
 ford took a frefh occafion to differ with me, and rendered a very trivial 
 concern a matter of great importance, hy peremptorily infijiing that the ar- 
 rangements, which 1 had made in that inftance fhould not be purfued. 
 What rendered this unexpected oppofition the more fhocking to me, was, 
 that it was introduced by obfervations rather unfavourable to the reft of 
 my conduft, for which 1 was weak enough to exped: a very different re- 
 turn. Mr. Rutherford continued to injiji on my waving the point, which 
 ;^t that time was not only unadvifable, but impradicable. I profefled, 
 therefore, that I ftiould moft fteadily adhere to it j and on thofe terms we 
 parted. 
 
 It is but juftice to Mr. Harris to declare, that he afled with the utmoft: 
 candour on this occafion. He undertook to be a mediator, and ufed every 
 method to conciliate the mind of each party. At length Mr. Rutherford 
 Was prevailed on to wave his oppofition, by the interpofuion of his friend, 
 and the following letter from me, 
 
 ** Dear Sir, 
 " WARM as I am, I can fee and feel the impropriety of it in myfelf, as well 
 as in others J and I do aflure you, that I have entirely forgot any little afperities oa 
 your part, and am moft heartily forry for whatever might have the air of violence on 
 mine. Any arguments in favour of the contefted point, arifing from confiderations 
 of generofity, prudence, or neccflity, I leave to your cool^refleftion ; and I now re- 
 queft it as a favour, that ail which hath pafled on this fubjefl, may be buried in fi- 
 lencc aud objivipn ; and that you will give a.cheaiful aSem to the meafuie, if it be 
 
 for
 
 for no other reafon than merely to oblige your friend, who will lay "hold of efcfy o* 
 cafion to convince you, that he is, with the utmoft regard and efteem, deair Sir, 
 
 Your moft affectionate humble fervaiit, 
 Sept. 8,1767. G. COLMANw 
 
 Ti? J. Rutherford, Efq. 
 
 The charges of my forbidding them the ftage on the firft rehearfaf^ 
 and neglefting to introduce them to the performers, if they did not be- 
 tray a ftrange difpofition to jealoufy and ill humour, would fcarce deferve 
 notice. All I can fay is, that I never intended to give them the leaft 
 offence, or to be deficient in any due attention to them , nor did they 
 themfelves at that time feem to entertain fuch fufpicions : for it was on 
 the ftage that Mr. Rutherford and I firil met after the above little dif- 
 ference : it was on the fl:age that he took me by the hand, affuring me 
 that he was perfeftly fatisfied, and how ardently he defired the continua- 
 tion of a good underftatiding between us : to which I was fo fincerely 
 inclined, that I concealed the whole tranfaftion from Mr. Powell ; and 
 the curtain drew up on the 14th of September, with feeming content on 
 all fides, and the moft entire harmony in the cabinet of the four kings of 
 Brentford. , 
 
 The above difference, however, proved to be a prologue to 
 the fcenes of difputes that were to fucceed. A day or two after ^^ * 
 our opening the Theatre, I found the two gentlemen there together, and 
 Mr. Harris, to my great furprize, in very ill humour. On enquiring 
 the caufe, he faid that an infult had been offered to Mrs. Leflingham ; 
 concerning which he would make no farther enquiry, as he "Ji^euld not 
 know from whom it proceeded. That lady having been engaged on the 
 recommendation of Mr. Harris, I verily believe that Mr. Powell, as well 
 as myfelf, was inclined to treat her not only with refpeft, but even with 
 partiality, as far as it could be confiftent with the general intereft. I 
 ventured therefore to vouch thus much, and defired to know the pre- 
 fent matter of complaint, which proved to be her having been afTigned a 
 drefling-room up ttairs. I told him that this was the firft word I had 
 ever heard of it : that my attendance on matters merely dramatick and 
 theatrical, was more than fufficient bufinefs for me ; and that the card 
 of dreffing-rooms, ward-robe, &c. had been kindly undertaken by Mr. 
 and Mrs. Powell. Upon this he took me apart, and repeated his ex- 
 prcflions of dilTatisfadlion with more warmth than before. My fecond 
 anfwer was no other than the firft \ whereupon Mr. Harris in fome mea- 
 fure turned the converfation, by defiring that Mrs. Leflingham might; 
 have the part of Imogen. I told him that, as the Caft Book then ftood, 
 it was allotted to Mifs Ward. He faid that Mrs. LelFingham could play 
 it as well. I did not deny but fhe might; adding, that all the bufinefs 
 i\-"' D 2 then
 
 [ 1 
 
 .then afligned to Mifs Ward muft be underftood to be merely on fuppo- 
 fuion i tor that as 1 had never feen her play, fhe might perhaps upon 
 trial appear unfit for it-, and that I had given her the part of Imogen, 
 merely on account of the youth and innocence of her figure, which I 
 thought very fuitable to the character. I added at the fame time, that, as 
 a friend to Mrs. Lefllngham, I would advife her never to play a line of 
 Tragedy. This Mr. Harris in fome meafure allowed, but did not feem 
 to think Imogen fo much out of her fphere as Belvidera, and fome other 
 tragick charaders. 1 mentioned alfo, that as Mr. Powell had a capital 
 part in the play, it would be but a reafonable attention to him, to con- 
 fult how far it would be agreeable to hjm to call the play in that manner: 
 but Mr. Harris faw no occafion for Mr. Powell's concurrence. This was all 
 that paffed on the fubjed; and this was the only time that ever the name 
 of Mifs Ward was mentioned for the part of Imogen ; nor was 
 *'^** ' * it then agitated on either fide as a matter of contention between 
 her and Mrs. Lefiingham. From this circumftance thePublick may de- 
 termine of the confidence that is due to the libellous author of the writ- 
 ten Narrative , wherein, for obvious reafons, mean as they are bafe, that 
 young aclrefs is brought forward as the objedt of difpute. It is to be hoped, 
 however, that thefe wicked infinuations, falfe as they are fcandalous, will 
 not contribute to throw a (lain on the character of a young adrefs, whofe 
 condu^ has not only ever been mofi unexceptionable in the theatre, but 
 every-whepe elfe. 
 
 About the fame period that the arrangement of Mrs. Lefllngham's 
 drefling-room' was taken into confideration by Mr. Harris, his friend Mr. 
 Rutherford took upon him to promife a feparate dreffing-room for Mrs. 
 Bellamy. Mr. and Mrs. Powell remonftrated concerning the great want of 
 room behind the fcenes to no purpofe. Mr. Rutherford faid he had pro- 
 mifed ; and if it coft him 500/. to build new rooms, it muft be done, in a 
 word, both the ladies were obliged, and both the gentlemen were fatisfied. 
 On Friday, Sept. 18, the Prompter furprized me, by acquaint- 
 ^^^' ing me that Mrs. Leflingham had returned the part of NerifTa in 
 the Merchant of Venice i and my furprize was redoubled a few hours 
 after, by his putting into my hands the following letter : 
 
 SIR, 
 ** As I returned you the part of Nerifla, I think it right to give my reafon for 
 it. I have as yet had no lift of thofe parts it is intended I (hould play ; when I 
 have, and find I have an equal ftiare of good and bad, I fhall have no obie6lion to 
 any, though the loweft. I defire you will acquaint the managers with this. I 
 *"^' ^""j Your humble fervant, 
 
 J. LESSINGHAM." 
 7<7 /I/r. Younger, Prcmpur^ Covent-garden. 
 
 " Received the letter, of which this is a copy, Friday, September 18, 1767 1 
 but the letter itfelf has no date, j. Y."
 
 [ " I 
 
 Piqued at the ftudied infolence of this cpilUe, but unwilling to re- 
 fent it on account of the quarter from which it proceeded, I fubmitted 
 the letter that very evening to Mr. Harris, who defended the propriety 
 of it in fuch terms as led me to fpealc my thoughts very freely, both of 
 the letter and its author. This was very highly refented by Mr. Harris, 
 by whofe privity I then took it for granted the letter had been fent ; and 
 I have fince feen no reafon to alter my opinion. He went direftly to the 
 Prompter, and ordered him to bring the Caft Book to his houfe the 
 next day. The Prompter did fo, and delivered it to Meff. Harris and 
 Rutherford, from whom, on the moi'ning of Sunday the 20th of Sept^ 
 juft a week after opening the theatre, 1 received the following letter : 
 
 * SIR, Saturday, 19 Sept. 1767. 
 
 ** Upon examining the Caft Book, we find feveral parts allotted to Mrs. LefEng- 
 ham, which we think improper for her to perform ; and others omitted,- which we 
 think very proper for her fphere of ading. In order to avoid miftakes, we have ei- 
 ther expunged or erafed from the CafJ Book, tiie names oppofite to fuch impmper 
 parts, and defire you will give diredlions to the prompter to infert her name in lieu. 
 There are, likewife, many parts of plays not caft, which we think that lady very 
 capable of performing, to the advantage of the theatre and herfelf, which we have 
 fubjoined to the lift inclofed. 
 
 '* In this, and in every circumftance which we fhall advert to, we fliall endea- 
 vour to do juftice to merit, at the fame time that we fhall carefully attend to propri- 
 ety with refpedl to ourfelves. Are, Sir, 
 
 Your moft humble fervants, 
 
 T. HARRIS, 
 J. RUTHERFORD.^ 
 George Colman, Efq. "* 
 
 ** WE have deferred examining the generality of parts caft, left we might inter- 
 fere with the bufinefs of the theatre by detaining the book fo long at one time ; a 
 future occafion may prefent us with an opportunity of conveying to you our further 
 anlmadverfions oa that head. We are as before, 
 
 J9th Sept. T *R ' 
 
 George Colman, Efq, 
 
 Thefe are in the 
 Caft Book. 
 
 Betty - 
 
 Clarifla 
 
 Imogen 
 Belmour 
 Lavinia 
 Flora 
 Lady Betty Modifli 
 Sullen . 
 
 Flora 
 
 Nerifla ~ - 
 
 Clandeftine Marriage, 
 
 Confederacy. 
 
 Cymbeline. 
 
 Way to Keep Him. 
 
 Fair Penitent. 
 
 SheWou'd and SheWou'd Not, 
 
 Carelefs Hufljand. 
 
 Stratagem. 
 
 Country Lafles. 
 
 Merchant of Venice, 
 
 Lady
 
 Thefe not ; but / 
 to be infer ted. \ 
 
 Caft. 
 
 [ 22 1 
 
 Lady Fanciiwl 7 . -f^ 
 
 unlefs Mrs. Bellamy chufes 
 
 it. 
 
 Bizarre 
 
 Lady Anne 
 
 Lady Dainty 
 
 Leonora 
 
 Amanda 
 
 Mrs. Conqueft ' '- 
 
 Fidelia 
 
 Clarinda 
 
 Lady Harriet 
 
 *^ Berinthia 
 
 Florival ' 
 
 Provok'dWifo. 
 
 Inconftant. 
 
 Richard. 
 
 Doable Gallant. 
 
 Revenge. 
 
 Love's Laft Shift. 
 
 Lady's Lafl Stake. 
 
 Plain Dealer. 
 
 Sufpicious Hufband. 
 
 Funeral. 
 
 Relapfe. 
 
 Deuce is in Him. 
 
 " Thefe parts allotted to Mrs. Leflingham. 
 19 Sept. 1767. 
 
 T. H. 
 J. R." 
 
 Here was an open a6l of hoftility ; an aft fo far from endeavouring to 
 extenuate the infolence of Mrs. Leflingham, that it was plainly calcu- 
 lated to convince me that they were both determined on every occafioa 
 to countenance and fupport it. My anfwer, fent the fame morning, was; 
 as follows : 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 *' WITHOUT dwelling on the very grofs treatment which I have received 
 from yourfelves and Mrs. Leflingham, 1 fhall beg leave to remind you, that while 
 you have been confpiring to check my authority, you have exceeded the limits of 
 your own. The article of agreement betwixt us, which invefted me with the 
 theatrical management, empowered you jointly to object to my meafures, but not 
 to prefcribe new ones of your own j and from the director of the theatre, to fink 
 me into fomething lower than the prompter. You will find therefore, that in 
 making erafements from the Caft Book, and figning a lift of parts allotted to Mrs. 
 Leflingham, you have as little attended to the propriety you profefs, as to the refpeft 
 
 ^"c to Your humble fervanl, 
 
 G. COL MAN." 
 
 i.o Ji ... X 
 
 This anfwer was, I believe, the firft circumftance that ferved to waken 
 them from the trance of defpotifm,, into which their conftrudlion of the 
 article relative to the management -had thrown them. A negative 
 power it left them, but gave them no pqfitroe one. They told me indeed 
 at our next meeting, that two negatives made one affirmative. I 
 allowed the truth of that logick \ but told them, that both together^ like 
 the two letters in the word no, they made but one negative. I taxed 
 Mr. Rutherford alfo with want of candor on this occafion, for joining to 
 infult me without fo much as inquiring into the merits of the caufe ; re- 
 minding
 
 I ^3 1 
 
 minding him, at the fame time, of the oppofite condud of his friend 
 on a formtr occafion, Mr. Harris then told me, he found 1 was an im- 
 pradticable man, and defired, or rather injoined me to put my (bare to 
 fale. Mr. Powell, who till then had only lamented our divifions in 
 fiience, was ftartled at this propofal, and frankly confeft that he thought 
 fuch proceeding was injurious to our common intereft. Itold Mr. Harris 
 that, finding I was become fo difagreeable a partner to himfelf and Mr. 
 Rutherford, I Ihould retain my fhare, on purpofe to plague them. It 
 was, I think, at this meeting, and on this occafion, that Mr. Ruther- 
 ford dwelling very much on the words manly ?ind gentleman4ike, I toolq 
 occafion to tell him, in a carelefs manner, that I had never in my life 
 heard thofe words {o often repeated ; but that I did not need his inftruc- 
 tion how to behave either hke a man or a gentleman.' His reply to this 
 was very violent, and ended with talking of going out with bim^ accom- 
 panying thefe lad words with a ftride towards the door. 1 told him I 
 thought it rather extraordinary, that he was not contented with giving 
 the affront, if any had been given; but that he alfo claimed the pri* 
 vilege of refentment : however, that if he fuppofed I was to be terrified, 
 he was miftaken. They then recurred to the paper in difpute, and afked 
 if the lift of parts contained in it (hould be confidered as admiffible. I 
 objefted to all the tragedy, particularly Leonora in the Revenge-, and 
 added, that Mrs. Sullen belonged to Mrs Bulkley, and that MifsMacklin 
 was the original Widow Belmour. They again afked, if I was inclined 
 to oblige them. 1 told them my chief caufe of offence was their having 
 doubted that inclination, and having fiown to adls of violence when 
 gentle means would have been more prevalent. They then fuddenly 
 changed their tone and manner ; Mrs. Leffingham, forely againft my 
 judgment in many inftances, was allowed the charaders in queftion ; and 
 we parted once more in tolerable good humour. 
 
 Such were the expoftulations of MefTrs. Harris and Rutherford, and 
 fuch were the injuries which I delighted to inflift on their favou- 
 rite a^trefs. But it feems, that I had conceived a violent pique and refent- 
 ment againfi her, the caufe of which fhall not be here related. Dark charges 
 muft, of necefTity, be darkly anfwered j but. whenever the lady, or her 
 advocates, (hall pleafe to be more explicit, I promife to fpeak plainly in 
 my anfwer, if (he, or they, fhall urge any thing of fufScient importance 
 to demand one at my hands. 'ji.nq;r! ; - ; o: 
 
 I allow the charge of employing news-papers to*d^hid. grofs partiaih- 
 ties*', for I was weak enough to mention. Mrs. Leflingham's having 
 joined us, with the air of announcing a valuable accefTion to the ftrcngth 
 of our company, by fpecial paragraphs in the public papers. I muft 
 
 * See Meff. R, and H'.'s Narracive, p. 37/ " ' 
 
 alfo
 
 [ n ] 
 
 iilfo plead guilty to the charge o^ forcing unpopular pet formers an a patient 
 audience *; for on the firll night of her appearance, to prevent the morti- 
 fication that her vanity muft fufFer from a thin houfe, in diredt oppofi- 
 tion to the opinion of Mr. Macklin, I fupported her lame performance 
 on the jcrutches of Love A-)a Mode. I alfo prefixed the Stratagem, in 
 which (he played Mrs. Sullen, to the Oxonian in Town, while its no- 
 velty was fome recommendation to it. I had the more merit in thefe 
 lacrifices, bccaulc they were made in dire(5t contradiflion to my private 
 opinion. In the lad inllance, two ftrong objedlions to the meafure I 
 purfued, ftared me in the face : .firft, that ihe played the part mod 
 wretchedly, and, fecondly, that it was apparently injurious to a little 
 piece, 'efpccially one of fo ferious a call, to be performed after one of 
 the lighted and pleafanteft comedies in our language. 
 
 But to return. From the moment after our meeting in confe- 
 ^^ quence of their memorable letter of September 19th, MelTrs. 
 Harris and Rutherford exprefled the higheft fatisfadion at the concef- 
 fions which 1 feemed dilpofed to make, and were incelfantly urging me 
 to bring forward the play of Cymbeline, affigning as a motive, the ve- 
 ry reafon which they now urge for oppofing the repetition of it, viz. 
 that ;/ was frequently exhibited at Drury Lanej. Mr. Powell alfo, being 
 extremely attached to the chara6lcr of Pofthumus, was defirous of (bow- 
 ing himfelf in it, whoever might play Imogen. In this fituation I could 
 not have avoided exhibiting the play, however averfe, without difoblig- 
 ing them all three, if Mr. Dall had not received orders to paint a new 
 fcene of Imogen's chamber ; a fcene which has fince given the public fo 
 much fatisfadlion, but which then necelTarily delayed the performance of 
 the piece, into which it was to be introduced. Hence it will appear, 
 \that Mrs. LelTingham, without any competition, had been avowedly in 
 pofTelTion of the part from the 19th of September, that is, within a week 
 ^^ of opening the Theatre. On the 12th of Odober Mr. and Mrs. 
 Yates were engaged, the hiftory of which tranfadion (ball be given 
 in its proper place. From that inftant, I confefs, that all my notions of 
 Mrs. Le(ringham*s playing the part in queftion vanifhed ; for I could 
 never fuppole, that MeiTrs. Rutherford and Harris would be fo blind to 
 their own intercfts, or that Mrs. Le(ringham would entertain fuch aa 
 overweening opinion of her own abilities, as to think of her entering in- 
 to a dircd competition with Mrs. Yates. However, I was foon unde- 
 ceived ; for on Thuifday the 29th of Odober, they roundly infifted on 
 Mrs. Leflingham's retaining the charader, which I as roundly refufed ; 
 but not without remonftrating on the grofs partiality that would appear 
 Ui fuch a procedure! as well as the injudice to Mrs. Yates, and the af- 
 
 See McfT. R. and H.'s Narrative, p. 37. t ^bid. p. 6. 
 
 ;)'- . front
 
 tC 25 ] 
 
 front to the public ; for all which my reputation, and chiefly mine, would 
 fufFer. They treated thefe arguments with great contempt ; upon 
 which, finding nothing but further altercation likely to enfue, I abrupt- 
 ly left them ; but I do mod folemnly declare, that I did not then, or at 
 any other time, openly and avowedly dif claim their right to lay me under any 
 rejiraint ; nor did I declare, that I would never difdofe to them any of my 
 future intentions."^ 
 
 They were refolved, however, to carry this important point. If poffible; 
 and finding the a^ing manager inflexible, they not only tampered wiih 
 Mr. Powell, but applied to Mrs. Yates, with whom they had a very 
 long conference, in her drefling-room, that very evening, as will ap- 
 pear from the following letter, which they fent about an hour after they 
 took their leave ; and from which, together with Mrs. Yates's anfwer, it 
 \% not difficult to guefs at the nature and fubjeft of the conference itfelf. 
 
 *' Dear Madam, 
 *' BEING in the greateft degree defirous of proving to you, that we are not 
 men of mere profeffion alone, we take the liberty to defire of you, in your note to- 
 morrow morning, not only a favourable determination refpedling the point in 
 agitation, but that you will accompany it with fuch requefts as will conduce to the 
 advancement of your Fame or Pleafure ; and our immediate anfwer thereta fhall be 
 the proof how much we are devoted to your defires. We are, dear Madamj 
 
 Your moft humble fervants, ^' 
 
 Surry-ftreet, T. HARRIS, ;>73 
 
 OThurfday Evening, 29 oa. J. RUTHERFOR D. * 
 
 * H. and R. beg the favour of your anfwer as foon as convenient in the morn- 
 ing, as we meet early on purpofe to receive it." : 
 
 Mrs. Yates's anfwer was as follows : 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 IT gives me great concern to be obliged to tell you, that 1 think it wholly In- 
 confiftent with my fame and intereft, as well as my engagements to yourfelves and the 
 Publick, to confent to refign the part of Imogen to Mrs. Leffingham. At the fame 
 time I cannot help adding, that it will diftrefs me exceedingly, on this and every 
 future occafion, if my mind is to be diftradled by the different opinions of the feveral 
 Gentlemen concerned in the management. I am. Sir, &c. 
 
 M. A. YATES. 
 To this Ihe received the following reply : 
 
 ** Dear Madam, 
 ** WE have this inftant received your favour hope for your pardon for the 
 trouble we have given you; and finding an application to you fo ineffectual, you 
 may difmifs all fears of our difturbing your mind by any future one. We are, and 
 dall always be. Dear Madam, Your de.voted humble fervants, 
 
 Surry-ftreet, ^ ^>*;' T.HARRIS."* 
 
 Tuefday morn. Oft, 30. J. RUTHERFOR D." 
 
 See Meff, R, and H.'s Narrative, p. 9, 
 
 E
 
 [[ ^- 13. 
 
 ^^ ^ The next morning, while I was attending a rehcarfal at the 
 ^ * theatre, I received the following letter, to which I imniediatciy : 
 returned the anfwer lubjoined. From thele it will appear, that Mellrs* ' 
 Harris and Rutherford were the firll perfons that threatened an appeal 
 tp th^ Publick, as they have, in faft, to our great aftonifticncnt, bcca: 
 the iirft who have made fuch an appeal. 
 
 * S I R, 
 
 ** THE very grofs manner in which you thought proper, yeflerday, to condu6l 
 yourlfelf, being fo entirely repugnant to the articles we have entered into with you, 
 as well as to th? prineiplcs upon which you have verbally profefled to govern your- 
 felf on a late reconciliation, we cannot fufFer it to pafs v/ithout informing you, 
 th^t vntil you ihaU make the conceffiotis due to us for fuch a notorious breach of' 
 good faith, wc fliall purfuc a mode of condu<5l that will be influenced by the keen 
 refentineut you have infpired us with. Yet fhall take no unwarrantable fteps, nor 
 any that we cannot juftify to the Publick, who will moft probably be acquainted 
 with every part of our proceedings ; and however your importance may fufFer by 
 your having overrated it, is a circumftance of which you are the fole auther, and 
 mull therefore abide by tkve confequences, 
 
 Surry Street, T. H A R R I S. 
 
 Friday moining, Oct. 29th. J. RU T H E R F O R D.'* 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 
 *' I NEVER did, nor ever will do any thing repugnant to our articles. The very 
 grofs manner in which you and Mrs. Lellingham have always treated me, obligeSr 
 mc to exert to the utmoft the power thofe articles give me. Your keen refentment 
 does not terrify me, nor ever fliail, while Iknow i can juftify my conduft to our 
 royal mafter, the lord-chamberlain, and the publickj to all whom I am very will- 
 ing to fubmit it. 
 
 Covent Garden, Friday morning, Oft. 29, 1767. G. C OL M A N.'* 
 
 This, anfwer was received by Meffrs. Harris and Rutherford, at the 
 Koufe of Mr. Powell, who, on every difpute, had always done every 
 ihing in his power to reconcile the parties to each other, and was then 
 actually employed in exerting his bell endeavours for that purpole. Ort 
 the receipt of my letter, they both broke out into the moft violent paf- 
 fion. One pvopokd fo- attack my fa'vounies 'y nhd J \n the fir fl place, to 
 'difniirs Mr. Younger, (the prompter) betaufe he was ujiful to me in' my 
 bujinefs. It then occurred to exercffe their negative powtr^ by prohibit- 
 ing the exhibition of the Oxonian in Town, which was then in rchear- 
 fal , but that fuggeftion was, on fecond thoughts, oppofcd, becaufe k 
 would be doing me a favour, as the piece would certainly ht damned. 
 In fliort, the difpute now grew warm indeed, and the very: 
 
 ^' fame evening I received a letter from Mr. Harris, to which, on^ 
 ihtf'"^ry fame evening, I returned an anfwer. The letter and anfwer are 
 as folbw : . " / ' ^ ~ " ' 
 
 J SIR,
 
 S T R, 2 .ssc 
 
 ** YOU have aficrted you never dW any thiw* Tti^o^ant to op Articles. 
 Are you not by them obliged to fubmit every thing CO our confideraJ'ion ? Have 
 you done fo ? We have neither of us any thing to do with Mrs. Lefliflgharti's 
 treatment of yQu> you fay it has been very grofs j I believe that, as well as your 
 firfi: aflertion, to be moft falfe. You feem determined, upon every diCptite, to 
 bring that lady's condu6l: into queftion, in order to avail yourfelf of it as a favour- 
 able plea with the Publick j now that I hold to be moft pitifiil and infamous. You 
 are very welcome, Sir, to my life, if you dare any how to hazard the taking it. 
 I am going out of town this evening, at fix o'clock, and fhall return to-morrow 
 ebout that time. If I hear nothing from you then, know, that your ungenerous, 
 unmanly behaviour has made me upon every occafion of life your enemy. 
 
 Surry-ftreet, Friday noon, oa. 30. . ^^^' ""' "'' *t'.' 'ft ARR I S." 
 
 , '. t:.TJyi I'i ^.> . . - . " 
 
 "SIR, -'^^-^^ 
 
 * AS Mrs. Leflingham has been the fole canfe of every difpute between iis," 1ft 
 was very natural, as well as proper, for me to mention her name; anxf as to the grofs 
 treatment with which I charged her^ yourfelf^ and Mr Rutherford, I have the 
 proems of it under all your hands; fo that the falfhoed, rfleannefs^ prtifalnefs, and 
 infamy, do not lie on my fide. As to my daring to take your life, God knows I 
 dare not do it ; but you and every other man fhall find that I dare on all occafions 
 to defend my own : wherefore your profefTed friendfhip or profefTed erimity arp 
 in tbat refpcd equally indifferent to 
 
 Great Queen ftreet, Friday evening, 0t. 30, 1767, G. C O L M A N.** 
 
 Ta Thomas Harris, E/q. 
 
 The next' evening Mr. Rutherford came to the theatre alone, ^^ 
 
 Oct ti 
 
 and interrupting Mr. Powell during the play, in the midfl: of ' > 
 his anxieties in a new part, fpoke of me in fuch terms, that M^ 
 Powell thought it improper for us to meetj Mr. Rutherford, however, 
 fending to defire to fpeak with me, I came to him. He faid that he had 
 nothing to do with what had pad between Mr. Harris and me, but that 
 he now came to inform me, ibat I zvas no longer fole manager of that 
 theatre i of which publick notice would be given to the performers on 
 Monday morning in the Green Room. I fmilcd, and afked, if it was 
 worth while to fend for me merely to communicate fuch a piece of intel- 
 ligence ? My indifference threw him into a violent pafTion. He began 
 to fwear: I walked away. He followed, and defired to fpeak wiih me ; 
 I refufed to have any thing further to fay to him. 
 
 On the fame evenings jufl: after the play was over, the prompter re- 
 ceived the following letter, to which hr fent the refpeftful anfwer an- 
 nexed : bur> refpedful as ic was, it gave the highefl caufe cf offente to 
 Meflrs. Rutherford and Harris, from whonvit drew the two letters here 
 fubjoinedto it^ in which they have moft flagrantly exceeded the power 
 given them by our articles, Ijy.aflfuming the power of difmilTion ffom th 
 theatre. 
 
 E 2 *< Mr.
 
 [ 28 1 
 
 Mr. Younger. SIR, 
 ** YOU are to caufe the inclofed paper to be immediately placed in a confpicuous 
 part of the Green-room, and to return us an anfwer, fpecifying the precife time of 
 )'our receiving the fame. Sir, your humble fervants, 
 
 Surry ftreet, Oft. 31, 1767, T. HARRIS. 
 
 1 5 minutes paft nine. J. RUTHERFOR D." 
 
 The inclofed paper. 
 * UNTIL farther notice, any order from a fingle manager of this theatre will 
 be void and of no efFedt. 
 
 Saturday, T. H A R R I S. 
 
 Oft. 31I1! J.RUTHERFORD.- 
 
 ** Gentlemen, 
 ** AS I fhall ever retain a proper refpeft for all my employers, I flatter myfelf 
 you will, upon a moment's reflexion, not wih to fo far embroil me in the un- 
 happy difpute at prefent fubfifting, as to infift on my doing what muft render mc 
 Obnoxious to fome of the parties concerned. I am with due refpect, Gentlemen, 
 
 Your moll humble fervant, 
 Saturday, half an hour paft 1 0. J O S. Y O U N G E R." 
 
 "SIR, 
 ** Mr. younger, prompter of Covent Garden theatre, having given the 
 higheft caufe of offence to us, we inform you, that we defire he may have notice 
 immediately of his difmiffion from our fervice. 
 
 Surry ftreet, Saturday Oft. 31, 1767. 7' ^if'^u^vv m? n - 
 
 three quarters paft 1 1 at night. J' J^^uiiln.xi'UKlJ. 
 
 To Geo. Colman, Efq. 
 
 "SIR, 
 
 *' THE falary paid to Mr. Younger, heretofore prompter of our theatre, ceafed 
 this day. You are therefore to forbear any future payments to him. We are. 
 
 Sir, your humble fervants, 
 Saturday night, T. HARRIS. 
 
 Oft. 31, 1767. J. RUT HERF O RD." 
 
 To Mr Garton. 
 
 Mr. Powell, quite unhappy to fee our differences running to 
 
 fuch a length, and defirous to do every thing in his power to 
 heal them, prevailed on a very intimate friend of mine, to accompany 
 him the next morning to confer with Meffrs. Rutherford and Harris on 
 the fubjeft, at the houfe of the latter, in Surry-ftreet. I was far from 
 "wifhing or defiring that any friend of mine Ihould involve himfelf in 
 my difputes ; and I now fhudder to think, that this gentleman*s kind 
 and friendly interpofition in my affairs, has very recently expofed him to 
 the moft imminent danger of his life j the lofs of which would have de- 
 ftroyed all the future peace and quiet of my own, though I was no fur- 
 ther acceffary to what followed, than in being the unhappy and innocent 
 occafion. 
 
 The
 
 [ 29 3 
 
 The good ofEces of my friend and Mr. Powell proved wholly j, 
 neffeftual. Meflfrs. Rutherford and Harris would hear of no 
 other terms than an abolition of our prefent articles, and the execution 
 of new ones, to be framed by their own diredion. This was their iilii- 
 fnatum ; and thus concluded this fruitlefs negociation of a treaty for peace. 
 Being informed, by Mr. Powell, of their terms, I fent them the fol- 
 lowing letter -, in which I rejedled their propofal of new articles, by 
 fliewing that I meant to abide by thofe at prefent fubfifting between 
 us. ' 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 
 * I HAVE feen Mr. Powell j but after what has pafled, a perfonal intercourfe 
 between us cannot be expedled. According to our articles I fhall, from time to 
 time, fubmit to your confideration the meafures I propofe to purfue in the manage*- 
 ment of the theatre; and any meafure againft which you fliall jointly proteft in 
 writing, according to our articles, fliall not be carried into execution. 
 
 Nov. I, 1767. G. COLMAN." 
 
 Mr. Powell, finding their violence impofllble to be mi- 
 tigated, and thinking our property in the greateft danger from 
 their method of proceeding, now, for the fird time, declared on my 
 fide : and forefeeing the tumult likely to enfue, from the fteps which 
 Meir. Rutherford and Harris had declared their refolutions of taking the 
 next morning, thought it advifable to prevent that confufion as far as 
 poffible, by colle6ting as many of the performers as could be found that 
 day, and laying before them a fair ftate of the cafe. On this occafion I 
 related the ftory in the plaineft terms, read the letters which authenti- 
 cated my narrative, and fairly Jl at ed iht article relative to the manage* 
 menr, reciting the negative power lodged with MeflT. Rutherford and 
 Harris, as well as the pq/itive one veftcd in me. Read the article, indeed^ 
 I could not, as I then had no copy of it. For the truth of thefe circum- 
 ftances, I appeal to all the parties then prefent. 
 
 The next morning the tumult, fo vehemently threatened on 
 their parr, and patiently expected on our own, aflually enfued. 
 About eleven o'clock MeiT. Harris and Rutherford came on the ftage^ 
 and interrupted the rehearfal. They afked me, in an authoritative tone, 
 if I had difmifled Mr. Younger ? I anfwered, No. Will you diftnifs 
 him ? No. Some time after this, Mr. Rutherford faid. Did not we 
 ORDER you to difmifs Younger.? Order me. Sir \ He immediately 
 recanted the imperious word order^ and was polite enough to fubltitute 
 the gentler term defire. He read the article in an audible voice on the 
 llage to the performers, and afterwards afl<.ed them if they would conti- 
 nue to aft under Mr. Colman's management. They anfwered, Yes, 
 
 Mr.
 
 Mr. RutherfofcJ, mlfvjnderftandiDg Mr. Smith, and foppofing that he 
 meant toaflenc to /^^ir direftion, laki wiih great heat, J atn obliged to you. 
 Sir-, you are a gentle auin. Mr. Smith, however, being alked by another 
 performer to mhat he had anfwcced yis^ faid, that his Yes ianpUed aa 
 affent to aft under Mr. Caiman, lyt^ ihejt, gentlemeny faid Mr. Ruthcrr 
 ford, I will tell you me thing for your comfort \ the Theatre will he put uf^ 
 for "jjefhall apfy to the court of chancery for an injun^ionfor that pur pofe* 
 Soon after thcfe tranfaftions, Mrs. Mattocks tainted away, and \ ran 
 among others into the common Green-Room to her afliftance. During 
 my abfence, a difference arofc between my friend and Mr. Rutherford, 
 in confequence whereof he and Mr. Harris left the ftage, to which I 
 returned a few feconds before their retiring Co the great Green-Room. 
 
 In lefs than half an hour, Mr. Powell came and told me, 
 that MelT. Harris and Rutherford were inclined to a reconci- 
 liation, if I would but confent to the difmiflion of Mr. Younger for five 
 minutes. 1 replied, that provided his difmiffion Ihould be literally for 
 five minutes, I would affent to it, fince they thought the form fo necef- 
 fary to fave appearances. I awn I did not fee why they were fo well 
 inclined to terms of peace, which they fo peremptorily refufed the 
 morning before ; but being very deeply affected at the part 
 which my friend had taken in this affair, I was willing to do 
 every thing in my power to promote a thorough reconciliation on all 
 fides. Accordingly J accompanied Mr. Powell into the great Green- 
 Room i and being afked by Mr. Harris whether I would carry on the ma- 
 nagetnent without doing any thing contrary to the article ? I replied, to the 
 belt of my knowledge and belief, in thefe words : / never did any thing 
 contrary to the article : I never meant to do any thing contrary to our erti" 
 k. All I deftre is to manage according to the article^ and to have an unin- 
 terrupted exercife of the power which the article gives me. Meff. Wood- 
 ward, Smith, Gibfon, &c. were prefent: to them I appeal for the truth 
 of this relation j and to them I appeal whether * / apparently took fbame 
 to myfelf on this occafion. 
 
 The gentlemen, however, preferved the decorums of rcfentmcnt to 
 the laft, and thought it neceffery, on the very moment of our reconci- 
 liation, to commit a frefh violation of the article in queftion^ by writing 
 the following note to the trcafurer of the Theatre : 
 
 "SIR, 
 *' Mr. younger being reinftated as a prompter, you are to continue die 
 jpayments of hia Salary as heutoidre. 
 
 Mondav " t. H A ;R R I S. 
 
 Mr, Gartow. 
 Sec the printed Narrative, p. iti
 
 t 3t J 
 
 A reconciliation being thus effeded, Mr. Harris defire J, 
 that as the play of Cymbeline had been lb much the obj dt of 
 converfation and difpute, it might be laid afide for the prcfent. Accord- 
 ingly it was fo ; and the appearance of a good underftanding among us 
 was once more rcftored. But it was with the utmoft difficulty that Meff. 
 Harris and Rutherford prefcrved thcfe appearances j for, inftead of each 
 of them favouring me with their advice in a friendly manner, they were 
 continually fending me letters formally figned by them both. This was 
 fo direftly oppofite to their profeflions, that I expoftulated with Mr. 
 Harris on the fubjcft, and told him, that I was in hopes we were now 
 to have gone on as friends, without recurring, in every little inftance, to- 
 the article, and reminding each other of the extent and limits of our re* 
 fpeftive power; but that if I faw him and his friend refolved to drive 
 me, on every occafion, to the ground of the article, I would ftand on 
 that ground, and defend it to the laft ; for that I very well knew ho^ 
 much and how little power that article gave me. Mr. Harris replied^ 
 that we had all juft power enough to plague each other ; and, to convince 
 me that he might eafily be induced to exercife that power on his part, 
 he added, that the breach between us had been fo very wide, that it 
 would not readily clofe again, without the moft fincere defires and en- 
 deavours on all fides. J profcfied the greatcft readinefs to promote (6 
 defirable an end j but the gentlemen were fo little inclined to meet me 
 half-way, that they dill continued the fame mode of behaviour which 
 had led me to the above-mentioned expoftulation. In fhort, 1 plainly 
 faw that they never would forget or forgive the tranfadions of the fecond 
 of November. 
 
 About the latter end of that month, while things were in this 
 situation, Mr. Dall had finifhed the fcene intended for Gymbe- ^"^"^ \ 
 line. This redoubled Mr. Powell's impatience and anxiety to exhibit 
 the play ;" and he applied. to MeflT. Harris and Rutherford (particularly 
 the former) in the moil carneft and fubmifTive terms, to wave their ob- 
 jedlions to it. Mr. Harris was inexorable ; Mr. Rutherford faid, that 
 we ought not to perform it without ajking Mrs. L''Jfmgham^s f^ave ; and 
 referred the farther confideration of it to our next meeting. 
 
 One little occurrence, that happened about this time, will perhaps 
 (hew the temper and complexion of thefe gentlemen, more than a matter 
 of more conlequence. The prompter h*d order* td fend them every 
 evening an account. of the rehearfal fettled for the next morning, and at 
 the end of every week a plan of my afrangement f plays fo* the Week 
 cnfuJng. One of thefe notes was as follows : 
 
 SIR,
 
 I 5* 1 
 
 ** S I ^, 
 ' Mr. MACKLIN's withdrawing his farce having rendered it nccelTary to 
 changfe the bufincfs propofed for this week, Mr. Colman has ordered me to fend 
 you the frcfh plan he has i\ow fettled, your mofl humble fervant, 
 
 J. Y." 
 
 This was addrefled to Mr. Rutherford. The like rtote was addrefled 
 to Mr. Harris, only concluding with the viord fixed inftead o^ fettled, as 
 in the above. Mr. Harris was fo touched at this expreflion, that he 
 afked the prompter if the note was didated by Mr. Colman. The promp- 
 ter replied in the negative. Mr. Harris then commented on the word 
 fixed; and obferved, that if the bufmefs v/2is fixed by Mr. Colman, there 
 was no need of fubmitting the plan of it to them. Being informed of this 
 circumftance, 1 enjoined the prompter to ufe the term propofed or intended 
 for the future i a caution which I believe he has ever fince religioudy 
 obferved. 
 
 Dec. The prompter's note of December the fifth ran thus: 
 
 Plan of Bufmefs propofed for next Week. 
 
 Monday, Dec. 7th. {By particular define) Fair Penitent, and Fauftus. 
 8tb. Mahomet, and MuHcal Lady. 
 9th. Philafter, and Apprentice, for the Fund, 
 loth. Othello, and Love-a-la-Mode. 
 nth. Royal Merchant. 
 I2th. Orphan, and ^ Mrs^ La Roche^ 
 
 "SIR, 
 * Mr. colman has ordered me to fend you the above plan of bufinefs, pro-^ 
 pofed for the enfuing week, and to acquaint you that he has received notice from 
 his Majefty, that the firft time he honours this theatre with his royal prefence, will 
 be to the play of Cymbeline; for which reafon he has ordered it to be put into re- 
 hearfal next week. I ^^^ sir, your moft humble fervant, 
 
 J. Y O U N G E R." 
 
 ** P. S. THE author of the farce has been with Mr. Colman to withdraw it, and 
 is to call for the copy on Monday morning j muft therefore beg Mr. Colman may 
 have it bytfhat time." 
 
 Rehearfal m Monday next, 
 Mahomet at 10. 
 Mufical Lady at 12. 
 
 To J. Rutherford, Efq. 
 
 On the Tuefday and Wcdnefday following, the letters here fubjoined 
 
 paffcd between us. 
 
 
 
 Dear
 
 [ 33 I 
 Dear Sir, . . . 
 
 *' WE are very happy to receive your information, that we may fpeedily expe^ 
 the honour of his Majefty's prefence ; but we could have wifiied his Majefty had 
 not been pleafed to command Cymbeline 
 
 As cogent reafons might be given why that play fhould not be performed; wc 
 fliall never think you treat us fairly unlefs it is for the prefent poftponed. 
 
 The appointment of the new opera for Friday next, we fuppofe, was an over- 
 fight in you ; that being the author's benefit at Drury Lane, would be deem- 
 ed in the higheft degree illiberal in us to produce a new piece on that night, 
 and is a meaiurewe cannot by any means aflent to. It may be played for the firft 
 time on Thurfday next, as at firft propofed, or any other day (excepting as be- 
 fore) that you fhall think moft proper. We are, very cordially, 
 
 Dear Sir, your moft humble fervants, 
 
 Dec. 8th. 8 o'clock evening. T. H A R R I S. 
 
 J. RUTHERFORD." 
 
 *' Gentlemen, 
 
 " YOUR intimation of my not treating you fairly, in the beginning of your letter, 
 does not carry that air of cordiality which you profefs in the conclufion of it. If 
 there are fuch cogent reafons for difobeying his Majefty's commands^ it would have 
 been kind in you to have fuggefted them, as I muft confefs that none occurred to 
 me which I durft have fubmitted to his royal notice. The opera cannot be ready on 
 Thurfday, and muft therefore be poftponed till next week. I confefs I never 
 thought of the author's fixth night j and as the firft night of the opera ftood for 
 Friday, in the plan of bufinefs fent you, it is pity it did not occur to you fooner, 
 as we fhall probably be confiderable fufFerers by the alteration i not to mention the 
 great hardfliip on the compofer, who is detained from Bath, to his great incon- 
 yenience. I ^^^ Gentlemen, your moft humble fervant, 
 
 Covent Garden, Dec. 9, 1767. G. COL MAN.** . 
 
 "SIR, 
 
 *' YOUR charging us with inconfiftency in your lajl, can only be occafioned 
 by your hafte in reading it : the air of cordiality which we prof ejfed in the conclufion^ was 
 in confidence that reafons fufBcient would occur to you why Cymbeline fhould be 
 ppftponed. 
 
 Cymbeline not being (as we are informed) in the lift of plays fent to his Majefty, 
 and the fcenery, decorations, cafting, &c. &c. not being yet fixed on, you may 
 moft certainly dare to fubmit reafons to his Majefty's royal notice why Cymbeline 
 cannot for the prefent be exhibited, if your paftion to oppofe our inclinations does 
 not fway you in a ten times greater degree, than your defire to comply with what 
 is pretended to be the choice of his Majefty. 
 
 We are very forry the opera has not been got ready long fince, and that the com- 
 pofer fhould fuftainthe injury of being kept in town ; but ftill remain of opinion, 
 that if the opera cannot appear on Thurfday evening, as was at firft fettled, in regard 
 to all our reputations, it cannot be produced before next Monday. We are. Sir, 
 
 Your mofl obedient fervants, 
 
 Surry ftreet, Dec. 9, 1767. T. H A R R I S. 
 
 J RUTHERFORD." 
 
 Mr, Kenrlck) author of the Widow'd Wife, 
 
 .....JP The
 
 [ 34 ] 
 
 The next day I met them at the Theatre, and fairfy told 
 '*^* *"* them, that it was impofiible for me to proceed in the ma- 
 , nagement, while they fo ftudioufly endeavoured to take every occafion 
 to make me uneafy j that Cymbeline was in the lift of plays fubmitted to 
 his majefty at the beginning of the feafon-, but to convince them that I 
 did not want to carry any points but fuch as were conducive to the ge- 
 neral intcreft, which I had always meant to purfue, I was refolved to refer 
 myconduftto thofe who had embarked their property with us, and to 
 their own friends in particular -, that it was a wanton piece of cruelty to be 
 perpetually trying to make my mind miferable, when my labours rather 
 dcferved their thanks; that I had been a voluntary flave in the conduct of 
 their property ; but that 1 was extremely hurt on their fceming inclined 
 to treat me like a fcrvant in every particular, except that of paying me 
 wages. 
 
 They received this expoftulation on my part with more temper and 
 moderation than ufual. They declared that they had repeatedly, and on 
 all occafions, profeffed how much they thought themfelves obliged to 
 mCi and no longer infifted on my reprefcnting to their Majefties that 
 we could not obey their Royal Commands refpefting the exhibition of 
 Cymbeline. Mr. Rutherford, a day or two after, lamented the little 
 ijickering at this meeting, profelBng the warmeft cordiality towards me 
 on his fide, and vouching for the fame fentiments on behalf of his friend 
 Mr. Harris. 
 'Decemb "^^^ rcheaffals of Cymbeline were then continued without 
 
 farther interruption or remonftrance j and on Monday the 
 twenty-eighth of December the reprefentation of the play was honoured 
 with the prefence of their Majefties ; after whofe departure the plays, 
 -j^ as ufual, were announced, and, among the reft, Cymbeline 
 
 again for the fucceeding Thurfday, which occafioned the fol- 
 lowing notes : 
 
 Monday Evening, to o'cIock,,Dec. aSth. 
 
 " Mr. HARRIS and Mr. Rutherford prefent compliments to Mr. Colman. 
 
 Are much concerned that he directed Cymbeline to be given out this evening. 
 Mr. Colman is well acquainted with their fentiments on that fubjet, and how 
 much it is their dcfire that Cymbeline fliould for the prefent be poftponed. They 
 doubt not he will condudt this circumftance accordingly." 
 
 *' Mr. COLMAN prefents his compliments toMefT. Harris and Rutherford, and 
 is equally concerned and furprized at their repugnance to the repetition of Cymbe- 
 line; which is the more unexpeded, as he mentioned to Mr. Harris his intention to 
 have given it out for the next night, had it not been for the indifpofition of Mr. 
 Powell. He flatters himfelf they muft do him the juftice to acknowledge the de- 
 licacy which has been ufed towards them in this point. As this play had unhappily 
 been the caufe of diffcnfion, it was laid alide for a time, and at length refumed and 
 
 performed
 
 [ 35 ] 
 
 performed by the exprefs command of their Majefties j to whofe royal orders it 
 would appear an indirect affront, to difcontinue a performance, fo likely to redound 
 to the intereft and credit of the theatre ; at the fame time that fuch a condudl would 
 be a publick confirmation of the evil reports of difputes amongft the managers. 
 From this and many other confiderations which their own good fen fe will fuggeft 
 to them, Mr. Colman flatters himfelf, that on cool reflciStion, they will chearfully 
 concur with himfelf and Mr. Powell." 
 Dec. agth. 
 
 " THE compliments of Mr. Rutherford and Mr. Harris wait on Mr. Colman. 
 It is certain Mr. C. did mention his defign of giving out Cymbeline to Mr. H. 
 which exceedingly furprized him; but Mr. H. was very happy to hear it was to bi 
 deferred, both on account of the hatred he ever bears, and the unwillingnefs he ha 
 about him always to enter into altercation, and that there would be time to tak? 
 Mr. R's opinion. The advice of their friends, joined to their cooleft refle<ftion^ 
 f^ill fuggefts to them the abfolute impropriety of reprefenting the play of Cymbe- 
 line agam fo foon as propofed. 
 
 Their united and mo(i fincere wifhes are, that this little difference may end here, 
 and no more may ever arife ; and that Mr. C. will, in fome degree, pay attention 
 to their fentiments : feeing that vi'iW make their happinefs confift in entirely purfuing 
 thofe of Mr. C. 
 
 Surry ftreet, Tuefday one o'clock. 
 
 I was now credibly informed that, during the rehearfal of the play, 
 wagers had been laid by fome, who were of their privy-council^ that 
 Cymbeline would never be performed but once. We had been at great 
 cxpence in the decorations, which were much approved ; the play was 
 efteemed a creditable performance ; and there was a great demand for 
 places againfl any future reprefentation of if, not to repeat the duty in- 
 cumbent on us to teftify the utmofl refped: to the Royal Order by which 
 it had been revived at our Theatre. The expences bellowed on the play 
 had been incurred with the confent and approbation of MefT. Harris and 
 Rutherford, in whom it was therefore the more unreafonable to preclude 
 our reaping the profits that might refult from them. It appeared alfo 
 impoITible to keep terms with men, who were for ever feeking occafions 
 ofdifpute. On thefe confiderations I made no reply to the above note, 
 and continued toadvertifdthe play. ?.; i.vr 
 
 On Wednefday, Dec. 30, paft the following letters : 
 
 "SIR, 
 ** WE abfolutely difapprove the performance of Cymbeline at our theatre un- 
 til further confideration. 
 
 Wednefday, Dec. 30, 1767. T. HARRIS. 
 
 J. RUTHERFORD." 
 
 To George Colman, Efq, . . . 
 
 F2 SIR,
 
 [ 36 1 
 S I R, 
 
 * Our right to forbid the reprefcntation of the above plajr wc draw from the 
 articles entered into by yourfelf and us ; from your letter of the firft day of Nov. 
 laft, (which runs thus, '* Any mcafure againft which you (hall jointly proteft ia 
 writing (haH not be carried into execution) ; and from your folemn declaration, ta 
 the (ame purport, in prefencc of MefT. Woodward, Smith, Gibfon, &c. on thtf 
 id of the (aid November. 
 
 It is with the Icfs regret that we write in this abfolute manner, as our repeated 
 defires, fjgnified in the moft refpeftful manner, have failed to make the Icaft im- 
 preffion. We are your humble fervants, 
 
 Surry ftrect, Dec. 30th. T. H Ail R I S. 
 
 J. RUTHERFORD." 
 To Geo. Colman, E/q, 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 
 '* I HAVE juft received your mandate, and will print it as a reafon to the Pub- 
 lick for performing no play to morrow. 
 
 Dec. 30, 1767. G. COLMAN." 
 
 * Gentlemen, 
 
 . * GREAT part of our boxes being taken for the play of Cymbeline, great da- 
 mage muft accrue to my property, by your method of proceeding ; I muft therefore 
 apply to my friends and the Publick for redrefs. I moft fincereJy concur with Mr. 
 Colman's fentiments above, and fhall abide by his determination. I am. 
 
 Your moft humble fetvant, 
 
 W.POWELL." 
 
 "SIR, 
 
 ** IF you refufeto give direftions for a play to-morrow night, we Ihall : whether they 
 trill be obeyed or not, is for future confideration. What you are pleafed to call 
 our mandate, can be no reafon for (hutting up the theatre, as you have the who^ 
 circle of the drama ^Cymbeline excepted) from whence toele6t a play. 
 
 Whatever damages may arife, we doubt not will be at your peril, as they can 
 only enfue from your committing a breach of the moft folemn and legal engagements. 
 
 We are. Sir, your bumble fervants. 
 
 Sarry ftreet, Wedneflay Dec. 30, 1767, T. H A R R I S. 
 
 4 o'clock, P. M. J. R UT H E R F O RD.' 
 
 The following notes to the Prompter, with his minutes annexed, will 
 ihew the other particulars relative to this tranfa^on : 
 
 ** MR. Rutherford is greatly furprifed that Mr. Younger did not, as ufual,fend him 
 
 on Saturday laft the plan of the enfuing week's bufmefs. Defires that he will be 
 
 careful not to omit it in future, and that he will this evening fend to Mr. Ruther- 
 ford the account of plays intended for the remainder of the week.'' 
 
 NcwBun-ftreet, Wedttcicby noon, 30th Dec. 
 
 ** N. B. I gave the plan of the week's bufmefs, as ufual, on Saturday night to 
 Sam. Besford, for both Mr. Rutherford and Mr. Harris | but fending for him on 
 
 Sunday
 
 [ 37 ] 
 
 Sunday mornfng, (before he had delivered them) and giving him a frefh one fof each 
 concerning the command, he thought the firft of no confequence and burnt them. 
 I received the note above atone o'clock, and direclly tooic the boy with me to Mr. 
 Harris, where the porter faid Mr. Rutherford was, and told him as above : he faid 
 I need take no farther trouble, he would explaiit it to Mr. Rutherford.." 
 
 Second LttUr, 
 
 '* MR. Harris and Mr. Rutherford defire Mr. Younger would not fail to come 
 dCKwn to them direftly, ifhecando it without injury to the reprefcntation of the 
 opera; otherwife to come to them immediately after the opera is OTcr,** 
 
 Suriy-ftrcet, Wedneiiiay feven o'clock, 30th Dec. 
 
 * WENTdirecSlly; and on their afking what orders Ihad forto-naoriow, told them 
 Mr. Cqlman had informed me of their interdidtion of.Cymbdine, and that he wouf3 
 give no other order ; but that Mr. Powell was at the houfe, and faid he would give 
 it out. 1 alfo told them the Merchant of Venice and Love- a-1 a- mode wasdefigned for 
 
 Friday, and Philafter for Saturday.- They gave me no order of any kind (except 
 
 to fend them word of what was to be rehearfed next morning) but faid they fent 
 for me to have ordered^a play, if Mr. Colman refufed doing ^, as his letter to thenv 
 mentioned." 
 
 Dec. 31. Sent for by MefT Harris and Rutherford to Surry-ftreet : told them 
 Mr. Powell ordered the giving out of the play laft night, and fent himfelf the bills 
 to the printer ; and that Mr. Colman had given no theatrical orders fmce, thougb 
 1 breakfailed with him. j. Y. Prompter." 
 
 Open hoflilitics were now recommenced, and every effort of fplccn and 
 refentment was exerted to diftrefs Mr. Powell and myfelf in the condu6t 
 of the Theatre. The Jingle caufe of difference was not, however, to be 
 avowed -, hut* repeated and aggravated caufes were to be fuppofed. The 
 very day before, if I would but pay due attention to their lentiments, 
 they would intirely ptrfue mine : but if not, they would not only oppofe 
 my fentiments, it feems, but endeavour to blacken and afperie both our 
 characters with the charges of fraud and colluiQon : but when the reader 
 has gone through thefe Iheets, I will fubmit it to his decifion, in what 
 quarter there has been the mod appearance of coUufion. 
 
 They begun their firft attack on the exchequer, and lent the 
 following letter to the Treafurer of the Theatre : '^' 
 
 Mr. Garton. sir, 
 
 ** YOU'LL pleafe to prepare your accounts for our rirfpeftion next Friday morn- 
 ing nine o'clock j and you are on no account to dilburfe any monies between this 
 and that time, when you will have furtheu diredions. 
 
 SIR, Your moft humble fervants, 
 Wednefday night, T.. HARRIS. 
 
 Dec. 3tb, J767. J. R U T H E R EG R D." 
 
 Sec printed Narrative, p. Jl-
 
 [ 38 1 
 
 They next attempted to ftorm the wardrobe, as will appcaf 
 * ''* by the following letters between them and Mr. Powell. 
 
 "SIR, 
 
 ** WE defirc you Will (irefent our cohipllnients to Mrs. Powell, and acquaint 
 her that we defirc (he will be pleafed to fend every thing in her pofleffion appentain- 
 ing to the Theatre to the wardrobc-keeper's-office, as we intend forthwith to examine 
 the ftatc of both wardrobes : that you will aifo inform her how much we are oblig- 
 ed to her for the trouble Ihchas hitherto incurred ; but requelt {he would not make 
 any further purchafe on account of the Theatre, as we Ihall give directions to the 
 Treafurcr to pay nothing but incidental charges, until previoufly confented to by us. 
 
 Your humble fervants, 
 
 SUrrj^rcctj t. HARRIS, 
 
 1"hurfd*y evening, jilt Dec. 1^67. J. RIJTHERFORD;* 
 
 "Gentlemen, 
 " YOUR, dire^ionsto Mrs. Powell cannot be complied with. The unappro- 
 priated cloaths belonging to the Theatre have ever been kept out of the houfe under 
 the care, of one of the proprietors ; they are now in my pofleffion, always free for 
 your infpeclion, and forthcoming for the proper ufe of the Theatre. However you 
 may efteem Mrs. Powell for the tare and trouble (he has taken to herfelf concern- 
 ing the property, I believe every gentleman that has made any advance in the pur- 
 chafe, when they are acquainted with it, will think themfelves greatly obliged to 
 her. Whatever your doubts may be for the fafety of that part of your property in 
 my pofTeifion, I know not; but this I know, that my condufl: has hitherto been 
 fuch, as not to have my honefty, or Mrs. Powell's, called in queflion : fo that you 
 may be aflured, your property is ever fafe with either of us. 
 
 Your humble Servant, 
 
 iftjannary, 1768. W. POWELL." 
 
 To Mejf. H. and R. 
 
 r/ 
 
 ** P. S. Mr. Colman, by our articles, is inveftied with the theatrical as well as 
 dramatic dire<^ion of the Theatre ; and the care of the women's wardrobe and that 
 of the men's wasdefired by Mr. Colman to be taken by Mrs Powell and myfelf, 
 without any objc(3ion made on your parts ; and therefore We (hall pay every atten- 
 tion to the department for the good of the property and the pleafure of the publick : 
 and you muft give me leave to tell you, that you (hall find I am hot that cypher, even 
 according to our prefcnt article, as you feem by your treatment to imagine. 
 
 I am yours^ 
 
 W. POWELL." 
 
 Here it iilay not be improper to mention, that there had been fome. 
 little altercation the preceding day, concerning a drcfs for Mrs. LcfTing- 
 ham i that lady having taken great offence, from not being indulged with 
 a gown and petticoat to play a chamber-maid in the Clandeftine Mar- 
 riage. Tbe dire^ions to Mrs. Powell we interpreted as an intended infult 
 to her hulband, and the requeft to dejiji from further purchafes as a new 
 
 mode
 
 [39 ] 
 
 mode of diftreflirig and embarraffing us in our affairs : but it was almoft 
 impoffible to conceive or imagine that they meant to ground a charge of 
 fraud or collufion in this circumftance, after they had, by the advice of 
 Mrs. Rich, approved of keeping the unappropriated cloaths out of the 
 wardrobe -, and had not only joined with me in defining Mrs. Powell to 
 take the care of them, but agreed to purchafe Mr. Rich's dwelling- 
 houfe adjoining to the Theatre for the refidence of Mr. and Mrs. Powell, 
 allowing a very large abatement of the rent, in confideration of their re- 
 ferving a room for the occafional meetings of the managers, and other 
 apartments for the purpofe of lodging therein the unappropriiated cloaths. 
 
 As MefT. Harris and Rutherford were now to fland forward as 
 ading managers, no circumftance, however minute, tending to im- 
 prefs an idea of their importance, was to be negleded or over- looked.. 
 On the fecond of January therefore the Treafurerof the Theatre received; 
 the following : 
 
 " Mr. Garton. sir, 
 
 *' IT would have been proper in you to have advertlfed the different tradesmen 
 of the juft form of addrefs to their refpeflive bills which fhould have been thus.:. 
 Harris^ Rutherford, Colmavj and Powell -, that being the form in which the patent, 
 &c. is conveyed to us. ' 
 
 " The bills we now fend you, as far as we are concerned, you are at liberty to 
 pay, with the refervation exprefs'd excepting thofe which are diffetendy fubfcnb^d.. 
 
 Are, Sir, ,Your moft humble fervants, "fH^^Q 
 
 Surry-ftreet, T. H A R R I S. "t 
 
 Saturday, Jan. 2d, 1768. J. RUTHERFORD.?^ 
 
 If the reader recoUeds the dialogue with the Prompter touching the 
 wordfxedt he will not be fo much furprifed at the above reprimand to 
 the Treafurer. Proper orders, however, were immediately iffued to the 
 tradefmen; and it is hoped that all who may hereafter be employed in. 
 the fervice of Covent-Garden Theatre, will remember to addrefs their, 
 refpedive bills to MefT. Harris and Co. 
 
 The fame day I received the following : 
 
 "SIR, 
 *' THERE is now fo much time elapfed fmce you were paid for your intended 
 alterations of the tragedy of King Lear, that we think proper to defire you forth- 
 with to produce the play, or pay the fum you have received on that account again 
 into the treafury of the Theatre. 
 - ** If you will take the latter propofed method, it will be by far the moft agreeable to 
 
 Your humble fervants, 
 Surry-ftreet, T. H ARR I S.- 
 
 Saturday Morningi ad Jan 1768. J. RUTHERFORD." 
 
 Knowings
 
 [ io ] 
 
 Knowing thf unquiet fpirits of the writers', I looked iipdn this fetter, 
 as well as that to Mr. Powell, to be nothing more than a frclh 
 Jan.*. jjj^yjp^ ji^jj^ jl^^-^ rcrcntments to me might keep pace with their 
 inftanccs of fplecn to Mr. Powell. I muft own I never cxpeded to be 
 called on for ajuftification of my charafter in a tranfadion of this nature ; 
 and lam very well convinced, that the gentlemen themfelvcs never 
 thought of exhibiting fo fcandalous a charge, till after the fecond repre- 
 fcntation of the play ot Cymbeline. This, and the other affertions rela- 
 tive to Mr. Powcir$ going to Briftol, as well as the infinuations con- 
 cerning the wardrobe, and Mrs. Yates's engagement, will appear to be 
 the moft exceptionable parts of MefT. Harris and Rutherford's conduft. 
 Paffion is a human frailty, and therefore in fome degree cxculable ; but 
 .fancour and malice, fupported by failhood, are diabolical. 
 I The affairs of the wardrobe have been already confidered. The matters 
 of King Lear, and Mr. Poweirs going to Briftol in the fummer, were 
 both agitated fo lopg ago as on Thurfday the 26th of November, 
 and the fubftance of what paft was as follows : ' . : . 
 
 r- ! told them that the money ari'fing from my night, as author of the 
 "Oxonian in Town, lay as yet in the office , but that as I was, by our 
 articles, to be paid for every tVmg which I did in fuch a capacity, I 
 would, if they thought proper, take li>e clear Receipt of the houfe that 
 night, as a confideration for my xnfertions in the Rehearfal at the 
 opening of the Theatre, and my alteration of King Lear ; adding, that 
 the alteration of Lear had given me more trouble than that of Philaller, 
 for which I had a night at Drury-Lane ; but that as it did not abfolutely 
 add a play to our catalogue, and as it was a work I fhould never have 
 undertaken had I not been engaged in the direction of a theatre, I fhould 
 be very well contented with fuch a confideration for my trouble. They 
 alked if I had not better refer all thofe matters to the end of the feafon, 
 I replied, with all my heart ; thap I did not mean to a(k it as a favour ; 
 but that as I believed I fhould do nothing more of that fort this year, and 
 as the money happened to be in the office, thofe circumftances had in- 
 duced me to mention the matter at that time. Mr. Powell declared his 
 opinion, that the demand was a very moderate one, and that he thought 
 I might very reafonably have claimed a night. I faid that, whenever I 
 produced my alteration of the Silent Woman, I fhould be undoubtedly en- 
 titled to one for that piece , but in the prelent inftance I fliould be very 
 well fadsficd with the fum then in the office : whereupon it was unani- 
 moufly agreed, that I fhould take out the clear receipt, which amounted 
 to 64/. 5 J. more than was due to me as author of the Oxonian in Town. 
 The above letter, infolent as it is, does not deny my having been paid by 
 their confent j but it is particularly happy for me, that Mr. Hutchinfon, 
 
 a gentle-
 
 t 41 ] 
 
 ii gentleman whofe integrity has heretofore extorted even their approha- 
 tion, was prefect at this fcene, and can vouch for the truth of this re- 
 lation. 
 
 But, fays the invidious note to the printed Narrative*, This is a cujio- 
 mary liberty taken from time to time ivith this play in the reprefentation \ 
 and, particularly, by the celebrated manager of Brury Lane, who, y^e arc 
 ajfured, never charged a fingle farthing to his brother patentee for fiich fe'r- 
 vices. If the celebrated manager of Drury Lane had ever attempted to 
 execute my projected plan of alrering King Lear, my labours on this 
 feccafion would undoubtedly have been fuperfeded ; but that be never 
 charged a fingle farthing to his brother patentee far fach fervices f, both he 
 and his brother patentee know to be falfe -, and that juftly celebrated 
 manager himfelf, more than once, propofed to me to join with him in a 
 reform of the theatre, wherein thofe pieces which did not require fo 
 much alteration as to entitle the new editor to a benetit-night, were to 
 be rewarded by a certain fum iov each play. My reviial of Kins; Lear 
 falls diredly under that defcription ; and, I believe, the manager him- 
 felf will allow, that I have had no more than a quantum meruit for ray 
 trouble -, nay, 1 will fubmit to be tried by a theatrical jury, with that 
 manager, as he ever ought to be, at their head \ and I will forfeit 
 double the fum, if my foreman does not bring me in not guilty. That 
 he has been paid for his fervices is moil certain, as it is mod certain^ 
 that he has been paid no more than he has very fairly earned. He was 
 pleafed to tell me, that 1 fhould find my trouble, as adting- manager, 
 would very well deferve 500 1. a year \ and to add, that he would give 
 my partners 500 1. a year, if they would not fufFer me to be ading- 
 manager. Thefe were his fentiments and expreflions at that time ; but, 
 as Abraham fays in Harlequin's Invafion, thofe happy days are over. 
 
 The other affair ftands thus : 
 
 On the 28 th of May, when the article relative to Mr. Powell's 
 falary, &c. was figned, when Mr. Hutchinfon, who prepared it, ^^ * * 
 firit read that claufe, wherein it was to be agreed, that none of the 
 
 See their Narrative, p. 15. 
 
 f On a revifal of this page, and a lecond reference to their printed Narrative, I find, that 
 their note in p. 13. concerning the cufiomary liberty taken <uiith this play in reprefentation, alludes 
 to the play of The Rehearfal; not to King Lear. la that inftance Mr. Shuter, as well as 
 every former Bays, took, the fame liberty, and charged nothing extraordinary for fuch fervices. 
 But the ufual exteynpore pleafantries of the aftor in this character, ai-e very different in point 
 of quantity, not to fay quality, from thofe written additions which they are plealed to call 
 the mfertion ofafenv lutes J. How much of the 64I. 5s. Meff. R. and H. are pleafed to charge 
 to this account, I cannot tell ; but my agreement gave me an undoubted right to receive a 
 confideration for them : and, few and trifling as they are pleafed to call thefe additions, on 
 fh4ter occafion tiacy Ihali produce the Ijke, I will convince them I have not been over-paid. 
 
 |^ir. R, and H.'t..NaintlyC} { 13* 
 
 f G parties
 
 [ 4 ] 
 
 parties Jhould^ after thefirfi ofO^ober, a5}, write, or have any concern in 
 any other theatre^ Mr. Powell abfolutely rcfufed to fign it, alledging the 
 ncccflity he (hould be under to retain his property at Briftol, at leaft for 
 feme years, injuftice both to himfelf and his family; who, notwith- 
 ftanding the emoluments that might accrue from our intended purchafe, 
 would be extremely diltreffed and pinched in their income, till 
 
 ^ * he had paid off the money, principal as well as interelt, bor- 
 rowed on the occafion. After two or three hours debate, he, with great 
 reludance, fet his hand to the article; and I will venture to fay, that 
 my arguments and warmth on the occafion induced him to confent to 
 it. At the fame time, to mark our fenfe of his compliance in this in- 
 ftance, he was promifed, by Mcffrs. Harris and Rutherford, as well as 
 myfelf, that ^ to indemnify him, in fome meafure at leaft, for the lofs he 
 fhculd fujiain by not ailing at Brijiol in the fummer, fliould be a matter of 
 our future conHderation. 
 
 After the completion of the purchafe, and our opening the theatre, 
 Mr. Powell frequently took occafion to mention this matter, and defined 
 to know on what footing this affaif was to ftand, that he might deter- 
 mine in what manner to condud himfelf, in regard to his connexions ia 
 Briftol. Meff. Rutherford and Harris, for a long time, found means 
 to evade giving a determinate anfwer ; but, on the 26th of November,. 
 Mr. Powell defiring a categorical anfwer, they told him they would 
 give him leave to go to Briftol ; that they had altered their fentiments 
 on this head, and conceii^ed the reputation of each patentee to be as 
 diftind as his perfon, and that the adions of one individual would be 
 no derogation to the charadter of another ; that they were even reduced, 
 though with great regret, to plead poverty on the occafion , for, as the 
 money laid down for the purchafe was not all their own, what v/ith the 
 payment of intereft, and the large incomes they had given up by aban- 
 doning trade, their abilities to oblige Mr. Powell did not keep pace 
 with their inclinations; befides which, it was to be confidered, that both Mr, 
 Powell and myfelf derived cmoiuments from the theatre, in which they 
 had no (hare : but however,"^ to fhow their unwillingnefs to deprive him of 
 any pecuniary advantage, they aJJ'ented to his going ; and ordered Mr. 
 Hutchinfon to draw up a proper form of permiflion, in writing, on the 
 fpot, to be immediately figned by Mr. Colman and themfelves. To 
 this, however, Mr. Colman would by no means confent, faying, that 
 he originally oppofcd Mr. Powell's going to Briftol propter dignitatem^ 
 thinking it inconfiftent with his prefent fituation j but that if they had 
 furmounted that obftacle, he had no ftronger objedions to urge a- 
 gainft it j though he would never fuffcr it to appear under his hand, 
 
 * See their printed NfOrativc, p. 14. f Ibid, p. 15. 
 
 that,.
 
 T 4J 1 
 
 fhat, for the fake of refufing feme rafcal couniers to his friend^' he would 
 fufFer hirti to bring an imputation on them all. To fhew however, that 
 he did not mean to counterad Mr. Powell's intention, or their per- 
 miffion, he propofed to add to that claufe in the article relative to the 
 parties not being concerned in any other theatre, the words within ten 
 miles of London ', by the infertion whereof, Mr. Powell would be at li- 
 berty to follow his own inclinations, without rendering Mr. Colman re- 
 fponfible for a condu6l which he did not approve, and would be glad to 
 find proper means to prevent. As to the feparate emoluments of Mn 
 Powell and himfelf, he reminded Meff. Rutherford and Harris, that they 
 were no more than they muft neceffarily pay to other adors and authors ; 
 and that, as Mr. Powell and Mr. Colman paid each a fourth of it them- 
 felves, their particular advantages from their labours were lefs than thofe 
 of others in the fame fituation ; but that, fuch as they were, if MeflT. 
 Harris and Rutherford would ^ ena5i tragedies, or write comedies, they 
 would be entitled to the like. As to Mr. Colman*s \\ going fo far as to 
 injiji warmly on the reafonahlenefs and equity of Mr. PoweWs demand of a he- 
 fiefit on this occafion, it is abfolutely falfe, for which I appeal to Mr. 
 Hutchinfon. Such a demand, I really think, after the tranfadlion of the 
 28th of May, would have been both reafonable and equitable; but, to 
 the bed of my knowledge and belief, the mode of compenfation was 
 not mentioned, nor any fuch demand then made by Mr. Powell. 
 
 By this time the reader will be tolerably enabled to judge how far 
 the narratives, printed and manufcript, drawn up by the authority of 
 Meff. Harris and Rutherford, are fwpported by indubitable and authentick 
 vidence'^. Their account of the engagement of Mr. and Mrs. Yates 
 is, in point of exaiftnefs and veracity, confident with the reft of their 
 narration. The very date is erroneous, purpofely erroneous, like that 
 of the firft material tranfaftion between us. Their Narratives -f would in- 
 finuate the engagements of Mr. and Mrs. Yates to be fubfequent to 
 the tranfadions of the fecond of November ; thereby meaning to con- 
 ceal, as they have always moft induftrioufly endeavoured, the real caufe 
 of thofe violent difputes, and to hold up Mils Ward as the objeft of 
 contention. She never was, on any occafion, rendered an obje6l of con- 
 tention , though the note in their Narrative relative to fome ferfonal al- 
 tercation, en account of cafting the parts of Cymbeline^ exprefly fays, in di- 
 redt contradiction to the living teftimony of the whole theatre, Mr* 
 Colman wanting Mifs W to play the part of Imogen \ which Harris and 
 Rutherford conceived would be better fuppUed by Mrs. L , who had 
 
 See printed Narrative, p. 35. H Ibid. p. 14. % See Apology prefixed 
 
 to the printed Narrative, f See printed Narrative, p. 11, Ibid. p. 15. 
 
 G Z PLAYED
 
 (4+1 I 
 
 PLATED IT THE PRECEDING SEASON AT DrURY LaNE. Oh MtS^, 
 
 Tutes's joining the company however^ and refuftng to give up the part, it 
 was affigned to neither. The poor flimfy fallacy of their whole reprefen- 
 tation of this matter mult be evident to every perfon who has read the 
 foregoing pages of this true ftate of the cafe. Mifs Ward's claim to the 
 character had never been fctAip with an air of contradi<aion to their fen- 
 timents ; was never maintained in competition with Mrs. Leflingham ; 
 and was wholly withdrawn within eight days after opening the theatre. 
 Mrs. Yates was engaged on the twelfth of October , adually played 
 Jane Shore on the fixteenth -, and whether the charadler of Imogen ftiould 
 be performed by Mrs. Yates or Mrs. Leflingham, was notorioufly the 
 whole fubjed- matter of the violent heats and animofities from the 
 twenty-ninth of Oftober to the fecond of November. Yet, fay Meff. 
 Harris and Rutherford, in their printed narrative, after having con- 
 cluded their garbled account of thofc tranfadions, 7he ^ reco/icili^tion 
 which ENSUED gave Harris and Rutherford feme reafon to hope that of- 
 fairs would now be carried on in an mni cable manner. They were verV 
 SOON HOWEVER SURPRIZED With Mr. Colman^ s having taken upon him t 
 engage Mr. and Mrs. Tates, : an aflferdon, in refpedt to its chronology, 
 which the very authority of the play-bills is fufficient to confute. 
 
 Still, however, (fay they) Mr. Colman engaged Mr. and Mrs. Yates ; 
 and the -f furprife of Harris and Rutherford was the greater, as all the four ^ 
 IN A CONSULTATION HELD fome days before, had been unanimoufly of a con^ 
 trary opinion. The only confultation that I recoUedt on this affair was, that 
 I had one day the honour of all the proprietors under my roof at din- 
 ner ; after which the fubjed was ftarted, I believe by Mr. Powell, who 
 fecmed very defirous of forming fuch an engagement. Mr. Rutherford 
 alfo fecmed to lean to his opinion : I was not wholly dififlclined to it, 
 provided we could obtain Mrs. Yates without her hufband, whofe affiftr 
 ancc, excellent as he is, as our company ftood, we did not fo much 
 need : Mr. Harris was wholly averfe to our thinking of either. 
 
 It was then generally faid that Mr. Barry and Mrs. Dancer were not 
 to return to Dublin-, and on the Saturday following the latter was pub- 
 lickly announced, after the play at Drury Lane, to perform there on the 
 Succeeding Wednefday. The imparience and anxiety of Mr. Powell 
 could then no longer be fubdued. He prell me in the moft earneft man- 
 ner to permit him to enter into a lerious negoriation with Mrs. Yates ; 
 adding, that he thought I carried my punftilious delicacy towards the 
 managers of Drury Lane much too far ; that if Mr. Barry and Mrs. 
 Dancer had croffe^ the water, and Mrs. Yates had (till been ftanding 
 l^uc upon wrms, it would perhaps have been illiberal to interfere i but 
 
 P. II. t P. 13* 
 
 that
 
 [ 45 ] 
 
 that fince the managers of Drury Lane had thought proper to take Mr. 
 Barry and Mrs. Dancer into their houfc, ftill leaving an opening fo? 
 Mr. and Mrs. Yates, he did not thinV, in juftice to ourfelves, that we 
 ought to omit ftrengthening our company with io popular an adrefs as 
 Mrs. Yates. Thefe arguments had, in my opinion, {6 much weight, 
 that I told him I fliould be glad to "know whether Mrs. Yates would 
 join us alone. This, on his application to her, (he refufed j whereupon 
 Mr. Powell intreatcd me, if T had the leaft regard for his 
 peace of mind, or hi$ reputation, to engage hfh. We went 
 together to Mr. Harris's houfein Surry Street. Mr. Harris was out of 
 town. We then werrt to Mr. Rutherford's in Newman Street. Mr. 
 Rutherford alfo not being to be found, a note was left, requefting the 
 favour of leetng him at the theatre, on earnefl bufipefs, next morning 
 by tea or eleven o'clock. We waited till near noon, at which time we 
 fet out for Mr. Yates's at Mortlake, leaving the following letter ^^ 
 from Mr. Powell for Mi. Rutherford. 
 
 *' Dear Sir, Paft Eleven. 
 
 *' SINCE I had the pleafure to fee you, I find that Mr. G has engaged 
 
 B and Mrs. D ; and 1, yefterday, had the moft affiired intelligence, that 
 
 they had complied to give Mr. and Mrs. Y their own terms, the confequence 
 
 of which you muft fee that they would do every play in, fuch a manner, with 
 
 B , D , and Y , that we (hould not be able to make the leaft ftand 
 
 againft them; and in fuch cafe, my reputation as an aflor (ftanding alonej muft 
 fink ; which to prevent, I would, for my own fake, withdraw myfelf from the ftage, 
 
 for a time, as an adtor. Yefterday I faw Mrs. Y , who has generoufly given 
 
 me the preference, and will not clofe with Mr. G - ' till ihe hears from me, 
 Ufhich muft be this morning. The rooment I came to town from Mrs. Y -r 
 laft night I called with Mr. Colman, at both your houfes, in hopes to have con- 
 fuhed and got your confent to engage them. I applied again this morning, bi^t 
 could not have the pleafure to fee you. We have now waited to the laft moqnenti 
 it is the very crifis of my fate and fortune ; my everlafting welfare is on the eLgag** 
 ing thefe people ; and it is Mr. Colman's fentiments, that at all events the moment 
 ihould not be loft j and I think, vvhen you come to hear bow we are befet, you will 
 happily concur. We are now- gone to Mortlake to complete it, and hope you wiU 
 fay amen. I am very unhappy till it is done. Your's, 
 
 w.pqWell." 
 
 This letter plainly declared that we were gone to Mortlake to complete thf 
 engagement with Mr. and Mrs. Tates : and that this intelligence was not 
 very unpleafmg to Mr. Rutherford-, and that he, at leaft, did not then 
 regard it as another grofs breach of the articles between us, may be col- 
 lt(5tcd from the following note, which I found on my table at my re- 
 turn. 
 
 I Re-
 
 r 46 ] 
 
 ** I Received this inftant (my dear friends) Mr. Powell's letter. Vt. dines with 
 nie ; and if you have any immediate occafion to recur to*us, we are to be found in 
 licwman-ftreet from four to fix j (hail be at the theatre foon after fix ; hope to find 
 ^ou both there. Yours moft fincercly, 
 
 ilalfpall 11, mom. J- R- 
 
 To G. CoLMAN, E/q. tr W. Powell, Efq. 
 
 That I did not offer to carry matters with fo high a hand, as the gen- 
 tlemen are pleafcd to reprefcnt, will appear from my anfwer to the above 
 
 note. 
 
 Monday 4 o'clock. Since returned from Mortlake. 
 
 " Dear pRiENt), 
 * THE deed is done; done on my part with fear and trembling, becaufe we 
 had not the good fortune to meet with you beforehand ; but I think, nay am fare, 
 it is for the beft. I have particular company to dinner, or would have flown to you j 
 but will get to the theatre as foon as my company's departure fhall releafe me. 
 
 Yours, duly and truly, 
 
 G. C. 
 To J. Rutherford, Efq. 
 
 In the evening I went to the theatre ; and, from the whole tenor of 
 Mr. Rutherford's behaviour, which was agreeable to the fpirit of his 
 letter, I concluded, I (till think not without reafon, that he 
 was very well fatisfied with what we had done, thinking it a 
 meafure conducive to the intereft and reputation of the theatre. Mr. 
 Harris, however, it muft not be diflembled, appeared extremely diffa- 
 tisfied, conftruing Mr. Powell's letter as a menace, and declaring his 
 right to think their confent nec^Jfary to our forming an engagement of fo much 
 expence and ccnfequence'^. I acknowledged that right; and affured him 
 that Mr. Powell's letter was not intended as a menace -, that, confider- 
 jng the tragick (landing army of Drury Lane, occafionally reinforced by 
 Mr. Garrick himfelf, if we ever meant to ufe a bowl or a dagger this 
 feafon, 1 thought the meafure was right ; but that if, after all, Mr. 
 .Rutherford and himfelf (hould declare themfclves to be of a contrary 
 opinion, Mr. Powell and myfelf would chearfully defray the expence of 
 that engagement, being confcious that there was an irregularity, in hav- 
 ing formed it without having previoufly obtained their a(Tent to it. At 
 length Mr. Powell intreated Mr. Harris, if he had any regard for his 
 (Mr. Powcirs) fame or happinefs, to (hew no farther repugnance to 
 the meafure -, whereupon Mr. Harris declared he would never fay any 
 thing farther againft it. How far Mr. Harris has kept his word, or 
 how far Mr. Rutlierford's lubfequent condud has been agreeable to 
 
 X Printed Narrative, p. la, 
 
 his
 
 i: 47 I 
 
 his behaviour at that period, the reader is left to determine j and 
 their objeftion to this engagement, on account of the expcnce of it, 
 may be eftimated by their conference with Mrs. Yates, as well as their 
 letter to her, on the 29th of October. Whether this engagement has 
 enabled us to add to the publick entertainment, the Publick will judge 
 for themfelves. 
 
 But here again occurs another inflance of collufion ; for ^ Mr. Powell 
 became entitled to the addition of 100 1, to his /alary : and it -f is to be re- 
 marked that Mr. IVoodward's engagement was antecedent to Mr. PcweWs 
 article ; by virtue of which he was entitled to a larger falary than any -per- 
 former hereafter to be engaged. The reader is defired to obferve, thai: 
 Mr. Powell's article with us, as a Performer, was figned, as appears by 
 the date, on the 28th of May, fome weeks before we were in pofTeflion of 
 the patents ; and I will appeal to Mr. Hutchinfon before-mentioned, who 
 drew the article, and whofe name appears as a witnefs to it, as well as to 
 the confciences of all the parties who figned it, whether the whole fcope 
 and intention of that article was not to fecure to Mr. Powell the firft fala- 
 ry in the theatre. In what manner a court of law might conftrue the 
 words TO BE engaged', and how far the cafual circumftance of Mr. 
 "Woodward's being in articles with the preceding patentees, at a higher 
 ialary, might render him an exception ; 1 will not pretend to decide : 
 but before Mr. T. Harris ventures another comparifon j: between Mr, 
 PoweWs diftngcnuity and his own generojity, we would advile him not to 
 jnfift on the above conftrudion. Mr. Woodward's excellence in his 
 profeffion is very well known : but does he, excellent as he is, deferve a 
 juperior falary to Mr. Powell ? And will any reader of common fenfe 
 conceive it to be the meaning of any of the parties concerned, to rate 
 Mr. Powell lower than Mr. Woodward ? This, however, is the ground 
 of the black charge of collufion between Mr. Powell and Mr. Colman, 
 by which finifter method they were to add 100 1. to Mr. Powell's falary , 
 fifty of which they were of neceflicy to pay themfelves, and to divide 
 the remaining fifty between them. Add to which, that eftimating Mr. 
 Yates's falary at 300 1. which added to that of Mrs. Yates's, amounted to 
 the grofs fum of 800 1. Mr. Colman and Mr. Powell, by a mod re- 
 fined ftroke of policy, contrived to pay 200 1. each out of their pock- 
 ets, for the fake of receiving five and twenty. Hence appears the great 
 utility of the narratives of MelT. Harris and Rutherford, who thought 
 it incumbent on them, as well injujiification of themfelves, as out ofrefpeSl to the 
 Publick, to prevent, as far as lies in their power, any misrepresenta- 
 tion OF FACTS. 
 
 Printed Narrative, p. J3. f Note to ibid. J Note to ibid. p. 26. 
 
 \ See Apology to their printed Narrative. 
 
 The
 
 ir 4 I 
 
 The fclatioit of tfrtfa tranfiifkionj, which naturally fdl wider thd 
 charges of collvfion and fraud, carried on between me and Mr. Powell^ 
 has neceflarily turned the tide of my narrative, which will now ran on^ 
 m it began, in the regular courfe of time. 
 
 jAn. I. Oa the fifft of January the treafurer of the theatre receitred the 
 768. following letter: n- : - i 
 
 * S 1 R, 
 
 " YOU have oilr pcrmiffion fo pay the accuftomed weekly falariesj and the ini 
 cidental charges of mufic, properties, and fupernumerary performers ; but ycm are 
 not to pay any other fum of money whatfoever (Mr. Harris's fourth part of the 
 balance 6f cam excepted) unl^fs tenified for payihent under our hands. We are. 
 
 Sir, your moll liumible Servants, 
 Surry Strtftt, T. H.'UiRl';. 
 
 WedncMay, Jan. jft. 1768. J. RU TllERFORD.V 
 
 To Mr, Jonathan -Garton j Trtafurtr of Covent GardeA Theatre. 
 
 As Mefl". Harris and Rutherford had, on former occafions, declared, 
 that, fooner than fuffer the fordid confidcration of intcrcft to controul 
 them, they would fee the theatre in frames-, we began to think it hight- 
 ly neceffary to call in fome cool and difpaflionate perfons, wbofe inter- 
 pofition might adjuft our differences ; and to prove that we were in car- 
 heft in fuch an appeal, we thought it the moil unqueftionable mark of 
 candour, to (how ourfelves willing to refer the confideration of our dif- 
 ferences to the particular friends of MefT. Rutherford and Harris. In- 
 deed we the more readily recurred to this method, having propofed it, 
 fls the reader may recolle<fl, not without fuccefs, on a former occafion. 
 To avoid, however, the moil diftant appearance of any clandeftine tranf- 
 iflion, the following letters, to their friends and to themfclves, were 
 idifpatched at one and the fame inftant. 
 
 "SIR, 
 ** AS you are a particular friend and acquaintance of Mr. Rutherford, your 
 prefence isearneftly rcquefted at the King's Arms tavern in Cornhill, nextTuefday 
 at one o'clock, to meet fome other perfons on affairs immediately relative to the 
 *oft eflential interelts of Covent-Garden Theatre. We are. 
 
 Sir, your mod obedient humble Servants, 
 }in. ift. ir68. G. COLMAN. 
 
 Wm. POWELL." 
 To Charles Foulis, Efq; at Woodford-Rovs, Bffex. 
 
 Others to the fame purport, mutatis mutandisy to the under-mentioned gentle- 
 4iaen, viz. 
 
 Richard Ofwald, fq; PhilpotLane. 
 Mr. Palmer, Att. at Law, Do. 
 Blr. Lortgitian, Pater- ndfter Row. 
 Mr. Ncale, Banker, Lombard Street, 
 
 GzN-
 
 C 49 ] 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 
 " BEING confcious of the reSItude of our conduft, we are willing and defirous 
 to fubmit it to your moft intimate and particular friends ; for which purpofe we 
 iiave fummoned the under-written gentlemen to the King's Arms tavern in Corn- 
 hill nextTuefday atone o'clock, when, if you pleafe, you may attend. We are, 
 , . . Gentlemen, your humble Servants, , 
 
 Jan. ift, 1768. G. COLMAN. , 
 
 Wm. POWELL." 
 Charles Fouli?, Richard Ofivald, Matthew Duane^ 
 
 Henry Bullock, Thomas Longman, Neale, Palmer, Efquires. 
 
 ,ToMef. Rutherford tf^ Harris. 
 
 The gentlemen whofe names are printed in Italick chara5lers, were 
 concerned for the party who had advanced the money to Mr. Powell. 
 On my own part I fun)moned nobody -, and MefT. Rutherford and Harris 
 took care, that on their parts nobody (hould appear, except the agents of 
 Mr. Ofwald, over whom they could have no influence. On the 5th of 
 January, however, Mr. Powell and I met the other gentlemen at the 
 King's Arms, in Cornhill, when we received the following letter. 
 
 " Gentlemen. 
 
 " WE have each of us a fummons to attend you on the affairs of Covent-Gar- 
 den Theatre. As we cannot poffibly have any right to interfere in this matter, muft 
 beg leave to decline the meeting. Mr. Harris and Mr. Rutherford are gentle- 
 men who, in our opinion, will never a6l contrary to the principles of honour arid 
 light, or to the tenor of their articles. 
 
 As our friends, we are ever ready to fupport them to the utmoft of our abilities. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your moft humble Servants, 
 Tuefday morning, CHARLES F0ULI8. 
 
 Jan. 5th. 1768. . J. NEALE. 
 
 THOMAS LONGMAN,"" 
 
 TffG.CoLMAN, tfiW. Powell^ ^j. 
 
 The words, or to the tenor of their articles^ appeared on the receipt of 
 the letter to be added after the reft ; and to corroborate our fufpicions, 
 ihey do not appear in the copy exhibited in the printed Narrative^. 
 
 This event afforded great matter of triumph to MefT. Harris and 
 Rutherford, as appears by the ftile of their letters that imme- J^'^" 
 diately fucceeded it. For our parts we cannot, to this moment, ac- 
 t:ount for their exultation on this occafion , for what could more teftify 
 the weaknefs of their caufe, than their unwillingnefs to fubmit it to their 
 particular friends, without any thing on my fide, but the plain merits 
 of the queftion ? We are alfo equally at a lofs to account for the condudt 
 of the gentlemen whofe names appear at the bottom of the above let- 
 ter ; who not only peremptorily refuted to hear the cafe, which might 
 probably have led to an accommodation ; but took upon themfelves to 
 prejudge a matter, of which they could not poffibly know more than one 
 fide of the queftion. 
 
 : See the Narrative, p. 26. 
 
 H In
 
 :[ 5 3 
 
 In the mean time Mcfl*.. Rutherford and Harris, delrglitfttg themfclves 
 with the idea of my difappointment, amufcd ihcmfelves with preparing 
 an additional uncafinefs and infult for me at my return. To this pur- 
 pofc ihcy took care that I (hould find an irritating letter on my table, 
 which 1 was weak and peevifh enough to diflinguifh by an anfwer, 
 which produced, the very fame evening, a reply more infolent than 
 their original cpiflle. They are here fubjoined, according to the order 
 io which they were written. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 " WE difapprove of the Merchant of Venice having been murdered on Friday 
 night lafl, which we (hould have prevented, had we been confulted. You know. 
 Sir, it is at your rijk that you order any play, farce, &c. &c. to be exhibited, or 
 that you take any one meafure, without previoufly fubmitting it to our confideration. 
 
 We difapprove of the Recruiting Officer for next Wednefday, unJefs Mifs 
 Ma'-klin is well enough to play Sylvia ; fearing fome a6lrefs (and the pleafure of 
 the Publick) may be as much injured by that character, as Mrs. Bulkley was by 
 playing Portia. 
 
 "Wc difapprove of the tragedy of the Orphan, that play having been too often 
 reprefented this feafon, to be again performed fo foon. 
 
 We wifh not to go on in facrificing the pleafure of the Publick, the intereft of 
 the theatre, and our whole company of performers, to one or t%w of your favourite 
 tragedians. 
 
 Surry Street, T.HARRIS. 
 
 Jan. 5th. 1768. J- RUTHERFORD." 
 
 " N. B. We fear the Publick may think the comedy of Every Man in his Humour 
 too often repeated." 
 
 To G. CoLMAN, /q. 
 
 * THE intereft of the theatre is in no danger but from your conduft and your par- 
 tialities. Mr. Powell, who has a right to give his advice and ajfft^ance when called 
 on, perceives, that it is not pofTible for us to keep our doors open, if the diredtor 
 is liable to fuch frequent and ftudied interruptions; and we are advifed, that no 
 court can ever be led fo fcr to mifconflrue the article between us, as to fuppofe, 
 that the giving you a power that muft be fo prejudicial to our common intereft, 
 could be the intention of it. I fliall continue to adl in a manner confiftent with 
 the fpirit of it ; I wifti you to do the fame. As to the redlitude of our condul, or 
 your own, I fhall fubmit that matter to the Publick, before whom I ihall lay a full 
 ftate of the cafe in a very few days. 
 
 Jan. 5, 1768. G. C. 
 
 "SIR, 
 * THAT the advantage of the theatre is in imminent danger, we cannot but 
 imagine, as we conceive the entertainment of the Publick, and all our own parti- 
 cular inierefts, to be very much injured by your paft condud, your unjuftifiable par- 
 tialities, and your collufion with Mr. Powell. Our proofs we refer to the place 
 where they may be exhibited with efficacy; to urge them to you, however cogent, 
 WC are too well convinced would have no ^StGtj and it is the more to be lamented 
 
 that 
 111
 
 t 51 ] 
 
 that we cannot fay you want abilities, but that you referve them for your own private 
 feparate emolument, and are endczvouxlng our dejlru^ion ^ hut your dijhonour, and 
 Powell's ruin, cannot fail to be the iflue of your condud, as this day's meeting muft 
 have rendered obvious to you. 
 
 As to your charge oijiudiedinterruptions^-we totally difclaim it; being confcious that 
 we can prove, to every impartial perfon, that we have never made them^ but with a 
 view to our joint and refpedlive interefts j and we cannot be prevailed on to believe 
 that the Publick will ever efpoufe the caufe of a man who has a6led uniformly incon- 
 fijlent with Ku articles, and derogatory to the profeflions which ought to be more 
 binding to him than articles, his moft folemn reiterated promifes. It would be 
 but manly in you both to exonerate yourfelves from obligations you every moment 
 lay under to us, (prefume you are acquainted that Mr. R. has propofed to difcharge 
 his part of the loan to Mr. Ofwald) by finding any one man of property who will 
 take the burthen of being fecurity for you both from us, who are fearful of the 
 confequence, before you perfifl in infulting thofe who have made you both what 
 you are in refped to the theatre. 
 
 We dare not t^ke upon us to fay what may be the decifionoi a court of judicature ; 
 but whatever that may be, we fhall fubmit to it with the utmoft refped and re- 
 verence. Sir, your humble fervants, 
 
 Tuefday feven. 8 o'clock, T. H A R R I S. 
 
 Jan.5,1768. J.RUTHERFORD." 
 
 G. Col MAN, EJq, 
 
 The next morning, (for how every hour teemed with frefh in- 
 fults) Mr. Powell received the following. 
 
 "SIR, 
 
 ** IN collujion with Mr. Colman, you have dared io endeavour the alienating the 
 confidence of Gentlemen, whom you fuppofed we were indebted to. 
 
 Should we retaliate fuch infamous behaviour, and prevail on one of the firft men 
 in the kingdom to undertake a relation of the whole of your bafe conduct refpeling 
 us, to a noble lord, to whom, we know, you are indebted for your All, (excepting 
 the fum we ftand as fecurities for) how ought you to tremble for the confequence ? 
 
 This from your humble fervants, 
 Siirnr ftreet, Wednefday Jan. 6, 1768. T. H A R R I S. 
 
 J. RUTHERFORD." 
 
 To W. Powell, Efq. at a Mufick Shop in Rujfeljireet, Covent Garden. 
 
 In the above letter it is remarkable, that the gentlemen could not 
 
 reftrain their indignation within their letter, but fufFered it to overflow, 
 
 even to the diredtion ; and remembering Tully's maxim, ex officina nil 
 
 liberale, contemptuoufly reproached Mr. Powell with lodging at a mu~ 
 
 fickfhop. 
 
 The fame evening I was honoured with the following : Jan. 6. 
 
 "SIR, 
 *' THE cruel neceffity we lay under of holding correfpondence with you is ex- 
 ceedingly diftreffing and dangerous, which we are convinced of from the meeting 
 
 H 2 of 
 
 Jan. 6.
 
 of the players, whom you clandcftinely convened, and read to them our prira 
 letters, though wrote to you in pcrfonal confidence, and in the moft unguarded 
 manner, fome of them on points to which we could only be rcfponfiblc as man to 
 
 man.' 
 
 You have often threatened u&to retire from the management. You have often 
 threatened us to appeal to the Publick; nav, you abfolutely have had the effrontery 
 Itodare an appeal to our friends : the iflue ot that appeal, we believe, ftill lives in your 
 taeroory. With rcfpea to the Publick, our roUance on their protedion cannot be 
 Witcccded by your otvti; and we have now by us a narrative of our whole proceedings 
 VJth you, from the firft moment to the prefent time, all ready for publication ; but 
 we have been advifcd by our friends not immediately to publifh it ; and \i ytu do ap- 
 peal to them, (the Publick) it can only be occafioned by your depending on your 
 art to work upon the paffions of mankind, and becaufe you dare not wait to abide 
 by the'it judgment, zs mult be the cafe in a high court of judicature. 
 
 You will urge, perhaps, how much we are obliged to you for the trouble you 
 have given yourfeU, in taking upon you the whole management of the theatre^ 
 and to Mr. Powell for procuring thepurchafe of all our wardrobe, neceflaries, and 
 keeping them afterwards in his own houfe. From the above circumftanccs fevere 
 injuries have, in the opinion of us both, already arifen to our fortunes, and (the 
 barrier being now entirely deftroyed, which was formed for our fafety) we dread 
 the future ones. 
 
 It is not for us to determine the fpirit of our articles from the letter of them : that 
 we will not prefume to do ; but you are confcious we fay. Sir, you know that it 
 was our conftant, repeated, and uniform declaration, that we would never be con- 
 cerned with you in the theatre, without having both of us an equality of power 
 with you in the management thereof. 
 
 We obferve it to be your conftant method, when we have objeded to a play, that 
 you have ordered a weaker one. Tou have no right to order a play for reprefentation 
 before it has been propofed to us. What can be expedled from the play of to-night, 
 *eak in itfelf, and having been already repeated this feafon to bad houfes? The play 
 of to-morrow ftands almoft in the fame predicament. If you fay in excufe, there is 
 mo bitter bufinefs ready, wc are very forry the pleafure of the Publick fliould be fo 
 aegleaed. Sir, your humble fcrvants, 
 
 Surry ftreet, T.HARRIS. 
 
 Wednefday Jan. 6, 1768. J. RUTHE FORD." 
 
 The two plays refierred to in the conclufion of this letter, were the 
 Confederacy, and the Recruiting OfBcer, a(fl:ed on the firft two nights of 
 the revival of Orpheus and Eiirydice. It is a pity the gentlemen chofe in 
 this inftance, to prognofticate ; for had they ftaid till they had an ac- 
 count of the receipts of thofe nights, which were very conliderable, they 
 might have known what might be expelled from them. 
 
 Agreeable and entertaining as it was, we had neither leifure nor iiv- 
 clina:ion to maintain fo polite a correfpondence. We defifted, there- 
 fore^ from taking any notice of their letters, and a kind of fullen filence 
 enfucd for fome days. In the mean time, the avaricious Colman and 
 collufive Powell were digging in the mine for the benefit of Harris and 
 
 .* - Co.
 
 [ 53 ] 
 
 Co. who, while they were eating the bread of our induftry and the 
 publick munificence, and the manna was yet in their mouths, like the 
 llraelites in the vvildcrnefs, murmured againft their feeders. 
 - On the I ith of January, the corrclpondence was rcnev/ed 
 with an affumed air of candour and moderation, which, however, J*^"'** 
 they not being able to fuftain, the correfpondence broke off a fecond 
 time. The rife, progrefs, and conclufion of this refumed correfpon- 
 dence, will appear from the following letters ; to which we fhall fubjoin 
 a few {hort obfervations, naturally arifing from the letters ihemfelves, as 
 well as from the comments on them in the written and printed Narra- 
 tives. 
 
 ** Gentlemen, 
 
 ' INCLOSED you will receive a copy of Mr. Hofkins's opinion on our cafe. 
 As his abilities and integrity in the law are well known to Mr. Colman, we have 
 the greater reliance upon the impreffion they muft neceffarily make. This opinion, 
 as well as another we have taken, points out the infallible remedy for redrefs ; yet^ 
 like the reft, it advifes an adjuftment by arbitration, becaufe our difpute (differing 
 from the generality) muft be attended with the fevereft injury to the property litigated^ 
 cxclufive of the perfonal expence to be incurred individually. We therefore pro - 
 pofe an arbitration of our difpute by four gentlemen, totally unconcerned in affairs of 
 the Theatre ; two to be nominated by us ; unexceptionable in point of rank, for- 
 tune and reputation ; and impartial, never having been in the leaft concerned in our 
 
 affairs. If you fhall both concur in this propofal, and nominate two gentlemen 
 
 of equal confideration and impartiality, we (hall be ready to enter into bonds for 
 
 fubmitting to the award of the gentlemen fo nominated. You will fee we could 
 
 not accept or even anfwer the propofals you made, becaufe you had, without our 
 knowledge, taken upon you to determine who ftiould be judges of our caufe j yet 
 referving to yourfclves the liberty of receiving or rejedling their award. 
 
 ** In cafe you {hallliften to this propofal, we fhall not remit the ardor with which 
 we are now profecuting our fuit in Chancery, until the bonds of arbitration are 
 figned. (We mention this, that you may not afterwards imagine there had been 
 duplicity in our condul.) 
 
 ** If you fhall not liften to this propofal, we fhall, befides prqfecuting our fuit 
 immediately, take fuch fteps, however violent, as will more fpeedily prevent your 
 managing our property againft our confent ; being well afcertained, that for what- 
 ever damages may accrue, you will be refponfibk. And we (hall have this addi- 
 tional fatisfa6tion arife to our minds, (which we doubt not will alfo have its weight 
 in a court of judicature) that we are not the authors of the train of mifchiefs which 
 muft enfue your refufal. Gentlemen, Your humble fervants, 
 
 Surry-ftreet, T. HARRIS. 
 
 Monday, nth Jan, J. RUTHERFORD.'*:,^ 
 
 To Geo. Colman, andWu. Powell, Efqrs. "^ '^'' 
 
 " UPON perufal of the cafe of Mr. H. and Mr. R. and the articles of agree- 
 ment therein ftated, and the letters which have pafled between them and Mr. C. 
 I am of opinion that Mr. C. and Mj. P. "have been guilty of many material and fub- 
 I ftantial
 
 [ 54 1 
 
 ftantial breaches of the articles ; and particularly with regard to Mr. C. in ordering 
 the play of Cvmbclinc to be performed, after if had been exprcfsly and pofitively 
 forbidden by Mr. H. and Mr. R. by writing under their hands, and even after Mr. 
 C. himfelf, on z confultation with them, had agreed to difcontinuc it. As alfo in em- 
 ploying and taking into the fervice of the Theatre Mr. and Mrs. Yates, (?fpe- 
 cially at fo large (alaries) not only without the confent of Mr. H. and Mr. R. but 
 tfven contrary to arcfoiution wherein he (Mr. C.) himfelf joined with Mr. H. and 
 
 R. a few days before. And with refpcdt- to Mr. P. in taking great part of the 
 
 wardrobe from the Theatre into the particular poflfeflion of himfelf or his wife. And 
 it feems to me, from the conduct of Mr. C. and Mr. P. hitherto, as if they were 
 determined to throw off all regard to the articles, and to a<St in the management of 
 all matters relating to ihe Theatre, as fole and entire owners thereof, in abfolute 
 exclufion of Mr. H. and Mr. R. from any further concern therein, than to receive 
 their (hares of the clear profits thereof. 
 
 . ** 1 am alio of opinion, that if a bill was to be filed by Mr. H. and Mr. R. 
 againd Mr. C. and Mr, P. and bis wife in the court of Chancery, that court 
 would d^zicc a fpectfic performance of the articles for the future, and would order 
 Mr. C. and Mr. P. to make fatisfadlion to Mr. H. and Mr. R. for their refpetive 
 ihares of all damagei which (hall appear to have been fuftained by any breaches of 
 the articles by them relpedively j and would order Mr. P. and his wife to depofite 
 in the proper apartments of the Theatre the parts of the wardrobe which they have 
 improperly taken into their pofTeilion. And unlefs matters can be in fome manner 
 amicably zi^yx^t^ to the fatisfadtion of all parties, and apian agreed upon far preventing 
 future difputeSf Ifliould advife Mr. H. and Mr. R, forthwith to file a bill in Chan- 
 cery agdinft Mr. C. and Mr. P. and his wife, for the purpofes above. 
 Liacolns-Inn, Jan. 9th, 1768. EDMOND H OS KINS." 
 
 Monday afternoon, fix o'clock. 
 ' Gentlemen, 
 ** I HAVE juft received your letter with the paper inclofed, both which I 
 (hall communicate to Mr. Powell, and doubt not but he will fpeedily concur with 
 me in givmgyou a proper anfwer. In the mean time Ifhould conceive, from Mr. 
 H's opinion, that he has not yet had a full and impartial flats of the cafe laid before 
 him. lam Your humble fervanr. 
 
 G. COL MAN." 
 To Mejf. Harris and Rutherford. 
 
 * Gentlemen, 
 < HOW far we have or have not been guilty of any breach of our articles is 
 not for you or ourfelves to determine ; but we are fo fully perfuaded of the integrity 
 of our adlions, that we are not in the leaft fearful or unwilling to fubmit them to 
 a cojrt of judicature, my Lord Chamberlain, or the Publick ; nor are we at all in- 
 timidated by your menace of more violent meafures. Yet as our didenfion (how- 
 ever trivial the caufc from which it arifes) may be ferious in its confequence wc 
 
 arc ready to refer to proper perfons the care of framing a plan of articles which may 
 prevent future uneafinefs. We are, Gentlemen, Your humble fervants, 
 Jan. 13th, 1768. <;. COLMAN. 
 
 W. P O W E L L." 
 
 To Mejf, Harris and Rutherford, ^'? 
 
 Gentlemenj
 
 I 55 ] 
 
 '' Gentlemen, 
 
 ' WE wi(h that your reply to our propofal had been formed in terms more 
 precife and clear, that we might not have loft time in defiring your elucidation of 
 your own writing. We will repeat to you (if poflible in more precife terms than 
 before) the queftion we propofe. Will you, with us, fubmit your and our pai): 
 conduct to four gentlemen, now and heretofore totally unconcerned with the 
 Theatre ; two nominated by you, two by us ; unexceptionable in point of rank, 
 fortune, and reputation ; and abide by their determination) whether as to award 
 of damages on either fide, ratification of prefent articles^ abolition thereof^ and formation 
 of new ones (if judged neceflary and equitable) and as to all matters relative to the fu' 
 tur government of the Theatre ? 
 
 Your humble Servants, 
 Surry Street, T. HARRIS. 
 
 Wednefday, Jan. 13th. 1768. J. RUTHERFORD." 
 
 To G. CoLMAN, and W. PowELL, Efqs. 
 
 ** Gentlemen, 
 *' OUT of tendernefs to yourfelves, we forbore to enter into any paft tranf- 
 ' actions, as an enquiry of that nature muft neeeflarily lay open the real caufe of the 
 unhappy difference between us ; nor indeed is any thing material to the generajl 
 intereft and happinefs, but a proper arrangement of matters for the future. We 
 propofed therefore (and we now repeat the propofal) to refer tp proper perfons the 
 care of fettling the articles in fuch a manner, that the management of the Theatre 
 may be carried on to the fatisfa^ion of all parties ; nor have we any objeflion, if 
 you think, it eligible, to fubmit our paft condudl to the confideration of the fame 
 perfons ; confident as we are that, in the opinion of any unprejudiced judge, we 
 Ihall be found to have deferved a very different treatment than we have met with 
 from you. 
 
 Your humble Servants, 
 Jan,. 14th. 1768.- G. COLMAN. 
 
 Wm. POWELL." 
 
 ** Gentlemen, 
 
 ** OF late we have wrote you in the moft clear, precife terms, upon an affair 
 f the utmoft importance to our property. That part of your anfwer which, at 
 another time, would have excited our mirth, now caufes our indignation. Out 
 with your tendernefs ! we totally difclaim it, and contemn your pretences to it. In 
 our prefent fituation, all we could wifti is, that the whole of our paft tranfac- 
 tions were known to the world. 
 
 We now refer to our former queftion for your plain and unevafive anfwer, and 
 fuWoin the following : 
 
 Have you fixed on two gentlemen under the defcription we propofed ? and will 
 you direft your attorney to meet ours, and form fome inftrument that may effec- 
 tually bind all parties to abide by the award ? 
 
 If you defire that we fhould nominate firft, we have no objciSion. It is un- 
 manly to give us evafive anfwers. One to the purpofe, or none. We are, 
 
 Gentlemen, your bumble Servants, 
 Surry Street, T. HARRIS. 
 
 Fridaymorn. Jan. isth. 1768. J. RUTHERFORD." 
 
 To G. Colman, and W. Powell, Efqs, 
 
 2 Gentlemen,
 
 [ 5 1 
 
 < Gbntlemek, 
 THE ftilc of your letters makes it as impoflible to hold an epiftolary cofre- 
 fpdndence wiih you, a to maintain a perfonal intercourfe. If you will be pleafcd 
 to favour us with the name and addrefs of your attorney, we will appoint one to 
 attend him. Your humble Servants, 
 
 G. COLMAN. 
 Wm. POWELL.'* 
 To MfJJ. H. and R. 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 <* MR- Coulthard, of Breams-Buildings, Chancery-Lane, is our foUicitor, to 
 whom wc refer you for our future intentions. 
 
 Your humble Servants, 
 Surry Street, T. HARRIS. 
 
 Friday evening, Jan. 15th. 176s- J.RUTHERFORD." 
 
 To G. CoLMAN, and W. Powell, Efqs, 
 
 *' Gektlemen, 
 ** AS the delay of payment of our tradefmen muft be very detrimental to the 
 credit and intereft of the Theatre, we defire to know your refolutions concerning 
 the bills now in your hands, which ought to have been difcharged fome time ago ; 
 and the rather, as the non-payment of thofe bills is the only obftacle to the facif- 
 fying Mr. Ofwald's claim of intereft due to him on his mortgage. 
 
 Your humble Servants, 
 Jan. 16th, G. COLMAN. 
 
 1768. Wm. POWELL," 
 
 To T. Harris, and}. Rutherford, Efqs. 
 
 *' Gentlemen, 
 ** WE received your*s of the 16th inftant. It is thought advifable you Ihould 
 have notice, that on the firft general fettlement of our accounts, each refpeftive 
 proprietor will be deemed to have received fo much money as the orders ifllied by 
 him, or by his diredtron, may amount to, in part of his proportion]of the dividend 
 <lue to him on the profits of the theatre. We are. Gentlemen, 
 
 Your humble fervants, 
 Surry-ftreet, T. HARRIS. 
 
 Frid. Jan. 19, 1768. J.RUTHERFORD.- 
 
 Geo. Colman, and Will. Powell, Efqrs, 
 
 S I R, 
 
 ^ WE have inclofed to you (except two or three) all the bills in our poiTeffion, 
 either figned, or an obfervation made thereon. 
 
 For the credit of the theatre we have pafled thofe bills to you, but think proper fo 
 referve to ourfelves the right of claiming fbr any prejudice that may have arifen to 
 our property by the payment of thofe bills. 
 
 We think proper alfo to advifc you, that the orders for admiffion to the theatre, 
 ijTucd by the pW)priftors, or by their diredion, as well thofe heretofore given as 
 "f^jk which may be hereafter given, we fliall cxpecl to be accounted for as caft by 
 the reipeftive proprietors. 
 
 Wc
 
 [ 57 ] 
 
 WE are extremely forry that any difputes {hould contribute to the increafc of' 
 trouble in your office, and (hall take every opportunity of rendering your fituation 
 as fecure and agreeable as poflible, and are, Sir, Your moft humble fervants, 
 
 Surry-ftreet, T. HARRIS. 
 
 Tuefd. Jan. 19, 1768. J, RUTHERFOR D.'* 
 
 To Mr. Garton. 
 
 After a perufal of the above letters, wherein it is propofed to fub- 
 mit to arbitrators, the abolition of the prefect articles, er formation of neWt 
 the reader will think it ftrange, that MefT. Rutherford and Harris 
 fhould complain of our assurance, mprcpofing the new-modelling prefent 
 articles^ or the framing of new ones -f- / Strange, however, as it may appear, 
 their agent declared to our own, that MefT. Harris and Rutherford had 
 no Intention to affent to the abolition or formation of articles. 
 
 The day after Mr. Garton received the letter, direding him to charge 
 as cafti the orders for admiffion to the theatre, iflued by the feveral Pro- 
 prietors, or by their diredion ; Mr. Garton, at my defire, waited on Mr- 
 Harris, to know if He and Mr, Rutherford meant to reftrain the Per. 
 formers from occafionally giving orders to their friends, as ufual ? Mr. 
 Harris replied, that it was an cftablifhed privilege, of which neither Mr. 
 Rutherford nor himfelf ever wiQied or intended to deprive them. So 
 that the only perfons who were not to be allowed that privilege were, it 
 feems, the Proprietors themfelves. 
 
 In the firft of the above letters, Meff. Harris and Rutherford, with 
 the fame fpirit of opennefs and ingenuity that has Ihone through all 
 their condud, tranfmitted to me a copy of a learned counfers opinion,, 
 without fending me, at the fame time, a copy of the cafe whereon that 
 opinion was given ; and how far I wronged thofe gentlemen in affect- 
 ing to think, \ that a fair and impartial ftate of the cafe had not been laid 
 before the ccunfel-, thofe who have compared this plain tale with their 
 tales, may eafily determine. The client who deceives his counfel, ul- 
 timately deceives himfelf , but the truth is, that the chief obje6t in view 
 was, to draw from fome eminent counfel fuch an opinion, as might 
 ferve to bow my mind to truckle to the flavery v/hich they would im- 
 pofe upon me -, for the reader muft, by this time, be convinced, that ir 
 the fhort fpace of my theatrical direftion, every method of infult and 
 intimidation has been ufed to drive me to facrifice our property, and 
 the credit and intereft of the theatre, to their partialities, and the caprice 
 and vanity of Mrs. Leffingham ; of which my fubmiiting to take the 
 part of Mrs. Sullen, in the Stratagem, from Mrs. Bulkley, in favour of 
 
 t Printed Narrative, p. jj. J Ibid. 31* 
 
 1 Mrs,
 
 [ 58 ] 
 
 Mrs. Leflingham, Is an infhncc of which I forely rfpent, ant! for which 
 I, am lUll, to ufe one of their favourite figures, bur7ting imth /home. The 
 cafe laid before their counfel, as plainly appears from the references to 
 it in the opinion, contained the fame charges, fupported by the (ame 
 evidence, that are urged againft us in their printed and manufcript li- 
 bels. Their Narratives, indeed, and the cafe fubmitted to counfel, arc 
 materially, and fubllantially, one and the fame; firft tranfniitted to 
 counfel by a hackney- writer of one fort, and then dreffed up forpublick 
 infpcdion by a hackney-writer of another. ? 
 
 Still, however, it is urged that the ccurt of Chancery would decne^'a 
 fpecifick performance of the articles. 1 do not doubt but it wotild. But 
 give me leave to afk thofe gentlemen, and even their counfel, what is 
 a fpecifick performance of the articles ? \s it that I am not to carry on the 
 ordinary bufinefs of the Theatre without previouHy fubmitang at all 
 times, every minute particular to their confideration and controul ? Is not 
 the adling manager to appoint, or, from the contingencies of ficknefs or 
 other accidents, to alter a play appointed for reprefentation, withowc 
 their previous concern ? Is he not to caft the parts of a fingle play, be- 
 fpeak a fingle drefs, or occafionally fubftitute Mrs. Bulkley for Mifs 
 Macklin, without fending at eight or nine o'clock in the evening to Mr. 
 Rutherford in Newman-ftreet, and to Mr. Harris in Surry-ftrcet ? If this 
 ht a fpecifick performance y as the above letters conftrue it to be, it leaves 
 the direftor lefs power than is commonly and neceflarily lodged in the 
 Prompter : and I cannot fuppofe that the wifdom and equity of the 
 noblell court of judicature in the world will folemnly decree fuch a fpe- 
 cifick performance^ as the nature of the cafe renders impoffible to be put 
 in execution. 
 
 Granting, however, for argument fake, that the court would even 
 decree a fpecfick performance of that fort, for which the fiarra tors contend y 
 give me leave to afk another queftion : Mufl: not their negative pctuer be 
 always exercifed in ihe firfi inftance? and can they, after having openly or 
 tacitly concurred in a meafure, capricioufly retraft that concurrence ? 
 After having not only approved, but defired, the reprefentation of Cym- 
 beline j after having consented to the expenfive decoration of it ; had 
 they a right, not only on the eve of its reprefentation, but even after the 
 reprefentation of it at the Command of Their Majefties, to prohibit the 
 repetition of it? If this be, as they affert, then f indubitable tight lo a ne- 
 gative voice^ by the fame indubitable right they might rertra;n me from 
 opening our doors ; and after the lengths to which they have proceeded, 
 1 (hould not be at all furprized at their attempting to cxercife their nega- 
 tive power in that manner. ' .--..^....r*,??!;. ? 
 
 t Printed Narratwe, p. 30. 
 
 But
 
 [ 59 ] 
 
 But then the Court would order Mejf. Colman and Powell to make 
 fatisfaBion to Harris and Rutherford Jor their refpMivefnares cf all damages 
 ^btch Jbould appear to have beenfujiained by any breach ofthoje articles by thera 
 refpeuiively, Undoubrediy i and it would be pleafant to be called on for 
 damages in the prefenc inftance in any court of judicature. It is a caufe 
 worthy to come on before I'rappolin. Make out a panel from the pit, 
 and a(k any twelve on the jury, what damages they think have arifm to 
 Covent-Garden Theatre this feafon from the addition of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Yates to the company ? afk the Treafurer of the Theatre, what da- 
 mages have arifcn from the reprefentation of Cymbeline ? afk the ward- 
 robe keepers, and other officers of the Theatre, what damages appear to 
 :have been fujlained by any breach cf articles by MeJf. Colman and Powell re- 
 :jpe5lifvely ? If in all thefe inftances, nothing but necefTary expences, 
 fairly brought to account, appear on one hand ; if great bentjit to the pro- 
 perty appears to have arifen on the other ; alas ! poor Powell, what 
 will become of thee ? alas ! poor Colman, what will become of the6 ! 
 $ohentur rifu tabula : Tu mijfus abibis. . . 
 
 The words effrontery and affurance are favourite terms in the polite 
 vocabulary of MefT. Harris ana Rutherford. They affert they verily be- 
 lieve they have incurred a lofs of no lefs than 3500/. by Colman's mif- 
 tnanagemcnt. What does the world think of their modejly ? >??fi-b^l/! 
 
 To talk oi damages is a very ferious matter. Suppofe, by a capricious 
 difpiay of their negative power, damages (hould arife ; would not the 
 other proprietors, would not every performer of the Theatre, if injured 
 by fuch condud, have a right to call judicially upon MeflT. Harris and 
 Rutherford to make good luch damages ? 
 
 /\s to the real intention of the reftridive claufe in the article, and 
 .the declared objecfl of it, at the time of its execution, it was merely to 
 referve a provifional power of reftraint, which they then declared would 
 probably not be exercifed once in. feven years, and very poffibly would 
 never be exercifed at all. Nay, they avow thcmfelves that they t enter- 
 tained no doubt of Mr. Colman^ s capacity or inclinaticn to cordu^ the theatre 
 U the befi advantage ; fo that the negative claufe was added, only left 
 2iny finifter accident might render their interpofition neceffary to the fecurity of 
 their property^,. Nee Deus interjit^ nift dignus vifidice ncdus feems- to have 
 been the meaning of all parties. Has the dignus vindice nodus yet oc- 
 curred ? And has any sinister accident rendered their interpofition ne^ 
 ceffary, except the reprefentation of the charader of Imogen by Mrs*. 
 Yates, inftead of Mrs. Leflingham ? 
 
 t Printed Narrative, . p. 3. t ^^'^^' 
 
 I 2 The>
 
 r[ff6o ] 
 
 yhfi truth J8, and they have confeficd it, that the two gottlemen Managers 
 meant to avail themfclves of the talents of William Powell the player, 
 and George Colman the dramatick author. To this end they cheartully 
 fubfcribed, although not indefinitely, to my abilities for the province of 
 diredorj and, Mr. Powell did not fcruple to give up his fliare of the 
 f$fttive power y thinking it fafely lodged in my hands. Still, however, 
 they had feciired to themfelves a negative power, which, inftead of referv- 
 ing till the end of /even years, the reader has feen they not only exerted, 
 b\)i exceeded, before the end of y^w days. The force of the reftridive 
 claufe is not qucftioned ; and it is certain, that if theychufe to counteract 
 their own intercfts for the fake of abridging my authority, they have 
 frequent opportunities to embarrafs me in the theatrical management. 
 ^How comes it then, fay they in triumph, that Mr. Colman, a gentle- 
 wan BRED IN THE STUDY OF THE LAW, Jhould enter into fuch ahfurd ar- 
 tides? The hiftory of the memorable vifit with which I was honoured 
 by Mr. Harris, o;i my return from Bath, is a full anfwer to their quef- 
 tion. There are quirks in morality, as well as quirks in the law \ but-I 
 <Jid not conceive that I was dealing with a petty-fogger in either. 
 
 As to my management of the theatre, of my merit or demerit in that 
 particular, the Pubiick are the mod competent judges ; but it ill be- 
 comes my fellow-patentees to fugged matter of reproof on that fubjedl 
 to the perfon who 15 faid to be their hifioriograph&r % and it ill becomes 
 him to revile m^ for my gratuitous fervices, while he is faid to be himfelf 
 a candidate to reprefent us all four as a Jlipendiary manager. Mr. Spat- 
 ter, if it bq Mr, Spatter, is " one of thole wretches who mifcall them- i 
 felves authors ; a fellow, whofe heart, and tongue, and pen, are equally 
 fcandalousi who tries, to infinuate himfelf every where, to make mif- 
 chief if there js none, and to increafe it if he finds any." Mr. Ken- ' 
 Tick, the ingenious author of the Widowed Wife, and of the candid 
 and gentleman-like Review of Dr. Johnlbn's Shakefpeare, has been 
 pleafed to pay me a very particular compliment in the prologue to his 
 mod excellent dramatick performance; and I will refer it to that gen- 
 tleman, unlefs perhaps he may be thought partial, whether Mr. Spat- 
 ter, or myfelf, is the fitted perfon to be employed in the direftion of a 
 theatre. Mr. Spatter perhaps may flatter himfelf with the hopes of ex- 
 pelling me from the management, and of fcating himfelf, by the af- 
 fidancc of his friends, in the vacant chair ;. but Mr. Spatter is midaken. ' 
 Let him, if he pleafes, make rules for experimental philofophers in his '' 
 trade of brafs-rule-maker : let him make rules for authors in his pfi^-^ft 
 fe/Tion of Monthly Reviewer; but never, while Mr. Powell and myfelf^ 
 are concerned in the property, fliall he openk make rule*, far thfc am-^ 
 nagemcnt of Covcnt Garden theatrt. ^ 
 
 Printed Nairalive, p. 19. >
 
 C 6i ] 
 
 We are toW, however, that f the proprietors of a ^theatre may fivaU^^ 
 themfehcs, not only of players, poets, ^c. but even c/ managers, ?/ w'' 
 cejjary, on pey'ng tkem a valuable conftderation. Here the cloven foot ap-' 
 pears : and to canfirm this dodrine, it' is obferved, that J Mr. Cohnan^s 
 not fiipulating for fuch a conftderation, when he accepted of the nominal 
 riRECT)PvSHiP of the theatre, is a corroborating proof that it ijoas never^ 
 intended he fkould take more trouble than Harris and Rutherford : as, had it 
 been other wife, he would certainly have been as much entitled to a f alary for 
 managing, as Mr, Powell was to his f alary for aSling. Here we cannot 
 help obfenving in our turn, that the ^z^m^^^^^/y^^^r, in the beginning of 
 the Narrative, is reduced to the nominal dire^for at the end. That I 
 have as reafonable a claim to a falary for man^aging, as Mr. Powell for J 
 acting, is mod certain ; and indeed in fome refpedts the claim is more^ 
 reafonable, as the ading-manager incurs, in many inftances, an unavoidr ' 
 able expence : but that it was never intended IfJjould take more trouble than 
 Harris and Rutherford, is falfe on the very face of the article. After their 
 interpretation of Mr. Poweirs article, I am not in the lead furprized a^, , 
 their candid conflrudion of the difintereitednefs of minej and the io-^ 
 fmuation oiftnijier views in my unrequefted officioufnefs^ is as true as it is.^^ 
 generous. How far 1 was officious, or how far I was requefted to ta^" ^ 
 the office, is now before the Publick. - . Loi X-t: ^^rfio. 
 
 They are pleafed to call the more than ordinary profits of the theatre ibis _. 
 feafon, an imaginary circumjiance. That the receipts of the theatre thii "" 
 feafon have been larger than ordinary, is not an imaginary circum-"^ 
 fiance, but a real fa5i: and if the difburfements have alfo been largejr. ' 
 than ordinary, owing to our moderate efforts^ as MelT. Harris and Run ' 
 therford are pleafed to call them, to entertain the Publick, thofe gen' 
 tlcmen ought to know, that the firft tx^tnces of fetting up in bu/tnefi\[ 
 are not to be calculated as the average expences of the current yea^,'" 
 
 ^ Senfible as they are of the difadvantages they lie under, MefT. Ruther-' '^ 
 ford and Harris do not, however, feem averfe to enter into a compara- 
 tive view of the abilities of the refpe5live patentees -, and have employed the 
 latter pages of their publication to convince the town of their error, iii 
 having been pleafed to beftow fo much ^generous approbation on fuch mo- 
 derate entertainment, as they have received at Covent Garden Theatre this 
 feafon. We hope, however, that our united efforts, moderate as Meff. 
 Harris and Rutherford are pleafed to call them, will ftill continue to be 
 honoured with the generous approbatjon of the publick. We 
 flatter ourfelves, that a fair comparifon between the Narratives of Mefll 
 Rutherford and Harris, and our own^ 'Will; not infpirc our patrons with 
 
 t Mcff. H.andR'sNarr. p. 35. jNoteto Ibid. p. 36. *Ibid. p. 35, ^Ibid.p. 37. " 
 
 I any
 
 [ >62 ] 
 
 trif rcfentment of our proceedings. They may now judge, which two 
 of the patentees have been X in perfeSl collufion from fir Ji to laft -, which 
 have been very dvaricicus , and whether perfonal pique to Mrs. Lef- 
 fingham on my fide, or perfonal attachment to Mrs. LefTingham on 
 the part of MefT. Harris and Rutherford, has appeared in the rife and 
 progrefs of our difpufes. Her name, which is fcarce diftantiy alluded to 
 in their Narratives, makes a very confpicuous figure in our State of the 
 Cafe i and might have been rendered ftiil more capital. On the whole, 
 if we {hall not have appeared to have acted Ij/w de/pite of honour and ho- 
 nefiy, if we (hall have appeared to have fpared neither expencc nor pains 
 in our efforts to entertain, we hope ftill to be favoured with the profpe- 
 rous gale of the publick favour , and although it is not eafy to keep the 
 helm in fuch a boifterous fea, yet we hope, by plain failings to be able 
 to run before the wind, and that the (hip will live in a (lorm. 
 
 As to THEiK fincere defire of contributing to the publick entertainment^ that 
 cannot be que(lioned j not only as it is their immediate intereft, but as 
 they have fo notorioufly manifefted that defire by their loud and vehe- 
 ment complaints of * the heavy loffes fuflained by the engagement of Mrs. 
 l^ates, and the incredible expence of her drejfes, as well as ther theatrical 
 decorations: not to mention their a(rignnient of principal charaders to 
 Mrs. LelTingham, inftead of Mrs. Yates. 
 
 -f Ahfurd as it \%to fUppofe men in the leajl acquainted with business, un- 
 equal to the care and condu^ of their property in a theatre , it is a mod cer^ 
 tain fafb, that from a particular innate modefty, or (bme other commend- 
 able motive, Meff. Harris and Rutherford have never once (hewn them- 
 fclves at all difpofed to interfere in the executive part of the management. 
 Their talent is legiflation. While Powell and Colman were feen every 
 day, and almoft every hour in the day, toiling in the drudgery of re- 
 hearfing, and decorating the intended performances; while they, like 
 petty kings, were fiaged and hacknicd in the eyes of the whole Theatre ; 
 in the mean time Mefl". Harris and Rutherford kept^ like Eajiern monarchs^ 
 from their fight ; never attempting to a(rift the director in his manage- 
 ment, but now and then, to render his fituation more agreeable, ^ ex- 
 erting their undoubted right to controul him in that province ; occafionally ex- 
 crcifing, and fometimes exceeding^ their negative power \ but never di(turl> 
 ing or degrading their high and mighty councils, by treating with au- 
 thors or aftors, getting up plays, or purchafmg old cloaths. 
 
 But they are to be ajjifled by perfons of known experience and abi- 
 
 ^^\'lll lities', and it .vai not till this very moment that I have learned 
 
 from Mr. Becket, fent to me for that purpofe, that thefe perfons 
 
 t See Introduftion, p. 4. Ibitl. y Ibid. p. c. Ibid. p. 4., c. 
 
 t Meff. H. and R.s Nari . p. 37. f lb. p. 35.
 
 L 63 ] 
 
 of known experience and abilities 2irt Mr. William Kenrick, and Mr. 
 Henry Woodward ; the firft of whom has commiffioned Mr. Bccket 
 to inform me, that MefT. Harris and Rutherford, though they flatter J 
 thei/jfehes they will not be found incapable of fuperintending their property ^ 
 intend, however, for the future, to abfent themfelves entirely from the 
 Theatre ; and that he ( Mr. Kenrick * ) is to be the reprelentative of 
 Mr. Harris, and Mr. Woodward of Mr. Rutherford ; in which quality- 
 Mr. Woodward and Mr. Kenrick are, in behalf of MefT. Harris and 
 Rutherford, to put their negative on fuch of my meafures as they fhall 
 pleafe to difapprove. How far a court of law will warrant -this proceed- 
 ing, and whether a manager, like a militia- man, cana6l by a fubftitute, I 
 will not take upon me to decide \ but whether this new arrangement is 
 not intended as a freih infult, we fubmit, with the reft of our cafe, to 
 that awful tribunal, the Publick. 
 
 - Covent-Gard,n, GEORGE COLMAN. 
 
 February 10, I'ibi, WILLIAM POWELL. 
 
 J Meff. H. and R's Narrative, p. 37. 
 
 * It is not improper to mention here, that Mr. Lockyer Davis, of Holborn, bookfeller, 
 called on me on Monday afternoon, immediately fiom Mr, Kenrick, to acquaint me, thJt 
 Mr. Kenrick had authority from Meif. Harris and Rutherford to fay, that, not-voithflanding 
 the fublication of their Narrative on Saturday, they were difpofed to enter into a treaty for 
 an accommodation, if I was inclined to liften to it. I anfwered, that I could liften to no 
 terms of accommodation till I had publifhed a Hate of the cafe, in juftification of my 
 cbaia^ter. 

 
 ANIMADVERSIONS 
 
 O N 
 
 Mr, Colman's True State, Sec,
 
 ANIMADVERSIONS 
 
 O N 
 
 Mr. Colman's True State, &c. 
 
 WITH so ME 
 
 REMARK S 
 
 On his little ferlous Piece called 
 
 The OXONIAN in TOWN. 
 
 LONDON:: 
 
 Printed for Walter at Charing- Crofs ; Dodfley in Pail-Mall; Fletcher 
 and Company in St. Paul's Church- Yard; Richardfon and Urquhart 
 at the Royal Exchange, and Robfon in Bond-ftreet. MDCCLXVIII.- 
 
 C^
 
 VaALcI.. 
 
 idl 3uiT eViurnfoD /.M 
 
 R 
 
 :oUii iljiil 21(1 nO 
 
 / ~ .' .1 .-. vV 
 
 J
 
 ^t* t\Q/ vfl/* vjy* vfl/" \fl/* var va/* \fl/' va/* vs/* ^a/* >** \a^ na/* \2/* vy \fl/* la/* vfl/* va/* vfi/* 'va/* var >v 
 
 ^vv./C\< JCX* JaSt JV\ /C\* /OX* JC\> U9\t JtK, Jo\* ./t>U 4vV</t)\ Ut5\t JSKt JS\m ,m\t i/5\* JfS\t Jo\t JQ\> vo\> /uV* %t* 
 
 ANIMADVERSIONS 
 
 O N 
 
 Mr. Colman's True State, &c. 
 
 EXTRACT. 
 
 )eOe()9()e()e(^M)@(>3(LTHOUGH the following ftate of our cafe 
 Vf 'S.^^^iv* S " ^^^ ^^^^ drawn up by Mr. Colman, I defire 
 }8C ^ A ^ ^ " to be confidered as equally refponfible for its 
 )8C ^ " )^ U '' contents. 
 XC ^^I^^^ g ,^ POWELL." 
 
 Va^ So^ \q/ ^a^ Vi^ V>/ \q^ \a/ V^ 
 
 ^T) oT) gTl ^p gD <n (To ap CP 
 ^'X A> #^ #^ ^N **S /^ /*'* '"^ 
 
 NOTE. fp ym; 1 
 
 * The fubfcriber of this Ihort addrefs appears to me, from the circum- 
 ftances of his fituation, an objeft of real pity. By the fmall fharc 
 
 B which
 
 t 2 3 
 
 which the articles give him in the management, he was fairly difcharged 
 from taking any Ihare ih the difplite. What man therefore in his 
 'fcdfej would have enlifted himfelf on either fide, when he might with 
 common policy have held the balance between both ? When I take into 
 this confideration the particular circumftance of his profcQion, which 
 fubmits him to the infult of party every night he appears upon the 
 ftage, I am forry to find this poor man fo ill qualified to judge for 
 himfelf, or fo ill provided with friends to advife Mm. Whether he 
 has clofed with the ftronger or the weaker faftion, yielded to the better 
 or been dup*8_by the worfe reafons, ftiil he has made a total and im- 
 plicit furrender of his impartiality and independance, and by the proof 
 he has thereby given of his flagrant want of judgment, has unde- 
 fignedly fixed the word of imputations on his colleague, by exhibiting 
 him to the world as a man who is capable of profiting by the exercife 
 of fuperior policy, and deriving partial advantages to himfelf from the 
 eafinefs and weaknefs of his friend. 
 
 M^ ims. 
 
 E X t R A C Ti 
 
 * If we entertained a proper regard for our reputations, and wifiied 
 * to be confidered as men who held their good name as the immediate 
 " jewel of their fouls.** (p. i.) 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Many quotations in the above tafte occur in the pamphlet under 
 confideration, upon all which I have one general remark to make ; 
 which is, that the infertion of thefe tags and fcraps from plays and 
 farces into a piece that Ihould turn upon plain fa(ft and demonftration, 
 
 is
 
 t J ] 
 
 IS a grofs abufe of the patience and expe6lation of the reader. If pro- 
 vincial phrafes and exprefllons are efteemed marks of a man's rufticity, 
 fuch play-houfe quotations are famples of the company he has kept, 
 and the ftudies he has been engaged in : fuch flowers of rhetoric are 
 very fuitable embroidery in a love-fpeech to a young aUrefs^ but very 
 unbecoming the ftile of a ferious appeal to the reafon and judgment 
 of mankind : 'tis a fpecies of learning calculated merely for the latitude 
 of the green-room, and favours much more of George Colman the 
 dramatic author, than of George Colman, Efquire^ whofe education and 
 connexions fhould have infpired him with higher ambition than to fliare 
 in a play-houfe patent, and more pride than to contend for the manage- 
 ment of a company of aftors. 
 
 EXTRACT. 
 
 " Contempt of flander is indeed an heroick quality, and confcious 
 ** innocence is the fureft antidote to its poifon. But thefe are circum- 
 ' fiances, wherein the world has a kind of right to arraign our condud:; 
 *' not to mention that it requires a very uncommon fliare of philofophy 
 " not to refute malice and fcandal, when we have the means of jufl:i- 
 " fication in our power." (p. i.) 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This is a fample of modern fine-writing ; at the firfl: view it carries 
 with it an air and fliadow of meaning -, upon examination we difcover 
 nothing but a jargon of nonfenfe, falfe grammar, and flat contradiflion. 
 Contempt of Jlander, fays he, is an heroic quality, (granted) and confcious 
 innocence is the furefl antidote to its poifon, that is, to the pcifon of this 
 
 B 2 kercic
 
 [ 4 ] 
 
 bercicquaJity\ for he is too good a grammarian not to fee that this fentence 
 will bear "no other conftrudion : it follows therefore, that our author 
 having pointed cut to us what is the mark and charaderiftic of a hero^ 
 in thfc fame fentence inftruds us, both by precept and example, how to 
 avoid running into fuch ridiculous extravagancies ; and confcious innocence 
 is the rule he lays down. But what, if after all, this fhould only be a 
 grammatical inaccuracy, a fmall aflault upon Fr'tfcian\ head ? Let our 
 author take his choice, and plead to either indidtment : a fcholar of 
 any fpirit would in oft probably think the latter imputation the heavieft^ 
 and a manager, who is to fit in judgment upon the produdions of all 
 tlie men of genius who lay their labours at his feet, will hold himfelf 
 mod hurt by fuch a charge ; let us therefore no longer quibble about 
 words, but attend to arguments and reafon. " There are circumjiances 
 *' wherein the world has a kind of right to arraign our condu5i** Here is 
 a wonderful difcovery in ethics ! A dogma that would have became the 
 mouth of Zeno! Of this profound remark let it be remembered that Mr. 
 Colman is both author and example. Well! having laid down this pojiu' 
 laiunty and eftablifhed the authority of the world in arraigning our con- 
 dud under certain circumftances, he tells us in conclufion, that it re- 
 quires uncommon philofophy not to refute fcandal when we have it in 
 our power. The Englifh of this remark I take to be, this The 
 world is right fometimes in arraigning our condud, and a philofopher 
 is always right in fuffering it to be arraigned. Heroes zw6. philofopher s 
 have ever been the ridicule of men of wit, who found it too difficult to 
 copy the virtues of either. But is not this defcription of -philofophy pretty 
 much the fame pidure he before gave us of heroifm j for as the firft 
 part of the fentence ftates cbniempt ofjlander to be an heroic quality^ the 
 latter par^ tells us it is a philofophical quality ? Great powers of reafoning 
 as wclf as ci'f writing ! Behold an advocate exadly fuited to his caufe ! 
 The matter in difpute is a play-houfe fquabble about adrefTes, and behold 
 
 A true
 
 t 5 ] 
 
 J'trueflate of iht differences drawn up with all the accuracy and elegance- 
 of a candle-fnuiler. 
 
 EXTRACT. 
 
 " If on the other hand fome-bury meddling fcribbler has made free- 
 v^ith their names,.fh,e will treat it with the moflfiknt contempt.** (p 7.) 
 
 N tf^'^T E. 
 
 The above paragraph is clearly the produflion of a female pen, and' 
 conveys a fentiment at once very heroic and very philofophicaU for our 
 author has juft now told us that contempt of flander is a quality that 
 anfwers to both defcriptions. Perhaps it is not common for ladies in their 
 refentments to obferve fo ftridl a taciturnity, as Mrs. Yates has impofed 
 on herfelf -, for flie afTures us that her contempt fhall be mojifilent ; from 
 whence I conclude that this female philofopher has a conception of com-* 
 parative degrees of y?/^W(f, and from an ambition of excelling in the 
 mod amiable quality a woman can poflefs, is refolved that her fikncc-: 
 fhall be_/?/(?;//^r than 2i,r\y Jilence that ever was heard. 
 
 EXTRACT. 
 
 ** Gentlemen, 
 " We have publicly expreffed ourfelves to have been injured by the 
 ** libellous paper left at Slaughter*s coffee- houfe ; we now apply to you 
 ** for the information you have to-day promifed by public advertifemenc 
 " concerning the author.*' (p. 8.) 
 
 NOTE.
 
 [ ^ ] 
 
 NOT E. 
 
 In the name of manhood why all this circumlocution and porting 
 backwards and forwards of letters and attorneys to afk a fimplc queftion 
 of two gentlemen, who declared (and properly enough) that they would 
 give no anfwer to any but perfonal enquiry ? In this tranfaflion our 
 author leans rather more to the philofopher than t\it hero \ and therein 
 he has literally fulfilled his own do<5lrine ; for knowing himfelf incapable 
 of compofing any thing profcfledly in abufe of himfelf, and not at all 
 concerned in writing the libellous paper in queftion, he, relying upon this 
 confcious innocence as the fureji antidote againji the poifon of heroic qualities ^ 
 wraps himfelf up in z. philofophical contempt ofjlander ; being content that 
 the lawyer (hould ftand between him and difcovery, fo long as he docs 
 but ftand between him and danger. 
 
 '^Irtthi^i^h page we read of a coupk of gentlemen^ (an expreflion by the 
 way only fit for a poulterer) applying to Mr. Powell to become a ^'>im/ 
 purcbafer with them of the patents^ &cq. of Covent'garden theatre. This 
 couple of gentlemen we find there reprefented to be two inexperienced 
 young men, who perhaps might know but little of the world, (as natural a 
 conlequence of inexperience as need be) and certainly could know nothing of 
 the internal management of a theatre. New and curious conclufions ! this 
 couple of gentlemen, or two young men, (call tliem which you like) being 
 totally inexperienced, our cautious author declares doubtingly, and with a 
 perhaps, that they might knosv but little of the world ; but he atones for 
 this hefitation, by roundly declaring that they certainly could know nothing 
 cf the internal management of a theatre. I was always fufpicious that our 
 a^cTibr "Wolild be found bold, where he ought to be cautious, and timo- 
 rous where it became him to be bold. To be fure experience and know- 
 ledge 6f the WoHd are no bad qualities in the manager of a thean:re, but 
 if by them we are to underftand an acquaintance with men and manners, 
 
 '* an
 
 17] 
 
 an eafy hehavlonr and a polite addrefs, I am apt to be of opinion that' 
 forne theatres are managed without the afliflance of any of thefe talents; 
 Co that had our author reverfed his conclufion, I fhould have thought it 
 fafer to have pronounced their youth and inexperience certainly to have ar- 
 gued a want of knowledge of the world, (which being fynonimous terms, 
 he could not have rifqued much in the aflertion) and to have exprefled 
 fome doubt whether they were totally difqualified for the tJiternd manage- 
 ment of a theatre', {or, if I have a right conception of the internal opera.- 
 tions of a manager, neither their youth nor their inexperience would have 
 been any objedlions to thefe gentlemen in fuch op^^^tio"'" niloamoD i 
 
 I <jqy gn;^' 
 
 Thougn our author does not exaftly tell us what the internal manage- 
 ment of a theatre adually is, yet he tells us what it is like, which is fome 
 progrefs towards information, and may perhaps lead to an entire dilco- 
 very : For if we confult the 12th page, we fliall find Mr. Col/nan ohferved 
 that tmnaging a theatre was likeflirring afire, (confequently required great 
 knowledge of the world) which every inan thought he could do better than 
 any body elfe, (Eafy>, familiar creature!) Now gentlemen, f aid he, (putting 
 the poker at the fame time into the fire^ I think Ifiir afire better than any 
 man in England, Here our information leaves us; but we may fairly 
 conclude that he did accordingly fiir the fire, raifed a mighty flame in a 
 moment, and left a confounded flink for ever. There is another thing 
 in the world that fiirs a fire almoft as well as the manager of Covent- 
 garden theatre, and as this thing is defcribed by Ovid in his y^rt of Love, 
 1 dare fay it cannot have efcaped fo great an adept in that fcience. 
 
 ^amlibet extinSlos injunzfufcitat ignes*. lib. iii. 5^ffpi>i'i '--^ : t 
 
 With this mode of fiirring up a fire it is thought Mr. Colman is inti. 
 mately acquainted, and 1 make no doubt principally depended upon it^ 
 when he boafted of his proficiency in that elegant accomplifhment. 
 
 With
 
 I 8 ] 
 
 "With what hopes he entered upon this eminent ftation, his own pen 
 will tell us; and indeed his own praile is a fubjeft on which he dwells 
 with peculiar plcafure, and with reafon, for fingularity is a triumph over 
 -the prejudices of mankind. 
 
 *'Ifhe had my affiftance, he (Mr. Powell) did not doubt of fuc- 
 "ccfs." (p. II.) 
 
 " Mr. Powell declared his opinion that they would reap more proSt 
 " from a fourth fhare with Mr. Colman's afTiftance, than from a thii;^ 
 ** without him." (/^/^.) 
 
 " They (Meflrs. Harris and Rutherford) had made proper inquiries 
 *' concerning Mr. Colman, and found his accefTion to the partnerfhip fo 
 *' defirable a circumftance, that they returned Mr. Powell many thanks 
 " for making fo happy an improvement in their plan.*' {ibidem.) 
 
 " Repeatedly aflured him of the great value they fet upon his acceflion 
 " to their fcheme, independant of every other confideration than their 
 " thorough perfuafion of the advantage that would refulc from it in the 
 * fuccefs of the theatre." 
 
 I begin to be of Mr. Colman's opinion, as to this couple of gentlemen, 
 and verily think they were two inexperienced young men. But is not our 
 author apprehenfive of his argument's proving too much, which is as 
 dangerous a procefs in logick as need be; for if fo much pains is taken 
 to prove the good opinion thefe two inexperienced young men entertained 
 of him, how came he fo egregioufly to forfeit their efteem? Preju- 
 dices fp ftrongly imbibed muft have required more than common afTiduity 
 on his fide to remove; and I fancy it will be found that he had recourfe 
 upon this occafion to Ovid*s recipe iox.Jtirring a Jire,^ already de- 
 (bribed. P'->i.-l' ; 
 
 The
 
 t 9 ] 
 
 - The difappointment and furprize thefe gentlemen rnufl have felt, when 
 their new aflbciate came to be known and underftood, put me in mind 
 of a ftory, which is told of an ofHcer of confiderable ranic and reputa- 
 tion, who, being in inftant want of a fervant, was applied to by a very 
 good-looking man for his place, and direded by him to the gentleman in 
 whofe fervice he had laft lived: The officer waited upon this gentleman, 
 and finding him a very formal circumftantial man^ and that he was about 
 to enter on a tedious and deliberate harangue upon the feveral qualities 
 of his fervant, ftopt him (hort, by telling him that, provided the perfcn 
 in queftion was but fober and honeft, he defired to make no further en- 
 quiry concerning him, and, as he was exceedingly prefled in point of 
 time, and muft have a fervant immediately, being to leave England the 
 next day, he begged the gentleman to give him a fhort anfwer to thofc 
 two queftions, and not trouble himfelf to go into any further difcufiion 
 about the matter : " Sir, fays the gentleman, the man you enquire after is 
 '* 1 believe perfeftly honeft, and I never faw him drunk.** In confequence 
 of this the fervant was hired : the next morning before the officer had rifen 
 out of his bed, his chamber door was burft open with furprifing violence, 
 the new fervant enters, and in a raging fit of phrenfy beats and belabours 
 his defencelefs mafter in a moft cruel mamier. As foon as our officer's 
 wounds and bruifes gave him leave, he betakes himfelf with all hafte to 
 the gentleman of whom he had enquired the charafter of this frantick 
 fellow, and not without fome heat was beginning to expoftulate, when 
 the gentleman interrupting him, replied, " Sir, the man you complain of 
 " neither drinks nor thieves, but he is, as you rightly obferve, a down- 
 " right madman. The queftions you aiked were truly and honeftly an- 
 ,<'fwered; I am exceedingly forry for the beating you have received ; 
 ,*' but had your impatience, when you called upon me before, been lefs 
 " peremptory, I could have told you that he had that very morning be- 
 l[ ftowed upon me juft fuch a drubbing, as he has now done upon you." 
 
 C Whoever
 
 [ lO 1 
 
 Whoever wiflics to fee more proofs under our author's hand, of his 
 own excellent talents for managing a theatre, may confult pages 14, 15, 
 17, i8, 26. and in p. 41. the reader will find the intimidated manager of 
 Drury lane theatre offering to give five hundred pounds a year to the aiTo- 
 ciaics of Mr. Colman, to buy him ofi^from adling as manager. And 
 docs Mr. Colman ferioufly record this circumftance, as making either 
 for Mr. Garrick's honour or his own? Alack-a-day 1 it is only telling 
 the world that fagacious manager ridiculed him as much then, as he 
 does now. If Mr. Garrick could have bought him off from entering upon 
 the idle occupation he ffcms fo fond of, I fancy it would have been happy 
 for our author, even if he had paid the purchafe-money himfelf. Misfor- 
 tunes that fpring from folly or obftinacy, have no claim upon our pity ; 
 and though our unfortunate manager complains in the words of Abra- 
 ham in Harlequin's Invafion, that thofe happy days ere over, when Mr. 
 Garrick thought fo highly of his talents, yet 1 think he is now not Icfs 
 l;kely to make a good bargain with that gentleman, than he was before; 
 for if Mr. Colman will article to write a pamphlet, (be it either a true or 
 falfe jtate) in the ftile and manner of the prefent, in the courfe of every 
 year, and each feafon produce a farce like the Oxonian in I'owny 1 dare fay 
 Mr. Garrick, while he continues manager of Drury-lane theatre, will 
 make him a handfome allowance for his pains. In the lafl elegant per- 
 formance to which our author's quotation carried me, (viz. that colledion 
 of attic wit called Harlequin's Invafion) I do indeed find a taylor, who is 
 faid to look as well without a head as wich one, but I (hould fear that, 
 were you to rob Mr. Colman of his head, you would Ilrip him of the 
 only particular for which he dcfcrves to be valued. 
 
 I have referred to a great many paffages wherein our author celebrates 
 his own fame and reputation, I cannot in juftice omit one particular, 
 wherein he has done honour to his poor colleague Mr. Powell, for in the
 
 C " ] 
 
 15th page he tells us, that -5?, {Mr, Vo^^W) Jhcwed great repUTiSt)t//t 
 giving him ths diremon, '^'"*'^" Jn^lB^za nwo. 
 
 To this monument of his juftice, let me add one of his delicacy towards 
 a joint patentee, where, fpeaking of Mrs. LefTingham, he declares to Mr. 
 Harris a propenfity in himfelf ** to/hew her any reafonabU partiality^ whichp 
 (fays he) T did not doubt was all that would be required.^* What a reafon^ 
 a^h "partiality is, or whether zny partiality can be fo, I leave our author' 
 tb explain; but this I am willing to give him credit for, that his parti-^ 
 alities are as reafonable as any man's. His tendernefs in not alanriinr^^^ 
 the jealoufy of a friend, proceeded no doubt from a generous fcorn at* 
 taking any advantages from thofe irrefiftable attradlions, which nature hasf' 
 flung around him, and which though he fcrupled to employ, he could not' 
 but be confcious he poflefled. If indeed the ambitious fair challenges 
 him to appear in the full iuftre of his charms, the thunderer fhiner 
 forth ''ifidi'^ ^" ^'^^^"^ ^^^^ "'^ ijoo^ a >'>i6fri qj '-^JyA^l 
 
 . ihibh li ^d; , liiwnBfnioD .iM li -lot 
 
 -f^Tr-'i -'- '. ^^^^i^ miferabilis ardet.'* ' ^^'f^-^rjj ni C^\fe\ alM 
 
 But thefe are matters that cannot eafily be concealed, and therefore (hould, 
 feldom be put in praftice, for even this chief of the heathen deities had; - 
 ties of a domeftic nature, which he thought it expedient to pay feme at- 
 tention to: for Juno had fingers, and Jupiter had eyes. ^'-^^ ^|^' :?riii;*ta 
 
 _.. , , - -' ?B jIooI 01 biu. 
 
 Dtt quoque habent oculos, . ^ . ' . ' 
 
 ^ ^ '50f 03 iiOX 513W 
 
 EXTRACT. ' ,, 
 
 ** The curtain drew up on the 14th of September with feeming content ^ 
 ** on all fides, and the moft entire harmony in the cabinet of the four 
 <' kings of Brentford." (p. 19.) 
 
 C 2 NOTE.
 
 [ 12 1 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 ^/j^jj^vonder if thrs reinforcement of two kings of Brentford more than 
 arc to be found in the Rehearfal was amongfl: the valuable additions 
 made to that piece by our difinterefted author, for which he was con- 
 tented to take the flender gratification of fixty-four pounds five 
 ihiliings. 
 
 Bot'Fi?eMfrt"iiimfclf with fuch pleafantry^ fe dbh^t IRA^^fii^ 
 .Jriends. They (Meflrs. H. and R.) told me indeed that two negatives mdd^ 
 fine affirmative. 1 allowed the truth of that logic -, but told them, that both 
 together^ like the two letters in the word NO, (well, now let*s hear) they 
 made but one fiegative. [p. 22.] Prodigious ! inimitable ! There*s hit for 
 bit for you! No wonder they could never keep terms with hrm after 
 *this : let them take care how they play their negatives upon him. Hence 
 forward. Gentlemen- Managers, whether your denominations and degrees 
 be poets, players, or independant citizens of the world at large, that 
 world cannot regret your animofities ; for had not this event come forth, 
 this incomparable repartee upon the letters no, fo far beyond Joe Miller's 
 upon thofe of on, would probably never have migrated beyond the circle 
 of our author's companions, and confequently never have been known 
 10 the dvilized part of mankind. 
 
 Having heard this ftroke of his wit, the brilliant effufion of his brain, 
 
 .take this one fample of the natural emanations of his heart. I told Mr. 
 
 Harris^ that finding I was become fo difagreeable a partner to himfelf and 
 
 , Mr. Rutherford, Ifhould retain myfhare on purpofe to plague them, (p. 23.) 
 
 'An ingenuous avowal truly I A very candid, liberal, manly principle ! 
 
 ' Surely an exprefTion fcarce allowable in a chambermaid, never ought fo 
 
 have defiled the mouth of a man of honour or education! It is as offenfive 
 
 to
 
 r '3 7 
 
 to good fenfe, as good manners ; as void of morality as it is of meaning-, 
 as well warranted by reafon, as it is by religion. I find I can plague you, 
 and therefore I will -y O fhame, fhame, fhame! were fentiments like 
 thefe. natural to the heart of man, fociety would be infupportable j furely 
 our author is a difciple of Hobbes*s, for this vile maxim homo homini 
 lupus, is the very firft principle and bafis of his diabolical dodlriiie rijtrc 
 heaven be thanked, fuch principles are not common amongft men, and 
 wherever they are difcovered, the abettors and profefibrs of them are 
 .confjdei'cd with abhorrence as the pefts and monfters of fociety. Had 
 ."Qp^ailt^tlefs internal acquaintance with the theatre, and more with the 
 church, he would have learned that thefe motives, on which he now 
 profefTes to a<5l, are diametrically contrary to every rule and do<5trine of 
 Chriftianity. But I blufli to mix fuch a word with fuch a work, as 
 that I am reviewing -, and I am as much at a lofs as Mr. Colman was, 
 why Mr. Rutherford fhould, upon hearing the declaration- in queftion, 
 dzvell fo much on the words manly and gentleman- like ; I declare I cannoc 
 think what that gentleman could allude to ; nothing furely that had 
 tranfpired from the author of that fentiment *, and I don't wonder that 
 Mr. Colman took occafion to tell him^ that he had never in his life heard thofe 
 w^ds fo often repeated. (0.2^.) ^ ^ ^^^^'^^^^^-'.^^ .>..> 
 
 ' -^ ^ vr J / 'v^ .v.o 10 3tonj noqii 
 
 Hitherto our author has treated us with nothing but mock-majefty. 
 Kings of Brentford and monarchs of the green room : he has now the 
 hardinefsto carry us up to the real throne, ^nd introduces into his paltry 
 quarrel the mod refpeclable name on earth. What though a R6tnan tyrant 
 is recorded to have had fo vitiated a tafte as to mix with fingers and 
 dancers on a public ftage, would he falfely argue from fo copte^mptible 
 an example, that the unworthy concerns of a difcordant tneatre can find 
 -entrance and entertainment in a royal bread, replete with lentiifiehts of 
 the moft elevated nature ? Yet to this great and excellent perfonage has 
 he
 
 t '4 ] 
 
 ^i^'ihe'edhfidcnce to appeal/ " Your keen refcntment does not terrify 
 *^ meV (fays he) nor ever (hall, while I know I can juQify my condufl 
 " to our' Royal Mafttr, the lord chamberlain, and the public; to all 
 ** whom I am very willing to fubmit it." (p. 26.) Incredible aflurance ! 
 Here we find His Majedy, my lord chamberlain, and the mob made 
 joint referees. He profefles that he continues to a(5t in the capacity qf . 
 manager merely to plague his afTociates in the patent, and yet dares to 
 appeal to the jufteft monarch upon earth for the clearnefs and equity pf 
 his intention?. What effrontery is this, to think that the perfori |ri (Jic * 
 world who moft abhors the motive, can approve the aftion which fprings 
 from it! Tis like the Ihamelefs chicanery of that lawyer, who pleaded 
 aninuaito murder in order to efcape the penalties of maiming. 
 
 Ipafs over the 33d page, as what I do not chufe to repeat: in' the 
 35th we art' told that ihe play of Cymbeline was refumed and performed ]^'^ 
 the exprefs cSHiWand ofl'heir Majejlies, to whofe royal orders it would appear ' 
 an indire^ affront to difcontinue a performance fo likely to redound to the inter efi 
 and credit of the theatre. Behold how faft he improves in familiarity ; 
 making that Great Perfonage now a party, whom before he had made 
 only a referee : and this becaufe the play was likely, as he fays, to 
 redound to the intereft and credit pf the theatre. What connexions, in 
 the name of wonder, has his mind framed between that Perfonage and 
 the interefts of the theatre .'' Yet we find this idea repeated in the famfe ^ 
 page, where, fpeaking ftill of the above play, our author fays, that ' 
 there was a great demand for places againfl any future rcprefentaticn of it\ n6t 
 to repeat the duty incumbent on us to teflify the utmofl refpe6i to the Royal Or der^ ^' 
 by which it had been revived at our theatre. Were ever duty to a King and 
 a demand for places in a play-houfe, refpedt to Royal Orders and proi^ ' 
 fpeds of a full houfc ever jumbled and confounded together in the fame 
 fentence and fentiment before this ^ And to add to this indecorum, the^^ 
 
 firft
 
 t '5 ] 
 
 firft place in the propofitlon is evidently taken up by the hopes of full 
 
 boxes, and duty and refped: to the Royal Orderis brought in with Not 
 
 to repeat' confequentially as it were, and as an auxiliary onl^.-T-^But 
 
 let us drop this fubjea, and turn to fomething lefs ferious, ^^^ j moriw ** 
 
 -^Tn this view t fhould think nothing can anfwer our purpofe better than 
 fefeiSling a few flowers of Mr. Colman's oratory, which, when bound toge- 
 ther, will make a moft precious nofegay of elegance. Take a few of the 
 following fea-phrafes,collc;^ed from thelchools of Wapping and Deptford.- 
 '^^tVehqpe fiill to /^^ favoured with the pro fprous gale of public favour. {Fa-., 
 liO^Ured 'H\\\\ public /^rw/r J elegant tautology) and although it is not eafy 
 to keep the helm in Juch a boijtercus fea^ yet we hope, by plain failing, to be 
 able to run before the wind, and that the fhip will live in a florrn, [p. 62.] 
 What a chaos and coniufion of foul and fair weather ! The whole ele- 
 ment feems in a ftate of diftraclion, as if all the witches in Macbeth had 
 conjured up a temgeft in our poor author's cloudy imagination, wl^^e^^^^^ 
 
 Fair h fouh and foul is fair, ^J vU > VtV^^-n te. 
 
 ..? A3 ifi^iO icdj gfliitfifij 
 
 Here we are at once prefented with a profperous gale, and zhoijlerous fsa,fii 
 the fhip is in a florm, and the pilot can fcarce keep the hdm, yet by plaitf: 
 failing ihe runs before the wind, like a wherry upon the Thames. _ Would 
 not any man conclude from all this, that our author knew as much ofis 
 writing as he does of failing, and as much of failing as he does of flying. ;, 
 
 Take another fample in the fame tafte / was embarked on a fa of 
 
 troubles, and was refolved to make way, if poffible, with chearfuhefs and . 
 refolution. [p. 17. ver. fin.] Here are the fame metaphors and fhec^ 
 fanie tautology j for, as in the firfl: infl:ance he hoped to h^ favoured with it 
 the public favour ; in the fecond cafe, he is refolved to make way withc^i 
 r^////7V^, Xhftconclufions naturally to be drawn from thefe pleonafms ' 
 
 are.
 
 ( i6 ) 
 
 are, firft, That being favoured with the public favcur, he muft be a 
 favourite of the public -, and, fecondly, that being refolved to afl with 
 refolution, he muft be a very refolute fellow. I fay, thefc would be the 
 inferences naturally to be drawn, what Ihall we fay, if neither of thefe 
 conclufions Ihall be found to take place in the perfon of our author ? 
 
 EXTRACT. . ^ , 
 
 "And I now requeft it as a favour, that all which hath paflcd OIS 
 <' this fubjedt may be buried in filence and oblivion." [p. i8.] 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This is a palTage in a letter from our author to Mr. Rutherford ; and 
 though it does not ftrike one at firft fight, that publifhing this to the 
 world is the diredb way oi burying it m filence and oblivion, yet I dare fay 
 the event will prove that he could not have followed a more efFedual 
 courfe. 
 
 E X T R A''Clr. 
 
 ** It was apparently injurious to a little piece, efpecially one of fo fc 
 " rious a cad, to be performed after one of the lighted and pleafanteft 
 ** comedies in our language." (p. 24.) 
 
 NOTE.
 
 ( '7 ) 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 I believe a man would make a pretty many gueflcs about this ItttTe 
 piece of fo ferious a caji^ before he could fuppofe it to refer to the farce of 
 the 0-Aonian in Toizn, \ a petty piece, which prefents us with the evening's 
 amufcinents of a young ftudent, in his excurfions from the univcrfity, 
 laudably fpent in the fafhionable recreations of whoring and gaming. The 
 fcene of the.c frolicks is very properly laid in Covent-garden, and the 
 worthy perfon:.;cs of the drama are excellently well fuitedtothc latitude 
 of that place; tht i.idies being all common proftitutes, and the gentlemen, 
 with the exception of one only, Irifli fharpers, rogues, bawds, bailiffs, and 
 pick-pockets : fo that, as in the piece now under review, inftead of meet- 
 ing a true ftate of differences between managers, we are prefented with aa 
 abfolute theatrical atalantis; in like manner the farce in queftion adjourns 
 the flage to the Shakefpear tavern at the next door, and with fuch par- 
 tiality for the loofe pleafures that are to be met with in that houfe of re- 
 creation, that one fliould think our author was upon extraordinary terms 
 with his next door neighbour. For in \.\i\s ferious little piecey the author 
 has kindly laid open to the youth of both fexes, thofe myflerious rites, 
 which are celebrated to Bacchus and Venus, within the many temples pe- 
 culiarly dedicated to thofe tv^'o deities, which abound in fuch numbens 
 under thofe piazzas, where the fcene of action lies, and whofe doors ftand 
 fo commodioufly open, and altars blaze fo temptingly to the wifhfal 
 fchool-boy or prentice, as he paffes by. How difficult, if not impracti- 
 cable, is his efcape now rendered, when he comes from the theatre with 
 an imagination decently and warmly impreft with thefe intoxicating 
 fcenes of diffipation and delight; when he fees the glafs circulated with 
 fuch gaiety, his ears tingling with the joyous founds of the catches, the 
 toafts, and the hurdy-gurdies; and his heart throbbing with defire at the 
 
 D bewitching
 
 ( 8 ) 
 
 bewitching forms of the women, their wanton airs and attitudes, their 
 kifll'S, their dances, and their difcourfc! Did our author flatter himfelf that 
 he could wipe out thefe rooted imprcIHons with the cold moral fentence, 
 that concludes the whole, uttered by the mouth of a woman of plea- 
 fure, and perhaps never reaching the ears of one half of the audience, 
 from the variety of noifes which accompany the finifhing fpeech of every 
 play? No, he may depend or it, the poifon has long before this 
 entered the viens of many of his unhappy hearers, as the diforders confe^ 
 quential thereof probably will do into their bones ; and it is as little in 
 the power of one period of morality, as it will be for one defeof pby(k 
 to difpcrfc the infe(5tion. 'd' biw v .-nwd 
 
 Our younger hopes, who find means to elope to a play from the fchools 
 of Eton, Wellminfter, Hackney, Marybone, and the numberlefs aca- 
 demies this city fwarms with, are here inftrufled and initiated in the 
 courfes they are to follow when they come to the univerfities, which in- 
 deed both in the prologue and throughout the piece, are painted more 
 like brothels, than feats of piety and learning : for fuch, it is to be hoped, 
 upon enquiry they will yet be found. 
 
 I would afk the author of thefe fcenes, if he can recolledl whether 
 he has upon his lift one fingle a^ing play, where women of abandoned 
 ^harafters like thofe in his piece, arc introduced merely for wanton 
 purpofes ; and if the perpetration of fuch open debaucheries with them 
 is admitted to pafs with impunity ? The loofe fcenes between Antonio 
 and Aquilina, are always fupprefled in the reprefentation of Venice Pre- 
 fird*d; and it is well known they were wrote by a needy poet, to flatter 
 the vices of a profligate monarch, and to fatyrize the famous Antony 
 Earl of Shaftefbury, then in an ill odour at court. Whores, like ghofts, 
 are never to be brought upon the ftage, without the utmoft caution and 
 
 refervc.
 
 C 19 T 
 
 referve, and only for very peculiar iifes, and in very extraordinary cir- 
 cumftances. Mil'wood^ in George Barnellt is a charadler that would go 
 as near to put the vice of fornication out of fafhion, as would a reprefcn- 
 tation of the Lock Hofpital. The intrigue of Mirabel with Lamorce 
 in the Inconjiant, is attended with immediate punifliment. Many other 
 examples might be cited. But how in the name of all that's virtuous, is 
 our zuihoT^s young Oxonian difgrac'd or chafliz*d for his wanton excefies 
 with women of pleafure ? His paflion for the gaming table indeed may 
 be damped, by difcovering what a crew of fliarpers he had got in 
 league with ; but I don't recoiled any occurrence to put him out of 
 humour with the ladies. Lucy indeed had like to have trepanned him 
 into marriage ; but that efcape would in the reafon of things rather tend 
 to fix him in loofe and vicious attachments, as being a fyftem of lefs 
 hazard ; Lticy'% affair therefore is a caution againft marriage, and no- 
 thing clfc : the only champion on the fide of virtue therefore is honeft 
 Knowell't his character, indeed, is fome counterpoife to the fcale of vice; 
 pictures of friendfiiip, as they are the mofl: pure, are perhaps the moft 
 pleafing of any the ftage can hang forth to our view j but, alas! our 
 author has envioufly contrived to dalh even Knoweil's virtues with a 
 blemifh, by making him a fuitor to the fitter of his friend, and thereby 
 fuUying the difintereftednefs of his conduft. 
 
 iUi DliiO// i. 
 
 One queftlon only now remains to be alked ; is this very unbecoming 
 fatire upon the difcipline of the univerfities, and the morals of their ftu- 
 dents, perfedly true, perfeflly candid, and in this particular is it per- 
 fedly generous with refpedt to Oxford .'' Ought the fon to wound the 
 vitals of his alma mater? And is he aware to what dangerous extent 
 fuch a parricidal aft may be carried? When he was led trembling 
 upon the ftage by his colleague Mr. Powell, to anfwer to the complaints 
 qf the offended Irifh, could he hay.^ acquitted himfelf, had his fellow ftu- 
 . 3 ^'' * dents
 
 < 20 ) 
 
 ttents joined in the charge? The reputation of our univerfities Is a national 
 concern of the higheft and mod facred importance ? The welfare of the 
 fifing generation, and the reputation of the prefent, in a manner is in their 
 keeping : to them the fciences look for their proficients, and religion for 
 her protectors ; our laws, our liberties, and the blcfllngs of our happy con- 
 ftitution, are not only there firft to be known, but from thence are finally 
 to be defended. But I afk pardon ; my warmth tranfports me too far in 
 a defence that will become an abler advocate: I blufh when I fee acade- 
 mical characfters brought upon the ftage , but I burn when I hear thenfi 
 lamoooned. Gowns and fquare caps, hitherto the apparels only of con- 
 jurors, are now tranfplanted from our univerfities to equip Mr. Wood- 
 ward for a prologue. A prologue did I call it ? But I will not give it 
 a hard name, though it beftows fo many upon thofe to whom that drefe 
 cxclufivcly Ihould belong. And let it be remembered, that more parti- 
 cularly in the prologue the poet is, generally fuppofed to fpeak in perfon;. 
 are then all thefe offences to be palliated by one conciliating tag at the 
 end of the piece, from the mouth too (as I faid before) of a harlot? 
 'Tis a circumftance, which the ridicule of it makes more offenfive per- 
 haps than any befides, 
 
 I mud now take my leave of our author, by declaring to him and to 
 the world, that impartiality, and not prejudice, has drawn thefe cenfures 
 from me : and that I fliall gladly embrace any opportunity his genius 
 may give me of atoning for the ferioufnefs of this rebuke, when either 
 his heart, or his pen, fnall aflx)rd me a worthy fubje(5l: for applaufe. 
 Under good government I refpeft the (lage as fecond only to the pulpit. 
 But I will for ever take up arms, as the friend of human nature, againft 
 every publication that tends to corrupt the honeft, or to feduce the 
 innocent. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 A N 
 
 EPISTLE 
 
 T O 
 
 C. C O L M A N.
 
 A N 
 
 E P I ST L E 
 
 T O 
 
 G. C O -'L M A N, 
 
 FROM, 
 
 W. K E N JL I C K. 
 
 A'xfO'9-li'i* fay TlvfiActttir Ko\offffu- 
 P.ygmaeorum acrothinia coloflb. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED FOR J. FLETCHER, IN ST. P A U L' S- CHUl^C H-YARD. 
 
 MDCCLXVIII..
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 IVIr. Colman having taken the opportunity of his laft 
 publication, to thank Mr. Kenrick in a very peculiar 
 manner, for his friendly intention to interpofe betvireen 
 him and his brother patentees ; the latter hopes he will 
 be thought excufable, in giving this public proof, that he 
 is not eafily outdone incourtefy. Par pari refertur.
 
 A K 
 
 EPISTLE 
 
 T O 
 
 G. C O L M A N, 
 
 I. . 
 
 J\S lounging lately round the plain, 
 A hound, of the fheep-biting train. 
 
 Had flipt into a fnare * ; 
 It chanc'd that, timely paffing by, 
 I heard the yelping mungrel's cry. 
 
 And made the cur my care. 
 
 I fell into the fnare, Colman's true State, &c. 
 
 B IL With
 
 [ 2 J 
 
 II. 
 
 With pitying eye, I Hiw him bleed, 
 And would his tortur'd tail have freed. 
 
 And hufh'd his howling moan ; 
 But as my friendly hand I gave. 
 That hand the fnarler feem'd to crave *, 
 
 He bit it to the bone. 
 
 III. 
 
 So, Colman, thou, in rancour rude. 
 With more than Tray's ingratitude 
 
 My friendly aid haft treated -f- ; 
 Thy infolence at higheft pitch, 
 Tho floundering in a miry ditch. 
 
 As if on Atlas feated. 
 
 Mr. Bcckct, bookfeller, the friend andemiflary of Mr. Golman, be:n* 
 almoft daily with Mr. Kenrick, during the time that McfTrs. Fianis and 
 Rutherford were preparing their Narrative, and conftantly exprefling' his 
 wifhcs that fome common friend would conciliate the differences fubfiiling 
 bct%*-een thofe gentlemen and Mr. Colman. 
 
 f By the abufe Mr. Colman hrs thrown out toward the latter end of his 
 caic^ where Mr. Kenrick is nr.ort ungratefully and injurioufly treated, frr 
 
 b.;ving.
 
 I 3 J 
 
 IV. 
 
 What tho In mock theatric ftate 
 Thou fit'ft, a mimic magiftrate^ 
 
 King in imagination ; 
 I muft dilturb thee from thy dream. 
 And wake thee to an a6tual theme. 
 
 Thy rife and prefent flation. 
 
 V. 
 
 Dropp'd, in a bafkct pinn'd, of yore, 
 A puny bantling at her door. 
 
 Dame Fortune found thee firfl ; 
 V/hen, fondeft of the froward'ft child. 
 She on the wayward foundling fmil'd. 
 
 And fent thee to be nurs'd. 
 
 having, at the requeft of Mefirs. Harris and Rutherford, defired fome 
 friends of Mr. Colman to intereft themfelves in making up the breach be- 
 tween all the patentees. Ingratum fi dixeris omnia dixeris. 
 
 See Colman's true State. 
 VI. In
 
 [ 4 ] 
 
 VI. 
 
 In claffic cradle luU'd thy head. 
 With poefy's panada fed. 
 
 And pleas'd with rhime and rattle : 
 Thy childhood Thornton* took in hand,. 
 With Lloyd f-, to teach thee how to ftand. 
 
 And how in print to prattle. 
 
 VIL 
 With Roscius next, fo Rumour rings, 
 A peevifh chit in leading-firings, 
 
 A cock-horfe you'd be flriding : 
 Meanwhile, as after Garrick's dance 
 Your wooden Pegafus did prance. 
 
 You fancied you were riding :{:. 
 
 Bonncl Thornton, Efq; the facetious author of many ludicrous pieces; 
 and Mr. Colman's colleague in writing the Connoifleur. 
 
 t Lloyd. The late ingenious Mr. Robert Lloyd ; to whofe elegant, though 
 proftitutcd, pen, Mr. Colman is indebted for many a lift to his rifmg re- 
 putation. 
 
 X It is notorious that Mr. Colman*s firft and beft play, the Jealous Wife, 
 was like many others offered to the ftage, a mere rudis indigejiaque molesy 
 
 when
 
 - [ 5 I 
 
 VIII. 
 
 But ah ! whence once forfaking Puck *, 
 You whipp'd and fpur'd to' ertake his luck, 
 
 Poor Cavalero fpider -f* ! 
 By you the fhadow fubftance deem'd. 
 Stern Fortune J frown'd, and frantic feem'd 
 
 Both hobby-horfe and rider. 
 
 when firft prefented to Mr. Garrick, who, with his ufual alacrity exerted 
 his great abilities to reduce it into its prefent form. The reader^ however, 
 who is defirous of being more particularly acquainted with its merit, as it 
 now ftands, is refered to the critique, jnferted in the Monthly Review about 
 the time of its firft exhibition; written by Mr. Colman's particular and 
 veryfincere friend Capt. Dr. J. Berkenhout. How far Mr. Garrick might 
 affift Mr. Colman in the Englifh Merchant, and his other petty pieces, 
 may probably be gathered from a perufal of the Oxonian in Town, when 
 Mr. Colman chufcs to publifli it. For in this, we may venture to fay Mr. 
 Garrick had no hand. -One cannot help refleding on this occafion on the 
 whimfical fituation of our modern Rofcius ; who frequently furniflies our 
 play-wrights with that very merit, which undifcerning criticks have after- 
 wards produced as proof of their fuperior talents. It is a little hard how- 
 ever, that becaufe a man is ambidexter, he fhould be fuppofed lefs able to 
 write with his right hand than his left. . . 
 
 See Midfummer-Night's Dream. 
 
 t For Cavelero Cobweb. See the fame. 
 
 X In the {hape of G IP y. 
 
 ,Ji5r!W..lX: C IX. Fatal
 
 [ 6 3 
 
 IX. 
 
 Fatal the hour when firft betray'd 
 T' abandon Garrick's foft'ring aid. 
 
 On certain fate to rufh ; 
 You th(ftght, no doubt, juft taught to ftand. 
 To flrut with Powell, hand in hand; 
 
 Alas ! king Phyz and Ufli * I 
 
 X., 
 
 How fliort your tranfitory fway, 
 Crown'd and dethron'd within a day, 
 
 A ftage-trap revolution ! 
 Yet fo, of like theatric flate 
 A year the power may terminate. 
 
 And change the conflltution. 
 
 * Sec the play of Ac Rchcarfal. 
 
 XL What,
 
 XL 
 
 What, young KING Coley *, then art thou. 
 To whom obfequious naonarchs bow. 
 
 As each fubje(ftion catches ? 
 Thy hands in flate behind thee tied. 
 Art thou not, glorying in thy pride, 
 
 A king of fhreds and patches -j- ! 
 
 XII. 
 
 How could it enter, then, thy pate ; 
 That I fhould be a candidate :{:, 
 To ape thy tiny grandeur ? 
 
 No relation to the merry old gentleman of the fame name, recorded in 
 ancient poetry j but a peevifh brat of a very different family. 
 
 |- See Hamlet. 
 
 X Mr. Colman is pleafed to infinuate (page 60. of his pamphlet) that 
 Mr. Kenrick is *' a candidate to reprefent the four patentees of Govent- 
 garden as 9. Jiipendiary manager." Mr. Colman muft know but little of 
 Mr. Kenrick, not to know that he defpifes the managerial dignity, of which 
 Mr. Colman is io tenacious, not lefs than he himfelf is ridiculoufly proud 
 of it. At the fame time he might have known, that, although Mr. Ken- 
 rick does not eat the bread of idlenefs, he as little defires fuch zjiipend as 
 Mr. Colman. 
 
 That
 
 [ 8 J 
 
 That I, behind fome bully rock. 
 Should ftalk, like fwelling turky-cock^ 
 Yet own myfelf a gander * ? 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Believe me ; no. Such mimic ftate 
 And mimic power, I proudly hate j 
 
 For, know, my pride is real. 
 Rather, a prodigal, I'd dine 
 On draff and hufks with fubjeft fwine. 
 
 Then rule o'er kings ideal. 
 
 XIV. 
 Why give to me that fav'rite name. 
 Which you by long prefcription claim ? 
 *Tis you abufe and flatter. 
 
 Sec Mt. Colman's pamphlet ; in fcveral parts of whkh he pretends to 
 have been over-reached by men, whom he afiaed to treat as chiWren, and 
 whofe underftandings he had the impudence to defpife. 
 
 'Tis
 
 [ 9 ] 
 
 ^Tis you, not I, that do the news * : 
 'Tis you whom all, that know, accufe. 
 And call a Mr. Spatter ^f, 
 
 Doing the news-papers, is reprefented to be the principal occupation 
 of Mr. Spatter. Now though Mr. Kenrick hath fometimes obliged Mr, 
 Colman and the reft of the proprietors of the St. James's Chronicle*, with 
 an occafional jeu d'efprit; yet certain it is, that the faid Mf. Colman, and 
 not Mr. Kenrick, is the ftated doer of that paper; as the barefaced pufFs and 
 notorious falfhoods conftantly inferted in his favour, and the abufe thrown 
 out againft his opponetns, evidently prove. 
 
 t See that rabft excellent dramatic performance entitled the Englifli 
 Merchant, done from Mr. Voltaire's L-'EcofTaifle, wherein the charader 
 of Mr. Spatter is defcribed as *' One of thofe wretches who mifcal them- 
 felves authors ; a fellow whofe heart and tongue and pen are equally 
 fcandalous j who tries to infmuate himfelf every where, to make mif- 
 chief if there is none, and to increafe it if he finds any." How Mr. Colman 
 can fo virulently impute fuch a chara6ler to a man whofe real charafter he 
 is totally ignorant of, and who is fo far from infmuating himfelf every 
 where, that he is hardly known any where, is really amazing. But 
 that he ihould do this in return for fuch perfon's attempting, at the defire 
 of his friends, to ferve him, is furely a monftrous inftance of ingratitude. 
 But, he infmuates that Mr. Kenrick " Flatters himfelf with the hopes 
 of expelling Mr. Colman from the management, and of feating himfelf, 
 by the afliitance of his friends, in the vacant chair." Poor Colman! 
 furely the mock-dignity of king of Brentford hath affedled your intellects, or 
 you could never be fo ridiculous as to fuppofe your invidious fituationdefirable ! 
 If Mr. Kenrick indeed, had ever betrayed any ambition to become runner to 
 a theatre J had he ever ftiewn any abfurd attachment to its fair dependents} 
 had he ever negleded more interefting purfuits, forfeited the efteem of his 
 
 An evening paper, proftituted^ to the puffing off Mr. Colraari's parafites, and the 
 printer's pot-companions. 
 
 D friends.
 
 [ 10 ] 
 
 XV. 
 
 Vain is thy whining poor pretence 
 To truth and injur'd innocence* : 
 Thy virtues, brought to light, 
 
 friends, or rendered himfelf upon that account contemptible to the world, 
 Mr. Colman might have had fome kind of plea for his fufplcion. But the 
 contrary is notorious. It is true, Mr. Kenrick, hath written a play; it is 
 true the reception it met with from the publick, may fome time or other 
 induce him, when he hath nothing better to do, to write another. He 
 does not indeed compare his amufemtnU with Mr. Colman 's works \ Mr. 
 Kenrick's dramatic attempts muft be looked upon as mere relaxations from 
 ** philofophical experiments and brafs-rule makingf." Play-writing is Mr. 
 Colman's profeffioh, Mr. Kenrick has feveral better ; but, had he not, he 
 is too fehfible of the advantages Mr. Colman has forfeited, to think of 
 waiting for any other houfe, while Mr. Garrick is manager at Drury-lane. 
 And he may appeal to that gentleman whether he is under any neceffity of 
 fupplantihg Mr. Colitian at Covent-garden, in order to have any future 
 performance exhibited to the beft advantage. Mr, Colman is pleafed to 
 fpeak of the compliment paid him, and really intended him, in the prologue 
 to the Widbw'd Wife, in a manner Mr. Kenrick cannot well underftand ; 
 when he docs, he will endeavour to make him a proper reply. In the mean 
 time he cannot help thinking it, from what he does undtrftand, an addi- 
 tional proof of the propriety With which Mr. Colrtian is compared to the 
 fnarling cur commehiorated at the beginning of this epiftle ; the language 
 Mr. Colman makes ufe of on the occafion, being i genuine irtftancc of the 
 (Mind facundia % 
 
 Mr. Colman's pariiphlet is called in the Public Ledgei- of February i6. 
 * An artlefs tale, fujiported by incohteftible truths, pleading the caufe of 
 
 f See Colman's True State, p. 60. 
 
 t As thit adage may t>ofiibIj have flipped Mr. Colman's memory, it may not be 
 amifs to remind him, that it is ufed of thofe Mr. Spatters, qui tantum ad male dicen- 
 dum eloijuentjse ftudium exercenti a rixa canium et oblauratu fumpto epitheto. 
 
 injurtd
 
 [ " 1 
 
 Will fhew thee fully as thou art. 
 With Spatter's tongue and pen and hearty 
 A Moral hypocpte ! 
 
 XVI. 
 
 While independent I can live *, 
 No meant offence I'll take or give. 
 
 Nor flatter nor abufe : 
 And let me tell you, as a friend. 
 In you *tis idle to contend 
 
 For pow*r you cannot ufe. 
 
 injured innocence" Why then do not Meflxs. Colman and Powell leave this 
 artlefs tale to recommend itfelf, inftead of engaging anonymous fcribblers 
 to prejudice their antagonifts with thofe who have never read it. Do Mcflrs, 
 Harris and Rutherford take fuch difingenuous methods? No. They let 
 their Narrative fpeak for itfelf; and a pretty pair of injured innocents it 
 fhews Meflrs. Colman and Powell to be ! It (houid be obferved indeed, that 
 things are not always innocent becaufe they are objeifts of pity, nor harm- 
 lefs merely becaufe they are contemptible. 
 
 * Mr. Colman is plcafed to be witty on Mr. Kenrick, for having ex- 
 exercifed a mechanic art. He fhould have had fomc better authority for 
 the fact, however, than that of Mother Midnight 3 in whofe Old Wo- 
 
 maji*5
 
 [ 12 ] 
 
 XVIL 
 
 What tho the world, that's out of doors. 
 Knows not th' emoluments of yours. 
 
 To ftage-intrigues a ftranger ; 
 Yet none, who cafl a friendly eye 
 On piteous Coley pafling by. 
 
 Can think he's fit for Ranger *. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 By Nature form'd as ill for wars 
 Of Venus, as for thofe of Man -, 
 In both a recreant knight, 
 
 man*s Magazine this excellent joke was firft cut, about fifteen years ago. 
 Mr. Kenrick, indeed, cannot conceal the difgrace of having induftrioufly 
 applied himfelf, as well to the mechanic as the liberal arts ; but that he 
 hath made a trade of them any more than Mr. Colman has done, is a mif- 
 take. Mr. Colman no doubt intended to be very farcaftical on Mr. Ken- 
 rick on this occafion j the latter, however, cannot help being greatly 
 flattered with the encomium j as it recalls to his mind a fimilar farcafm of 
 a certain French writer, of exadly Mr. Colman's ftandard, who took upon 
 him as wittily to reproach even the great Sir Ifaac Newton, with being a 
 fpedaclc-maker. 
 
 * A part which Mr. Garrick hath played on the ftage with univerfal 
 pplaufc. It is no wonder therefore it is attempted to be rehearfed behind 
 ^? fcenes by Mr. Colman. 
 
 From
 
 [ '3 ] 
 
 From one, like Paris, flunk away, 
 Hard labour yours in fofter fray 
 To do your Helen right L 
 
 XIX. 
 
 How then fhould you, behind the fcenes. 
 E'er mollify contending queens. 
 
 And bring them to their duty ? 
 Say, what can fuch a thing as you. 
 Between two fierce viragos do> 
 
 But floop and kifs their fhoe-tye, 
 
 XX. 
 
 In vain your feeble rage may burn. 
 Or kinder paflions take their turn 5 
 
 To you alike pernicious. 
 Whether by Lessy's frown you die. 
 Or W *s white wench's coal-black eye. 
 
 In extafy delicious ! 
 
 E * XXI. Should
 
 [ H ] 
 
 XXL 
 
 Should my Lord B efcapc. 
 
 And baffled juftlce bring the rape 
 
 With harams into fafhion, 
 You, theiy, indeed, with Powell's aid 
 The green-room a feraglio made*. 
 Might glut your amorous paflion. 
 
 XXI L 
 Juft as I've fecn on chimney- top 
 A lewd cock-fparrow, billing, hop, 
 
 Allur'd from hen to hen * 
 The fair difgufled one by one. 
 While he, no fooner off than on, 
 , Was off as foon again. 
 
 The reader who defines a particular explanation of this partnthefls, is. 
 referred to Mr. P U himfelf, who can beft explain It. 
 
 XXIII. But
 
 [ ^5 ] 
 
 XXIIL 
 
 But ah ! beware -, and tho thy power 
 In fpleen or love the prefent hour 
 
 To fpend, as fuits thy tafle, 
 Refolve on fome more faving plan ; 
 Nor let fo little of a man 
 
 Thus run hhnfelf to wafte. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 For know, unlefs with Rofcius ftill 
 In the fame ink you dipp'd your quill. 
 
 You muft not hope that he, 
 Tho proud to bottle Shakefpeare up *, 
 Will, even in a broken cup. 
 
 E'er fcive one drop of thee. 
 
 * See Mr. Garrick's prologue to the V/ Inter's Tale, as altered from 
 Shakefpeare. '^ 
 
 THE EN D.
 
 L E T T E R 
 
 FROM 
 
 T. HARRIS, 
 
 T O 
 
 G. C O L M A N, &c. 
 
 [PRICE ONE SHILLING AND SIX-PENCE.]
 
 E T T E R 
 
 FROM 
 
 T. HARRIS, TO G. COLMAN, 
 
 ON THE AFFAIRS OF 
 
 COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE, 
 
 TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, 
 
 AN ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC. 
 
 ** Me tradente, dolos, geftus artemque nocendi 
 
 ** Edidicit; fimulare fidem, fenfufque minaces 
 
 *' Protegere, & blando fraudem praetexere rifu ; 
 
 ** Plenus faevitiae, lucrique cupidine fervens : 
 
 *' Dodtus & unanimes odiis turbare fodales : 
 
 * Solus habet fcelerum quicquid poflcdimus omnes.** 
 
 meg-;ra loquitur. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR J. FLETCHER AND CO. IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD j 
 AND SOLD BY J. WALTER, AT C HARING-CROSS j AND J. ROBSON, 
 IN BOND-STREET. 
 
 MDCCLXVIII,
 
 TO THE PUBLIC. 
 
 T 
 
 H E meafures, which Mr. Rutherford and myfelf have been lately 
 compelled to take for the fecurity of our interefts and property in Covent 
 Garden theatre, have been fo grofly mifreprefented in the news papers 
 and in common converfation, that we fhould be wanting both to our- 
 felves and the public, did we not once more folicit their attention to a 
 plain and genuine narrative of our proceedings. 
 
 We are not infenfible that names, interefts and difputes like ours, 
 deduce all their little confequcnce with the world, from their accidental 
 connexions with its occafional amufements. 
 
 Had the differences, therefore, which have fo long fubfifted between 
 us and our fellow-proprietors been merely of a private and domeftic 
 nature, we ftiould as readily acknowledge the impropriety as imperti- 
 nence of a repeated appeal. But, as the rational entertainment of the 
 town, to which we are under the higheft obligations, may po0ibly be 
 interrupted by the continuation of our difputes -, we yield, though re- 
 ludantly, to the difagreeable neceffity of exculpating ourfelves from the 
 afperfions, of having contributed to fuch interruption, any farther 
 
 b than
 
 [ ii 1 
 
 than by a juft and reafonable alTertion of our legal right to the joint 
 management of our common property. This it muft be owned has 
 been produdive of all thofe ill cfFeds which naturally arife from the 
 oppofition of determined refolution to captious infolence and inve- 
 terate obftinacy. 
 
 How Mr. Colman will (land excufed for wilfully protracting the 
 cftablifhment of our company on an equitable and amicable footing, I 
 cannot pretend to fay ; bur, however lightly he may regard his duty 
 to the publick, we cannot but think it ours to fatisfy all thofe, who 
 may honour us with their attention to the affairs of the theatre, that 
 neither this protradion, nor the difagreeable confequences that are 
 juftly to be apprehended from it, can fairly be imputed to Mr. Ruther- 
 ford or myfclf. 
 
 To this end, alfo we look upon the prefent appeal as no lefs expe- 
 dient than exculpatory , having, to our great mortification, but too much 
 realon to fear that no private mode of reconciliation will ever take place 
 with Mr. Colman. In the mean time, it is with equal mortification 
 we daily fuffer under the miftaken imputations of wilful ignorance or 
 accidental mifreprefentation. 
 
 Hence we conceive ourfelves under the neceflity of openly making 
 our future propofals of accommodation in the face of the publick ;. 
 hoping that, while fuch necefljty pleads an excufe on our part, Mr. 
 Colman will, on his, pay too great a refped to that public, to have re- 
 courfe to his ufual artifices of evafion and prevarication ; of which indeed 
 he appears to poflefs a fccret fund altogether incxhauftiblg. 
 
 The eye of the world, is not fo eafily deluded as the ear of a friend ; 
 if Mr. Colman therefore has any thing of that regard for truth and 
 juftic be pretends, he will have now an opportunity of difplaying it j 
 
 and
 
 [ iii ] 
 
 and of encouraging at leaft a laudable fufpicion that our pafl: differences 
 have been more owing to mifunderftanding than malevolence. 
 
 As to thofe perfonal failings, indeed, which he hath induftrioudjr 
 contrived to drag to light, and depofit at our door ; their produ(5tion 
 will ever be imputed at beft to fpleen and petulance in him ; while we 
 might furely plead the prefcription of youth and inadvertency, at lead 
 to many , which, however they may Hand as items in our account, can- 
 not certainly be applied as arguments in his caufe. 
 
 Not that with regard to myfelf, who have been more particularly 
 pointed at, I fear to meet him even on this ground, with all my imper- 
 feflions. But as the juftification of offences, from example, forms but a 
 weak plea for committing them, fo the preference to be gained by 
 comparifon, conflitutes but a very flender degree of merit. Befides this 
 I humbly apprehend thefe are enquiries (till more beneath the notice of 
 the publick, than even our injudicious fquabbles about the property and 
 management of the theatre. 
 
 The tale I have to tell is fimple, and perhaps tedious ; but I chofe 
 to tell it as nearly as I could in Mr. Colman's own manner, and to ad- 
 drefs it to himfelf j becaufe it is on him I would have it make an im- 
 preffion. The fads alfo are fimple as related ; the motives of which, 
 however, may have been fometimes fo complicated, as to baffie my 
 fagacity. I have indeed been more attentive to the order and certainty 
 of the fads, than to the propriety of any conclufions drawn from them ; 
 being fenfible that although partiality may pervert, and fophiftry elude 
 the ftrongeft reafoning, the evidence of fa6t is irrefiftible. 
 
 When we firft engaged in this unprofperous affociation, and at the 
 flattering inftances of Mr. Powell, admitted Mr. Colman to a fliare in 
 
 b 2 our
 
 [ iv ] 
 
 our intended purchafc, it is well known we received and treated him 
 him with a deference and credulity that all our inexperience, of which 
 he has been pleafed to remind us, can hardly find an excufe. We con- 
 fefs that our implicit confidence in him, and the charafler given us of 
 him by his friend, betrayed a mod unworldly weaknefs and ignorance 
 of mankind. "We own we were liitle hackneyed in the ways of men, and 
 much Icfs in the ways of men, whofe verlatile genius and theatrical 
 talents, enable them to aflume a new chara6ler with every new pur- 
 pofe they have to anfwer. But what epithet fhall we bellow on that 
 principle which tends to extradl profit from fuch ignorance? 
 
 If, in the formation of our articles, we have, on our part, left open- 
 ings, into which the infinite pliability of the law can Infinuate itfclf at 
 pleafure : if we have weakly impofed reftri(5lions clear enough in their 
 fpirit, but whofe letter may be melted down to nothing, by the indeter- 
 minate conftru(^ions of refinement; let Mr. Colman enjoy the honour 
 of having outwitted us, and let it be our Ihame, as it is our misfortune, 
 to have given him the opportunity. 
 
 But that this is not the cafe, there is the greatefl prefumption to be- 
 lieve-, fince it is the opinion of two of the firft lawyers in this kingdom, 
 that the articles are expreffed with clearnefs and certainty, nor admit of 
 any doubt in their conftiuftion. It is remarkable alfo, that althougli 
 Mr. Colman pretends he lias conftantly acted by the advice of counfel, 
 he never produced to us a written opinion of any fuch counfel, in his 
 favour; which, when we fliewed him that of ours, he certainly ought 
 to have done, if he had any, or wanted really to come to an accom- 
 modation ! " 
 
 This was a fatisfa6lion in which he would or could not condefcend 
 
 to indulge us : in the mean time, we found we were dropping apace 
 
 into flavcry. Nay, we werc^even told by our opprelTor, that we were 
 
 3 already
 
 C V ] 
 
 already flaves. But this need not have been told us -, we faw plainly 
 the very fhadow of power vanifh from us ; and were ftruck with a 
 ferious alarm left our property fhould alfo take the fame courfe. We 
 faw ourfdves involved in a vaft and infupportable expence, lavifhed 
 away, in defiance of our moftfolemn protefts, upon fuperfluous fervants, ' 
 greedy favorites, and a numerous ftanding army of undifciplined and 
 ufelefs performers, under various titles and denominations. 
 
 We did not, indeed, then forefee that the new and coftly trappings, 
 with which Mr. Powell was every night adorning himfelf, were to an- 
 fwer a double intent. It did not fuggeft itfelf to us, that they were 
 defigned, not only to figure on the ftage of Covent-Garden, but to 
 exhibit the patentee of a royal theatre in becoming fplendor on that of 
 Briftol. 
 
 The menacing profpefl of our afi'airs, however, awakened us to a very 
 ferious attention. We found our theatre intemperately pouring forth 
 the contributions of the public bounty, as faft as it received them ; 
 and this in a manner that made us tremble for the continuance of thofe 
 fupplies. 
 
 Nor was this all : fome other pradlic^s had begun to manifeft them- 
 felves, which gave us the moft fenfible uneafinefs. We had entered 
 upon our office, with fanguine hopes of attrading the favourable re- 
 gards of the public, by a difinterefted and impartial atteniion to the 
 produdlions of men of genius. We fondly hoped,, that by this condudb 
 we might have the merit with the town, of refcuing our ftage from 
 thofe imputations which had been caft upon it under former ma.- 
 nagement. 
 
 Thefe were the confiderations that firft recommended Mr. Colman 
 to our fociety j and it was from a juft diffidence of our own abilities 
 
 *^ for
 
 [ vi 3 
 
 for the above important taflc, and a too flattering eftimation of 
 his, that we admitted him into our treaty, and inverted him with 
 the office of afling manager, under due reftraint and controul. 
 We underftood him to be a gendeman of education, with an eftablifh- 
 mcnt, that ought to have fet him above every fervile office or fordid 
 confideration; and with expeflations that appeared to do honour to our 
 ' conne5tion with him. Inflrufted by fo able a mafter as the fuccefsful 
 manager of Drury-Lane, we conceived the talents of both in fome de- 
 gree congenial. Strangers to the friendly arts by which the tutor 
 nurfed the rickety reputation of his pupil, we falfely imagined the latter 
 fafely arrived at the goal of fame , and looked upon him as qualified 
 to condud others, by directing the incipient efforts of genius to their 
 proper end and defign. 
 
 How thefe hopes have been fulfilled, feveral ingenious and infulted 
 writers too well know; we too fenfibly feel; and the undeluded publick 
 will be able, in fome degree, to judge from the following fheets. The 
 reafons on which we ground our late proceedings ; the neceffity we lay 
 under of making a forcible entry into our theatre ; the fufpicion of 
 peculation and mifmanagement within thofe doors which were barricaded 
 againft their owners ; the flagrant verification of thofe fufpicions ; and 
 the unnecefl'ary and illegal difpoflTeffion of two of our fervants, by the 
 formal and ridiculous procefs of a third ; can now no longer with pro- 
 priety be with-held from the publick. The intelligence belongs to them ; 
 it is at their tribunal our caufe muft: be ultimately decided : to them 
 therefore we fubmit the merits of it, and rely on their judgment and 
 candour. 
 
 To Mr. Powell we would wifli to fay as little as poffible. A perfbn 
 who has made an abfolute cefllon and furrender of his faculties to an- 
 other, and blindly delivered himfclf over to his arbitrary guidance, 
 may be faid to fufl^er a kind of moral death, and under fuch an entire 
 
 fufpen-
 
 [ vii ] 
 
 fufpenfion of volition, can fcarcely be confidered as reprehenfible for 
 the turpitude, or commendable for the reflitude of his adions. 
 
 Under this predicament Hands Mr. Powell, a man who configns his 
 name to pamphlets he never penned, fubfcribes letters and manifeftos 
 which if he had read, he could not comprehend , and who, in the af- 
 fumed office of fuperintending the wardrobe, is fo delicate in his trull, 
 that he conveys it with him to the theatre at Bridol , as if the prefer- 
 vation and fecurity of his finery depended on his carrying it about with 
 him on his back. 
 
 To conclude -, we beg leave to call the public to witnefs, that not- 
 withftanding the juft refentment we cannot but feel, at fuch repeated 
 inftances of oppreflion, we defire nothing fo much as a fair and equitable 
 accommodation. And that the terms of it may be no longer liable to 
 mifconftruftion or mifreprefentation, we have in the following pages 
 openly tendered to Mr. Colman fuch overtures, as in our judgment 
 feejn beft calculated to adjuft our differences. 
 
 If thefe are fair and equitable, as we hope they are, and mean they 
 Ihould be, the town will know on which party to lay the blame , if, 
 when the theatrical feafon fhould open, our doors fhall be found 
 (hut. We need not be told how feverely we fliall fmart, as well as 
 our contending brethren, from fuch a circumftance -, but we have too 
 long laboured under opprelfion to bear it with patience any longer. 
 On the contrary, we are determined to oppofe it, at the hazard of 
 lofing every thing we polTefs -, rather chufing to be deprived of the laft 
 (hilling of our property, in the juft and legal defence of ir, than 
 tamely to refign our right to the condudl and difpofal of it to a defign- 
 
 ing and infolent intruder. 
 
 A LETTER
 
 E T T E R 
 
 FROM 
 
 T. HARRIS, 
 
 TO 
 
 G. C O L M A N, ^c. 
 
 s I R, 
 
 M 
 
 R. Rutherford and myfelf, having fo often in vain folicited your 
 attention to our complaints, and invited you to a fair and amicable dif- 
 cuflion of the feveral grievances, that gave rife to thofe complaints ; we 
 muft now in mere defpair drop all private correfpondence with you, and 
 refign every hope of gaining upon your nature by thofe gentle and com- 
 placent arguments ; which we have hitherto adopted in preference to 
 all others, and from which, nothing but the neceflity of felf-defence 
 fhould have tempted us, in the conduftof our difpute with you, to have 
 departed. Bur, to our inexpreffible mortification, and regret, you have 
 dragged us into public controverfy: and, to my particular difadvantage it 
 is, that I now find myfelf, by the abfence of my colleague, diverted of that 
 afiiftance, and fupport, which a communication of opinions, as well as 
 of fufferings, would elfc have aflTorded me. The libellous, and unmanly 
 
 B infinu-
 
 [ ] 
 
 inlinuations, with which you have filled the public papers, and your St. 
 James's Chronicle in particular, on that and other occafions, have obliged 
 me to trace the ftream of abufe to its fource-, though I have not attempted 
 to interrupt its current ; having derived this unintended benefit from it, 
 that, while you was proving to the world you had no wit but malevo- 
 lence, you have incautioufly made it appear that you have no argument 
 but fcurrility. 
 
 lam now, fir, by Mr. Rutherford's abfence, left to defend myfelf 
 alone : yet, fortified by the integrity of my intentions, I fear not to call 
 you forth at the tribunal of the publick j thither I recur for protedion, 
 and there our injuries, and your artifices, cannot efcape difcovery. *Tis 
 true, I enter upon this undertaking with great difadvantages ; your un- 
 common talents, eftabliflied praflice, and perfect initiation into the logick, 
 which can make " the worfe, appear the better reafon" are well known. 
 Againft thcfe I have nothing to oppofe but a few plain fads, felefted from 
 a multitude of grievances, with which your oppreffion has furnilhed me, 
 
 I (hall proceed however at once to a plain and candid enquiry into 
 your conduct, from our firft interview, to the date of this letter; and 
 from this enquiry, I think it will be feen, that even before we figned 
 our firft contradt, you had formed a latent defign, a regular plan of 
 cunning and dexterity, to work yourfelf into the fole direftion of Co- 
 vent-Gardcn theatre, in the moft abfolute and arbitrary fenfe of the word; 
 and this at the expence of the peace, and the property of your aflbci- 
 ates. An end like this was of neceflity to be accomplifhed by any means, 
 that fophiftry, feigned friendfhip, fecret collufion, or open violence 
 could devife and execute. You are not to be told, fir, how many turns 
 and windings are made by men who would eftablilh a reputation for 
 cunning, in order to efcape the vigilance of their obfervers ; but you 
 are to be told (and it may be matter of ufeful information to you) that 
 in weaving this web and labyrinth of deceit, they generally leave a clue 
 
 behind
 
 [ 3 ] 
 
 behind them*, which, If once an honcfl man gets hold of, he fcldcm falls 
 to unravel their operations, and trace them up to the point from whence 
 they darted. Such a leading thread you have undefignedly put into our 
 hands. This is the pamphlet you are pleafed, by a figure in fpeech, to 
 which you are but too much accuftomed, to call a True State of our 
 differences. I fhall fo far verify the title you have given it, as to make 
 frequent ufe of the fame words for guiding the reader to the truth, which 
 I have great reafon to fear were employed by you for very contrary 
 purpofcs. 
 
 In page twelve of that pamphlet, you fay that, " At a meeting between 
 *' all the parties on the 3 ijl of March, Mr. Hutchinfon attended with an in- 
 *' firument -prepared for us tofign, on his reading over that part of it, wherein 
 *' // was recited, that the four parties fhould he equally concerned in the 
 " management of the theatre, Mr. Caiman begged leave to interrupt him, and 
 *' told him it was a fettled point that he (Colman) was to he invefled with 
 " the direiion of the theatre, whereupon, to Mr. Colman* s very great furprize, 
 *' Mejfrs. Harris and Rutherford declared they never had the leafi intention 
 ** of fuch an article." 
 
 You fay true, fir, we never had the lead intention of inveftingyou with 
 fuch a general indeterminate authority i we declared fo then ; and we 
 more earneftly proteft againft it now. 
 
 * Mr. Colman f aid he took it for granted, that this matter (of giving him 
 ^ the file difpofal of our property) had been previoujly underjlood on all fides** 
 
 The faft is, that we never heard a word of your being the abfolute 
 diredtor of the theatre, but from your faying, *' Tou could Jlir a fire better 
 than any man in England** That indeed we laughed at, as a conceit of 
 intended wit and pleafantry, but could not imagine that you meant it a 
 fcrious and conclufivc argument to which we had agreed : but you further 
 
 B 2 urge
 
 C 4 1 
 
 WTot in the fame page, " That you had plainly declared to Mr. Powell on 
 '* his firft application, that you would never he -concerned in the pur chafe ^ 
 *' unlefi you Jhould be invejied with the theatrical direiion. Mr. Powell 
 " allowed the truth of this affertion. 
 
 And is your declaration to Mr. Powell, that you would, or mud be 
 invefted with the arbitrary management of our property, a reafon that 
 we Ihould be fo mad as to accede to it, in order to gratify your luft for 
 power? Mr. Powell aflertcd too, when he introduced you to us, that you 
 was a fair honed man, that you would lay down a plan of management 
 that would raife and retrieve the reputation of our theatre, throw all 
 competition in the other houfe at a diftance, and advance the profits of 
 the feafon by one fourth part more than under the late diredion. But 
 thele flattering aflertions of Mr. Powell's, though repeatedly backed by 
 your teftimony, are no better a proof of your being adlually poflefTed 
 of thefe talents, than your declaring you would be abfolute in the 
 theatre, was a demonftration that we had made you fo. We have often 
 fince refle6ted upon the variety of fliapcs you aflumed in order to pro* 
 cure our confent to inved you with the fo much defired diredion of the 
 theatre. Simile, pun, jed, anger, rage, complacency, nay even adula- 
 tion, all had their peculiar exertions ; but, at length, finding you could 
 neither footh, wrangle, or menace us into the wealinefs and fervility re- 
 quired, you dropped the attack, made a fudden tranfition in your man- 
 ners, and uttered folemly this declaration, " God knows my heart, I never 
 '* wijh, nor ever can be arbitrary, // is not in my nature.** Wc then im- 
 mediately figned our fird indrument of partnerfliip, which left our 
 powers in the management of Covent-Garden theatre, as equal as our 
 intcreds were in the property of it. 
 
 For my own part, I ftiould think futh a declaration muft be confidered as a proof that we 
 had not then given ap our rights, and a very probable prefumption that we never have; fo 
 furely you would not threaten to take that from as, which we had already refigned ; on 
 the coDtrary, fuch an avowed fpirit of rfeniincnt would be moft likely to put us upon 
 ur guard againft it. 
 
 ARTICLES
 
 i 5 
 
 ARTICLES of AGREEMENT, Quadripartite, made 
 and agreed upon this thirty-firft day of March, One 
 thoufand feven hundred and fixty-feven, between Thomas 
 Harris of Holbourn, in the county of Middlefex, Efquire, 
 of the firfl parti John Rutherford of Newman-flreet, in the 
 ia parifli of St. Mary le Bon, in the fame county, Efquire, 
 of the fecond part i George Colman of Great Queen's- 
 ftreet, near Lincoln's-Inn-Field, in the county aforefaid, 
 Efquire, of the third part ; and William Powell of Great 
 RufTel-ftreet, in the parifh of St. Paul, Covent-Garden, 
 Gentleman, of the fourth part, as follows : 
 
 VV H E R E A S the faid Thomas Harris and John Rutherford, by 
 James Hutchinfon, their agent, are in treaty with Prifcilla Rich, the- 
 widow and reprefentative of John Rich, late of the parifli of St. Paul, 
 Covent-Garden, Efquire, deceafed, for the purchafing two feveral pa- 
 tents for exhibiting theatrical performances, and of fundry leafes granted 
 of Covent-Garden theatre or playhoufe, and of the rooms, buildings, 
 conveniences, and appurtenances thereunto belonging ; together with all 
 and fingular the furniture, fixtures, fcenes, decorations, wardrobe, mu- 
 fick, entertainments, matters and things whatfoever, which the faid 
 Prifcilla Rich is now poffeffed of, or intitled to, as appertaining or be- 
 longing to the faid theatre, cr to any theatrical performances and ex- 
 hibitions, cither as executrix as aforefaid, or in her own right, or for 
 or in behalf of herfclf, and any other perfon or perfons whomfoever : 
 And alfo, all deeds, books, papers, writings, contrads, and fecurities 
 thereunto belonging: And whereas the purchafe-money required by the 
 faid Prifcilla Rich, is fixty thoufand pounds j now therefore, it is hereby 
 mutually agreed, by and between all the faid parties to thefe prefents, 
 and they do hereby for themfelves feveral ly and refpe<5lvely, and for 
 
 theic-
 
 [ 6 ] 
 
 their fcvcral and refpedllve heirs, executors, and adminlflrators, covc^.^ 
 nant, promilV, and agree to, and with the other and others of them, 
 his and their refpcdive executors, adminillrators, and affigns, in man- 
 ner lo!!ovving, (chat is to fay) That the faid Thomas Harris and John 
 Ruthfrlbtd fhall be, and are hereby authorized and impowered to pro^v 
 cced in the faid treaty, and to contrad and agree for the purchafing of 
 the faid premifes at any price or Turn not exceeding fixty thoufand pounds; 
 and to that end to fign and execute any deeds or writings that may be 
 neceflary and proper in their own names, but for the joint account and 
 benefit of all the laid parties. That upon concluding the faid treaty, 
 and figning any fuch contracfl or agreement as aforefaid, all the faid par- 
 ties fhall and will be, and become joint owners and proprietors, and be 
 jointly and equally interefted and concerned in the faid patents, leafes, 
 and premifes, both for profit and lofs, and Ihall be jointly and equally 
 concerned, and employed in the management of all the theatrical per- 
 formances to be exhibited in confequence of fuch purchafe. That all 
 the faid parties fhall and will, well and truly pay and advance their faid 
 feveral fhaies and proportions of the faid fixty thoufand pounds, or fuch 
 other fum of money as aforefaid, and that at fuch time or times as the 
 faid Thomas Harris and John Rutherford fhall agree to pay the fame, 
 as well as of all other fum or fums of money, cofts, charges and expen- 
 ces attending the faid purcafe. That in cafe the faid George Colman 
 and William Powell, or either of them, (hall not at fuch time or times 
 as aforefaid, be prepared with, and adlually pay down the whole of his or 
 their proportion of the faid purchafe money, they the faid Thomas Harris 
 and John Rutherford, ftiall and will, jointly and equally, advance and 
 pay for him or them, fo much money as (hall be the deficiency of the 
 faid George Colman and William Powell, or either of them, fo that the 
 fum they refpeflively pay down be not lefs than ten thoufand pounds, 
 and the faid Thomas Harris and John Rutherford, or fuch of them as 
 fhall make up fuch deficiency, fhall be allowed to dedud out of the 
 rcfpcdivc (hares of the profits belonging to the faid George Colman and 
 William
 
 [ 7 ] 
 
 William Powell, intereft for the fame, at and after the rate of five 
 pounds per centum per annum, until payment thereof, and his or their 
 part, fhare and intereft, in the premifes fhall ftand and be a pledge or 
 fecurity until all fuch principal and intereft fliall be fully paid. That 
 upon the faid treaty and agreement with the faid Prifcilla Rich taking 
 efFe(5l, all the faid parties fliall enter into and execute the neceflary and 
 proper deeds, inftruments, or writings, as well for the better effedluat- 
 ing this agreement, as for the managing and carrying on the undertak- 
 ing of the exhibitions and performances in confequence thereof. Pro- 
 vided neverthelefs, and it is hereby mutually agreed, that in cafe of the 
 death of any or either of the faid parties to thefe prefents, before the 
 intended agreement with the faid Prifcilla Rich fhall be carried into exe- 
 cution, then and in that cafe, thefe prefents, and every matter and thing 
 herein contamed, with refpecfl only to the party or parties fo dying fliall 
 be void and of no effefl, and then the furviving parties fliall ftand in his 
 place, if they think proper, and fliall and will jointly and equally ad- 
 vance and pay the ftiare and proportion of the party or parties fo dying, 
 and in cafe of refufing or declining fo to do, then the other or others of 
 the faid furviving parties, who fliall be willing fo to do, fliall and may 
 advance and make good the deceafed*s Ihare, and be interefted in and 
 intitled unto the faid premifes in proportion to the money he or they fliall 
 fo advance : And for the true performance of this prefent agreement, 
 each of the faid parties, doth hereby bind himfelf, his heirs, executors 
 and adminiftrators, unto the other and others of them, and his and their 
 refpedlive executors, adminiftrators, and afligns, in the penal fum of 
 three thoufand pounds of lawful money of Great-Britain. In witnefs 
 whereof, the faid parties firft abovenamed, have hereunto interchange- 
 ably fet their hands and feals, the day and year firft abovewritten. 
 
 Sealed and delivered] T. Harris. (L. S.) 
 
 (being firft duly ftamp*d)/ J. Rutherford. (L. S.} 
 
 in the prefence of f G. Colman. (L. S.) 
 
 Ja. Hutchinson. J Will. Powell. (L.S.) 
 
 About
 
 r ] 
 
 AbdiTt the beginning of May, being wrought upon by your extreme 
 folicitudc and grols defceptions, concerning the neceffity of it, we be- 
 gan to take the management of the theatre into farther confideratiorj. 
 
 As wc had obferved from our fettling the firft contrad, that from a 
 ftrange puerile vanity that poffeflcd you, a perpetual attempt at fuperiority 
 ever mixed itfclf in your converfation on bufinefs*, though we could not 
 then fufpecfl any latent defign upon our property, but rather imputed ir 
 all to infirmity of temper, yet we thought it prudent to give a parti- 
 cular charge and precaution to Mr. Hutchinfon our attorney to take 
 efpecial care, to guard and fecure our rights, and authority in this new 
 inftrument, relative to the management, in like manner as we had 
 direfled and required him to do in the firft contract with you. 
 
 Here, Sir, we would infert this fecond inftrument with the remarks 
 that we intend to make upon it, but there being a matter in difputc 
 between us, that fome time or other muft be fettled, we think the adjuft- 
 ing that point ftkould be our next ftep ; efpecially as it will be a very 
 proper preface to the article, and ferve to introduce the reader to a more 
 intimate acquaintance with your charafter and accomplifhments. 
 
 Mr. Powell has often loudly complained, that he has been impofed 
 upon concerning the article of management ; that he is thereby barely 
 defrauded of his juft right, and of his power over his property, by 
 his fellow patentees. This complaint is as notorious, as that he is 
 
 ah equal proprietor. The hiftory of Mr. Powell's preclufion is as 
 
 folloWs. 
 
 On your return from Bath, the beginning of May, we called on you: 
 the firft words you faid to us, and the laft at that meeting, were all 
 tending to prove the certain ruin of us all, if Mr. Powell had any right 
 to interfere in the management of the theatre 5 and this was the firft 
 
 time
 
 t 9 ] 
 
 time the idea of excluding Mr. Powell ever occurred to us. Cut you' 
 repeatedly infifted, that Powell was a man of no degree of underftand- 
 ing i that his boundlefs and exceflive vanity, with his infuperable love 
 x)f expence, muft be the deftrudtion of our undertaking. To Mr. 
 Powell's private charadcr we were then entire ftrangers, we knew him 
 only as a performer; you, Sir, was his Friend, his Intimate. We 
 objedled to the meafure as unequitable and imprafticablei you perfifted 
 and afllired us it would be for his good in the end, as well as for the 
 general good of us all. We therefore acquiefced. Now, Sir, where the 
 dilhonourablc part of this tranfadion will juftly fall, the bare affertion of 
 either party cannot determine, fa6ts and circumftances muft. 
 
 On the fide of Harris and Rutherford it may be urged, that it does 
 not appear in the leaft probable, that the lame men who brought Powell 
 into the partnerfhip, who oppofed Colman's intended monopoly of 
 power, and who honeftly eftablifhed an equality among them all, by the 
 Jirjl inftrument, fhould fo fuddenly, and for no apparent reafon, be for pre- 
 cluding Powell from all power by the fecond inftrument: it is to be ob- 
 ferved too, that Harris and Rutherford have never once pretended to 
 more than that moiety of power, which their moiety of property na- 
 turally gave them ; that they have never ftnce in any ftngleinfiance dejtred, or 
 intended to carry into execution any one meafure that was or might be objected 
 to by Mr. Powell. But it appears evidently from the very firft, that 
 Colman ufed every means to engrofs the whole power to himfelf. Is 
 not this one proof, that Colman was the man who fuggefted, profe- 
 cuted, and accompliftied the plan of engaging Powell, to give up all 
 right over his property. 
 
 But ftill you fay, and have given it under your hand to the public, 
 (for the truth of which the immediate jewel of your foul is pledged) 
 that Rutherford and Harris were the contrivers of Powell's predufion. 
 In judging of this point, the public will no doubt be led to confider, 
 
 C that
 
 [ 10 ] 
 
 that Colman was Powell's avowed friend, tliat Col man was brought 
 into the partnerlhip by Powdl, fo that it is not reafonable to think, that 
 after fuch obligations, Colman could be perfidiou's enough to con- 
 trive and compals the exclufion of his Iritnd. In anfwer to this reafon- 
 ing, we will make ufc of your own words in your True State: ^^ Powell 
 ** bcwever Jhcwed great repugnance to gi'ving me the dire5lien ; but on my 
 * expojlulating with him alone (do you mark. Sir, alon i) on this fub^ 
 ** jely and reminding him of bis firji application to me^ and my declared 
 " rejolutions at that period^ be (Powell) frankly confeffed^ that be had been 
 " adviftd to the contrary^ but that on reflexion be returned to his original 
 ** intention^ and was content to put his fame and fortune into my handsJ" Did 
 Mr. Colman ever throw io fevere an imputation upon us, as he has now 
 done upon himfelf ? Tickled with the vanity of fhcwing how im- 
 plicit a confidence Powell had repofed in him, he has inadvertently 
 difcovered how unworthily he obtained it, and the ufe he made of it, 
 leaving us at a lofs which moft to admire, his own fubtilty or his friend** 
 fimplicity. We would aik Mr. Powell, if we ever offered the fmalleft 
 attempt, or exprefled the moft diftant hint of ourdefire, that he (hould 
 refign his power into your hands ; indeed his frequent complaints du- 
 ring the tranfadlion, and very often fince to many of his friends, and 
 to one relpeflable gentleman, in particular, of your continually impor- 
 tuning him day by day to give up his voice, fets this matter clearly 
 enough to view : but if there yet remain any doubt, take the fol- 
 io A'ing tranfadbion. Some time in November laft, Harris, Rutherford, 
 Colman, and Powell, met to adjuft their differences. Powell complainc4 
 loudly of the article of management, as an infamous fraud upon his 
 property, and an abufe upon his good-nature, (for fo he termed his ig- 
 norance and credulity) and in plain Englilh faid, " That the precluding 
 
 him from a power over his property, was a d d rog 111 tranfadion.** 
 
 Harris and Rutherford blamed him much for not diftinguifhing wh^ 
 
 contrived or brought him to confent to that meafure, and declared they 
 
 were ready that inftant to return him the equal fhare of power he 
 
 had
 
 [ " ] 
 
 had vefted in him by the original article. But to this Mr. Poweirs bofom- 
 friend with great warmth abfolutcly refufed to afTent, affirming vehe- 
 mently *' The power I have I will keep^ I will not part with a jot of it'* 
 
 It will avail you nothing to deny the fruth of this anecdote. We have 
 often fince repeated the fame offer. We now leave the impartial reader 
 to determine which of us is guilty of fuggefting, of accoroplifhing, and 
 of continuing the exclufion of Mr. Powell. 
 
 The infinite pains you have taken from time to time, to mifreprefent 
 and elude every claufe in the following article, muft certainly have im- 
 printed indelibly every fyllable of it in your memory. Yet we muft 
 beg your patience whilft we give it you once more at full length. 
 
 Whereas T. Harris, J. Rutherford^ G. Colman, and W. Powell, by certain 
 articles of agreement, dated the 3 ift day of May lafi, did agree to pur chafe 
 of the reprefentatives of John Rich, Efq^\ deceafed, two patents for eichibit- 
 ing theatrical performances, and the fever al leafes of Covent-Garden theatre, 
 and the rooms, buildings, conveniencies, furniture, cloaths, fcenes, decorations, 
 mufic, entertainments, and all things belonging to the f aid theatre \ ajid the 
 faid T*. Harris and J, Rutherford, were thereby authorized to treat for, and 
 pur chafe the famCt at a fum not exceeding fixty thouf and pounds, and the pur - 
 chafe money was to be advanced by the faid parties equally, and they were to 
 become jointly and equally concerned in the management of the faid theatre, 
 and were to execute proper deeds andinjirumentsfor that purpofe, when the faid 
 pur chafe fhould be compleated. And whereas the faid T. Harris and J. Ruther- 
 ford, have accordingly contracted and agreed with the reprefentatives of the 
 faid John Rich, for the purchajing the faid patents, leafes, premifes and things, 
 at and for a fum of fixty thoufand pounds, and which pur chafe is to be corn- 
 pleated on the firji of July next. So far is a recital of the firft article ; 
 now follows what may be called the ading manager's claufe. 
 
 C 2 Now
 
 [ 12 ] 
 
 Now the faid federal parties having perufed, and fully undcrjianding the 
 "purport <2;;^ contents of thefaid contra^f^ do approve of, and confirm the 
 famCy and having alfo, in confeqtience thereof, taken into their confideration^ 
 the management of the faid theatre, they have, for the better, and more eafy 
 condufting the buHnels tliereof, as well as for their joint and equal benefit 
 and advantage, agree, and do hereby mutually declare and agree, that not' 
 withjianding every thing contained in the faid agreement already made between 
 the faid parties, thefaid G. Colman fhall be invefiedwith the dire5iion of the 
 faid theatre, in the particulars following, viz. " That he fhall have power 
 of engaging and difmiffng performers of all kinds, of receiving or rej effing 
 fuch new pieces as fhall be offered to thefaid theatre, or the proprietors thereof, 
 of cajiing the plays, of appointing what plays, farces, entertainments, and 
 and other exhibitions fhall be performed, and of conducting all fuch things as 
 are generally underfiood to be comprehended in the dramatical and theatrical 
 province,** 
 
 By virtue of this claufe, you have afllimed to yourfelf the title of 
 A^ing Manager, a technical, undefinable, tyrannical term, by which 
 you have impofed on all the inferior players, and fervants belonging to 
 the theatre, and by infinite pains have perfuaded them, that under that 
 title you have an unlimited abfolute power over every department of 
 the ftage. If you had informed them juftly, they wc Id have known 
 that this is but one claufe of the articles, which claufe has no force in 
 law, reafon, or equity, independent of the provifions and reftridions con- 
 tained and exprefied in the fourth. We now proceed to the third 
 claufe. 
 
 " And the faid 7*. Harris and J. Rutherford, fhall be defired to attend to 
 the controulment of the accounts and treafury relative to thefaid theatre. 
 Provided always, and in as much as the faid T. Harris and J. Rutherf.rd^ 
 will have leifure to attend to the affairs of the faid theatre, and the faid 
 IV. Powell is to he engaged as an alor or performer on the fl age, (for which 
 3 purpofe
 
 t "3 1 
 
 furpofe^ feparate articles are intended to he entered into letvjcen him and the 
 other parties) in which his time and attention will be chiefly emphycd and 
 taken />, fo that he will not be able to apply hiwfelf in managing the buji^ 
 nefs of the theatre. 
 
 ^ '*Th the third claufe you will obferve that Harris and Rutherford have 
 the department of the treafury particularly affigned to them, and are 
 faid to have leifure to attend to the affairs of the faid theatre, by which 
 it is evident that it was by no means intended you (hould bear the bur- 
 then of the fole management. But as to your friend Powell, he poor 
 man, appears to be a mere parenthefis, and of the infignificant kind too, of 
 no mark or power, but to interrupt the fenfe and order of the inltrument. 
 
 Now, fir, to the fourth, or the controuling claufe, which claufe yon 
 have diredlly violated in the progrefs of your conduct throughout the 
 whole of the paft feafon 
 
 It is therefore hereby further agreed^ that the faid G. Colman fhallfrom 
 time to time, and at all times hereafter, commu7iicate and fubmit his conduct, 
 and the meafures he fhall intend to purfue, unto them the faid Harris and 
 Rutherford. So far furely is very full, explicit, and intelligible, nor do 
 we fee any room to exercife the arcs of quibling and chicanery : but to 
 proceed. '* j^nd in cafe they fhall at any timefignify their difapprobation 
 thereof in writing unto the faid G. Colman, then and in that cafe, the meafures 
 fo difapprdved of fhall not be carried into execution, any thing before con- 
 tained to the contrary notwithftanding." Now, if you will do us tlie 
 favour to read this/a/r/y to your friends the box-keepers, treafurer,houfe- 
 keeper, wardrobe-keeper, under adlors, carpenters and caiidle fnufJers, 
 they will explain to you the pozver that is annexed to your boaHed title 
 oi A5iing Manager. This, and only this, to prcpofe znd to fubmit, and if 
 we approve, to execute, w/ elfe. They may tell you tco that this is all 
 the power any equal partner ought to have. It is all that law or eq^uity 
 would give, or any honefl: man demand. And give tu leave to tell 
 
 VOll
 
 I 4 ] 
 
 you, it is all the power you ever (hall have, while we are proprietors of 
 Covent-Garden theatre. The following is the fifth, which we think 
 may with ^ropriet]^ be .termed the amicable claufe. 
 
 " Tet nevertbelefs with refpe5i to the faid W. Powell^ it is intended and 
 agreed^ that he Jhall at all times give his advice and ajpjlance relative to 
 dny part of the bujinefs of the faid theatre^ when thereunto defired by the 
 other parties.^* 
 
 Thus, fir, have you provided for the man, " Who was content to put his 
 fame and fortune into your hands^ Unlefs he is called upon by the other 
 three proprietors for his advice and afliftance, it is an abfolute infringe- 
 ment of the articles for him ever to obtrude his opinion in any matters 
 whatfoever. 
 
 No fooner was the foregoing article executed, than your defign of 
 divefting us of our legal, natural, and equitable power over our pro- 
 perty, began to appear too plainly to be doubted by us. Your friends, 
 agents, authors, adlors, printers, box-keepers, news-writers, Powell and 
 Colman, all affirm that Colman is invefted with the abfolute manage- 
 ment of the whole theatre : for you well knew, when once the public 
 are imprefTed with a falfhood, it takes fome time to undeceive them.- 
 Another (Iroke of your policy was, to exert all your talents of flander 
 and ridicule againft us. Our youth, our inexperience, our way of think- 
 ing, our courfe of life, and our conduct in every particular, were ren- 
 dered as contemptible as your labouring invention could paint them. 
 
 The feafon at length arrived for opening the theatre, previous to which 
 a rehearfal was appointed, and it being the firft under the new propri- 
 etors, the whole company were fummoned to attend. We thought it en- 
 cumbent on us not to omit this opportunity of feeing the performers 
 thus convened, and accordingly entered the theatre with all the 
 
 chearfulnefs
 
 [ 15 ] 
 
 chcarfnlnefs of young men, fond of a new, promifing and agreeable 
 purchafe. But how were we received ? We expected the performers, 
 (efpecially the capital ones) would have been introduced to us : but in- 
 ftcad of fhewing us any marks of civility, you impetuoufly came up to 
 ns with the appearance of offended pride and enraged importance i 
 flopped us fliorr, and bade us go off the ftage, left we fhould interrupt 
 the bufmefs of the theatre. 
 
 Petulant and ill-mannered as we then thought your treatment in this 
 inftance, we now perceive it was a part of your original policy, to keep 
 us as much as poffible, ignorant of all matters relative to the theatre, 
 and of every perfon belonging to it; which plan is obvioufly confiftent 
 with your original one, of worming yourfelf by degrees into the folc and 
 arbitrary diredion of the theatre. 
 
 On the 14th September the theatre opened; every day giving us 
 frelh reafons to refent your infolence. We wiU'not here re-enter on the 
 propriety or impropriety of your engaging Mr. and Mrs. Yates i but fhall 
 only tell you, that as it was a mcafure difapproved of by us all in con- 
 ference on that head, and a meafure of great confequence to us all, it 
 ought not to have been taken without the confent of Harris and Ruther- 
 ford, efpecially not in defiance of our known opinion. The reafon you 
 affign for this precipitate engagement, will not bear you harmlefs, for 
 you knew you had the ftrongeft affurances that the managers of Drury- 
 X-ane would not engage them. 
 
 As to the affair of Cymbeline, the falfliood of your reprefentation in 
 your pamphlet, is capable of proof : if we did not think the time would 
 be mifpent in agitating an obfolete queftion. You are fenfible, that by 
 your excellence in the art of ftirring up a fire, you made it abfolutelj^ 
 neceflary for us to forbid a repetition of this performance; 
 
 Upoa
 
 r .6 ] 
 
 Upon receipt of this prohibition, you and Mr. Powell thus conformed 
 to your articles-, ycu threatened to fhut up the theatre, and Air. Po-jjcll 
 to appeal to his fri^rnds and the public for rcdrefs. (See True State, 
 p. 36.) About this time we began to perceive, by the deluge of tradef- 
 mens bills, that an immenfe expence for the wardrobe, &c. had been in- 
 curred by Mrs. Powell, without our knowledge or confent. We there- 
 fore could not but think it highly expedient for us to examine minutely 
 what property had been brought into the theatre. On enquiry, we were told 
 by the wardrobe-keepers, that great part of the property was in the 
 poflcflion of Mrs. Powell, at her houfe in Ruflel-ftreet, Covent-Garden. 
 We then, with as much politenefs as we were mafters of, defired that 
 Mrs. Powell would fend to the theatre what belonged to it*, and that fhe 
 would not give herfelf the trouble to incur any more expence without 
 our knowledge. We immediately received an anfwer from W. Powell, 
 that our requefts could not be complied with-, that Mrs. Powell was in- 
 vefted with the care of the wardrobe by Mr. Colman, and that we Ihould 
 find he, Mr. Powell, was not that cypher we feemed to imagine. (See 
 True State, p. 38.) This anfwer might have juftified our refentment, 
 though it excited only our rifibility. 
 
 We djo not find that the managers of Drury-Lane, give any precedent 
 for this condu(ft of Mr. Powell. All their wardrobe, appropriated and 
 vnappropriated, is in the theatre, under the care of proper officers, equally 
 refponfible to them both. But we find in Mr. Powell's anfwer, that 
 ^r. Colman inverted Mr. and Mrs. Powell with the care of the ward- 
 robe. You feem here, fir, to have power far beyond a direftor"; you arc 
 a theatrical deity, for in this mimic world nothing is to exift but by your 
 fat. Your arrogance faid, let Powell be a cypher and he was cypher. 
 Your caprice revokes his deftiny, and this cypher becomes a manager ; 
 while Harris and Rutherford, for confpiring together fiow to prcferve 
 the fmall remnant of their liberties, are compelled to bend the knee to 
 their theatrical Moloch, or endure the fiery ordeal of his difpleafure. 
 
 To
 
 I n 1 
 
 To relieve yoiir atteniion a little from the confideration- of ftubbonx 
 fads, I will here attempt a parallel between yourlelf and another 
 a^ing manager of great 'notoriety in former days. You will find his 
 hiftory in Gibber's Apology : this gentleman was a patentee partner, 
 bred to the law, and like you too appointed a^ing manager-, fubjed to 
 the conftant infpedion and. controul of his partners, who like us were 
 then confidered as controuling managers, he promifed to raife the re- 
 venue of the theatre greatly, juft as you have done ; he began his ma- 
 nagement by refufing to fubmit the little matters of theatrical bufi- 
 ncfs to his partners , then he refufed to fubmit greater matters, 'till at 
 length he iliook off their infpedion and contraul in every refped : (fo 
 far is not the compariibn exad ?) He then proceeded to raife a thoufand 
 ftories of the ignorance and tyranny of his partners : endeavouring to 
 incenfe the publick againft them as men and managers. He boafted 
 daily what full houfes his management produced j that he meant all for 
 the good of his partners; that he was going. on profperoufly, and fhould 
 continue fo, if they would but be quiet your condud cxadly ! But, 
 inftead of having raifed the profits of the theatre, he lefTened them 
 many thoufands, juft as you have done. Sir at leaft fby the account 
 given in to his partners -,) then, Sir, he engaged whatever fervants and 
 performers he thought proper ; obliging them to obey none but him ; 
 and laid out whatever fums he pleafed, without the confent or know- 
 ledge of the other proprietors altogether juft as you have done. But 
 to complete his cbarader of adiing managingy he at length took exclu- 
 five poffeflion of the theatre, patent, wardrobe, &c. &c. and referred 
 his fellow proprietors to the court of Chancery for redrefs. Thus far the 
 comparifon holds : but we truft here it will break off, for this afing 
 manager, proceeding by bills in Chancery, fuits in law, and every petty- 
 fogging trick, fo tired and harraffed his fellow proprietors, that they 
 were in the end heartily glad to give up their property, and to leave 
 him in entire pofleflion, rather than have any more concern with fuch 
 a man. 
 
 D To
 
 [ >8 ] 
 
 To return aow-t^^ur narration: 
 
 The fchemes and arts that you pra<5lired to creep into an exclufivc 
 management, and in confequence of that into an exclufive poffeflion, 
 were various, and inceiTant in their operations. But among them all, 
 your favourite fcheme to that end, was that of being thought an able 
 and a fuccefsful manager, and to fupport that charader, it is incredible 
 to thole who know not your arts, what an enormous burthen it hath been 
 to the parinerfhip, not lefs than thirty, forty, fifty, and fixty pounds 
 in orders, were generally fent into the theatre each night -, and on 
 one night in particular in fupport of one of your own pieces upwards of 
 one hundred pounds. Thus Sir, you fupported your fame, ac the 
 expence of our common property. 
 
 About the latter end of February, we were informed you were tam- 
 pering with the performers, fervants, &c. &c, and endeavouring to 
 prevail on them to enter into articles with you only : which articles, it 
 'feems, you were prepared to execute upon your own proper authority, 
 without any reference to us, and our privilege of revifing and diflcnt- 
 ing from or confirming the fame. '^ e^Hirp'u ' 
 
 This appeared fo manifeft a violation of your engagements, and fb 
 direftly contrary to the exprefs letter of our articles, that we could 
 fcarce give credit to it : however, in order to guard againft fo danger- 
 ous a meafure, we immediately ordered Mr. Garton the trcafurer, to 
 fcrve the following notice, mutatis mutandis^ upon every pcrfon be- 
 longing to the theatre. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 A AM dire<5led byMeflrs. Harris and Rutherford, to give you notice, 
 
 that you cannot be confidered as belonging to Covent-Garden theatre 
 
 3 after
 
 [ 9 I 
 
 after the expiration of this feafon, unlefs the engagements you may en- 
 ter into for the next, be confirmed in writing by one or both of us. 
 
 Covent-Gardcn theatre, ^ 
 
 Feb. 25, 1768. J^ Gar TON. 
 
 This notice we thought had nothing offenfive or unreafonable in it. 
 yet you, Sir, and Mr. Powell, were incenfed to the higheft degree; 
 and that part of the company who were dependants, and others who 
 wanted to pay their court to you, did, in imitation of you and Mr. 
 Powell, exclaim againft it in the moft abufive and bitte)- terms. One 
 gentleman in particular, an intimate and avowed friend of yours, and 
 formerly, as we have been told, a military man ; (you know how to 
 chufe your friends !) when the above notice was given to him in the 
 green-room, (before great part of the company) threw it into the fire 
 with the utmoft indignation : then ftamping on it, added this explicit 
 comment to the aft : that if he had power, he would ferve the authors 
 as he ferved this notice thruft them into the middle of the flames. 
 
 This kind of language has been frequently held by this intimate 
 friend of yours in public cofFee-houfes, and wherever he reforted, as 
 w have been informed by many gentlemen, who have heard and been 
 fhocked at his indecent behaviour. Every fcrvant and inferior aftor 
 in the theatre, knowing how much fuch conduft pleafed and delighted 
 you, imitated in ail places this gentleman's behaviour. 
 
 Thus you form a contrivance to deprive us of our property, and 
 if we legally endeavour to defend it, by fending a proper notice to the 
 company, not to enter into engagements without our concurrence, you 
 inftantly excite them by variety of fallhoods and others arts, to fadi- 
 ous abufe, contempt, public;, fcurrility, and falfe reports, againft our 
 conduft; and charafters. By this kind of craft you fee, Sir, to what a 
 
 D 2 dilemma
 
 dilemma you reduce us, we muft patiently fubmit to the falfe reporffr 
 and abufes of the under aflors and fcrvants in pur pay, or we mud; 
 implicitly refign our property to be difpofed of as your arbitrary hu- 
 mour (hall direct. 
 
 But thefe indecences, which to you who are the companion of thofc 
 vho utter them, might be irkfome ; to us, who do not hold ourfelves 
 obliged to enter the lifts with our own fervants, were ever, and fhall 
 continue to be regarded with the contempt they merit. You polTefs 
 the faving art of transfrrring your own quarrel to other men, and we 
 have no more refentment againft thefe engines of yours, whom you 
 have cnlifted as the fadious abettors of your arbitrary and illegal de- 
 figns, than we fliould have againft your footman, who brought an im- 
 pertinent mcflage or letter from you. 
 
 We began now to be very defirous of knowing how the 
 company were to be fixed for the enfuing year, and wrote to you often 
 for that purpofe. On the 21ft of March, we obtained a plan of the 
 alteration you propofed. On the 25th of the fame month you received 
 our anfwer, in which we afligned very minutely our reafons wherever 
 we differed from you, and requefted we might have yours in return as 
 foon as convenient, to the end, that a plan for the enfuing feafon might 
 be fpeedily formed for the general good. 
 
 About this time, fir, as you kept boafting of your fuccefsful manage- 
 ment, Mr. Rutherford and myfelf ofi^ered in the prefence of feveral gen- 
 tlemen, to infure to you for three years, a fum equal to the produce 
 of that manage rent : whatever more might appear on the books at 
 the clofc of each year, to be fliared equally, if you would give 
 yourfelf no more trouble about the management. This you refufed i 
 but offered us, if we would withdraw ourfelves, a fum equal to out 
 our fliare in the profits of the prcfent year -, but what further fum youF 
 
 manage-
 
 I 21 J 
 
 management might produce,, you and Mr. Powell were to (hare be- 
 tween you. At the fame meeting, you frequently in the nioft agitated 
 manner repeated, " Will you fell ? Will you fell?** As no reafon fug- 
 gefted itfelf to me, why I fhould be obliged to fell any more than your- 
 fclf, you know I made you this offer : viz. ** To put my fhare with 
 yours, on the inftant up to audion, and whoever of the two (Colman 
 and Harris) Ihould bid moft, fhould have both;" this too you refufed. 
 After many letters and interviews having pafled on the fubjedt of 
 
 fettling the bufinefs of the theatre, in which you artfully delayed com- 
 ing to any determination, and endeavoured by all methods to keep us 
 profoundly ignorant of your tranfadlions or intentions. We fcrved you 
 on the 15th of April, with a general notice to conform to your articles: 
 yet notwithftanding all thefe precautions, we were much furprized a 
 week or two after, to hear that you were engaging the company under 
 pretence that our diff'erences were all amicably adjufted. 
 
 Exceedingly alarmed at this intelligence, we the fame day fent for 
 feveral of the performers ; who .all afTured us, Mr. Colman had taken 
 them unawares, that they underftood it was entirely agreeable to us, or 
 otherwife they Ihould not have entered into any engagement with him. 
 One in particular of eminence in his profefiion aflured us, he wasfo much 
 concerned at being thus deceived, that he would go immediately 
 to^ Mr. Golman, and endeavour to get his agreement cancelled : 
 he accor dingly went, and afterwards fent us the following letter. 
 
 3 >locd 
 
 Sir,
 
 Sir, 
 
 X Waited on Mr. Colman this morning, and according to my promife, 
 demanded the cancelling of the agreement I had made with him, in the 
 manner you defired ; his anfwer was, he would not. 
 
 As fCieh, I hope you will confider I have done every thing you wi(hed 
 me to do, and flatter myfelf you will look on Mr. and Mrs. Mattocks 
 as defirous of doing their bufmefs, without entering into party. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 AprUzS, 1728. With refped, &c. 
 
 G. Mattocrs. 
 
 In this fituation, in order to prevent as much as poflible the effects 
 of your promifes, threats, and mifreprefentations, in tlie performers, 
 fervants, and others, we caufed the following paper to be printed and 
 delivered to every performer, &c. 
 
 TO THE PERFORMERS AND OTHER PERSONS BELONGING 
 TO COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE. 
 
 1 HE many partial, arbitrary and unwarrantable proceedings of George 
 Colman, Efq-, one of the managers of Covent-Garden theatre, being 
 manifeftly injurious to the intereft and property of us Thomas Harris 
 and John Rutherford, we thought ourfelves obliged, with the advice of 
 
 counfel, to give him the following written notice. 
 
 -j. - 
 
 T O
 
 In] 
 
 TO G. COLMAN, ESQ: 
 
 XN purfuance of articles of agreement entered into, between you the 
 faid George Colman, and us Thomas Harris and Joiin Rutherford, 
 whofe names are hereunto fubfcribed, and alfo William Powell, bearing 
 date the fourteenth day of May, 1767, we do hereby require you to com- 
 municate and fubmit unto us, the faid Thomas Harris and John Ruther- 
 ford, all future meafures, which you fhall intend to purfue, refpefting 
 the diredion of Covent-Garden theatre; and more efpecially, we do 
 hereby conjointly forbid you engaging or contracting with any performers, 
 artificers, or fervants, of any kind or denomination whatfoever, for the 
 next leafon, or for any other term or time at the faid theatre, without 
 firft -communicating and fubmitcing to us your intended contrails or 
 agreements with fuch performers, artificers or fervants, and every of 
 them ; and we do hereby further in particular conjointly prohibit you 
 from receiving, contracting for, or getting up for performance any new 
 pieces, which may be offered to you for the laid theatre, or on behalf 
 of the proprietors thereof, and from reviving any old plays or perfor- 
 mances of any kind, and alfo from cafting any plays to be performed 
 at the faid theatre, without firft communicating and fubmitting to us. 
 the faid Thomas Harris and John Rutherford, all and every the meafurea 
 you fhall intend to purfue in thefe refpecls, and alfo all fuch meafures as 
 regard your future conduct and management of all thing<^ comprehended 
 in the dramatic and theatrical provin-ce of the faid theatre; io that we 
 may, if we fhall think fit, fignify our difapprobation thereof in writing 
 to you ; in which cale, the fame are not to be carried into execution* 
 purfuant to the faid articles : And we do hereby further give you notice* 
 that ail contrads or agreements made, or to be made by you with any 
 performers, artificers or fervants whatfoever, contrary to the tenor of 
 this prefent warning or notice, fhall be deemed and confidered by us as 
 fluU and void j and chat we ihail forbid and prevent the payment of he 
 
 falarics
 
 I u ) 
 
 fefarics, or other allowances or gratuities thereby (lipulated or agreed 
 to be given, made, or paid to fiich performers, artificers or fervants, 
 and every of them -, and (hall alfo prohibit and prevent the payment 
 for getting up, or performing of any new pieces received, contraded 
 tor, or ordered to be got up by you, contrary to this notice, and the 
 payment of all expences attending the fame. At the fame time we do 
 afliire you, that we do not mean to fignify our difapprobation in writing 
 of any mcafure whatfoevcr, which you fhall intend to purfue, and (hall 
 be duly communicated and fubmitted to us, refpefting the aforefaid par- 
 ticulars, or any of them ; unlefs we (hall be fully fatisfied and convinced 
 in our own judgment that the fame will not be conducive to the enter- 
 tertainment of the public, and the real i'nterefts of the other proprietors 
 of the faid theatre, and ourfelves : It is, at the fame time, proper for 
 us to apprize you, that thefe being terms and conditions which you arc 
 bound by the faid articles of agreement with us to comply with, we 
 (hall, in cafe of your breach of them, purfue all fuch legal remedies to 
 procure fatisfaflion and redrefs, as we fhall be advifed. Dated this 
 i8th Day of April, 1768. 
 
 Thomas Harris, 
 
 John Rurtherford. 
 
 And whereas we have received information that the faid George Col- 
 man has fecretly and clandeftinely entered into articles with certain per- 
 fons, now belonging to this theatre, in defiance of the above notice or 
 warning, in open violation of the articles fubfiding between us, and in 
 contempt of our legal proteft in writing to him delivered -, it is therefore 
 judged expedient, in regard to the fecurity of the company, to give this 
 general notice. That fuch agreements are, in the opinion of counfel 
 illegal, and therefore will not be a(rented to, or deemed obligatory, 
 by us ; and that all perfons who have, or (hall at any time enter into 
 any agreement with the faid George Colman, without having the alTent 
 in
 
 r 25 ] 
 
 in writing of one or both of us, will be confidered as entering into a 
 combination with the faid George Colman, to diveft us of that natural and 
 equitable right over our property in the faid theatre, which we are de- 
 termined by every legal method to maintain. 
 
 Many falfe and malicious afperfions alfo having been openly as well as 
 covertly propagated, that we mean to difchargc feveral of the performers, 
 &c. to lower the falaries of others, and to weaken and throw the whole 
 company into diforder and confufion, than which nothing can be more 
 contrary to our intentions. All perfons, therefore, who are defirous of 
 being fatisfied of our defigns refpedting themfelves in particular, or the 
 theatre in general, are requefted to apply to us, at the faid theatre, or at 
 either of our houfes refpedlively. 
 
 Covcnt-Garden Theatre, Thomas Harris, 
 
 April 27, 1768. 
 
 John Rutherford: 
 
 We were now informed, that Mr. Colman was negociating with every 
 perfon belonging to the theatre, and devifing every means to engage 
 them. In order as much as in us lay to prevent this, we fent for many 
 of the principal performers, cautioned them not to enter into an en- 
 gagement with Mr. Colman alone : again and again explained to them, 
 that no engagement with Mr. Colman alone could be binding on us or 
 them, contrary to notices given to both parties. We even wentfarther, 
 and, that it might not be urged, againft us, as it had been, that 
 our protefts were frivolous and capricious, and had no other object: 
 than to prevent the public exhibitions of the theatre we offered 
 to engage any of them in a manner conformable to our articles 
 with MefTrs. Colman and Powell, which we were advifed we le- 
 gally might do. But we found your artifices had taken too much 
 
 E hold
 
 11 i6 J 
 
 hold of many amongft them ; and upon this difcovery we entirely de- 
 clined any further engagements with them. At the fame time we 
 caufed the following paper to be exhibited in both the green-rooms. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS OFFERED TO THE CONSIDE- 
 RATION OF THE PERFORMERS AND OTHER 
 PERSONS BELONGING TO C O VEN T-GARDEN 
 THEATRE. 
 
 Wi 
 
 Hereas feveral falfe and deceptive infinuations have been thrown 
 out, refpeding the prefent circumftances of Covent-Garden theatre, it 
 is judged expedient to offer the following obfervations to the parties 
 concerned. 
 
 I. That as George Colman, Efq-, is invefted with the management 
 
 of the faid theatre by an article, in which he is exprefly bound 
 to fubmit all the meafures, he may intend to. purfue in fuch 
 management, to T. Harris and J. Rutherford, and to put na 
 deCgn in execution which they may difapprove: he the faid 
 George Colman has no right or authority to a6t as fole manager, 
 without making fuch fubmiflion of his meafures to the faid 
 Harris and Rutherford, who are by virtue of the faid article, 
 ultimately to determine what Ihall or fhall not be carried into 
 execution by the (aid Colman, refpeding the management o 
 the faid theatre. 
 
 II. That all contrails with performers, or others, made by the faid 
 
 George Colman, for himfelf and fellow proprietors, againft thc- 
 confent, or even without the knowledge of Harris and Ruther- 
 ford, are and mu^t be null and void, fo far as they regard the~ 
 5 &id
 
 C 7 ] 
 
 faid Harris and Rutherford, on whom they cannot be obligatory: 
 the faid George Colman not being authorized, but publickly 
 and exprcfly forbidden by them to enter into any fuch contrad. 
 
 III. That as the faid George Colman, notwithftanding the repeated 
 remonftrances made to him by Harris and Rutherford, ftill per- 
 fifts in negleding to fubmit to them the meafures he intends to 
 purfue, in the management of the theatre, and alfo in pur- 
 fuing fuch meafures as they difapprove, they Harris and Ruther- 
 ford, are juftifiable in preventing the farther proceedings of the 
 faid Colman, to the injury of their property, and in oppofuion 
 to the tenor of the articles fubfifting between them. 
 
 IV. That notwithftanding the undoubted right of Harris and Ruther- 
 ford to prevent the farther mifmanagement of the faid theatre, 
 there is reafon to believe from the apparent difpofition of 
 Mr. Colman, that if the faid Harris and Rutherford do fo exert 
 themfelves in oppofition to the illegal and unjuftifiable con- 
 dud of the faid Colman, an interruption will enfue to the bufi- 
 nefs of the faid theatre. 
 
 ii^lTv-'That an intermpxion to the bufinefs of the theatre muft be 
 attended with very difagrceable confequences, both to the com- 
 pany and the proprietors. 
 
 yi. That if, in order to prevent fuch an interruption, Harris and 
 Rutherford do affume the management of the theatre, in default 
 of the faid Colman, they are juftifiable both in law and equity, 
 for the fubfequent 
 
 E'^ REASONS.
 
 t ) 
 
 RE A S O N S. 
 
 I. That the negative power given them by article as comptrolling^ 
 managers, does not fupercede their pofitive power, as t\vo equal 
 and joint proprietors of the theatre -, for that they do not, on anjr 
 confideration, either expreflfed or underfVood, thereby refign 
 or give up, that natural and equitable right, which every man 
 has to the difpofal and management of his own property : fo' 
 that they are ftill at liberty to aft pofitively with regard to fuch 
 property, as if no fuch article exifted ; in which laft cafe, they 
 would undoubtedly have as much right to manage the joint 
 property of the theatre, to contract for and difcharge performers, 
 &c. as cither or both the two other proprietors. 
 
 H. That on the other hand both Colman and Powell do, by^ the faid 
 article refign and give up their right as fimple proprietors ; Mr. 
 Powell exprefly, for a valuable confideration allowed him as a 
 performer, refigning all pretenfions to manage ; and Mr. Col- 
 man intelligibly for the emoluments accruing to him as a dra- 
 matic writer, confentinrg to act as manager fubjedb to the controul 
 of Harris and Rutherford ; who expecting no other profits from 
 the theatre, than what mud arife from the good management 
 and common intereft of the whole, think it extremely unjuft 
 they (hould be deprived of the privilege of providing for its 
 fecurity, efpecially as for the reafons affigned, they and they 
 only are legally impowered to determine what meafurcs are to 
 be purfued in the conduft of the faid theatre* :riMiP! 
 
 in. That notwithftanding Colman and Powell are by the faid article 
 legally incapacitated, the latter to interfere in the management 
 
 at
 
 t *9 ] 
 
 at all, and the former to manage otherwife than is approved by 
 Harris and Rutherford ; while the faid Harris and Rutherford 
 lie under no legal reftraint from adting in default of Colman 
 as mailers of their own property, and joint patentees of the 
 theatre *, it is yet by no means the defire of Harris and Ruther- 
 ford, to infringe the faid articles, or fuperfede the faid Colman 
 as a6ting manager, they requiring only that he a6t in conformity 
 to the article by which he was conftituted fuch : in which cafe 
 he adually admitting their negative right as comptrolling ma- 
 nagers, they would not willingly exert their pofitive right as 
 patentees and proprietors. 
 
 It is hoped, that on this fair and impartial reprefentation of the 
 cafe, none will be fo mrfled as to adopt fuch abfurdities, as that any per- 
 fbn can be invcfted with an exclujive right of managing at his own 
 pleafure, by an article that authorifes him only to manage under the con- 
 troul of others , or that Harris and Rutherford can have no other right 
 over their property, than to complain ineffeftually of Colman's mifma- 
 nagement of it -, while he himfelf is authorized to proceed in open 
 breach of the very article, by which he claims the privilege of managing 
 at all. They hereby, therefore, confirm the notices already given to Mr. 
 Colman, and the performers, that they are not nor will deem themfelves 
 bound by any contraft or engagement entered into by Mr. Colman, 
 without their confent firft obtained. 
 
 T. Harris. 
 
 J. Rutherford. 
 
 Such was our fituation, when on the fourth of May Mr. Ru- 
 therford by accident was prefled by the crowd at Ranelagh clofe to you. 
 He could not avoid expoftulating with you on your condu<5l, he told 
 you> and be told pu trulyy how extremely defirous we were of ending a^ 
 
 contention
 
 t 30 1 
 
 contention which ferved only to weary the patience of the public, and 
 facrifice our joint interefts. In confequence of this accidental rencontre 
 you appointed the fucceeding evening, for the four parties to meet. Mr. 
 Rutherford and myfelf met you, with a fixed determination to ufe every 
 poGJble method of finally clofing a difpute, which had for fo 
 many months harrefled and diftrefled us; we were determined to give 
 .you up all your pointSr as you call them, though we were too fenfible 
 ^any of them weie very injurious to our property. Indeed we never 
 -did mean litigioufly to contend with you about matters of inferior mo- 
 ment. This, from firft to laft, has been the only foint we had in view, 
 viz. to have an equitable controul over our property, and the mangement 
 cfit. In this dilpofition we met you, when it was foon underftood 
 that all arrangements relative to this theatre might very eafily be adjufted 
 to the fatisfadion of all parties. The following point was the only 
 one in which we differed from yoWy and in juftice to Mr. Powell, we 
 mufl: declare he likewife difi^ered from you throughout the whole of the 
 arguments, equally with ourfelves. You infifted that you fingly had a 
 right to form the mode of engaging performers, and that no one but 
 youxk\^ Jhould fign an article with any performer. We urged that the 
 making agreements with performers was a meafure of the greateft ex- 
 pence and importance in our undertaking, and that by our articles you 
 were obliged from time to time, and at all times, to fubmit your con- 
 dudt, and the meafures you intended to purfue ; and that upon our dif- 
 approbation the meafure was not to be carried into execution. We far- 
 ther urged, that from the nature of our circumftances, having an undi- 
 vided moiety of the property, from the common ufage and nature of 
 partnerfhip, from the ewprefs letter of our article, from common fenfe 
 and common equity, as w? were liable to pay the half the expenccs or 
 damages that might occur in our undertaking, we thought it but rea- 
 fonable that bonds, penalties, and expences, amounting to fo many thou- 
 fands a year, (hould not be entered into in our names without our knonf- 
 Icdge and confenti which could be no otherwife aflurcd to us, than by o\# 
 
 figniflg
 
 [ 3x ] 
 
 figning the agreement; and that if you intended to article none but fuch 
 as we approved, there could not poflibly arile an objeftion to every 
 article being figned by the four proprietors.. 
 
 This reafoning having no kind of weight with you, we made you this 
 propofal. That our articles refpedling the management fliould be laid 
 before fome one or two of the moft eminent counfel, to be nominated by 
 yourfelf, who (hould have power given to prefcribe a form for engaging 
 performers in future, and who fhould determine who of us were, and. 
 who were not to fign the faid article.. 
 
 Mr. Powell received this propofal as became him ; he declared ft to- 
 be his opinion that we ought all to fign the articles with performers, but 
 obferved that the offer of referring it to counfel was fair and candid ia 
 the higheft degree. You yourfelf, fir, even you^ allowed k to be fair 
 but faid you mufi take two or three days to confider of it. We then parted 
 in appearance moft amicably difpofed to each other. Mr. Powell now 
 openly avowed the equity of our proceeding, and publicly declared to alt 
 his friends^ that if our difputes were not entirely ended, it muft be alto- 
 gether Colman*s fault , and indeed was fanguine enough to fay, that ic 
 was impoffible Colman fhould not confent to our unexceptionable pro- 
 pofal. But how were his and our expedations defeated, when, after 
 impatiently waiting the expiration of two days, we received the follow- 
 ing note. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 iSlnce I had the pleafure of feeing you and Mr. Rutherford, I have 
 advifed with my friends and counfel concerning your joint propofal. 
 They are all unanimoufly of opinion, that my right to contrad witb 
 j^erformers in the manner I propofe, is fo clear and obvious on the face 
 
 y of
 
 t 3^ ] 
 
 of our article, that there is not the leaft occafion or foundation for a 
 reference. A reference implies a doubt which they do not admit, nor 
 can it reafonably be cxpeded that I fliould appeal to other counfel to 
 decide a queftion between us, when my own have fatisfied mc that the 
 point is indriputable. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient humble fervant, 
 
 G. COLMAN. 
 
 I forbear making any remarks upon this evafive epiftle : You are 
 not to be told what were the motives which induced you to reje6t 
 this equitable propofal ; and the reader,. I am perfuaded, will anticipate 
 me in the conclufion to be drawn from it. 
 
 During thefe tranfadions we heard nothing from you relative to the 
 adjuftment of affairs for the enfuing feafon -, we therefore fent you the 
 following letter. 
 
 S I R, 
 
 w, 
 
 E wrote to you the 19th of April laft, and again on the loth of 
 May, refpedting the ftate of our affairs ; to both which letters we have 
 had no other anfwer than yours of the nth inftant, importing only 
 that you would with all convenient fpeed give us an anfwer, and that ic 
 was wholly owing to ourfelves we had not received one fooner. This " 
 we are entirely at a lofs to underftand : but we plainly perceive you can 
 make any evafion to avoid acquainting us with your meafures and in- 
 tentions ; but, Sir, being fenfible how very much you have hurt the 
 -4. property.
 
 I 23 1 
 
 property, and injured our fortunes by your management this year, you 
 cannot but imagine we are extremely anxious about the next feafon ; 
 therefore, to keep us fo perfeflly ignorant of your tranfaclions refpefling 
 the company, and of your intentions in regard to the plan of bufinefs for 
 the next year, cannot be deemed confident with honour, equity, or 
 honefty. We requcft of you, Sir, a plain, precife anfwer-, and not fuch 
 as we have hitherto received from you evafive, ambiguous, or in- 
 direct. 
 
 We are. Sir, 
 M^y ^7* Your humble fervants, 
 
 T. Harris. 
 
 J. Rutherford. 
 To George Colman, Eiq; 
 
 A few days before this the following letter was fent to Mr. Powell. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 JDY an article entered into on the 28th of May lad, we each of us 
 covenant not to aft, write, or have any fhare, intereft or concern in any 
 theatre whatfoever : yet notwithftanding this exprefs and clear claufe, 
 in a converfation the latter end of November lafl, we proved to you that 
 we were then difpofed to ferve you by agreeing to your going to Briflol, 
 though that was a ftep difagreeable to us all agreed by all to be pre- 
 judicial to our common intereft, and Mr. Colman refufed his aflfent 
 jthereto ; fince that time the whole tenor of your conduct has been fuch 
 6s to make it impoflible for you to pretend to our friendlhip or favour : 
 you have in oppofition to our common requeft and legal prohibition, 
 been aflifting in the performing of Cymbeline; you have negleded to 
 deliver up^that parrdf our property in your pofleffion, viz. cloaths, 
 filks, &c. &c, though formally required fo to do, on the 31ft of De- 
 cember laft ; you have continued to load us with great expcnces without 
 
 F our
 
 [ J4 I 
 
 mtf knowledge, and contrary to the notice given you ; you have twice re- 
 fuTed, viz. on the 29th of December, and on March ift, to attend or 
 confult with us on the affairs of the theatre -, you have from the begin- 
 ning to this time been in the mod perfe<5l combination with Mr. Col- 
 man ; you have aided him, and given him colour of pretence for breaking, 
 his articles, co-operated v/ith him in fowing diflentions among the com- 
 pany, and in injuring the property by his bad management through the 
 whole of this feafon , you have fuffered your name to be affixed to Mr. 
 Colman's pamphlet, which contains much fcandalous abufe, and many 
 falfehoods refpeding us, without your having feen it, or knowing the 
 contents of it before publiflied j fo prompt were you to wrong thofe 
 who had ever before fhewn themfelves eager to ferve you ; and you 
 have yeftcrday for the firft time play'd Hamlet for a benefit, contrary to 
 the common intereft, and our earneft defire-, you have fchemed and af- 
 fifted Mr. Colman to diveft us of oar rights, and to Icflen our property 
 in the theatre; of this the whole of your conduct, and your repeated 
 declarations at different times (of which witnefles can be produced) arc 
 fufficient evidence. 
 
 Now, fir, on a review of our pad behaviour, we perfuade ourfelves yoir 
 are not mean enough to afk an indulgence, nor weak enough to expedt 
 one i and as we never will be juftly accufed of adling ambiguoufly or 
 covertly, we give you this notice, that you are in all matters to conform 
 to the letter of all the articles entered inta between usj particularly that 
 wherein you are not to have any fhare in, or perform at Briftol or any- 
 other theatre whatfoever ; and you are hereby again required without 
 delay to deliver into the theatre, all cloaths, filks, and other cffe6ls, 
 which are the joint property of the proprietors, and which may be now 
 HI your poffefllon. 
 
 We are, Sir, 
 
 Your humble fervants, 
 
 T. Harris. 
 April 26, 1 768-. 
 
 J. RuTHERFORIXi 
 
 To William Powell;
 
 [ 35 ] 
 
 The article referred to in the above letter, in which all parties covenant 
 to have no concern in any other theatre, you remember, fir, was warmly 
 infifted on by you, in order to prevent Mr. Powell from going to Briftol. 
 (Sc&True Staie, p. 42 and 43.) Mr. Powell at firft objede4 very ftrongly 
 againft it, but at laft your threatning, perfuading ari convinced him that 
 ibis claufe was alfo for his intereft, as well as ihat wherein he excluded, 
 himfelf from having any fhare in the management of his own property. 
 Here, Mr. Colman, you mod generoufly refolved that your bofom friend 
 Powell's fame and fortune (which he had intrufted you with) was in no 
 account to Hand in the way of your aflliming dignity. (See True State, 
 p. 42.) 
 
 To the above letter we received no anfwer. Indeed, all we intended by 
 it, was to exhibit the man to himfelf; and though we had no defign to 
 revoke the confent we had pafled for his going to Briftol this feafon, yet 
 we held it expedient to recall his articles to his memory, in particular, 
 that wherein he is put under difabilities from aifling at any other theatre 
 whatever ; fairly intimating to him at the fame time, that we did not 
 find ourfelves inclined to grant him any fuch indulgencies for the future. 
 
 But alas ! to our forrow we muft acknowledge the force of that doc- 
 trine, you fo often, and fo triumphantly repeat. " What the d IJig- 
 
 * mfies articles^ when there is no penalty?'^ Very little truly, fir : how can 
 we expe(5l you will do juftice without compulfion ? for want of which, 
 to refer you to your articles, is juft as fruitlefs as to appeal to your con- 
 fciencc. 
 
 yr. Notwithftanding the letters of Mr, Harris to Mr. Powell of the 26th 
 April, ever fince the night we propofed to refer to counfel the mode of 
 engaging the performers, Mr. Powell appeared to be confentaneous with us. 
 On the 19th of May we received from you a very long letter, filled as 
 ufual, with fajfe fafts, falfe reafoning, and falfe fuggeftions ; all which 
 we were not furprifed at. But we were very much fo at obferving the ufe 
 
 F 2 you
 
 [ 36 ] 
 
 you made of Mr. Po well's name j exprefllng yourfelf frequently in the 
 plural number, and making Powell in feme meafurc refponfible for your 
 adlions and aflertions. We thought proper therefore to fend a note to 
 Powell, defiring to know how far he would be refponfible for the contents of 
 your letter. Upon the receipt of which, Mr. Powell came immediately to 
 my houfe, where he found Mr. Rutherford. He then aflured us he had no 
 concern in the letter, that Mr. Colman had frequently drawn him in to 
 concur in a^ts which he afterwards repented*. 
 
 Notwithftanding this apparently candid and implicit declaration, we 
 received from Mr. Powell the next day the following letter. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 May 21ft, Saturday nooa. 
 
 X. Have received your letter, refpefting one you fay you have received 
 fi-om Mr. Colman, and defiring to know if I look upon myfelf equally 
 with him refponfible for its contents. Whatever my opinion might be, 
 in regard to Mr. Coiman's conduct refpe<fling our affairs, or of the 
 contents of the letter in queftion (wherein, I prefumc, he has not made 
 mention of my name, but where 'twas necefiary to relate his bufinefs 
 for the purpofe of his letter) I cannot fuffer myfelf to be refponfible for 
 the contents of any thing whereto I do not fubfcribe my name. I have 
 the greateil faitii in Mr. Coiman's intentions for the general good, and 
 I hope and rely, that his condud will tend to reconcile you to his mea^* 
 fures, and produce peace and unanimity to us all. tJ 
 
 I am, with compliments to Mr. Rutherford, 
 
 Your very humble fervant, ^ h'jl'J'jm 
 
 W. POWELIU 
 
 At the fame time, among other things, he informed us, Mr. Colman had entered into-. 
 engagements wit. the hoult-kvcper, caipenters, and wardrobe- keeper A new fpecies of 
 intrcnchmcn;, which wc bclieye was never praftifed by any a^ing manager in the woild'** 
 
 It
 
 [ 37 1 
 
 It appearing by the ftile and tenour of this letter, that Mr Powell had 
 been Lonfuking wiih Mr. Coiman, it was thought proper to return the 
 following anfwer. 
 
 TO WILLIAM POWELL, ESQ^ 
 
 May 24th, Tuday^ 
 
 I 
 
 Si r. 
 
 Yefterday received yours dated Saturday noon : I mufl: tell you I 
 think the writer of it cannot be the fame perfon, who was with mc on 
 Saturday morning-, your converfaiion to Mr. Rutherford and myfelf, 
 was then fo very different from the ftile of your letter, in which there 
 is fo much evalion, and fo much duplicity, that I think 1 ruay venture 
 to affert nobody but Mr. Coiman could be the author of it. It gives 
 me much concern to obferve, that notwihftanding your repeated decla- 
 ration, ** that you wijhfd we never had had any concern with Mr. Coiman, 
 " and that we three had originally undertaken the theatre without him, in 
 " which cafe you was abfolutely certain we never could have dif agreed ; that 
 " you entirely dijagreed with Mr, Coiman in his attempts to engage the per- 
 *' formers by himfelf-, th^t you dif approved of his arbitrary dijpojition, and 
 *' of his having frequently made ufe of your name, without having been 
 *' authorized by you '* I fay, Sir, it is matter of concern and aftonifh- 
 ment, ihat you Ihould perfift fdivefting yourl'elf of all pretenfions ta 
 judgment in your own affairs) to place fo implicitly your whole 
 dependence ^n the man who originally deprived you of your right of 
 interfering in your own afiairs, who continues to do it, notwithltand- 
 ing we have offered to reltore you to your right, who has either 
 wickedly or weakly to mifmanaged the theatre, as to leffen the cufto- 
 mary profits of it nearly one halt ; and who is now endeavouring to fix 
 himfelf fo firmly and exclufively ia the theatre, as in future to hare
 
 I 38 1 
 
 -US and our fortunes entirely at the difpofal of his capricious or infidi- 
 
 ous inclination. Whatever regard you may think proper to pay to 
 
 thefe hints now, be aflfured there will come a time, when you wiM 
 acknowledge them to have been as deferving of gratitude from you, as 
 Jias been all our preceding condud towards you. 
 
 1 am, Sir, 
 
 Your very humble fervant, 
 
 T. Harris. 
 
 To this letter Mr. Harris received no reply. 
 
 Nothing worth your notice occurred between this and your clofing 
 the feafon, which you triumphantly did with the play of Cymbeline, in 
 .order to prove to the company how glorioujly^ how compleatly you had 
 czxntd your point ; to prove too the folly of Harris and Rutherford, in 
 prohibiting fuch an attra5live play, the houfe was to be made full : all 
 your partizans, exult what a houft; ! what an amazing houfe for the time 
 of year! but you know, Mr. Colman, the real receipt of the houfe fell 
 far fhort of the nightly expences of the theatre, and that notwithftand- 
 ing your new occafional prologue ; indeed there were fixty pounds 
 worth of orders in the houfe ; fo it muft be confefled the houfe was 
 tolerably full, and this aufpicious night at once crowned ypuf/fuccefs as 
 a manager, and immortalized your name as a poet, i* y* ? ^f 5: 
 
 The feafon now being over, we appointed Mr. Garton the treafurcr 
 to meet us at the theatre on the of loth June, in order that we might 
 jcxamine his accounts. After we had gone through them, we informed 
 Mr. Garton they appeared to be all very correft and right, but we 
 perceived he had paid feveral bills, notwithftanding our exprefs orders 
 to the contrary. To this he pleaded only your order, fir ; and indeed 
 
 gave
 
 [ 39 ] 
 
 gave US to underftand he fliould pay all bills in future^ which you dl- 
 reded, notwithftanding our prohibition. You will readily allow, we 
 fuppofe, that we might reafonably objedl to a fervant who profcffcd he 
 \yould pay aw^y our money without our permifllon. We therefore told 
 him for the future we (hould be our own treafurers, and that the balance 
 of the cafh-book being fo exceedingly fmall, it was incumbent on us to 
 examine very carefully into the dilburfements; not that we had the lead 
 fufpicion of him, for that we were ready, if he requefted it, to give him 
 a full and legal difcharge that moment : but, that as Mr. Colman had 
 moft arbitrarily conduced our property through the whole feafon, it 
 was highly neceflary for us minutely to look into the accounts; for 
 which purpofe we fhould fend the two books down to Mr. Harris's 
 dwelling-houre. To this Mr. Garton making no refiftance, the books 
 were given a fervant of Mr. Harris, to carry home. We then imme- 
 diately waited on Mr. Durant of Portman-Square, (who had given a 
 bond of fecurity for Mr. Garton) with an intention to affure 
 this gentleman, who patronized Mr. Garton, that we had no other ob- 
 jeftion to Mr. Garton*s conduft, than his abfolute devotion to the 
 orders of Mr. Colman, and that in defiance of our proteft and diffcnt. 
 
 While we were- with that gentleman, Mr. Garton came in. We 
 then, m prefence of Mr. Durant, aflured Mr. Garton that we had not 
 the leaft thought of doing him any injury, that we were ready at that 
 moment to fign any paper he or Mr. Durant Ihould think neceffary 
 for his fafcty, either a receipt for the books, or a general releafe; that 
 "we were ready at any time to fettle his account, and give him a proper 
 difcharge, though we fliould have no objedlion to continuing him as 
 treafurer, if our property was //<?; but that as the treafury was the only 
 department in which there remained for us the leaft fhadow of reftraint 
 over Mr. Colman's miicondud:, we could not fuffer Mr. Garton to 
 'deprive us of it. Mr. Durant then allowed he could not fee the leaft 
 leafon for Mr. Garton to give himfelf any concern about the books. 
 
 4. Not^-
 
 [ 40 ] 
 
 Notwitliflanding this Mr. Garton a day or two afterwards called on 
 me and demanded his books, faying, if he had known as much 
 then as he did ww, we fliould have had his life as foon as his 
 books, and that he had fcrved his king and his country, and that it 
 was unlieard-of cruelty to deprive him of his brcfad. To all which 1 obferv- 
 ed, that I had as much refpcdt for thofe gentlemen who had ferved their 
 king and country as any body could have, but could not fte why on that 
 account we was compelled to provide for Garton ; and after remonltrat- 
 ing againft his unprovoked infolence, difmiflcd him. Since wliich we 
 find, fir, your litigious difpofition has prevailed on the man to lodge an 
 indictment againft us in the crown-office; fetting forth, that with clubs, 
 (ticks, ftaves, and fifts, we afl"aulted, beat, bruifed, and wounded the 
 faid Jonathan Garton : and this very probable account you and your 
 emiffaries have circulated all over the town. You likewife took care to 
 have it inferted in the news papers, that ^'forfome outrageous proceedings in 
 Covent-Garden theatre^ one of the proprietors was taken up by a judge's war- 
 rant, arJ that 'another fled from it to France. How fcandaloufly con- 
 temptible the propogation of fuch fallehoods, for the fake of a momen- 
 tary triumph, when you muft know, or will foon to your coft be taught, 
 that it Was your proceedings, not ours were illegal. 
 
 On the loth of June we fent you the following letter. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 JL Efterday upon examining our accounts kept by Mr. Garton, wc 
 difcovered that he had paid feveral bills, agaihft the payment of which 
 wc had protcfted, and he was fo candid as to inform us, that he 
 fhould purfue the fame mode of condud in future-, that is, to pay all 
 bills which he (hould judge proper for payment, notwiihftanding wc 
 might fignify our diffent thereto. From thefe circumftances we found 
 itneceffary to difpoflefs him of the power of aftingas our treafurer-, 
 which we have accordingly done, and have now in our pofleflicn (as 
 3 comptrollers
 
 t 41 1 
 
 comptrollers of the treafury) the journal and ledger belonging to the 
 theatre, and fhall continue to ad for ourfelves, until we may judge it 
 convenient to appoint a treafurer on our behalf. The India bonds that 
 are in the banker's hands cannot be fold without an order figned by all 
 four-, if you and Mr. Powell will authorize either of us to difpofe of as 
 many of thefe bonds as may be neceflary, we will either of us difcharge 
 all fuch bills as we think proper ; at the fame time we (hall carefully 
 obferve to pay none againft which cither you or Mr. Powell (hall 
 proteft. 
 
 We are, Sir, 
 
 Saturday, Your humble fervants, 
 
 June II, 1768. 
 
 ^ T. Harris. 
 
 J. Rutherford. 
 
 After reading this letter, we leave the tradefmen, &c. &c. who 
 have any demand on Covent-Garden theatre, to determine who it is 
 that with-holds the payment of their feveral bills. To fatisfy them 
 ftill farther, I am ready with your confent to take on myfelf the care 
 of difcharging their refpeftive demands, and at the fame time to enter 
 into any bond or 'penalty you pleafe, not to pay any demand what- 
 foever, without having previoufly the written confent of Mr. Powell 
 and yourfelf. 
 
 Our next care was to fee how the wardrobe was circumftanced, for 
 we had been informed that Mr. Powell had, with your permifTion, carried 
 fome of our mod valuable cloaths toBriftol. In order to examine into that 
 matter, as well as the general (late of the wardrobe, we appointed 
 "Whitfield, the mens wardrobe keeper to attend us on the lothof June. 
 
 G But
 
 t -t* 1 
 
 Butinftead of the wardrobe-keeper, you, fir, attended with Mr. Gaf 
 ton, and another gentlemen, an attorney, (whole name we will not 
 mention, as his general charader befpeaks him to be a man of honour 
 and integrity in his profefTion ; as a proof of which, we are informed you 
 nowemploy him nolonger.)Youmay rememberyou immediately attacked 
 me in terms the moft fcandalous and provoking ; feeming atone and the 
 the fame time, under two very different influences your fears impref- 
 fing you with a fenfe of danger, and your witnefTes prefenting you with 
 an idea of fecurity : but you then experienced I was not compounded of 
 thofe very irafcible materials you afcribe to me ; an^er is not the 
 pafTion which your infults at prefent excite. 
 
 You informed us, that you had ordered the wardrobe-keeper to 
 attend us ; but that tjow ycu had ordered him away again, and thatyoa 
 had taken the keys of the wardrobe from him, and that there we Ihould" 
 not enter. Upon which, fir, you know that f, in your prefence, and 
 
 irv the prefence of Mr. the attorney and Mr. Garton, put my foot 
 
 againft the wardrobe-door, and burft it open in order to come at the 
 truth of your fending, or permitting the cloaths to be fent, to Briftol ; 
 but when we got into the wardrobe, not being able to find the invent 
 tory books, and having no wardrobe keeper to direct us, we fufpended 
 our enquiry, until we could procure them. To which end 1 clapped a pad- 
 lock on the door, put the key in ray pocket, and left you, Mr. land 
 
 Mr. Garton together in tlie theatre. At the fame time w left orders 
 for the wardrobe keeper to come to us for the keys of the padlocks. 
 
 Soon after we difcovered that many things were taken away by- 
 Mr. Powell. What in the whole might be wanting it was impoflible for 
 us to afcertain. Some of the cloaths were of the richcft in the ward- 
 robe, and others made new on purpofe for Mr. Powell laft fcafon. 
 
 Now, in our judgement, this aft, whereby you either, fent or confented 
 
 to the fending, the cloaths of Covent-Gardcn theatre, &c. to be 
 
 ^ made
 
 C 43 ] 
 
 made ufc of at Briftol theatre, without pur knowledge, is a licentious 
 abufe of our common property, and indeed (harlh as the expreflion may 
 feem) a pofitive breach of trull in you : we fay, it is a breach of truft, 
 and our authority for it is the following claufe in our articles. 
 
 >=;^>f // is therefore hereby further agreed^ That the faid George Colman Jhall 
 * frcm time to time, and all times hereafter, ccmmunicate and fubmit his 
 *' ondu5i and the meafures he Jhall intend topurfue, unto the faid T. Harris 
 " and y. Rutherford, and in cafe they Jhall at any timeftgnify their dif- 
 " approbation thereof in writing unto the faid George Colmati, then and in 
 ** that cafe, the meafurefo dif approved of, Jhall not be carried into execution ; 
 " any thing before contained to the contrary notwithfianding^ But your 
 injuftice in thus abufing our property, you endeavour to explain away 
 by an affidavit argument. Swearing before a magiftrate, Mr. Colman, 
 is the moft folemn awful ad of fociety, and though a man may fo con- 
 ftru6b an affidavit as to elude the queftien in difpute, it will never pafs 
 upon the world, and the man who practices that kind of dexterity, will 
 ever wear a brand in his reputation odious and deep, as public con- 
 tempt can imprefs upon it. 
 
 >rn 
 
 The two points your affidavit attempts to prove, are firft, that it is 
 vjfual to indulge performers with cloaths; and fecondly, that the value of 
 thecloaths Mr. Powell took, did not amount to more than 150/. on 60/. 
 at moft, a fadl which we do not believe. But be this as it may, we muft 
 obferve to you, fir, that if a partner embezzles or perverts the property 
 of a partnerlhip which he has in truft, to his own private emolument, 
 either openly or clandeftinely, the turpitude of the crime does not arife 
 
 out of the quantity or quality, but out of the perfidy of the adl. But 
 
 your affidavit- man fwears, " // is ufual to lend performers, and fcmetimes 
 " very inferior ones, drejfes from the wardrobe of the theatre royal, and 
 *' that at the clofi of the very laji feafon, Mejfrs. Shuter, Davis, Fifher, 
 *' and Signora Manefiere, were indulged with the ufe of drejfes and other 
 
 G 2 " properties
 
 [ 44 ] 
 
 ^properties from the wardrohe of the [aid theatre^ for their own particular 
 
 ** w/>, dt the theatre wherein they performed in the Country." Wc 
 
 believe, fir, upon recolledlion you will find that MelTrs. Shuter and Da- 
 vis have been for this laft two or three feafons engaged at Mr. Foote's 
 theatre in the Haymarket, and have not been in the country. But fuch 
 little flips as ihefe, wc allow, are of no kind of importance in a theatrical 
 affidavit., efpecially if they contribute to the better carrying on the 
 plot. We will allow, that it may be ufual for a Filher or Mana- 
 fiere and others, to be indulged with a dancing drefs or two, to be ufed 
 in the country, which is too dirty to be worn by them in town, or that 
 from their ordinary nature they cannot much be damaged. We ar 
 fenfible, fir, that your affidavit men are gentlemen of moft extenfive con- 
 fuencei but we a(k you, whether you can affert that it is cuftomary 
 to indulge any performer with rich and perijhahle cloaths, to be exhi- 
 bited, worn and dirtied in country companies ? Alk McfiTrs. Garrick and 
 Lacy that queftion, fir ; they muft tell you that fuch indulgences 
 would foon make the wardrobes of the theatre royal as contemptible as 
 that of a ftrolling company. But fuppofe we were to grant you, fir, 
 that it is ufual to lend rich cloaths to performers to be ufed in ftrolling 
 companies, what would that avail you ? It is ufual to lend money, 
 yet if your fervant was to lend your money without your confenty we 
 doubt if you would fail to difcharge him. 
 
 But this deponent farther fwears, " That he has received the cloaths 
 " from Brifiol^fafe uninjured and unimpaired in any degree." Here, fir, 
 embroidered velvets, filks, &c. are fworn to have been conveyed 240 
 miles, have been probably worn at Briftol theatre, and yet are received 
 back fafe, uninjured and unimpaired in any decree. Really, fir, when you 
 make a man fwear, the leaft you can do for him is to take fome little 
 care of his reputation, whatever may become of his confcience. 
 
 But he farther perfifts in fwearing, " That feveral things and proper* 
 ** ties "belonging to Briftol theatre were ufed and employed in many playy- 
 '^' * * aEled
 
 [ 45 1 
 
 " aSied laft feafon at Covent-Garden theatre.''* Do, fir, be fo obliging as 
 to make one more affidavit, and let us know what thefe things and pro- 
 perties were. We never heard of any before, nor do we believe there 
 were any of any value or confideration. At the fame time we beg the 
 favour of you to make the womens wardrobe-keeper fvvear, that Mr. 
 Powell has taken no cloaths from the wcifj wardrobe : it would be a 
 great fatisfaftion to us, as at prefent, we are a good deal in doubt about 
 that matter. But to return to our narrative. 
 
 On the nth June we called again at the theatre-, and, obferving a 
 tall ferocious figure keeping the door \ we afked by whofe authority he 
 was planted there ? He anfwered by Mr. Colman, and immediately 
 drew forth the following paper. 
 
 J. George Colman, one of the proprietors and manager of the theatre 
 royal, Covent-Garden, do hereby appoint W. Flight, of the parifh of 
 St. Pancrafs in the county of Middlefex, to be afliHant houfe-keeper to 
 Charles Sarjant the houfe-keeper of the faid theatre, and jointly with 
 him, forme, and in my name, as manager of the faid theatre, to keep 
 pofTeflion thereof, and of the houfe adjoining thereto, occupied by the 
 faid Charles Sarjant -, and hereby order and diredl the faid W. Flight, 
 not to fuffer any peefon ivhatfoever to flay or abide in the faid houlb or 
 theatre, but as the faid Charles Sarjant fhali dired. Witnefs my hand 
 this nth of June 1768. 
 
 "Witnefs G. Colman. 
 
 Jofcph Younger, prompter to the theatre. 
 Charles Sarjant, jun. box-office-keeper. 
 
 By the terms of this commiffion, Mr. Flight of the parifliofSt. Pancrafs, 
 was authorized and empowered by Mr. Colman of Great Queen- Street., 
 to exclude us,^ the joint and lawful proprietors of Covent-Garden theatre, 
 
 from
 
 [ 46 ] 
 
 from entering in or abiding upon our own premifes, unlcfs Mr. Sarjanr, 
 one of our hired fcrvants, Hiould pleafe otlierwife to dired in our favour : 
 and aU this ordered and enjoined to be done for you, and in your namc^ 
 without any mention made of your joint: tenants and proprietors. ,: 
 
 The next day by accident we both of us fcverally met Mr. Sarjant*s 
 fon, t)ne of our box keepers, who informed us, that Mr. Colman had 
 taken away the keys of all the doors in the theatre, and that the doors 
 were all barred and bolted, but that if we applied we alone might be 
 admitted through Mr. Powell's houfe in the Piazza, in which there 
 was a door which communicated with the theatre. ' 
 
 Being well advifed that we could not juftify entering our own pre- 
 mifes through another man's houfe, and being well aware of your liti- 
 gious difpofition, we determined not to go into the theatre through the 
 houfe of Mr. Powell, who was then at Briftol. We therefore, on Mon- 
 day the 13th of June, fent a fervant with a written order for admittance, 
 he was refufed by Mr. Sarjant, who urged your exprefs order for that 
 purpofe. We then defired two gentlemen to accompany us to the 
 theatre, and in their hearing demanded entrance of Mr. Sarjant, who 
 anfwered us,thrufling his head out of a barred window, that Mr. Colman 
 had got all the keys of the doors, and he could not let us in. We imme- 
 diately difpatched Mr. Sarjant junior, whom we met under the piazza, to 
 you, fir, with our compliments, defiring you to fend the keys of the the- 
 atre, informing you that we were then waiting with two friends, and wish- 
 ed to take a walk in the theatre. He very foon returned with anfwer this 
 (delivered in the hearing of theabove mentioned two gem]cmcny^Tbafyou 
 would not fend the keys : that you had ordered all ingrefs to the theatre to he 
 denied us^ except through Mr, PoweWs houfe ^ and even that way, we, and we 
 only mufi enter."** With this very extraordinary rebuff we returned to our 
 refpeiflative homes. The time between this event and Friday morning, 
 we paffed in refledion upon your unaccountable treatment of us j and 
 
 in
 
 [ 47 ] 
 
 irn confulting and advifing with feveral gentlemen of great eminence i* 
 all departments of the law , who all concurred in aflfuring us that no 
 damage could arife to us from entering our own premifes, and turning 
 our own fervants out, who refuied us admittance. Accordingly, on 
 17th June, after fix o'clock, Mr. Harris, attended by two witnelTes, 
 again demanded admittance for hirafelf and Mr. Rutherford, at Mr. 
 Sarjant's door -, he anfwered from within, in the hearing of the witneiTes, 
 that by Mr. Colman's order they would not admit us. Harris then 
 came to the door in Hart-ftreet, where Mr. Rutherford was waiting for 
 him, attended by fome fervants, and told him the refult of his demand at 
 Mr. Sarjant's door; whereupon Harris and Rutherford ordered their 
 fervants to open a window on the north fide of the faid-door, where 
 they entered with their fervants. One of your fervants, who kept pof- 
 feflion of the theatre for you, having ftruck one of ours, it was with the 
 greateft difficulty we could prevent ours from doing mifchief to 
 their opponents, we were therefore obliged to turn them all out of the 
 theatre. Being thus in pofleffion, we began immediately to take a furvey 
 of the place , and never were men fo much aftonilhed as we were, to 
 find ourfelves in fo compleat a fortification. Emery, the mafter-carpen- 
 ter to the theatre coming at that inftant, we ordered him to be let in ; 
 and taking him about the theatre with us, we obfervcd to him how ad- 
 'uantageoujly he and his men had been employed for the laR week or 
 two in cutting our boards and timber to pieces in order to bar and fortify 
 every avenue and window in the houfe, even thofe which were thirty or 
 forty feet from the ground. The fellow, with a good deal of awkward 
 embarrafi'ment, fcratching his head, replied, *-' Why ^ gentlemen, 1 tcld 
 ** Mr. Colman, all I could do would fignify nothing againft ajledge-hammer.^'* 
 I thought, fays he, it was a ftrange undertaking. We then afked him 
 if he too was engaged by Mr. Colman, he faid he w^as. On our telling 
 him, that it was unaccountable to us how houle-keeper, wardrobe-keeper, 
 and carpenters, fhpuld think of entering into articles -, he confefled he 
 aevcr heard of any fuch thing before in his life, but that Mr. Colman 
 
 had
 
 [ 48 ] 
 
 liad taken him one day entirely unguarded, and in a manner compcled 
 him immediately to fign an article. The more we examined the 
 theatre, the more we were aftonilhed at your exceflive precaution to pre- 
 vent our getting into it. On the fame day we lent you a letter from 
 the theatre, importing " that we did not niean to retaliate your behaviour \ 
 on the contrary, we had given orders to our ferv ants, at all times to 4uimit 
 your and Mr. Powell.'* 
 
 Rcfie\5ling now very confiderately on our fituation, and on your pad 
 condu<5l i That you had from the beginning laid a plan of driving us out 
 of the theatre \ that in the execution of that plan, you had perfevered through 
 the, whole feafon, paying no more regard to us than if we were entirely uncon- 
 terned in the property \ that you had very effcntially hurt the whole pro- 
 perty, and the profits of the pafi feafon in particular ; that, in fine, you had 
 engaged to a^ under your dire^ion folely, every perfon belonging to the 
 theatre, upon pain of large penalties ; and had at lafi abfolutely forbid our 
 entrance into our own houfe.*' For thefe reafons we determined to remove 
 from the theatre, to one of our dwelling-houfes, fuch part of the pro- 
 perty as might the mod cffedually prevent your proceedings, until a 
 plan fhouid be formed, which would as effedlually confirm to us thofe 
 legal and equitable rights in the theatre, of which you had fo unwar- 
 rantably diverted us. 
 
 With this view only we fent down to my houfc in Surry Street, fo 
 much of the wardrobe as we imagined would make the remaining part 
 ufelcfs, together with the mufic, prompt-books, &c. S^c. belonging to 
 the theatre -, of all which we have an exadl inventory, and they will 
 be immediately and fafely returned to the theatre, wjienever a fair 
 equitable plan for the future government of it fhall be fixed upon. 
 It has been urged by fome, that it would have been much better for 
 us at once to have applied to the court of Chancery for redrefs, and 
 that there we muft have found a certain relief, and reparatioji for all 
 
 paft
 
 r 49 ] 
 
 pafl damages, -this too, fir, has been always your language." " If 1/ 
 injure you^ why don' I you apply to the court of Chancery for redrefs?'* 
 
 There is no doubt, fir, the court of chancery would redrefi us. But 
 delays are dangerous. Of this the hiftory of iac ailing manager, re- 
 corded by Cibber, is a memento. A long Chancery fuit v/ouTd be but a^ 
 very poor remedy for the injuries you are daily doing us.'- 
 
 About a month fince we were again amufed by you with the 
 hopes of a fair reference. By our refpedive counfcl a meeting was ap- 
 pointed for all parties in Weftminfter-Hall. We there met, in order,, 
 if poflible, to fix-on a mode of arbitrating all differences, both paVties 
 brought preliminary articles to be agreed to, before the general con- 
 cerns ftiould be referred. On our part were produced thefe two.- 
 
 ill. That the contrads which you might have made without our know^ 
 ledge and confent, for the enfuing feafon, fhould be refcinded, 
 unlefs agreed to by us. 
 
 '^') 'Aivy. 
 
 2d. That no fervants who were employed in fliutting^us out of our own 
 houfe fl^ould be employed in future* 
 
 S^urely thefe can never be deemed unreafonable by any perfon, when at 
 the fame time he is aflTured, that we never wifh, nor ever did wiih to 
 engage any performer, fervant, &c, &c. who fhould be objcded to by, 
 Mr. Colman and Mr. Powell. 
 
 ToUj fir, on your part, infilled 'on the following eight preliminaries, 
 
 jfi:. Colman* and Powell fhould not be obliged to fell. 
 
 Meaning, we conceive, that if the referrees fhould think it necefliary 
 <to oblige cither of the parties to fell, it muft be Harris and Rutherford. 
 
 jr d2 Ail]
 
 [ 50 ] 
 
 2d. All contrads to be made by Mr. Colman to be confirmed. 
 
 Can this be a reafonable preliminary, to be obliged to confirm 
 all contrads made by you, without having the leaft knowledge how 
 many,' with whom, or upon what condition they were entered into ? 
 For we are at this time entire and abfokite ftrangers to all your late pro- 
 ceedings, except what we gather from uncertain report, and fome few 
 of the parties who have engaged with you. 
 
 3d. No legal proceedings to be flopped. 
 
 The meaning of this preliminary we did not enter into, as no legal 
 procieedings were begun, nor had we any guefs at your litigious inten- 
 tion of making Garton put us in the crown-offiee ; or of your inquifi- 
 ti9n, &c, &c. 
 
 4th. Poweirs article to be cancelled, and another made, allowing him 
 more explicitly the largeft falary in the houfe. 
 
 That you Ihould think it proper to give Mr. Powell this douceur, we 
 were not at all furprifed ; but it did not occurr to us why we fhould give 
 any further indulgence to a man, who, after having attached himfelf to 
 you, had feparated himfelf from you, difapproved of your condud, 
 and then without the leaft rcafon implicitly and blindly fuffered himfelf 
 yourfelf to be duped by you again. 
 
 5th. The books to be reftored to Garton. 
 
 The books were never intended to be kept from Mr. Garton, fo as to 
 prevent his making up his accounts. We mean, whenever he is difpofcd: 
 to take hisdifcharge. 
 
 6th, The wardrobe to be reftored, and all damages to be made good by 
 Harris An^^Rutherford. , 
 
 To
 
 [ 51 ] 
 
 To diat we fliould have no objedion, provided we are not obliged 
 to make good the damages Mr. Powell has done. 
 
 . 
 7th. Colman dill to be the a^ing manager. If any alteration in the con- 
 trouling power, it muft be lodged in the other three proprietors. 
 
 Here the cloven foot indeed appears plainly; fo the article muft 
 not be meddled with, or it muft be altered in your favour! 
 
 8th. That all bills and all claims upon the theatre, fhould be difcharged. 
 
 Whoever will attentively confider the above preliminaries muft. ob- 
 ferve, that there is noc a fingle point on which an arbitration could 
 turn, which is not moft artfully and fubtilly provided for by Mr. 
 Colman, that is to fay, on every point they muft determine abfolutely 
 for Mr. Colman, or otherwife fome one of the preliminary articles will 
 prevent their confidering it at all. And thefe, Mr. Colman, you called 
 fair, candid, and honeft propofals, and have thrown the grofleft abufe 
 on us for not confenting to what you call a fair reference. 
 
 Mr. Harris and another gentleman calling in at the theatre one after- 
 ternoon, found therein Mr. Powell and yourfelf, with each a candle in 
 your hands ; lighting and ftiewing the theatre to two of your 
 counfel, your attorney, and another gentleman. Mr. Harris 
 was at a lofs to know whether they came as witnejfes, or for what 
 other purpofes. The fervants of the theatre, however were ordered 
 to ftiew you, and your friends, allpoftible refpeft. Befides this fa<5l, we de- 
 fy you to prove at any one time, that either yourfelf or Mr. Powell, or 
 any one that came by your order, was refufed entrance into the theatre: 
 indeed it is notorious, that Mr. Powell, the week he was in town, fre- 
 quently amufed himfelf by running in and out of the theatre, abufing 
 our fervants, fwearing they were in a wrong caufe, layiofl his hand on 
 his fwor4, and even threatening their lives. 
 
 H 2 After
 
 [ 5J 1 
 
 .jAfii^r llicfe' exploits, the valiant Powell returned quietly again to 
 'Briitol : but ybii, fir, dill wretched and reftlefs, ran about the town 
 10 counfel and to niagidrates ; at fomctimes raving and (forming, at 
 others alTeding to be perfedly eafy, and declaring to two perlons in 
 particular, that for your part you had given every thing up j that you 
 did not fuppofe the theatre would open next year; but that you. did not 
 fear that you, by your annuities, could fupport the lofs much better 
 than any of us; fo that by your perfeverance, you muft carry your point, 
 and we be ruined. While your mind was in this agitated flate, 
 feveral magiftrates of the firfl: eminence for knowledge and integri- 
 ty refufing to be concerned in the affair, you mod fortunately found out 
 
 one Wright, Efq; of Great Pulteney-Street,juftice of the peace for 
 
 Weftminfler J him you prevailed on, by what means you know befl-, to 
 proceed by an inquifition. Whcnwithout giving us the leaft notice of his 
 intentions, he iffued his precept to the fheriff of the county, to reinftate 
 Mr. Charles Sarjant, in the poffefTion of the theatre, and to turn the two 
 'pien, (for we had no more) which we had placed in the theatre, out oi'ix.. 
 
 No fopner had Wright, Efq; of Gi^at Pulteney-Street, put Mr. 
 
 Sarjant in poffeflion, but you immediately triumph'd ; and by paragraph 
 after paragraph attempted to impofe upon the public, that we were 
 turned out of -an illegal poffe0ion. 
 
 You, Mr. Colman, was^bred to the law, and knew better; if you 
 do nor, alk your new friend Mr. Wright. He by this time, I dare fay- 
 knows law enough to tell you, that where four people are tenants in 
 common, if one of them is in poffeflion, the four are legally in pofleflion, 
 and that exclufive poffeflion in fuch a cafe is nonfenfe > that therefore 
 pur going into our own premifes on the 17th June lad, could fiot,be 
 called a forcible entry \ and. that finding a fervant who had barred 
 our own doors againft .us, and oppofed our entrance, there could be 
 nothing illegal in turning him out of doors, or even gently .putting him 
 ,out of the wfhdow. . ry- Hjiot^huft bm^ 
 
 As to your charge of our depriving your friends of their 
 "4>rcadi is it juft, that we fhould be compelled to feed the mouths that 
 
 arc
 
 X 53 1 
 
 are ever open in the mod indecent abufe of us ? If Mr. Benfley will 
 fi.ifFer himfelf to be wrought upon by you, to go into coffee hou fes, 
 and there harrangue the company with vociferating abufe of us, and 
 this perpetually without ever having received the leq/i injury from us ; 
 muft we retain fuch a performer ? and muft his falary be therefore in- 
 creafed, though one upon whofe fervices in the theatre the pleafures of 
 the public do not eflentially depend. ^ 
 
 If Mr. Garton pays away our money without our confent, and afcer- 
 wards commences an expenfive profecution againft us, without having 
 the leaft injury done to him on our parts, muft we be ccmpelled ftill to 
 retain him, to difpofe of our money as he thinks proper? If Mr. Sar- 
 jant thinks proper to bar our own doors againft us, muft we be com- 
 pelled to retain him as our houfe-keeper ? 
 
 If Mr. "Whitfield will not attend when ordered by us, but oblige us 
 to break open the door to get into our wardrobe ; if he will lend a part 
 of it without our confent, and afterwards make fuch affidavit as you 
 fhall didlate -, is it (think you) proper we fhould truft fo valuable a part 
 of our property in the hands oi fuch a man? Thefe are your friends, 
 and thele are the people whom we are depriving of their bread. No, 
 Mr. Colman, the officers belonging to the theatre ought to be equally 
 refponfible to all the proprietors. We defire to appoint none who fiiall 
 be objefted to by you, at the fame time we are determined to fuffer 
 none to remain in the theatre to whom we think we have fuch ample 
 
 reafon to objefc. 
 
 t. 
 
 "" We have now attended you fir, from our firft interview to the date 
 ^of this letter, in which we have fhewn the rife and progrefs of our feve- 
 * ral aftions refpefting our partnerfhip in Covent-Garden theatre, we hope 
 ^^We have fairly and fully explained the nature of our compaft, and 
 
 pointed out the defigns of each contrafling party, fo as to fet them fully 
 
 .and fairly forth to your, and the public view. 
 
 We
 
 C 54 ] 
 
 We have fufl'ered your ufurpaiion throughout the whole fcafon, to our 
 great and manifcft lols andi detriment. You have one argument, and 
 only one, which is for ever in your mouth, and onwhieh upon all occa- 
 lions you rejl your defence. 
 
 If you think there is either wit or decency, good breeding, huma- 
 nity, OT argu7ner.t in the imputations you have thrown upon me on 
 the fcore of Mrs. Leflingham, be it fo : not to deprive you of your 
 only defence, on that confideration, and on that aloncy I (hall fubmit to it. 
 Yet refleft ! think .a moment on your own fituatioji! how daring 
 mufl: it appear in you of all men living, to publifh fijch afperfions ? But 
 you knew you were fafe. You knew I fhould fcorn to retort, and that 
 I (hould never meafure weapons with you on the ground of fcurrility. 
 And yet, the world, Mr. Colman, on whom you have fo impertinently^ 
 and fo perpetually obtruded thefe imputations, will fhew you no favour. 
 You who have thus vainly endeavoured to divert the public eye from 
 taking a fleady view of your conduft and your motives ior it, and have 
 employed the name of a woman, like the fhield of Ajax, to fcreen you 
 on every occafion, mufl by every man of fcnfe and fpirit be abandoned- 
 to general derijion. '*' 
 
 But what has contributed molt to raife your felf-importance in the 
 eyes of others, is your conftant declaration that every ftep you take is 
 by the advice of your old friend and learned counfel Mr. Dunning. This 
 refpeftable name, is by your example, echoed through every chan- 
 nel of the theatre: while box-keepers, wardrobe-men and carpenters,- 
 imitating the familiarity of their principal, bandy about one of the beft 
 opinions in the kingdom, as their warrant upon all occafions. To this 
 gentlemen's great abilities, and to his ufeof them as an advocate, we pay that 
 higheft refpeft, therefore you will pardon us if we thus publicly declare, 
 we believe you have made a falfe and an un becoming ufe of his name 
 on the prefent occafion ; for we think it impoflible that the know- 
 
 .i,.rr *'. 'ledge
 
 t 55 ] 
 
 ledge and integrity of a Dunning, could advife you to the treachery 
 you pra(5rired in betraying your friend Powell to refign his fame and 
 fortune into your hands. ImpoITible he could interpret the fecond 
 claufe of our article, fo as to give you an independant and uncontroul- 
 able power over our property, or that the fourth claufe does not give 
 us an abfolute power to fuperfede by our written difapprobation, what- 
 ever meafure we may judge to be contrary to the common intereft of 
 our partnerfhip. Impoffible he fhould fay you had a power to incur 
 what expences you pleafe refpeding the theatre, without our knowledge 
 or confent. Impoflible he fhould abett you in making a fadious ufe 
 of the adors and fervants of the theatre, by clandeftinely feducing 
 them into bonds and penalties in our names, for many thoufands 
 of pounds , obliging them to obey none but yourfelf, and with- 
 out our confent or knowledge, making all fuch engagements as might 
 conduce to your defigns, in open defiance of public notices ferved upon 
 you and them to the contrary. Impoflible he Ihould advice you to take 
 an cxclufive pofleffiup of our theatre, and to bar, bolt and barricade us 
 out of it, and by warrant under your own hand given to our common 
 fervant, entitle him to tell us that we fhould not enter into the theatre. 
 ImpofTible Mr. Dunning could diffuade you from putting that queftion 
 to arbitration, concerning the proper form of engaging performers. 
 
 ImpofTible he could recommend Wright, Efq; of Great Pulteney- 
 
 Street, to fummon an inqueft upon a fuppofed forcible entry or detainer 
 of our own property, and to difpoflefs our fervants placed by ourfelves 
 in our own premifes, without giving us the leafl notice of his proceed- 
 ings. Noneofthefe afts we fay, fir, were advifed by Mr. Dun- 
 ning, nor by any other able advocate whatfbever : it is impofTible. They 
 are meafures of defperation, and were prefcribed by one who means to 
 carry iiis point at the expence of principles, infinitely more valuable 
 than the ftake for which we are contending. 
 
 We have already informed you, that while your defigns upon our 
 property are fo dangerous and lb notorious, we cannot truft ourfelves 
 
 / aaain
 
 ( 56 ] 
 
 again to treat with you in private j but in conformity to our profcflioM' 
 in the prefixed addrefs, we Jhall now proceed to lay before you, and 
 the publick, the following propofals, (for which I have proper autho- 
 rity from Mr. Rutherford) and to which we cxpeft your public anfzver* 
 We truft they are plain and intelligible, and we ferioufly mean they. 
 Ihould be fair and equitable. 
 
 I. Will you fubmic all pad tranfatfiions to arbitration ? 
 
 II. Will you confent that proper fecurity be given by each party for 
 
 a fpccific performance of the prefent articles ? 
 
 III. Or, as the prefent article refpedling the management was en*- 
 
 tered into upon no valuable confldcration on our parr, and 
 therefore was legally revocable, fhould we find it necefTary, 
 % will you revert to our original inftrument of the 31ft c^ 
 
 March , by which all parties were to be equally concerned it\ 
 the profits and management of the theat M^ 
 
 IV. Laftly, Will you in cafe you have any objeftion to private 
 
 arbitration, join with us in inftituting an amicable fuit in Chaji- 
 cery, and take the fenfe of that court on our prefent articles 
 and paft tranfadlions. 
 
 If thefe 'propofals fhould be found fuch as it becomes men of 
 honeft principles to oflTer we hope you will give the world a proof 
 that you have fome title to that charafter, by accepting them, or pub- 
 lickly propofing others equally equitable. t ' 
 
 T. H A R R I S^ 
 
 I N I S.
 
 T. H A R R I S 
 
 DISSECTED. 
 
 [ Price One Shilling and Six-Pence. ]
 
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 T. HARRIS 
 
 DISSECTED. 
 
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 G. C L M A M 
 
 
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 LONDON: 
 
 PHntcd for T. BECKET, near Surry-Street, in the Strand. 
 
 MDCCLXVm.
 
 
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 <I3 tu fliJOiaJpti ^.
 
 T. HARRIS 
 
 DISSECTED 
 
 AFTER having, in February laft, publifhed a moft clear and 
 annple refutation of the many falfiboods circulated about that 
 time in the printed and manufcript libels of MefT. Rutherford 
 and Harris, I determined never more to trouble the world on the fub- 
 je(5t of the ridiculous fquabbles wherein I had unfortunately involved 
 myfelf, by a conneftion with two of the moft impradticable men that 
 ever difturbed the peace of civil fociety. My friends unanimoufly ap- 
 .plauded this refolution, thinking, that as I had fo plainly proved Mr. 
 Powell and myfelf to have been the only parties injured, the Publick 
 would pay no attention to the future complaints of men, who already 
 ftood convided of fo much falQiood and difingenuity. Mr. Harris, 
 however, has lately drefled up another tale, in which, as well as in the 
 firft Narrative publifhed by him and Mr. Rutherford, he has, in many 
 inftances, not told the truth ; in many others he has not told the whole 
 truth ; and in moft he has, by additions and mifreprefentations, difguifed 
 the truth : a fpecies of Jtory-telling more dangerous than perempcory 
 fallhood, as it lies lefs open to detedion, and is confequently more likely 
 to deceive. My friends, therefore, thofc very friends who firft dif- 
 fuaded me from publication, knowing how fully I could juftify my con- 
 du(fb, now think fuch a juftification a debt due to my own charafber, as 
 well as to the Publick, who have been pleafed to honour our difputes 
 with more notice than they deferve. Something has indeed been occa- 
 fionally thrown out in my behalf in the publick papers ; but their circu- 
 lation, however extenfive, is but tranfient ; and it was imagined that 
 a fummary of the real fafts would more efFedually detect the impoli- 
 
 B tions
 
 [ ^ ] 
 
 tions of T. Harris, than occafional commtnrs on particular parts of his 
 publication. In giving this truejlate of the circumlUnces referred to by 
 Eitn, I (hall neceUarily be drawn into an examinatiun of his pamphWr 
 which, with fonie other occurrences, will ferve as a diflrftion of the 
 heart and mind of the man. Paflion (as 1 told him before) is a human 
 frailty, a.nd- therefore in fome degree excufable j but rancour and ma- 
 lice, fupported by fallhood, are diabolical. 
 
 The prefixed Addrefs to the Publick (whicli is a compbund of fer- 
 vility and infolence, at once appealing to their tribunal, owning their 
 authority, and refufing to lubmit to it; contains only ><? charge which 
 is not repeated in the body of the pamphlet. The charge is that of my 
 hz'^l^ginfuhedfi'veralingemous'ujriters. Among the many brilliant ex- 
 ploits of Meli. Rutherford and Harris, after the forcible entry of the 
 ieventeenth of June, Mr. Harris has not told the world, that befides 
 breaking open the prompter's office, and carrying off the prompt- 
 books, he alfo rifled a cabinet in that office, containing n>y private letters^ 
 all which he examined, and left in a condition that teltified what civil 
 perfons had been there. He there read feveral letters that had paffed 
 between me and gentlemen who had offered pieces for the ftage. Some 
 of thefe letters to and from me are, I believe, now in Mr. Harris's 
 pofTelfion ; but with all this evidence in his hands, thus ddicately ob- 
 tained, I defy him to produce one proof of my having infilled any wri- 
 ter whatever. 
 
 Mr. Harris opens his Letter with a charge of my writing all the 
 news-papers, the St. James's Chronicle in particular. The few things 
 which I have lately inferted in the laft-mentioned paper, are written in a 
 manner that fhtws I did not wilh or mean to be concealed. Many 
 other letters, &c. in the publication of which I had not, direi^ly or in- 
 direflly, the moft diflant concern, have appeared in that and other pub- 
 lick papers : but it ill becomes Mr. Harris to throw out thefe infinua^ 
 tions, while he is himfelf continually running to all the news-printers ir> 
 town with his own fcurrilous letters and paragraphs, and his triend Mr 
 Kenrick's dirty epigrams in his pockft ; having abfolutely opened arj 
 account current with the publifliers, and undertaken to pay a rouncj 
 price fjr their fufFering their papers to become the regiftcrs of his falfi;^- 
 hood, and journals of his malignity. 
 
 Mr. Harris then recurs to the firft tran(a6lions that paft between us. 
 Here, relying on the unmindfulnefs of the reader, who might have long 
 ago thrown by my publication-, he ftruggles hard to overturn the credi- 
 bility of my Narrative; exerting all hjs fophiftry to prove me the con- 
 triver of Mi", Powell's preclufion, and that 1 had originally formed a 
 latent defign to (Irip my afliiciatcs both of their power and t,hcir property. 
 
 7 Fidion
 
 [ 3 ] 
 
 .Fiftion is various, and affumes a thoufand different (hapes and colour?;, 
 "according to the prefent purpofe. Truth is fimple and conftant. la 
 fpeaking therefore of ihefe tranfaflions, 1 can only repeat what 1 ha^-e 
 laid before, leaving it to the reader to compare our feveral relations of 
 the fame fadls, and fubmitting to him two or three obfervations tending 
 to cftablifti the credibility of what I formerly laid before him as A True 
 State of the Cafe. 
 
 On the thirtieth of March, all the four partie? met at Mr. Powtll's. 
 Mr. Colman being afked by Meff Rutherford and Harris, whether he ^1!!,^'^*' 
 had confidered of the affair which Mr. Powell had at their defire com- ' 
 
 municated to him, replied, that he thought himfelf much obliged to Mr. Powrll 
 for his good opinion, but could not think of availing himfelf of fuch a partiality, 
 unlefs they concurred in Mr. Powell's fentimcnts ; and that if they were not cf 
 opinion that Mr. Colman's advice and afliftance wereefTcntial to the welfare of the 
 undertaking, he would by no means think of becoming a party concerned merely 
 from the nomination of Mr. PowelJ. Their reply to this declaration was conceived 
 in the moft handfome terms ; and, to convince Mr. Colman that the many civil 
 things they faid on this occafion were not words of courfe, they afterwards recurred 
 to this fubje<^, and repeatedly affured him of the great value they fet upon his ac- 
 ceffion to their fcheme, independent of every other confideration than their tho- 
 rough perfuafion of the advantage that would refult from it in the fuccefs of the 
 Theatre. Being late, it was agreed, after a fhort converfation on the intended 
 purchafe, that the four fhould have a fecond meeting the very next night, in order 
 to come to a final determination; and to enter into articles of agreement among 
 tbemfelves concerning the purchafe. Juft before their parting, Mr, Colman, ad- 
 drefling MeiT. Harris and Rutherford, obferved, that managing a Theatre was 
 like ftirring a fire, which every man thought he could do better than any body 
 elfe. " Now, gentlemen, faid he, I think I ftir a fire better than any man in 
 "England." 1o this they replied, '* Do you manage; let Mr. Powell ad ; all 
 * we want is to have good intereft for our money." 
 
 'The next evening we met again; and, at the defireof MefT. Ruther- .. , 
 ford and Harris, Mr. Hutchinfon, a gentleman whom they particularly ^ 
 
 recommended for his abilities and integrity in his profeflion, attended with an In- 
 ftrument prepared for us to fign. By this agreement, MefT. Rutherford and Harris 
 were empowered to treat for the purchafe of :he Theatre, &c. at any fum not ex- 
 ceeding 6o,Ocol. forty thoufand to be raifed by themfelves, and twenty by Colman 
 and Powell, whom they were to aflirt with a loan of 5000 1. each, to make up 
 their proportions of the purchafe-money. On Mr. Hutchinfon's reading over 
 this inftrument, when he came to that part of it wherein it was recited, that the 
 four pzTtiQs _^ouId be jointly and equally concerned in the management of the Theatre^ 
 Mr. Colman begged leave to interrupt him, and told him it was a fettled point 
 that he (Mr. Colman) was to be inverted with the diredion of the Theatre'; 
 whereupon, to his very great furprife, MelT. Harris and Rutherford declared, that 
 t^ey never had the leaft intention of forming fuch an article ; that, as they had 
 the turn of the fcale in the purchafe-money, they could not think of loweime 
 their coirfequence in the purchafe, &c. Mr. Colman fa;d> that he took it for 
 granted (as he moft certainly did) that this matter had been preViouny undcrftood 
 vr J- B 2 ' on
 
 l-[: 4 ] 
 
 on all fides; anJ that he had plainly declared to Mr. PowflJ, on his fiift appH- 
 caticn, that he wou'U never be concerned in thi' purchai'c, unlcfs he Ihould be in- 
 vf fttd with the theatrical dirc^ion. Mr. Powell allowed the truth of this affcrtiony, 
 \>^\t fiiid nothing in apprcbation of Mr. Colman's ctaitn of the management \ and MefT. 
 Rutherford and Harris fcenniig fenfible of his fuperior utility in this province, 
 '' 'but unwilling to acknowledge tr.at fuperiority untier their bands, the agrefmer>t 
 ^^^as at laft iigned l.y each of the foar parties, in the form iii which it had been 
 criginally prcpareJ. 
 
 This tranfailion pafTed on {he thirty-fiift of March, though the manufcript 
 pap* r exhibited at Slaughter's, as well as the pi inied Narrative, for the Caoie pur- 
 pofe of fdlacy that will appear through the whole, place it much Uter. 
 
 The next morning I fet out for Bath, where I remained tilLthe 
 April 1. jj^jj.j ^^j. foi.j.(h of May. In the meantime, MclF. Harris and Ruther- 
 ford contraiied for the purch:.fe, depofited io>ccol. and aj^rced for the paymect 
 of the remainder on the cnfu ng firft of July. 
 
 I have been extremely particular in the above relation, becaufe I am refolved 
 not to fupprefa or difguife the mofl minute fa(Sl, that may feem in the leaft 
 favourable to MefT Rutherford and Harris, For a like reafon I (hal! fupprefs all 
 my rtflc6lions and refolutions declared to particular friends, till I had the pleafure 
 of feeing thofe gentlemen again, which was not till fome days after my return to 
 townj the fame melancholy occafion that fummoned me from Batli 
 \\^^g* fooner than I propoft-d, having alfo fecluded me from company. la 
 the mean time, MefT. Rutherford and Harris expreficd the greateft im- 
 patience for an interview with me, apart from Mr. Powell. On the very firft con- 
 ference, they teftified, in the warmeft terms, their earneft dcfire that I fliould be 
 invefled with the theatrical direction, complaining at the fame time oftheindi^cre- 
 ' .tion of Mr. Powell, to whom they afcribed the notoriety of our intended purchafe, 
 which was now become the common talk of the town,, and our names infertcd in. 
 every news-paper. 
 
 It is but juftice to Mr. Powell to declare, that it afterwards appeared that, 
 
 from the peciiliar circumftances of Mr. Rich's will, his widow thought herfeif 
 
 bound in honour to declare to fome other candidates for the purchafe, that fhehad 
 
 '"given notice to the truftees of her having contracted forthefale. Thi&circumftance,. 
 
 **as well as the necefTary applications by each of the parties to their friends. for 
 
 '"'the rcquifitc fum, tended to make the treaty publick. One part f Mr. Powell's 
 
 conduitt on this occafion, though it certainly contributed to betray our operations, 
 
 is very much to his honour, though Jie written Narrative, with the fame fpiritof 
 
 candour that animates the whole, endeavours to interpret it to his difadvantage, 
 
 and to tax him with a fcandalous breach of faith to the Patentees of Drury-Lans 
 
 Theatre. The truth is, that the very day after Meff. Rutherford and Harris had 
 
 .applied to Mr. Powell, he communicated the matter to Mr. Lacey, who yery, 
 
 ^^'kindly afTured him of his beft wifhes, and a continuance of the fame friendfliip 
 
 which he had (hewn to Mr. Powell on c\tty, former occafion. Mr. Garrick y^rm 
 
 then at Bath. 
 
 In a word, MefT Harris and Rutherford now infifted on the ex- 
 
 176^. pediency of inverting Mr. Colman with the diredion of the Theatre, 
 
 and were extremely felicitous to fettle this point before Mr. Powell's 
 
 cr^lummer-engagements (hould call him out of town. To this end it was propofed, 
 
 that we Ihoiild each of us conilderof th^t and fome other neceifary articles, ind 
 
 ,'j:^- throw.
 
 [ 5 J 
 
 throw our thouahts concerning them upon paper. I dfd fo; and Mr. Harris,' in 
 a few days, toolc occsfion to call upon me one morning 77/tfw^. I then fubmitted 
 to him a paper containing a flcetch of feme articles, and among the reft, one 
 relative to the management, which was as follows : 
 
 ** That George Colman fhall be inverted with the theatrical diredllon, that is 
 ' ''^**' tbfay, the power of engaging and difmifTing actors, adlrefies, fingers, dancers, 
 ** muficians, &c. &c. of receiving or reje(6ting fuch new pieces as {hall be offered 
 *' to he Theatre j of calling the plays ; of appointing what plays, farces, &c. fhall 
 '* be performed ; together with the fole condu6t of all fuch things as are generally 
 ** underftood to be comprehended under the dramaticlc and theatrical province: 
 ** Provided always that the Jaid George Colman /hall net do any afl contrary to the opinion 
 ^rf^t qJ- j^^y two of tTje other partners in writing exprejjed : and that if the four part- 
 "**' ners Jhall be equally divided in oprnron, that the matter in dfpute Jhall be referred to 
 ' two arbitrators, one for each party ; and if the f aid two arbitrators cannot agree,, that 
 '* they /hall join in appointing one other arbitrator, whofe opinion fn all be deciftve and final." 
 On perufing the above rough draught of an article, Mr. Harris did me the 
 honour to obferve, that the footing on which I was willing to reft my manage- 
 ment was extremely generous, and agreeable to the candour which I had {hown in 
 my whole tranfation with them ; but that he thought it neceffary that I (hould 
 have more power than fuch an article would give me j that he had the greateft 
 cftcem and regard for his friend Mr. Rutherford, whom he thought a very honeft, 
 good-natured man, but that there were no two perfons in the world more likely 
 to differ in opinion than himfelf and Mr. Rutherford ; fo that if Mr. Rutherford 
 and Mr. Powell {hould happen to join in oppofition to any of tny meafures, an ob- 
 ftrudlion in the management muft necefiarily enfue ; that his brother-in-law, Mr. 
 Longman, had told him, that he and Mr, Rutherford might differ, but that he and 
 '^*1Vlr. Colman never could \ he could wi(h, therefore, that I would agree to put Mr. 
 Powell entirely out of the queftion, and to place the whole negative power in him- 
 (elf and Mr. Rutherford, and then (added he) " You will always be fure of OHE of 
 us," 
 
 Although this fcene pa{l entirely between Mr. Harrfs and me, yet the truth of 
 it does not reft on my bare affertion ; for I recapitulated all thefe circumftances to 
 Mr, Harris fome weeks ago at the Theatre, in the prefence of Meflrs. Ruthier- 
 ford, Powell, and Hutchinfon. He allowed the fads, but added, that he had 
 teen miftaken in me. I returned him the compliment. 
 *'' I fell into the fnare, and faid, that if Mr. Powell could be prevailed on to zffant 
 ^'ib fuch an article, I had no objection to it. Mr. Rutherford, in this inftance, as 
 it\ every other, implicitly fubmitted to the opinion of Mr.. Harris. Mr. Powell^ 
 , "liowever, {hewed great repugnance to giving me the diredtion. On my expoftulat- 
 *'^!ng with him alone on this fubjeft, and reminding him of his firft application to- 
 * ' me, and my declared refolutions at that period, he frankly confeffed that he had 
 i'heen advifed to the contrary, but that, on reflexion, he returned to his original in- 
 attentions, and was content to put his fame and fortune into my hands. 
 
 This is the real hiftory of the article refpefling the management, ^ ^^ 
 "^Vhich was accordingly fiened by all parties on the 14th of May, and ^ 
 
 ** WHEREAS Thomas Harris, John Rutherford, George Colman, andWiliram 
 X)i.?owelJ,^^ .fey certain articles of agreement, dated the 31ft Day of March laft, did: 
 .waid? ' 2 agree
 
 [ 6 ] 
 
 agree to purcbafe of the Reprefentatives of John Rich, Efq. deceaffd, two patents 
 tor exhibiting theatrical performances, and the leveral I cafes of Covent-trarden the- 
 atre, and the rooms, buildinga, conveniences, furniture, cloaths, fcencs decora- 
 tions, mijfic, entertainments, and all thlnrrs belonging to the faid Th-atre ; and 
 the faid Thomas Harris and John Rutiierford were thereby authorifed to reat for, 
 and purcbafe the fame, at a fum not excroding bc.oool. and the purchafe-moncy 
 was to be ad anccd by the faid parties equally, and they were to become jointly pof- 
 fcfled of, and interefted in, the premifles fo to bepurchafed, and were to be jointly 
 and equally concerned in the management of the faid Theatre, and were to execute 
 proper deeds and inftruments for that purpofe, when the faiii purchafe fliould he 
 completed. And whereas the fa-d Thomas Harris and John Rutherford have ac- 
 cordingly contra5led and agreed with the reprefentatives of the faid John Rich, for 
 the purchaftng of the faid patents, leafes, premifles, and thint^s, at and for the fum 
 of 60,000 1. and fuch purchafe is to be completed on the firft of July next: Now 
 the faid feveral parties, having perufed and fully underftanding the purport 
 and contents of the faid contract, do approve of, and confirm the fame. And hav- 
 ing alfo, in confequence thereof, taken into their confideration the Management of 
 the faid Theatre, they have, for the better and moreeafy conduimg of the bufmefs 
 thereof, as well as for their joint and equal benefit and advantage, agreed, and do 
 hereby mutually declare and agree, that, notwithftanding any thing contained in 
 the faid agreement already made between the faid parties, the faid George Colman 
 fhall be invefted with the Direction of the faid Thea're in the particulars following, 
 viz. that he (hall have the power of engaging and difmifling performers of all kinds ; 
 of receiving or rejedling fuch new pieces as fhall be offered to the faid theatre, or 
 the proprietors thereof; of cafting the plays; of appointing what plays, farces, en- 
 tertainments, and other exhibitions, (hall be performed ; and of condu(f^ing all fuch 
 things as are generally underltood to be comprehended in the dramatic and theatri- 
 cal province. And that the faid Thomas Harris and John Rutherford (hall be de- 
 fired to attend to the comptrolment of the Accounts and Treafury, relative to the 
 (aid theatre. Provided always^ and in as much as the faid Thomas Harris and John Ru- 
 therford v:ill have leifure to attend to the affairs of the faid theatre^ and the jatd William. 
 Powell is to be engaged as an ASlor or Performer upon the Stage (for which purpofe feparate 
 articles are intended to be entered into between him and the other parties}^ in which his 
 time and attention will be chiefly employed and taken up^fo that he will not he able to apply 
 him f elf in managing the bufinefs of the theatre \ it is therefore hereby further agreed^ thai 
 the faid George Colman fhall^ from time to time^ and at all times hereafter y communicate 
 and fubmit his condu^^ and the meafures he fhall intend to purfue^ unto them ihf faidTho*- 
 mas Harris and John Rutherford; and in cafe they fhall^ at anj tirne^ fignify their difap- 
 probation thereof in writings unto the faid George Colman, then and in that cafe the mca^ 
 fures, fo difapproved of^ fhall not be carried into execution, any thing before contained id 
 the contrary thereof notwithjianding. Tet^ neverthelcfs, with refpe6i to the faid TVilliatn 
 Powell, it is intended and agreed, that he fhall, at all times, give his advice and affijianc^ 
 relative td any part of the btfinefs of the faid theatre y when thereunto deflred by the other 
 parties. Witnefs the hands of the faid parties, this 14th day of May, 1767. 
 
 Witnefs, T. HARRIS, 
 
 JA, HUTCHINSON. f'^S'rvr^vi^A'M ^^^^^' 
 
 G. COLMAN, 
 WILL. POWELL.' 
 
 My
 
 [71 
 
 Ji^ oven fketch of the article here inferred, relative to the managr- 
 menr, pj'oviding that I Jhould not do any aci contrary to the opinion of a^y 
 TWO of the other pa^tne^s in writing exprtffed^ inconfcftlbly proves the 
 faifhood of 1\ Harris's aflt-rcion, that it appears evident fom the Harris's Li*r 
 very fir ji^ that Colman ufd every means to engross the whole P- 9- 
 POWER TO HIMSELF. That the negative power fhould be transferred from 
 ANY TWO, and the controul afterwards veiled folely in Rutherford and 
 Harris, could be the contrivance of none but thole who were to cngrofs 
 the power refigned by Mr. Powell. Mr. Harris himfelf fays, TVe thought 
 it prudent to give a particular charge and precaution to Mr. Harris's Let. 
 Hutchinfon^ our attorney, to take a fpecial care to guard P- 8' 
 and fccure our rights nnd authority in this new injlrumcnt relative to the 
 management. Here it appears that the gentleman who drew the article 
 was at that time lolely their attorney, and that Powell and Colman re- 
 pofed fuch an entire confidence in their good faith, as to employ ow 
 this occafion no attorney at all. Mr. Hutchinfon, however, unforta-' 
 nately for MefT. Rutherford and Harris, was a plain man, and did not 
 vnderftand what was meant to be conveyed by their fecret in:\ru(5tion 
 to guard and fecure their rights and authority in this new infimment ; fo 
 that he incautioufly left certain openings, as T. Harris calls them, into 
 which the rights and authority of the other partners have infinuated 
 themfelves. For this, and other offences equally heinous, Mr. Hut- 
 chinfon long ago received his dtfmifTion, as attorney to the Theatre^ 
 from MefT. Rutherford and Harris ; together with a letter from the laft 
 of tbofc gentlemen, more impudent and infolent, if poflible, than any 
 which they have fent to their partners. Mr. Hutchinfon was too dull 
 to conceive the meaning of dark hints about guarding and fecuring their 
 rights and authority ; it behoved them therefore, in the formation of this 
 new inltrument, to have employed fome able dexterous attorney, to 
 whom they might havj fpokcnout, and have lold him in exprefs terms, 
 " Powell has agreed to refign his power to Colman : take care, Mr, 
 " Attorney, that Coimaji fliail have no power at all !'*^ 
 
 Afi to the anecdote relative to a tranfad:ion in November, the real 
 fai is as follows : The four proprietors, attended by Mr. Hutchinfon, 
 met to fettle a body of articles of partnerfliip. On this occafion Mr.. 
 Colman remonftrated, that Mr. Powell's preclufion having been made 
 fa nocorious by their publickly reading the article on the (iage on the 
 fecond of November, Mr, Powell was degraded in the eyes of the whole 
 Theatre. It was propoled therefore to recur to my original plan of an 
 article, which left him, as well as them, an equitable controul in the 
 dirc(flion. This McfiT. Rutherford and Harris flatly refufed, but offer- 
 ed, as they have often done fince, to hum all articles. As it is impofTi- 
 *1>h" ble 
 
 /
 
 [ 8 ] 
 
 ble not to fee the drift of this propofal, it Is no wonder that it has on 
 our part been condantly rejedled. I Ihall now (in the words of T. 
 Harris's Let. Harris) leave the impartial reader to determine which of us is 
 
 p. 11. guilty of fuggefting, of accomplifhing, and of continuing 
 the exdujion of Mr. Powell. 
 Harris's Let. The fcafon at length arrived fcr opsnir.g the Theatre y and McfT. 
 
 P- H- Harris and Rutherford entered the Theatre with all the chear- 
 fulnefs of young men, fond of a new, promifing^ and agreeable purchafe. 
 Pretty mailers ! what an idea, I warranr, had they formed of a Thea- 
 tre ! A play-houfc, like a play-thing, as it was neiv, was agreealle. 
 But how were ihefe young men received by that four old fJlow Colman ? 
 He never introduced them to the performers. 'The truth is, Colman 
 himfelfhad no perfoaal acquaintance with the majority of them, and 
 had introduced himfelf by taking the men by the hand, and ialuting 
 the women. MeflT. Harris and Rutherford might have done the fame ; 
 or if any thing further was neceiiary, the late manager, if defired, would 
 no doubt have been fo obliging as to attend, in order to introduce the 
 Harris'sLet. new proprietors to the performers. Thdii I flopped them fhort^ 
 
 P-I5- and bade them go off the Jlage, is a moft notorious fal(hood. 
 They were there fome minutes, at the end of which the performers, as 
 is ufual, betraying Ibme impatience at fo long an interruption, I faid, 
 neither rudely nor uncivilly, Cow^, let us go on with our bufinefs ! I 
 (hould be afhamed of twice refuting this filly charge, if the malice was 
 not equal to the folly of it. 
 HarrissLet. ^^ the fourteenth of September the Theatre opened, and which 
 
 p- 15- party betrayed infolence^ will appear from a (hort recapitulation 
 of the fads already before the Publick. In two days Mr. Harris's ill * 
 humour broke out on the fubje<ft of Mrs. Leflingham's dreffing-room ; . 
 immediately after fucceeded that lady's infolent epiftle (probably didated t 
 by T. Harris) to the prompter; and immediately after that an open ad: i 
 of hoftility from Meff. Harris and Rutherford, attended with the moji j 
 flagrant violation of our articles, by their altering the call- book, and fign- 1 
 ing a lift of parts allotted to Mrs. Leflingham \ a proceeding the more 
 infulting and offenfive, as it meant to expofe my fuppofed fubjtrdion to ^j 
 ihem to a principal officer of the theatre.. Thefc tranfadions and j 
 thofe which followed relative to Cymbeline, and the engagement of Mr. ij 
 and Mrs Yates, are fo familiar to the town, that I agree with Mr. -> 
 Harrises Let. Harris the time would be mifpent in agitating an obfolete quejiicn : ,d 
 
 p. 15- but the truth of my rtprefeniation of thofe matters being '^ 
 chiefly founded on the evidence of his own letters, muft furcly be al- n 
 lowed to be incontrovertibJe, i 
 
 Their fi.
 
 [ 9 ] 
 
 Tiieir enquiries into the wardrobe were merely an &'^ of rplcen,|' 
 jn confequence of the reprefentation of Cymbeline. Why will Mr. 
 Harris iay then, we were told ey the Wardrobe- keepers, that 
 great pan of the property '-jsas in the pojfejfion of Mrs. Pcwell^ at her koufe in 
 Rufel-^treet, Covent-Garden? Why will he oblige me to tire thePublick 
 by repeating, in the words of the Irue State, that " They had, by the 
 ' advice of Mrs. Rich, approved of keeping the unapproptiated cloaths 
 *' out of the wardrobe ; and had not only joined with me in defiring Mrs. 
 " Powell to take the care of them, but agreed to purchafe Mrs. Kich's 
 " dwelling-houfe, adjoining to the theatre, for the refidence of Mr. and 
 ** Mrs. Powell, allowing a very large abatement of the rent, in confi- 
 ** deration of their refervmg a room for the occafional meetings of the 
 " managers, and other apartments for the purpofe of lodging therein 
 " the unappropriated cloaths.''* It is true, indeed, Meil, Rutherford and 
 Harris afterwards thought proper to recede from this agreement, which 
 Powell and Colman thought themfelves bound in honour and juftice to 
 fulfil. 
 
 As to my Management of the Theatre, whatever refledlions T. Har- 
 ris may endeavour to throw on it, however he may prevaricate by talk- 
 ing of the fmall/)r(?jf/j that have refulted from it, the fuccefs oi'iixs in- 
 conteftible ; and the extraordinary receipts of the laft feafon are an irre- 
 fragable proof that Covent Garden Theatre has attradtcd the particular 
 notice and favour of the Publick under my diredion. If the difburfe- 
 ments have been very large, great part of thofe fums muft be confidered 
 as the firfl: expence of fetting up in hufinefs, having been employed in 
 what may be called fieck in trade, which is at this inftant of great in- 
 trinfick value, and will prevent future expence ; and, large as thofe 
 difburfements have been, I was not the promoter of them, except in the 
 fingle inftance of engaging Mr. and Mrs. Yates, more than Mr. Har- 
 ris ; and that fingle inflance was honoured with Mr. Rutherford's ap- 
 probation, till his colleague exerted his undue influence over him, and 
 taught him to objed to ir. 
 
 Now I am on the article of expence, it may not be amifs to lay before 
 the Publick a (hort anecdote. When Mr. Powell, at a meefng of all 
 the proprietors, pn pofed fome additional illuminations, I objedled to 
 them, at leaft for the prefent, faying that they would have a happier 
 effeft at the commencement of a fealon. Mr. Harris faid, the mealure 
 being advifeable, the fooner it was carried into execution the better. Mr. 
 Powell accordingly gave the necefl^ary orders , but when the bills came 
 in, Mr.'Harris and his colleague iorhzA the payment of the fum charged ' 
 for two luftres to their Majcllies box, faying it was a meafure that had 
 not been fubmitted to them. 
 
 C The
 
 [ 10 ] 
 
 The pitiful charge concerning orders fcnt into the Theatre, a far as 
 it is imputed to me as an artifice to fupport nny reputation, Mr. Harris 
 knows to be falfe. Mr. Rutherford and himfclf have told me more 
 than once, that I fent in fewer orders than any of the proprietors. The 
 little piece at which his malice points was, with all its faults, extremely 
 fucccfsful, and of great advantage to our Theatre laft fealbn. The 
 people fent to the houfe on one night in particular^ did not go at my de- 
 fire in fupport of my piece, but at the inftancc of all the proprietors iii 
 fupport of the houfe, which was threatened to be pulled down ; and ft 
 was thought a very cheap expedient to facrifice a hundred pounds, to pre- 
 vent a tumult which might perhaps have occafioned a lofs of one or two 
 thoufand. As to the piece, good or bad, being very well aded, it 
 brought great houfes, and was received with much applaufe ; fo that 
 however Mr. Harris may prove the foundnefs of his tafte and judge- 
 ment, he certainly does not manifcft his gratitude by a publick difap- 
 probation of it. 
 
 I am now arrived at that period, where I (hould think any prefenc 
 appeal to the Publick, if any were neceflary, ought to have begun : but 
 as T. Harris chofe to go over the old ground again, I was obliged to 
 follow him, and to trace him through all his doublings of cunning and 
 fophiftry. What follows is entirely new matter, which has arifen fince 
 the tenth of February, the date of my laft publication. 
 
 The firft new aft of hoitility on the fide of the negative ma- 
 
 %6$f nagers was intended, like their late proceedings, as a negative 
 general, being calculated to deprive us of the very fincws of 
 war. On the fourteenth of February they fent, without our know- 
 ledge, the following letter to the bankers where our money was de- 
 pofued. 
 
 Meff. Freame, Smith, and Co. 
 ** Gentlemen, 
 
 ** We defire you will not pay any money^ or deliver any property in your bands 
 belonging to the proprietors of Covent Garden Theatre to any perfon whatfoevtr, 
 until further notice from us. And we defire you in like manner, to retain any fur- 
 ther fums of money belonging to the faid proprietors thai may be fent to you. We 
 are, &c. 
 
 London, T. HARRIS. 
 
 14th Feb. 1768. J.RUTHERFORD." 
 
 At the beginning of the feafon the Bankers had received an order, 
 
 figned by all the Proprietors, to pay all draughts of Mr. Garion^ our 
 
 Treafurer. h is a queftion therefore whether any two of the Propric*- 
 
 tors had a 1 gal right to revoke the joint order oi the four, and to defire 
 
 . the Bankers not to pay any money to airyperfon wbatfiiver^ However that
 
 I "It 
 
 may prove, a ftep of fuch importance could not have been too early 
 communicated to Mr. Powell and me. It was a meafure that ftruck at 
 the very being of our Theatre ; yet certain it is, that the Bankers, who 
 were recommended by Mr. Rutherford, kept this order io pay no ntoti^, 
 and in like manner to retain all further fiims, and even fufFered the Trea-- 
 furer to pay in two fuch further fums to a very confiderable amourir, 
 v.'ithout laying one word of their having received fuch an order to us or 
 to the Treafurer, who accidentally came to the knowledge of it at the 
 end of three weeks, by . happening to give diredions for the purchafe qf 
 India bonds. "".f '^ ! ^, f ^'N"^ 
 
 A few days after the following letter was ferit to the TTealurisfV ^^^' 
 
 n in3v 
 To Mr. Jonathan Garton. jj 
 
 "SIR, 
 
 ** We defire you will, with all poffible difpatch, fend to each performer, officer, 
 and fervant of Covent Garden Theatre, whofe articles expire this feafon, or who are 
 not under articles^ a copy of the inclofed letter ; and that you will take down the 
 names of thofe to whom fuch copy is fent, and return us a lift thereof figned l^ 
 yoiirfelf. 
 
 *' We alfo defire you will have your accounts ready for our examination, and yottf- 
 balance for inJpeiion, on Monday morning next at eleven o'clock, as we (hall theu be 
 at the office for that purpofe. We are, Sir, your moft humble fervants, ^^ji^^ 
 
 ' Thutfdaya5, aW jie. T, HARRIS. - ,\ 
 
 Feb. 1768. I0mj!t> J- RUTHERFORtJr 
 Sisw ^vnUi;^^^^ oM "io abf} 3.ij ru,Letter inclofed. 
 
 V' * 'I AM direi^ed by Mefl*. Harris and Rutherford, to give you notice that ><>a 
 teannot be conjidered as belonging to Covent Garden Theatre^ after the expiration of this 
 
 feafon, unlefs the engagement you may enter into for the next be confirmed in writ- 
 ing by one, or both of them. Your's, &c. 
 
 Feb. 28, 17^8. J. GARTON;"^ 
 
 The determined refolution of MefT. Rutherford and Harris to refcind 
 
 the article refpeBing the management, appears in the above notice, wherein 
 
 they afTume, contrary to the letter, fpirit, and common fenfe of that 
 
 article, the power of difmijjion, the difmifllon of almoft the whole Thea- 
 
 rtre, as well as the power oi Jigning the articles of agreement -, to which 
 
 alfo they have not any right. The ordering the Treafurer to tranfcribe 
 
 and circulate thefe notices was undoubtedly intended as a new infult 
 
 to me V and perhaps the Treafurer, who was now growing obnoxious 
 
 ^t,o them, becaufe he would not further their attempts to flop the bufi- 
 
 .^^fs of the Theatre, was purpofely diftreffed with this order, that they 
 
 might take offence at his denial to comply with it. I had not the moft 
 
 .^diftant intention of fettling the future ftate of the company withodc 
 
 .','^communicating the plan of it to them. This, whatever they might have 
 
 .^^l^iirnt from their informers, my fubfequent condu(5l teftified. 1 fufFered, 
 
 C 2 however.
 
 t 1* ] 
 
 however, the poor young men to continue to expofe thenfifelves. The 
 
 notices were acluaiiy fcrved on the perfons they required, and I pafled 
 
 \\9Hr this new inltance of their inlolcnce and irregularity with the moft 
 
 'filent contempt. , 
 
 . :j.X-he per/ormers indeed, fomeofwhom had remained in the Thei- 
 
 ir^i: uodtriitrbal agreements and a confidence in the good faith of tnc 
 
 managers, upwards of twenty years, were extremely mortified, and 
 
 burnt wiih indignation at thefe billets of difmiflion. The very inferior 
 
 |}art of the Gompaay, and fervants of the Theatre, trembled for their 
 
 ^ Harris's Let ^"^^''^^n^e. If the emotion of one gentleman in parlicular 
 
 ' p.:i9. broke out too violently, it was not at my Jnftigation ; and 
 
 J I am very forfy thai any military man oi my acquaintance 
 
 fhould ever have threatened violence to him and his col- 
 
 Ibid. league, or have talked {before great fart of the company) of 
 
 tbrufling them into the fire. 
 Towards the end of March 1 tranfmitted to Meff. Rutherford and 
 Harris a plan of the arrangements which I propofed in the future fet- 
 tlement of the Company ; and at the interpofition of a gentleman, who, 
 though employed as a foliciror on their part, wifhed to appear and aft 
 as a friend to all parties, an interview was appointed not only to adjuft 
 that matter, but to bring all our unhappy differences (if poflible) to an 
 amicable conclufion : yet even after the appointment made for thatpur- 
 pofe, they were indelicate enough to fend me comments on my pro- 
 pofals, apparently diftated by that hoftile fpirit, which had influenced 
 their aftions during the preceding three months. The interview, not- 
 withftanding, took place ; and I appeal to the above-mentioned gentle- 
 man, whether we or they fhewed the moft conciliating fpirit. By his 
 friendly mediation fome objeftions on their part, which plainly betrayed 
 an unmanly remembrance of paft differences, were furmounred*; and 
 my plan feemed to be ratified with their approbation : but at length, 
 to my very great lurprife, they began to talk of interfering in the agree- 
 ments. The gentleman toW them, that, according to the article refpe3- 
 ing the management^ when an agreement was once approved^ the care of enteA 
 ing into that agreement refled wholly upon me. Mr. Rutherfor<i was thet 
 willing enough to faddle me with that trouble , but he, a>. his cclliagueJl, 
 Harris has done ever fince, infifted that I fhould inlisrt ii^fftiM 
 claufes in the articles, which gave them an immediate controul over- the 
 performers, Sec. and put the pojitive management of the Thearre into 
 their hands. They required alio, that MelT. Younger, Garton, and 
 Sarjant, the Prompter, Treafurer, and Houfe-keepcr, fliould each be 
 engaged under 2i particular article. This ^^r//V/^r article, and thofe 
 tlaufesy were all manifeftly intended to annul and fubvert the original 
 z * articlt)
 
 [ 13 ] 
 
 article, by which I was invefted with the tiiredion of the Theali^. 
 An article however was, at their inftance, drawn up in the form they 
 dcfired. In this form an alternative of two new claufcs to be inferted in 
 the articles with perfcrrfters wsls propoUd. Their intended operation, to 
 render MefT. Rutherford and Harris pofitive managers of the Theatre, 
 and to leave me no power at all, was obvious. The firft claufe abfo- 
 jtitely reverfed the article of the management; and the fecond their own 
 counfel, at one of our interviews, (though openly defired by MelT. Ru- 
 therford and Harris to make no concefTions on their part) fairly con- 
 fefled to be a variation of that article. It is no wonder, therefore, that I 
 objeAed to thefe flagrant attempts to infringe the original compadt be- 
 tween us. They then defired a perufal of the form of the article under 
 which I meant to engage performers. My counfel immediately pre- 
 pared fuch a form, andperfonally afiured MefT. Rutherford and Harris 
 that it was drawn 'up in Jlri5l conformity to the articles between the pro- 
 prietors, as well as agreeable to the form heretofore ufed for that pur- 
 pofe : notwithftanding which, Meif. Rutherford and Harris (till infilled 
 on the form propofed by themfclve^ ; declaring, that they would put 
 a negative on all engagements till I agreed to adopt the claufes in que/- 
 tion i after which, having, by 2i negati'Ve general, difabled me from en- 
 gaging the performers, they would take upon themfelves to engage 
 them. It alfo was thrown out, that there would be two companies ; after 
 which, and fome other expreflions of ill humour, they departed. 
 
 Thefe fruitlefs interviews, intended to bring about an accommoda- 
 tion, were three*, at the laft of which arofe one occurrence which T. 
 Harris, after his ufual manner, has grofly mifreprefented. I had, at 
 our former meetings on this occafion, exprefl my forrow for paft heats 
 j^nd animofities, and given them the moft folemp affurances that if they 
 "were^really difpofed to proceed amicably for the future, I would do 
 every thing in my power to convince them of the fincereft cordiality on 
 my fide. Finding, however, by their obflinate adherence to thefe new 
 claims, that nothing would fatisfy them but, dire^fly or indire5lly, to re- 
 scind the article which invefted me with the Theatrical Diredion, I pro- 
 pofed, at this laft interview, to leave the theatre to themfelves for three 
 years, provided they would infure the receipts for that term to be equal 
 to thofe of the prefent feafon, the balance never to be Icfs -, and if greater, 
 that 1 ftiould have the advantage of it. They would only inlure_ihe 
 balance not to be lefs ; which, notwithftanding the great fuccefs of the 
 feafon, they thought they might fafely venture to do, on account of the 
 great expences of the wardrobe, illuminations, &c. They alfo offered 
 me a bank note of loo 1. if 1 would name a give-and-take price. I 
 called the offering me money a paltry propofal ; cxclufive of which, it 
 ,%mu* was
 
 [ H ] 
 
 f -^ 
 
 yjis unfair to ilirow the naming that price upon me, tliough I '^ ill now 
 ti-eac with them on that footing whenever they will pleafe to name fuch 
 a price themlclves. . ,; 
 
 ' !. The fituation of our affairs now begau to grow yvrfcn^ 
 
 tical. The laft of thefc fruitlefs interviews, for the pu'-pofe 
 of gn accommodation, was on the i6th of April. Or the -Sthtiiey 
 fcrved me with a formal prohibition, containing a recital of the article 
 of the 14th of May, 1767 *, but this, it feems, being intended to be 
 foon afterwards made publick and diftributed among the performers, 
 concluded with a declaration, that they did not mean to put any un- 
 rhjonabk negative; and that in cafe of any breach of articles they would 
 purfue all legal remedies to procure redrefs. The next day, however, 
 notwithftanding fo candid a declaration, they fent me a private letter, 
 revoking their confent to every arrangement that had lately been ad- 
 jufted between us, and prohibiting me to enter into any articles of 
 agreement without inferting the new claufes in queftion. > -^ 
 
 It now became an open contell, and certainly a mod ruinous one in 
 fuch a kind of property, whether Mefif. Rutherford and Harris or I 
 fhould engagcthe performers. Mr. Powell kept ttridlly witbrn the lis- 
 mits prefcribed by our articles; and though he approved of my propofed 
 agreements, made no efforts to engage the periFormers himCelf. Mr. 
 Harris, in his late publication, at the fame time that he has wilfully 
 mifreprcfented my condud, has mod (hamefully flubbcred over the 
 part which he and his colleague took in this tranfaftion. It is notorious, 
 however, to the whole Theatre, that, on this occafion, they attempted, 
 in open violation of their compaSi with me and Mr. Powell, to take the ma- 
 nagement in 10 their own hands, and to enter into articles of agreement with 
 the performers, without our knowledge or confent. No borough wa more 
 induftrioufly canvaflcd at the late general eledion, than the Theatre laft 
 April by Meff. Harris and Rutherford. Some of the performers they 
 parleyed with at the Theatre, others they vifited at their houfes, and 
 others they fummoned to attend them in Surry-Street : on all whidh 
 occafions they ufed every foothing and menacing expedient to cajole or 
 frighten the performers into agreements ; offering them indemnifica- 
 tion if they would break any contradt formed with me, and private fe- 
 curity for the payment of their falaries, provided they would enter into 
 theatrical engagements with themfelves. At the fame time they iffued 
 printed edicts, and hung up tremendous manifeftos in the GreeA- 
 Rooms } conftruing their jtegaiive power, in contraditflion to the ob- 
 ^ lous fenfe and dircA import of words^ into a ppjitize power^ znd 
 denying Mr. Powell and me to have any power at all ; becaufe, for- 
 footh, he was a Player, and myfelf a Dramaiick Writer. At^thjs tin^c 
 iiiiiii. I ' Mr.
 
 [ '5 ] 
 
 Mr. Macklin alone, after two fruitlefs negociations with me, I arn well 
 informed, declared publickly that he was retained by Mr. Harris. If 
 by being retained^ the having entered into a theatricaLii;ngagemenc was 
 fignified, no other performer could be prevailed on to follow his exam- 
 ple. Their counfel indeed (for many of them applied to counfel) in- 
 ftrucfbed them, that according to the article, as it flood in our.feveral 
 publications, no perfon could form an engagement, or receive a dif- 
 miffion, but through me, in whofe power, as the Dirt(5tor, thofe adli 
 of management were particularly fpecified. 
 
 The fituation to which the cruelty, oppreflion, and irregularity of 
 the two controuUng proprietors had reduced me at that inftant was ^^t^ 
 ai5liy this : By fubmitting to their negative general on all engagements^ 
 I was to leave the Theatre deftitute of performers : by fuffering them 
 to form fuch engagements, I was to fubmit to a grofs violation of our 
 articles, and, at the manifeft rifk of my property, to alTign the theatri- 
 cal direction to them : or, by engaging the performers myfelf, I was to 
 enter into fuch agreements at my peril. Of all thefe difficulties I chofe to 
 encounter the laftj but not in the manner reprefenred by T. H^ir^^ 
 I engaged no part of the company to myfelf only ^ qt under :^--jih 
 pretence that our differences were amicably adjufied: I took no- ^^^^.l^fTi 
 bcdy unawarei : I deceived no perfon whatever . Yet, fays Mr. 
 Harris, one in particular of eminence in his profeffwn affur- ^^^^' 
 ed us, be was fo much concerned at being thus deceived, that be would go 
 immediately to Mr. Colman, and endeavour to get his agreement cancelled. 
 The letter annexed, in order to corroborate this afiertion, is itielf a re- 
 futation of it ; and the party concerned has fince publifhed the fol- 
 lowing teftimony in my favour, whence the world is left to judge pf 
 the credit due to Mr. Harris. 
 
 ^" .noibsJ: Liverpool, Aug. r, 1768.^,* 
 
 ^' *' Underftanding thatmyrtvaifie has been made ufe of to the prejudice of th"e 
 ifikarafter of ?vlr. Colman, in juftice to that gentleman, and at his defire, I think 
 it incumt>ent on me to declare, that 1 never faid I had been deceived by him, and 
 |hat I never formed any engagement with him, wherein he ailed in an indiredtor 
 cfendeftiae manner, or othervvife than became a man of honour and intet^rity. 
 
 The reafon of my demanding a foYmal cancelling of my agreement, as appears 
 fey my letter to Mr. Harris, of the 28th of April was, that he faid he could only 
 "Confider me as a Colman, and of confequence, an enemy to Mr. Rutherford and 
 himfelf, if I did not aik Mr. Colman for my engagement, which would fatisfy 
 .^Cincntire^y.^.^ j^ ^ ^ 
 ^,. , o'^ ' GEORGE MATTOCKS." 
 
 t^'^ Nothing indeed could be more open than the tranfafl ions on both- 
 
 Bdes, which were fo notorious, that it betrays an uncommon contempt 
 
 -of all the parties concerned, as well as the moft lofty difregard of 
 
 '^ truib
 
 [ i6 ] 
 
 truth an(3 the publick opinion, to have endeavonred to tttirrep-'efrnt 
 them. Two days after the circularion of their printed piper of April 
 9.7, the following conliderations were fubmitted to trie performejs 
 in manufcript. 
 
 *' Many performers and other perH^ns belonging to Covcnt Garden Theatre 
 having been made uneafy by the receipt of a letter fome weeks ago fi^jned Jonathan 
 Garton, as well as by a printed paper lately diftributed, figned Thomas Harris and 
 John Rutherford, it may not be improper to confider the original article con- 
 cerning the management, as it appears in the different publications of the feveral 
 patentees. By that article it appcais, that according to the agreement of the 31ft 
 of March 1767, the four gtntlcmen were to be joitJtIy and equally concerned in 
 the management of the theatre; but on the i^th of May fdiowing, having lalcen 
 into confiderat on the nianagemcnt of the theatre, they for rhe better and more eafy 
 condudling the bufinefs, as for their joint and equal benefit and advantage agreed, 
 that notvirichrtanding any thing contained in the firft agreement, Mr. ColiTiati 
 fhould be invefted v/ith the diredtion of the theatre in the particulars following, 
 viz. 'i'hat he fhould have the power of engaging and difmiffing performers of all 
 kinds; of receiving and rejediing fuch new pieces as ftiould be offered to the 
 theatre; of carting the plays j of appointing what plays, farces, and other enter- 
 tainments fhould be performed ; and of condudting all the dramatic and theatrical' 
 province: but it ivas alio further agreed, that Mr. Colman fhould communicate 
 and! fubmit his conduit and intended meafures to Meff. Harris and Rutherford; 
 and in cafe they fhould at any time fignify their difapprobation in writing unto the 
 /aid George Colman, then the meafures fo difapproved of fhould not be carried into 
 execution, 
 
 ** This is the fubftance of the article; from which it appears that Mr. Colman 
 has the fole power of engaging and difmiffing pei formers of all kinds ; and that no 
 performer, officer, or other fervant of the theatre, can form an engagement or receive 
 his difmijjion from any other of the proprietors. Mr. Colman is inverted with the 
 management, and the performers and other perfons of the theatre are to receive 
 their dire(Stions immediately from him. In cafe of any difference of opinion be- 
 tween the proprietors, Meff. Harris and Rutherford may fignify their difapproba- 
 tion in writing unto the faid George Colman i not to any other perfon ; and ,if^} 
 Mr. Colman afterwards carries the meafures into execution, it is at his own peril. 
 The performers, &c. are juftified in adding as Mr. Colman directs, becaiife 
 nobody elfe has any legal authority to give them any dire<^ions. They have 
 nothing to do with any private differences among the proprietors, and it is very 
 hard they fhould be involved in fuch difputes. Meff. Harris and Rutherford have 
 no further right to. aft in the management than occafionatly toJig'Ufy their dijappro- , 
 bation in writing unto the faid George Caiman. Mr. Powell mig''t with equal right 
 take upon him to eng<ige or difmiis performers, &c. as Mell. Harm, and Ruther- 
 ford, who cannot legally execute any a<3: of management. It is certain from the 
 original article, that no engagement can be binding on all the proprietors, except" 
 an engagement formed by Mr. Colman. If he forms any engagement of whicn ^^ 
 Meff. Harris and Rutherrbrd have fignified the:r difapprobation tohim in writing, 
 he perhaps may fuffer for it ; but the performer is fure to receive the benefit of his . 
 contrail ; to which he can by no means be entitled under an engagement with 
 any of the other proprietors. ,,^ ^, ^^..jsr , 
 
 ajth April, 1768, ' *~^ 
 
 Hovr
 
 r 17 ] 
 
 How far law or equity will warrant the part I thought myfelf bound 
 to take for the prefervation of my property on this occafion ; what the 
 Publick will judge, now the true ftate of the cafe is before them ; 1 
 will not pretend to decide: nor will I, like Mr. Harris, hawk the names 
 and opinions of my counfel in our idle pamphlets; but it is certain that 
 I did not proceed without advice. The performers, as I obferved before, 
 took the like precaution ; and not one to whom 1 applied refufed, except 
 Mrs. Bellamy, afligning for a reafon that fiie had already refufed MeiT. 
 Rutherford and Harris, and that fhe could not enter into any written 
 agreement without the concurrence oi all the proprietors-. I do not 
 mention this in order to caft any refledlion on that lady's condu6t. 
 For my own part, let the fa6l be duly confidered, and it will appear 
 that the engagements I have entered into with the performers, &c. are 
 but a continuation of the old retainers to the Theatre, the bufmefs of 
 which could not poffibly be carried on without their affiftance. MefT. 
 Rutherford and Harris, having not the ihadow of claim 10 Siny pq/itive Qr 
 executive power, had certainly no right to difmifs the whole company of 
 comedians, officers, and fervants, at one ftroke, under an article by which 
 the power of difmijffing^ as well as engaging^ is vefted in me. Turn the 
 tables for a moment, and fuppofe that /, on any pretencewhatever, 
 had propofed fo bold a difmijfton, and as the executive king of Brent- 
 ford had thus endeavoured to realize the Roman emperor's wifli, by cut- 
 ting off all my people with a fingle blow ; with what propriety might 
 the two cGfitrouling monarchs have then exercifed th^irnegative power, by 
 fignifying their difapprobation of fuch a difmiffionl They certainly might 
 have objected to a difmiffion ; but they certainly had no aiithority to dif^ 
 mifs. The ftep they now took was, in efFed, (to the manifeft injury of 
 Mr. Powell, myfelf, and the whole Theatre, as well as ihemfelves) aa^.' 
 endeavour to reftrain me ,from opening our doors ; a refo- 
 lution which they have fmce avowed, and which I too truly ^^ "^ ^g^*^*^' 
 prophefied in my firft publication. 
 
 At the beginning of May MefT. Rutherford and Harris, j^ ^ . 
 finding th is y^c<7i attempt to take the theatrical management in- 
 to their own bands as vain as their former efforts of that kind on the fecond 
 of November, at length inclined to capitulate ; and not being able 
 to refcind the whole article, they refolved at leaft to endeavour to get 
 rid of a part of it. To this end they varied their mode of operation. 
 Mr. Rutherford accofted me one evening at Ranelagh ; bur, 
 fo far from being by accident prejfed by the crowd clofe to me, he ^^Z^^^J^^' 
 mod induftriouQy foughc me all over the room, and I was \^^ 
 
 the laft of my party that evening who knew that he wanted to fpeak? 
 with me. It is ftrange that Mr. Harris cannot deviate into truth about? 
 matters of fo little importance. ^j^iH'v '? 
 
 .oii D On
 
 t 8 1 
 
 On this orcafion Mr. Rutherford declared that he was aflif%mef? of 
 what had pail : that during ihe laft fortnig^ir, cnnfuiTied on rhcir ^art 
 Jo fruitlefly tampering with the ptrrformers, he had forcly rxpcrienced 
 the mortiiWatior.s and difficulties incident to the m-inaaement of a 
 Theatre, and pitied my fituatlon : that he had heard I had dv'clared, 
 that in cafe they farmed any engagements advantageous to the Thrfatre 
 I would confirm them, which he thought a mauly proceeding : that 
 neither he nor Mr. Harris wanted to be concerned in the diredion ; but 
 that he thought it would be more to my credit to attach myfelf to 
 them than to Mr. Powell : and that, in cafe of fvich acoaliiion, we might 
 keep all the aditors in order, Mr. Powell as zvgll as the reft. 
 
 After this overture made on his part, he faid he hoped that I would 
 manifeft a defire of a fpeedy accommodation on mine, and by a note 
 or a meflage appoint the time and place of another interview. I could 
 not think of fuch an interview without Mr. Powell's being of the party^; 
 to which Mr. Rutherford confenting, I wrote to Mr. Harris to that purpofe, 
 and the four proprietors once more met together the very next evening. 
 From the firftpartofourconverration,joinedtothe behaviour of Mr. Ru- 
 therford the evening before, I began to flatter myfelf that the aufpicious 
 moment was at length arrived when our differences would be adjusted. I 
 declared, with the utmoft (incerity, that the moment they defifted from 
 ftudied intemtftions^ I fhould, on my part, not only conduct the Theatre 
 to the belt of my abilities for the general advantage, but in the minutell 
 points ftudy to do every thing agreeable to their wifhes. An accommoda- 
 tion now feemed to have taken place, but at length their latent intention 
 difclofed itfelf. There was one point ftilt behind. They made a 
 
 claim offigning the articles of agreement with performers, 
 p.' 30,^'* That this was not according to the common ufage and nature 
 
 of fuch partnerjhip^ the cafe of our immediate predeceflbrs 
 
 was an obvious inftance -, that it was not according to the 
 
 ^ ' exprefs letter of our article, was clear on the face of that ar- 
 
 ibid. tide-, nor was it even reconcileable to common fenfe and common 
 
 equity, where one particular partner was by article invcded 
 with the management ; fince if four had a right to fign thcfe agree- 
 ments, fourteen or four and twenty, in cafe of fo many equal proprie- 
 tors, might lay the like claim, which wou^ki- be ridiculous, and would 
 incur the very inconvenience which the article refpe<5ling the direc- 
 tion was calculated to prevent. Even fuppofing a breach of truft on 
 my part, our article of May 14, 1767, was fo ftrong in their favour, 
 that if I either varied the terms of fuch agreements, after being pro- 
 pofed to them^ or formed any contracts to which they had jointly 
 lignified their difapprobation in writing, their certain recovery of any 
 
 damagis
 
 damages refuking from fuch engagements would at once b^.myptt* 
 niftiment and their reparation, which muft effcduall/ check or redr^ 
 all injurious proceedings. ,. 
 
 Alter much debate they left me this alternative, either to infert the 
 new claufess fo long in queftion, or to fufFer all the /<7r proprietors to 
 become fubfcribing parties to the articles of agreement j which kit pror 
 pofal plainly proved, that either expedient meant the fame thing. 
 i>o far from agreeing that the article fhould be fubmitted 
 to cdunfel of only my nomination, fo jealous were they, that "^""'^ ^^?^' 
 they not only excepted t,o two moft eminent and refpcdtable ^ s'^'t^/jv.U 
 gentlemen, (whom they knew I had often confulted, and wfio were 
 confequently beft acquainted with thefe affairs) but they extended this 
 fort of proicription to all my circuit-acquaintance ; infidiouQy mentioning 
 at the fame time, with an afPeded careleffnefs, a gentleman whom I 
 knew to have been a counfel of their own. Thefe were fufpicious cir- 
 cumftances, and it is no wonder therefore that I chofe to a<Sl by advice, 
 and to take two or three days to corifider of it. 
 
 The opinions I coUeded on this matter were, that this was only a 
 new device to countenance an attempt to infringe the article refpec-* 
 ting the management; that when an agreement was once approved^ by 
 viriue of that article, the care of entering into that agreement rejled 
 WHOLLY upon me: befides that, to perfons of fuch a comple5lion, any 
 concefiion of a material and fundamental right muft be extremely dan- 
 gerous, the rancour, the fpleen, the pride, the malice, the duplicity, 
 the tyranny and oppreffion of their condudt having invariably betrayed 
 themfelves throughout the whole feafon. 
 
 From thefe juft and prudential motives I was induced to abide by 
 my right, and to keep ftriflly to our article ; nor indeed was it reafon- 
 able to expecSt that we Ihould relax on our part, while they on all occa- 
 fions fo rigidly enforced their power of controul. The only conceflion 
 that had ever been defired by us was, by recurring to my firfl: draught, 
 to give Mr. Powell an equitable voice in the management and difpofal of 
 our common property ; and at the bare mention of fuch a propofal, 
 (although the point was immediately given up, on their objcdion to it,) 
 they had taken very great offence. 
 
 ti The reader being now made acquainted with the true ft ate of the hif- 
 tory of the engagement of the performers, will not be furprifed that 
 dnring thefe tranf anions they heard nothing from me relative to the . , 
 
 adjtiftment of affairs for the enfuing feafon. The truth is, that Let, p. 32, 
 they had been endeavouring, in open defiance of all compad, 
 
 v^ adjuft thole affairs themfelves. They knew therefore it Ibid. 
 
 yfwas laholly owing to tbemfkhcs that they bad not received an an- . i 
 
 i^*ssk4*ik , C 2 fwer
 
 [ 20 J 
 
 fwer fooner. What then can be thought of men, who, after a vain ef- 
 fort to prevail on me to refcind a part of our article, preceded by an 
 attempt to overthrow the whole, an attempt notorious to the whole 
 Theatre, could pretend, in theirLetter of May 17, that to keep 
 Ha^is's Let. ^jj^ynfo perfectly ignorant of my tranfaEitons could not he deemed 
 confijlent with honour^ equity^ or honejty ? From the 2 7th of April, 
 their own tranfatlions had engrofled their attention. If I would not be- 
 come a mere nominal direHor of the Theatre, and allow them to pre- 
 fcribe as well as controu! -, if I would not, with no more than equal pro- 
 fit, take all the trouble, and refign all the power ; they were refolved 
 to feize the management themfelves. The integrity of the performers, 
 officers, and fervants of the Theatre, on this occafion, does them An- 
 gular honour : Neither threats nor promifes could induce them to com- 
 bine to rob me of my rights. It was neceflary they (hould be employ- 
 ed*, but they refolved, "provided I would enter into agreements with 
 them, towithftand all the foilicitations of Me iT. Rutherford and Harris. 
 I made no fcruple, therefore, and I think it was the duty of my ftation, 
 to keep together a company of performers, who have already been fo 
 ^ell received, and who hope ftill to experience the favour of the 
 Publick. 
 
 Not being very follicitous to fquare my aftions to MeiT. Rutherford 
 and Harris's theory' of honour, equity, or honejiy, if 1 had not nearly 
 finilhed a very long letter to them on the affairs of the Theatre, I fliould 
 not (after this laft infult of their*s of May 17) have taken the trouble of 
 writing to them at all. This I gave them to underftand, when I tranf- 
 mitted it to them a day or two afterwards, informing them, moreover, 
 that any future intelligence of my conduft and meafures (hould be com- 
 municated to them by the Prompter, Treafurer, or fome other offr- 
 cer of the Theatre, according as 1 fhould fiad> it rcquifitc occafionally 
 to dired. .^^%*'f- 
 
 . This Letter, fays Mr. Harris, was j^M with falfe faBsy 
 
 '^p^as* * falfe reafoning, and falfe fuggejlions . Tho\'t fa5fs, that reaforir 
 ing, and tho(e fuggejiions, which he wifhed to conceal froaa 
 the world, now appear before, it in this Pamphlet. They arc true ; they 
 are capable of the clearefl: proof ; the tranfa6lions are recent ; a cloud 
 of witncffes, men of the moll unqueftionable integrity, can confirm my 
 account of them -, and their truth will, I doubt not, cover the fal{hood$ 
 of T. Harris with confufion. \ 
 
 J. It has been a conftant cuftom with our two young gen- 
 
 tlemen, on every new rupture, to dip their pens in gall, and 
 to fend letters to Mr. Powell and me overflowing with fcurrility and in- 
 ir^^ivc. Mr. Powell had very lately been favoured with one of theft 
 t9^\,L L 1^,1 ^u.a^ii z.-'. . --'-^ ' "''" -' epiftlcs 
 
 3ui
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
 epiftles relative to his concerns at Briftol. Mr. Harris has thought pro- 
 per to publifh it ; but nobody who reads the letter will give the lead 
 
 "credit to the declaration annexed to it, that they had no dejign to revoke 
 
 "the confent they had pajjed for his going to BriJioL 
 
 On the receipt of my letter (which before it was fent I had commu- 
 nicated to feveral friends, who thought it written in the moft cool, de- 
 cent, and difpafTionate terms) they again had recourfe to their pen and 
 ink, not only threatening me in one letter with a ptiblick anfwer, but 
 writing another to Mr. Powell, wherein they fpoke both of me and the 
 letter in the moft fcandalous terms. It has been their conftant endea- 
 vour to fet Mr. Powell and me at variance, and many poor efforts of 
 that kind appear in the late Letter of T. Harris, particu- 
 larly in that part of it now under examination. The day of ^^Y, 3?* 
 its appearance I wrote two or three lines to Mr. Powell, af- 
 f\iring him it had not made the leaft impreffion on me, though he had 
 never communicated to me Mr. Harris's letter of the 24th of 
 May. I have juft received an anfwer from Mr. Powell, in P"37- 
 which are the following paflag?s. They contain a full confutation and 
 able difleftion of T. Harris, and give an account of his own j^^ ^^ 
 conduct entirely confonant to his letter of the 21ft of May, 
 which, notwithftanding Mr. Harris's aflertion to the contrary, was. 
 written without the leaft confultation between us, and during my ab- 
 fence from London. 
 
 ** In regard to the letter, you fay, I did not communicate to you, it was thus. 
 You muft remember, I told you I had been at Harris's houfe one morning, and 
 that he and Rutherford had ufed every fhameful argument to perfuade me to join 
 them, and every fcandalo;js abufe againft you, and how much they would do to 
 oblige and ferve me, would I defert you and fide with them: that feveral of the 
 firfl: people of fafeion had perfuaded them to ufe force and every method to difpojfefs 
 fo ohjitnate a man as you nvere, and how much it would redound to my honour and' 
 credit with all thofe great people, and, in fliort, with the whole public, if I would 
 defert you and join them. At this meeting too Harris faid, however he might be 
 difpofed to part with his fhare, he was then determined to keep it, if for no other 
 reafon than to plague and perplex you (with much abufive language) ; that, by all 
 that was facred, you jhould neither eat nor fie ep in comfort-, that he would haunt you 
 by letters at morn, at noon, and night, till he had teaz'd you out of the theatre ; 
 and, as I remember perfectly well, fat down on a fopha, and concluded all his 
 bitter exclamations againft you with thefe words, " G d d n his bloody Pit 
 *' teaze him till be is weary ofhislife^ and then,, like Job, he II cur fe his God and die.'*' 
 On this 1 faid, I was well latisfied with yourcondudi, that I was fure you were a 
 perfefily honeft man, that I fhould never think my fortune fafe but in your hands, 
 as it was, and that I fhould fink or fwim with you. I left them in this manner.. 
 The moment I faw you, I told you in feme part what had paft, and you then told 
 me, in what manner Rutherford attacked you at Ranelagh, to difengage yourfelf 
 fi;om mcj and from that moment J determined that I never would, nor I never 
 . , have
 
 [ 22 ] 1 
 
 have, nor cvrt" will Tp^ak W, ottake notice, or hold converfe with either of them. 
 The very next day afier this you went to Richmond Benfley happened to be 
 with me in my parlour, when that letter was brought mej it Was left at the door, 
 and the man faid it did not require an anfwcr. I opened it, and it fhock'd me very 
 much. 1 gave it to Benfley, who read it, and I told him what had paft. Hefai^ 
 it would be quite wrong to ibew it you ; that, as I had taken a reloiution to have 
 nothing more to fay or do with them whatever, he advifcd me to burn the letter, 
 and take no notice of it to you, as he thought it would make you uneafy. 1 put 
 it in the fire, before his face, and never fince have taken the lealt notice of either, 
 but with the contempt you have been witnefs to. As to the converfation they 
 quote of mine with them at that meeting, it is a faljhoody a tnojf infomoui fal/hsod-y 
 for every fyllable of mine tended to prove to them my love and regard for you, and 
 to convince them it was not in any man's power whatever to draw me from the 
 fide' of a man I honoured, efteemed, and loved, and in whom 1 placed the un- 
 bounded confidence of my future fortunes and happinefs, and which, nay dear 
 friend, I iball ever continue to do." 
 
 In my letter I had informed them, that I (hould direfb our attorney, 
 Mr. Hucchinfon, to fend them an account of the engagements I had 
 made : from which Mr. Harris, though complaining of his ignorance 
 cf my tranf-:5iions, took occafion to fend Mr. Hutchinlon a letter, filled, 
 as ufuaif with falfe fails, falfe reafoningy and falfe fuggeft ions ^ cloathed in 
 the mod abufive language, ablolutely refuling to receive any fuch ac- 
 count, and difmijffing Mr. Hutchinfon from his employment as atiornty 
 to th Theatre. Nothing worth notice occurred between this and 
 Let. p? 38. ^^^ clojingthefeafon; doled, it is true, with Cymbclinc, and to 
 a very good houfe for the beginning of June. The fneers 
 Ibid. concerning orders, and my new occajional prologue, throw jia 
 
 contempt on any perfon but T. Harris. 
 The fealon clofed on Saturday the 4th of June. On the Monday fol- 
 lowing Mr. Harris came to the Trcal'urcr's office, and took upon him- 
 fclf, in his own and Mr. Rutherford's name, to difmifs Mr. Garton, 
 who had given fecurity in a bond of 5000/. to the four proprietors, 
 j^jjj , Mr. Harris ordered him, however, to meet them at the Theatre 
 on the loth of June (the Friday following) in order that they 
 trtigbt examine his accounts. Before Mr. Harris quitted the Theatre, he 
 made particular enquiries concerning the apartments in Mr. Sarjant's 
 houfe. Mr. Sarjant himfelf, it feems, was not at home, but orders 
 were left for his due attendance on the Friday following. The ward- 
 robe-keepers alfo received the like orders. 
 Tunc From thefe circumftances, as well as from fome intimations 
 
 given me of their declared intentions by Mr. Powell, I had 
 now little reafon to doubt of their purpofe to difpoffefs all the perfons, 
 ading under my direflion, of the Theatre by force. To proteft againlt 
 fuch violence, I defired an attorney likewife to attend. He accord- 
 
 I ingly
 
 f 23 ] 
 
 ingly did ; but not being witnefs to their proceedings that 
 day with Mr. Garton, the firft intelligence I received of thtm ^"*^ ****-- 
 was from Mr. Garton himielf, who came immediately to my hpuie, and 
 iriformed me that McfT. Rutherford and Harris had, in fpite of h"s re- 
 fiftance, (though Mr. Harris afierts there was noDe) take;n . ^ 
 away from him the Journal and Ledger of the Theatre by ^"^'^ ^*^' 
 force. The threatened outrages being now adlually com- , 
 
 menced, I ran to the Play-houfe, whrre 1 found Meff. Rutherford and 
 Harris, and, in the prefence of Mr. Garton and the gendeman whnm 
 I had defired to attend, demanded the reafon of their conduct to Mr. 
 Garton. Mr. Harris, knowing the gentleman attending to be^ an at- 
 torney, refufed to give me an anfwer : whereupon I left thejn for a few 
 tnoments, and difmiffed both the wardrobe-keepers. I fairly told them 
 what I had done, aflTigning their violence in the treafury, which belpuke 
 jike defigns upon the wardrobe, as my reafon for it. Mr. Harris then 
 fee his f(K)Z againft the wardrobe-door, which being very (lightly tafl-en- 
 td, flew open. Mr. Harris walked in, walked out, caufed the door to 
 be padlocked, and departed. For the degree of credit due to T. Har- 
 ris, when he fays I attacked him in terms the mofi Jcandalous and ^ 
 provoking^ I appeal to Mr. Garton and the gentleman who at- 
 tended. 
 
 Fluflied with thefe exploits, and the promife of fuccefs in their endea- 
 vours to throw their own and our affairs into confufion, they went im- 
 mediately to Mr. Durant, who had joined in Mr. Garton's bond of 
 fecurity to ^// the proprietors. That gentleman, 1 believe, entertained 
 too true a fenfe of their condudt, to give them any hopes of his appro- 
 iw^tion of it : nor can I conceive by what argument Mr. Harris means 
 to prove that fuch a procedure can be deemed conjijient with > 
 honour, equity, or honejiy. The accounts are not yet clofed, Ha^'^^s's Let. 
 and tin they are duly made up, the books are the undoubted 
 property of the Treafurer, as well as the vouchers of his integrity, for 
 which fo large a fecurity has been given. Was it in charac- 
 ter for men who thought it highly necejfary to look minutely into Hams s Let. 
 ^ihe ac^'OuntSy tooffer toftgn a. general releafe before they had ^^.^^ ' 
 looked into them at all .? Muft not Mr. Durant and Mr. 
 Garton think fuch areleafe from Powell and Colman necejj'ary i^id. 
 for their fafety^ as well as from Rutherford and Hams ? Can Powell 
 and Colman give fuch a releafe, or the detention of the books be of 
 ^6 concern to Mr. Garton without one, while Mr. Harris perfills to 
 1tcep his partners fo perfectly ignorant of the ftate of their accounts ? 
 If Meff. Rutherford and Harris had really a right to become j^-^^ ^ 
 ^ir own treafurer s^ would they have a right to become our ^.^^ 
 
 -L=w^ .. > v V treafurcrs-
 
 [ 24 1 
 
 trcafurers alfo in fpite of our teeth ? or could we pofTibly 
 
 ibM. think our property fo safe, (hould the cuftody of it be tranf- 
 
 fctrcd, fcrcibly transferred, from Mr. Garton to Meff. Rutherford and 
 
 .Harris ? As to the firft of thofe gentlemen, his own Bankers have re- 
 
 .peatcdly refufed payment of his draughts in favour of Mr. Garton, for 
 
 money advanced from out of his own private purfe, to the amount of 
 
 250 /. value received. They pleaded indeed at firft Mr. Rutherto'-d*s 
 
 crder to pay none of bis draughts^ but afterwards acknowledged fuch an 
 
 order to be needlefs. We could not therefore entertain a very flattering 
 
 idea of the fecurity of our property in fuch a fituation. Mr. Harris not 
 
 only retains our journal and ledger (the accounts not yec clofed) in his 
 
 hands, but, according to the beft calculation that can be made, fix or 
 
 fevcn hundred pounds more than will be due to him on his dividend 
 
 \- from the profits of the feafon. The ['^uppo{cd] balance of the 
 
 Hams s Let. cajh-hook being fo exceedingly fmclly it is incumbent on us as 
 
 WELL AS THEM to examine very carefully into the difburfements, 
 Mr. Harris, however, not only avowedly detains the books, and delays 
 "to repay the monies he has over-drawn, but alfo impounds other fums 
 of money due only to the tradefmen and his fellow proprietors ; and 
 of which hecanncit himfelf juftly claim a fingle fliilling : and all this he 
 does under no other pretence than becaufe Mr. Powell and I will not 
 
 concur in his and Mr. Rutherford's arbitrarily and ille- 
 ibid ^ * g^^^y ^^fp^]I^3^l ^^' Garton of the power of a^ing as our 
 
 Treafurer^ and agree to authorize either of them to difpofe 
 of as many India bonds as may be neceffary. . 
 
 The Publick have already been acquainted, that, *' in or- 
 '^^^?*^^* " ^^^ ^o complete our purchafe, the fum of fifteen thoufand 
 *' pounds was borrowed, viz. fix thoufand for Mr. Ruther- 
 ** ford, ^t;^ for Mr. Colman, znd four for Mr. Powell; for fecuring 
 *' which fum of fifteen thoufand pounds the three fourth fhares of MelV. 
 Rutherford, Harris, and Colman, were mortgaged, Mr. Powell 
 *' having made over the firft claim on the whole of his fhare." By the' 
 inftrument of March gr, 1767, publilhed by T. Harris, it appears, 
 
 that in cafe Colman and Powell, cr either of them , fhould not, on 
 ^^'^!'6.^^** ^^^fi^fi of 'July following, be prepared with the whole of his or , 
 
 their proportion of the pur chafe-money, Harris and Rutherford^, 
 fhould jointly and equally advance and pay for him or them, fo much money as,, 
 fhould be the deficiency of Colman and Powell, or either of thejn, fo that ih/f^ 
 fum they rcfpe^ively paid down was not kfs than ten thoufand pounds. This 
 agreement conveys at firft: fight a wonderful idea of the property of 
 MefT. Harris and Rutherford, who could advance, independant of all 
 foreign afliftancc, by means of money advanced on the fecurity of the- 
 
 Patent,
 
 i ^5 ] 
 
 Patent, or othervvife, the fum of forty thousand pounds ! . How 
 far thefe ideas were verified at the time of the purchafe, may be judged 
 from the ftate of the above-mentioned mortgage; whereby Mr. Ru- 
 therford, one of the fuppofed ajjijlant -parties, was himfelf to borrow 
 the fum of y/jsf thoufand pounds., and raifed, independent of the patent 
 fecurity, a thoufand pounds kfs than Mr. Colman, one of the parties 
 he had bound himfelf to affift, who alfo became joint fecurity for Mr. 
 Powell. This idea of their great property, and our extreme poverry,, 
 was endeavoured to be more ftrongly imprefied by MefT. Rutherford and 
 Harris in their Slaughter's Coffee-houfe Narrative., where it is 
 ftated that Colman and Powell were deficient in their proportion '^^^^J>^^^^> 
 cf the purchafe-money 9000/. whereupon the fum was borrowed, 
 AND Harris and Rutherford were securities for Colman and 
 Powell. If they were afhamed of owning the true Jlate of the cafe in 
 this inftance, how will they ever pardon my informing the world that, 
 on laftMidfummer-day, they failed in the payment of 2150/. their pro- 
 portion of 5000/. and intereft then due on that mortgage ? As to 
 pi7?r Powell and myfelf (though Harris and Rutherford had impounded 
 at the bankers our money juftly due, on purpofe to diftrefs us) we paid 
 down 3225/. our proportion of that payment. Colman, however, to 
 his great misfortune, is refponfible for the payment of the proportion 
 due from Rutherford and Harris ; and all the fecurity they have yec 
 given him, is the breaking open the Theatre, and carrying off feveral 
 thoufand pounds worth of the joint property of the four patentees, 
 which they have, as T. Harris pretends, fent down to his 
 houfe in Surry-Street. Mr. Rutherford is fince gone abroad j ^^p'^'^,'^^^' 
 and, after thefe occurrences, we leave the world to judge how 
 far our monied property would be* safe in the hands of Mr. Harris, 
 the other would-be comptroller of the treafury, who ftill remains here. 
 Should he too be difpofed to travel, upon which of thefe young gentle- 
 men muft Powell and Colman draw for their money ? It is doubtful 
 whether a bill of Middlefcx, any more than a chicf-juftice's warrant, 
 would extend to France or the Netherlands. 
 
 MelT. Harris and Rutherford, before they left the Theatre 
 on Friday the loth of June, took a particular furvey of Mr. ^""gj^* 
 Sarjant's houfe, and dropped fome hints of fending proper 
 perlbns to lodge in it. Their intentions of difpoflefling all the old fer- 
 vants of the Theatre, in order to introduce an entire new fet of then: 
 own, now grew every inftant more and more apparent. They had al- 
 ready plundered the trcafury, and made inroads on the wardrobe. 
 Mr. Sarjant's houfe was a principal fort of government, and a key to 
 the whQlc Theatre. The moment they became fole mailers of that, I 
 l'^^^-'''" ' ' " -E ' '" " cxpefted
 
 ' . [ 26 ] 
 
 expcfled to hear it publickly avowed, that they had formed a feparatc 
 company of performers. A perfon much in their councils had very 
 lately told me, -that they thought of engaging certain a5tors from Ire- 
 'tia^i land; and in their converfation with Mr. PoweJl upon my 
 yl^" : laft letter, they had avowed their intentions of feizing the ma- 
 mscmenv fy force y defiring him to put himfclfat the head of their 
 tfoop^,' arid affuring him that the majority of the performers, although 
 iinder enojagemcnts, would revolt from me, and a6t under thcmv 
 Every thing, they faid, was ripe for action -, and they even preflTcrd him^ 
 though. to no purpofe, to fuffcr them to fubmit to him their plan of 
 opwations for the campaign of the enluing feafon. 
 
 It was for thefc reafons that the officers of the Theatre,- a> 
 ^^iTeV' well as the pfr/r/^rj, were engaged under articles. By the 
 written notices from MclT. Rutherford and Harris of February 
 ^i and their manifefto of April 27, they had arbitrarily and illegally 
 attempted to difmifs every perion belonging to the Theatre. I meant to 
 retain them. Mr. Sarjant, however, on whom they were now medi- 
 tating an attack, being infirm and in years, it was thought proper to 
 give him'^affiftants to protedl the pofTefTion he maintained for us, as h& 
 had done for our predeceflbrs, on behalf of all the proprietors. Nei- 
 ther Sarjant nor his affiftants were authorifed or empowered to exclude 
 the proprietors themfelves ; and even thefe precautions would not have- 
 beerr taken, had not the threatened outrages, already commenced,; 
 rendered them abfolutely necefiary for the prelervation of our rights and 
 property in the Theatre. It was determined,- in fuch extremities, to 
 . ^ ; ufe every method for ihe just and leg ai.- defence of it,' rather 
 'I'y ^* ^^^ tamely to rejgn my right to the conduct vf it to an"^ 
 dejigning and infcUnt intruder . 'M bne 2n7H 
 
 The event immediately juftified the truth -of tny^fufpicions,- 
 1768^' ^'^^ manifefted the necefTity of the mcaiure : for the affillants- 
 of Sarjant had fcarce received their appointments, when on Sa-. 
 turday the iiih of June, the very day of their diUe^ MelT.' 
 LetTp*!?. R'J'^herford and Harris entered the Theatre (though T* 
 \ ' Harris would feem to convey the idea of tfXd-//f5) and brought 
 
 with them- one Furkins, formerly fervant to Mr. Harris, and whom I*- 
 had, at his inftancc, appointed one of our box-keep>ers. Furkins, 
 they faid, muft remain in the houfe, lie there, and keep pofiTeffion of ic 
 for tbem : whereupon they were made acquainted with the precautions 
 I had taken to proteft Mr. Sarjant in his pofTcfrion. They faid, if I' 
 obiefted to one man, they would have ten, and that they would reiarn* 
 with them that very evening. They then departed, and Furkins foon 
 icllowed them. 
 
 -'-'} > Apprifed
 
 [ 27 ] 
 
 Apprifed of thefe proceedings, which Mr. Harris^ in his 
 pamphlet, has fo cautiotijly fuppreff-id^ and juftly alarmed at the ^^"gj** 
 increafing danger of our propercy, vvhich Teemed to be de/lin<jd 
 for a facrifice to malice and refentmentj I ordered the ftage-dop^ 19^!^ 
 fiiuc np, leaving no ingrefs, except through Mr. Powell^s ^ ^"" 
 houfe in the Piazza, in which there is a door which cqmmuni- ^*^'""* ^^'^' 
 cates with the Theatre. Many of my friends were acquainted 
 v/ith this ftep, and confcflfed the melancholy necelTity for it, the mo- 
 ment it was taken -, and the gentlemen of the Beef-Sceak Society, who 
 dined at the Theatre that very day, were witneffes of my diftrefsful 
 fituation, and went out through the houfe of Mr. Powell. 
 
 The next day, Sunday June 12, (for they did not keep fiijjjj^Q 
 their promife of returning that evening) they were informed 
 by Mr. Sarj^nt junior of the diredions I had given. On the Mon- 
 day morning, however, they fent Furkins again to make a formal 
 demand of entrance at the ftage-door. He was refufed. About 
 noon Meff. Harris and Rutherford came themfelves, and 
 fent Mr* Sarjant junior for the keys of the Theatre. I re- ^^.'I'^i^** 
 turned my compliments, and that they might go into the 
 Theatre, whenever they pleafed, through the houfe of Mr. Powell. 
 So far from being averfe to enter their own premifes through another 
 fnan's houfe, or aware of my litigious difpofition^ they abfolute- ^oi^ 
 'ly determined to go into the Theatre through the houfe of Mr. 
 -.Powell, together with two gentlemen who accompanied them. Mr. 
 ^Sarjant junior informed them, according to my dircd.ions given for the 
 above-mentioned reafons, that they alone would be admitted. They 
 took down this anfwer in writing, and retired. The two gentlemen can 
 teftify their non-admittance, and they now know the caufeof it. 
 
 MelT. Harris and Rutherford now finding that their pro- ,^^ 
 jefted revolution in our ftate could not take place fo filently 
 ' as that in the Rehearfal, refolvcd upon more vigorous mea- 
 sures. The time between this event and Friday morning they Harris's Let. 
 'faffed THUS. Mr. Rutherford bargained with Sawney Mac- 
 gregory, a Serjeant in the third regiment of Guards, to provide him a 
 detachment of ftout fellows to execute an enterprize of fpirit. Mr. Harris 
 engaged his friend Mr. Hyde, the Carpenter, to procure a number of 
 t ruffians armed with oaken towels, axes, iron-crows, and 
 ''fledge-hammers. Accordingly ^ on the i-jthofjune, about fix "^"^y.^^** 
 Wclock, (a pretty J^f^w/ time of the morning!) Mr. Harris, 
 ^attended by two witneffes, again demanded admittance for himfelf and Mr, 
 '^'Rutherfordi at Mr. Sarjant*s door. Mr, Sarjant was not ftirring, and 
 coci ^nijiju 1 Ln j^t^i-ii^vj^ i^.i E 2 .^ninsra y^^v iirrii rr:^: ^^^^h' 
 
 tiVlaqcjA . ' - -
 
 [ 2? ] 
 
 a watchman (who is conftantly retained for the prefervation of tlie 
 Theatre) anfwered fremwithittj that they could only be admitted through 
 Mr. Powell's houl'e in the Piazza. Thty had begun their operations 
 of that morning, by caufing a padlock to be put on Mr. Powell's 
 ftrcet-door : wherefore T. Harris came to the play-houfe dcor, in Hart- 
 ftreety lohei-e Mr. Rutherford was waiting for him, attended by the troop, 
 whom T. Plarris is pleafed to call fervants, viz. Sawney Macgregory*5 
 foldiers out of their regimentals, (an army in difguife) Mr. Hyde*s journey- 
 rtnen, and, as I am told, fome common hired ruffians from Exeter-ftreer. 
 Thefe fervants being ordered to open a window^ as the gentle T. Harris 
 expreffcs it, by the application of their Qedge- hammers and iron-crows 
 broke the outfide-fhutters, fma(hed the window, forced the in fide faft- 
 enings, and found themfelves in lefs than two minutes in one of the 
 dreffrng-rooms, the door of which they likewife burft open. One of the 
 people in the Theatre had by this time reached the place. He offered 
 no refinance to McfT. Harris and Rutherford, but Oppofed the entrance 
 of the banditti that accompanied them ; whereupon he was knocked 
 do>yn, and very narrowly efcaped being murdered. The ftagc was co- 
 vered with people in an inftant. The new-comers turn- 
 ^^.\xT' ^^ ^^ ^*^ tenants out of doors ; or, as I fhould fay, ^ut 
 them GENTLY out of the windoiu. 
 
 From this moment all bufinefs, then carrying on to the 
 
 June. 17. emolument of all the joint proprietors, was fufpended. Emeryy^ 
 
 T.^i.^'* however, the mafler-carpenter to the Theatre, coming to his" 
 
 work, as ufual, at that inflant, the new directors gracioufly' 
 
 ordered him to be let in. What is afTcried by T. Harris con- - 
 
 p. 48. Qtxn'mo my compelling Emery to Jign an article, Emery hi mfeyr. 
 
 abfolutely denies. Seeing them full of exultation at theit^< 
 
 fkill in houfe-breaking, he told them no fecurities could withftand iron-' 
 
 g crows, axes, and iledge-hammcrs ; but thzt be thought if- 
 
 a firangc undertaking. 
 
 MefT. Rutherford and Harris have a very new^nd peculiar method,;: 
 
 of proving a fad ; a method which they have uniformly purfued ever' 
 
 fince Mr. Powell and I had the honour of their acquaintance. Thcyp^ 
 
 fit down, and write you a letter, in which' they afTcrt, that you kno^ 
 
 fuch and fuch things to be true, relating them at the fame time in d^ 
 
 re<fl contradiftion to the real ftare of the cafe , by which ingenious" 
 
 device they expcft to overthrow all oth'er teftimony, and to be believecfc^ 
 
 on the forged evidence of their own letters. This was their pradlce on* 
 
 the prefent occafion. Having broken into the play-hoitfe, and expelled' 
 
 . ; / ;: S-arjanr, with, all the other old fervanis of the Theatre^ -fl^' 
 
 cTIrf ^" f^^fi^^ ^^7 ^^^ fi^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^^^ f^^^ i^^ "Theatre^ wherelh 
 
 Yb2*>U3m 
 
 they
 
 [ 29 ] 
 
 they pretended to have been informed cf Mr. PoweWs having ccn- 
 vcyed a considerable part of the wardrobe from out of the pcf- 
 fejfion of the proper officer^ and carried the fame to Brifipl-, and thac, greatly 
 alarmed at this information^ and determined to make Ithe earliest 
 ENQUIRY INTO THE TRUTH OF IT, they had fcr that purpofe, on the pre^\ 
 ceding Monday, ordered their fervant to go to the Theatre, and attend J or ^ 
 their coming. Now the real truth is, that they had madcan earlier en- 
 quiry into the truth of it. The "joomen's ivardrcle-keeper had 
 told then-i (and would willingly fwear it) that Mr. Pozvell /W-^^**"^'^^^^* 
 taken uo cloath^ from the women's wardrobe : and the men's 
 wardrobe-keeper had (hewn them an inventory of what Mr. Powell had 
 taken from that wardrobe. Their previous knowledge of this circum- - 
 (lance is one of the main points proved by "Whitfield's affidavit : thougli ; 
 T. Harris, for obvious rcafons, has paft it over in filence. 
 
 What then fhall we fay to a rnan who pretends to have 
 DISCOVERED Vi'i?/ many things were taken away by Mr. Powell, Harm sjLet.-.-^ 
 but that what in the whole might be wanting it was impojfible 
 for them to afcertain ? 
 
 l*he world, however, agrees that, being unhappily conne<Eled with-^ 
 two fuch partners as Mefirs. Rutherford and Harris, it was wrong in ? 
 Mr. Powell, whatever extraordinary indulgence he might claim asa-^ 
 proprietor, to take three or four fuits to Briftol; and wrong jn me who,', 
 as dire6lor, had the care of that property, however ufual and cuftomary 
 fuch a practice might be, to confent to it. It was wrong. We agree 
 with the world j but fhould be more fenfibly mortified by their cenfurc 
 on this occafion, if it fell fo heavily upon ourfelvcs as on Meffrs, Ru-- 
 therford and Harris. The world was apprized of the tyranny and - 
 opprefTion, the rancour and malevolence of our affociates. We were 
 condemned, therefore, for giving fuch men a handle-.^ of which, how- 
 ever d'rrty, they would not fail to take hold. 
 ' ,; ;Sp far were they from previouDy confulting andadvijing with 
 feveral gentlemen of great eminence in all departments of the law 
 concerning this tranfadtion, thatnofooner had they feized the 
 theatre, ex pelled'buir common fervants, ftrippcd the wardrobe, and 
 carried it off in carts,* together with the mufick, prompt books, &c. to 
 Mr. Harris's houfe in Surry-flreet, than they ran down to Weftm. Hall, , 
 ijb be advifcd how to defend their proceedings. It was there we learnc 
 from the gentleman to whom they applied, that having now enabled 
 tih^mfelves to treat with fomething in hand, they were inclined to liften 
 ro^'an accommodation, and our refpe^ive counfel appointed 
 the Very next day for that purpofe. It was We therefore ^^^f^^^' 
 i^ho were amufed with the hopes of a fair reference, which im- 
 
 ' ' " mediately 
 
 Harris's Let, 
 p. 4.7.
 
 [30] 
 
 -mediately fell to the ground, on thefe two preliminaries being given ii^ 
 on the part of Me firs. Rutherford and Harris. 
 
 1. That all engagements made by Mr. Colman (hould be void. ^ 
 
 2. Thatfuch of the fcrvants as had offended MelTrs. Harris and Ru^' 
 .tbcrford (hould be difcharged. j 
 4i Whoever has gone through thefe flieets will, I believe, acquit me foe 
 .rejefting propolals, with which it was not even in my power, had I 
 been mean enough to have wiflied it fo, to comply. The preliminaries 
 of MelT. Rutherford and Harris, having been delivered verbally, no 
 copy was lufFtred to be taken of thofe on our part, which were iq 
 writing. I Ibouid be furprized therefore, if it were nozv in Mr. Harris's 
 power to furprife me, at his pretending to print them in his pamphlet. 
 .He has nor, I dare fay, really forgot the following two, which, to the 
 aftonifhment of his own counfel, he marked with a pencil, as having a 
 particular objection to them. 
 
 The bills y falaries^ &c. now due to he paid, monies overdrawn to he paid 
 in, yearly account immediately fettled f and dividend duly made by the trea- 
 fufer. 
 
 Objefted to by Mr. Harris ! 
 
 No power to be given to any proprietor to controul the usual and or* 
 DiNARY Payments of Salaries and incidental Weekly Charj 
 
 GES. ^ 
 
 Objedbed to by Mr. Harris 1 
 
 Refle5fing now very conftderately on our Jituation, and on the 
 !ST^?8.^^'' f^J^ conduct of Meffrs, Rutherford and Harris, the conclufion 
 we drew from it was this. " That finding themfeives un- 
 " deceived concerning their intended Despotism under the article ref* 
 " peding the management, they had immediately laid a p! an of driving 
 ' us (me in particular) out cf the theatre, or of refcinding that article; 
 ^ that in the execution ofthatplan they had perfveredthrough thewhok feafon^ 
 '* by repeatedly infulting me, and paying no more regard to Mr. Powell, 
 ** than if he was entirely unconcerned in the property, that they had en- 
 *' deavoured efTentially to hurt the whole property, and the profits of thepaft 
 *'^ feaf on in particular y by their conftant and unremitting endeavours to 
 " diltrefs and embarrafs us in the condu(5t of itj that, in fine, they had 
 ** endeavoured, in open violation of our articles, to engage, to a^ under 
 ** ibeir direction folely, every perfon belonging to the theatre, upon pain of 
 " large pejialties ; and had at lajl abfolutely committed the mod iiagranc 
 *^ outrages on the theatre, by expelling the common fervants of all the 
 ** proprietors, filling it with ruffians, ftiled fervants to Mers. Harris 
 ** and Rutherford, who had by the afliftance of thefe ruffians, not only 
 ** checked aU theatrical proceedings for our common intcreft, but car- 
 "^' J ricd
 
 en, 
 
 [ 31 I 
 
 ** -ned off by cart-loads our joint property, to the amount of feveral 
 *' thoufand pounds!" Add to which, that thefe ruffians ilill held pofr 
 feffion of the theatre, drinking and fmoaking on the ftage, (a practice 
 never fuffered before) and behaving in luch a diforderly manner, as tof 
 caufe a magiilrate to fend ine the following card, which gave us reafon 
 to tremble lor the part of our properry ftill left in their cuftody, as well 
 jwWi" tHat which they had, with lo very little ceremony, carried away^3t 
 
 The Card. 
 "*** Sir John Fielding's refpef^s to Mr. Colman ; (hould be glad to fee him this 
 &fening at eight o'clock, to meet Meflrs. Harris and Rutherford, to fettle feme 
 pfan to relieve the fears of the inhabit anti in the neighbourhood of Covent Garden Theatre^ 
 relative to the mifchiefi that may happen BY FlRE OR otherwise, from the perftns 
 NOW in the houje. 
 
 Bow-Street, June 21, 176*. 
 
 Having no controul over the perfons then in the houfe,. nor any defire 
 to meet Meffrs. Harris and Rutherford^ 1 did not attend. 
 
 While the Theatre remained in this ftate I ventured once or twice, and " 
 Mr. Powell oftener, to take a furvey of the premifes ; and 
 
 ni'uer were men fo much afionifhed as we were, to find ourfelves ^^^^ ^ ^^** 
 info complete a fortification: The precautions I had taken to 
 prevent the continuance of outrages already begun, were no more than . 
 putting a few additional bolts and bars to the doors and windows, that 
 ihey might not be forced open, before the civil power could be called 
 in to prevent a breach of the peace. We did not fpeak to Mr. Hyde, 
 the mafter-carpenter to the Theatre under the new managers, 
 bitt we ohferved how advantageoufly he and his men had been ^^p^^l 7^^* 
 employed- in cutting our boards and timber to pieces in order to 
 bar and fortify cjery avenue and window in the houfe. Mr. 
 Powell's door was particularly barricadoed againji its owner ; 1 p 
 and the ruffians, whom fear had made outrageous and defperate, had 
 even broke into part of a houfe in Bow-Street, the exclufi'Ve property of 
 Mr. Powell and ntyflf, to redouble their fortifications. Seeing a bafket . 
 of Ihavings at one of the ftage doors, I could not help rcmonftrating to 
 fome of thefe new/frx'^/j of the theatre, who had made it a 
 den of thieves, on the danger of fuch a circumftance from Harm's^Let. 
 tobaccc-ppes^ and lighted candles. One fellow, who feemed 
 by his appearance unfit to be trufted with a fhilling, told us that he 
 and his colleagues were only taking care of our property; and Mr. Powell 
 had like to have been knocked on the head by another of them, who 
 Kept guard- in the box-pafiage, for not giving the watch-word. 
 ' " So far v/ere they from admitting perfons who came by our ^J^\J^ ^** 
 tn-dcr, that Mr. Sarjant and fon, who were fervants of the >b-> t 
 D3ii '^ 'Theatre
 
 [ 32 ] 
 
 Theatre under my dire^ion, were repeatedly injolned by Mefirs. Ru- 
 therford and Harris to take their things out of the theatre. Mr. Sar- 
 jant*s fon, having occafion to leave town, took a few neceflaries j but 
 Mr. Sarjant himfelf always refufed. ' 
 
 ^^"\ '- Wretched and refikfs as T. Harris may have fuppofed me, 
 
 .Hams'a^ Let. j ^q^jj pjQf^ triumphant as they thought themfelvcs, have 
 ' ^ * changed fituations at this period with himfelf and Mr. Ru- 
 therford. They were now in poflTeflion, in exclufive pofTeflion ; but 
 could neither legally open, or (hut up the Theatre. They refoived 
 however, as being the moft ruinous, on the latter expedient. They 
 had before told me, as I have before told the Publick, that they fhould 
 not be moved at feeing the Theatre in flames. It was the language of 
 Mr. Harris, echoed by all his partifans, that he would never give up 
 his point, while there was one brick of the houfe remaining on another; 
 
 and he perfonally declared to a gentleman at the Theatre, 
 ^Harns's^ Let. yf\^Q^ ht found therein with Mr. Powell and myfelf^ that *' he 
 
 *' had got pofTeflion, and d n him if he did not keep it." 
 It was incumbent on me therefore, in juftice to Mr. IVwell as well as 
 
 myfelf, to appfy in his abfence to counfel and to magijirates \ 
 ^"v.\u^^' "^^^^ raving and Jlorming, nor ever afFedting to be perfectly 
 
 eafy^t but declaring to two per Jons in -particular, i fuppofe they 
 mean Meflrs. Macklin and Woodward, that if the theatre Jhould not open 
 next year, I could fupport the lojs better than Meflrs. Harris and Ruther- 
 ford. 
 Jtihe. ^ applied then, it is true, to no lefs than three learned and 
 
 able counfel, three of the moft refpeftable names in each de- 
 partment of the law ; and the only favour I ever received from Mr. 
 Harris, in order to balance the many and fevere injuries he has done 
 me, is his having afforded me this opportunity of acknowledging in 
 publick the many obligations I owe to thofe gentlemen, as well as to 
 many of the profeflion (for which I have the moft fincere refped) con- 
 cerned for Mefl". Rutherford and Harris. The counfel on both fides 
 have all concurred in recommending pacifick meafures; and I cannot 
 believe that any lawyer, or other pcrfon of Confideration whatever, ad- 
 vifed the outrages of the 17th of June, or other violences of Mefl*. 
 ^^ Rutherford and Harris. I will not, after their example, 
 
 "* */'**' bandy about the beji opinions in the kingdom^ as I think it has 
 
 been extremely illiberal in T. Harris, to dwell with fuch 
 unmannerly iteration on one of the firft names in the law; though I 
 muft do him the juftice to believe he rather meant to render me ob- 
 noxious to the gentleman who bore it, than to dare to give any per- 
 -fQoal offence to ihe^entienaan himfelf. 
 
 Upon
 
 [33] 
 
 Upon a full and impartial ftate of the cafe, my counfel were of 
 opinion, that the Theatre was entitled to the proteftion of the civil 
 power, and that a magiftrate ought, if called upon, to adt on this oc- 
 cafiion. Only one magiftrate was applied to, except George Wrighte, 
 of Great Pulteney Street, Efq-, to whom, upon a conference on that 
 fubjed, one of my counfel declared, that he faw no forci- 
 ble reaibn afTigned by the other magiftrate for declining to be ^p^^\ ^^^' 
 concerned. 
 
 The impertinence of calling Mr. Wrighte one JVrighty. j^j^^ 
 
 Efq\ together with the pitiful infinuations of my prevailing, 
 en hinii by what means I know best, is only to be equalled by the 
 fallhood of the afiertion, that^ without giving them the leaji notice of his in- 
 tentions^ he ijfued his precept to the Jheriff of the county to reinjiate Mr. 
 Charles Sarjant in the pojfejjion of the theatre. 
 
 The truth is this : Mr. Wrighte, a gentleman whofe cha- j^. 
 rafter is every way proof againft the mean imputations of T. 
 Harris, adled in the moft honourable, the moft regular manner. The 
 proceedings were all fettled by counfel. So far from not 
 giving T. Harris, &c. the leafi notice of his intentions, that af- ^T^\. ^^' 
 cer the inquifition was taken and found by the jury, on Fri- 
 day July 8, written notices thereof, wherein the name, additions, and 
 place of abode of the magiftrate were given at full length, were fent to 
 the houfes of MclT. Rutherford and Harris, as well as to one Jones 
 at the ftage-door, feverally. Jones abfolutely faid he would anfwer it. 
 One of Mr. \\2ixx\^s five attornies (for he is perpetually ftiifcing his ad- 
 vifers) actually went to a gentleman concerned on our part to afk ad- 
 vice on the notice. The next day, Saturday July 9, having complied 
 with every due form, the magiftrate iflued his precept to the (herifF. 
 
 The Theatre, now once more in its natural ftate, yet bore evi- 
 dent marks of the late convulfions. Near twenty bludgeons, with 
 which the ruffians kept guard, were left behind. Every door and 
 drawer, which might be fuppofed to contain valuable property ^ had been 
 broke open, without even demanding the keys. As to the wardrobes, 
 it would have been impoflible for an indifferent perfon to conceive that 
 . any proprietor could pofTibly have left them in that ftate : for, not to 
 mention the folly of removing any part of the cloaths from drawers and 
 prefles remarkably well calculated for their prcfervation, and apartments 
 wherein they were alfo infured from fire, fome of the richeft and moft 
 valuable were thrown together like foul linnen -, and plainly proved the 
 pillagers fo intent on what they carried away, that they were regardlefs 
 , p( the condition of what they left behind. 
 
 F -^ - - . Such
 
 [ 34 ] 
 
 ' - ' SudK ar>' /^few plain faQs^ ftUSled from a mukUude of ^U- 
 
 HaiV'^ji^aLpt. %*anccs^ vithzfhich the malignity of T. Harris /&/7j/^r/ii>il)<?V 
 
 P' '" ffif. The trtttjicite of our differences is now before the JPublick, 
 whofc eyes I have never once endeavoured to divert from 
 ^^; ^' ^ ' taking a Jleady "view of my ccndu^i, or the motives for it. 
 Neither in ih:s, lior in my fornr.er Narrative, have 1 ooce thrown out 
 the name of Mrs. Leflingham, but when truth extorted it from me. 
 ToT. Harris and his colleague alone it is owing that her name, as well 
 as their own" obfcurc names, have been rendered thus publick. I 
 neither inflamed our private differences, nor commenced this paper-war : 
 but if McfT. Rutherford and Harris chol'e to circulate libels, falle as they 
 were maliciotw, in print and in manufcript, I was bound to give thetn 
 an anfwer \ and if the difclofure of the truth brought any part of the 
 pubiick cenfure on Mrs. I.efllngham, as well as themlejves, notl, but 
 her iDiberalfriends, were the caufe of it. A fine lady perhaps may be 
 allowed a competent portion of vanity and caprice, and faiie- little in-- 
 clination to mifchief ; but I have too fincere a regard for the fex to be- 
 lieve, that there ever refided in a female bofom fo black a heart, 4 
 heart fo rancorous and malevolent as that of T. Harris. To her there- 
 fore, however offrnfiveiy fhe may have aded, I bear no rcfentment j 
 nor do I wiili to draw upon her that of the Publick. She, as well as Mr. 
 Rutherford, has, I dare fay, often been mifguided. Mr. Harris muft: 
 be humoured ; and has in his nature, among many worfe qualities, the 
 tyranny of a fchool-boy, who will have every thing his own way. To 
 him I afcribe fome letters (he has fent me ; for as they con- 
 Hams^sLct. tain thof 6 gentle and complacent arguments^ with which the^ri- 
 vate correfpondence of the gentle and ccmplaceni T, Harris fo 
 much abounds, they muft have been forged in the fame mint of falfe- 
 hood and fcandal. To him alfo I afcribe berferuing me and Mr. Pcwell 
 tn the 2'^d of June with a copy of a writ on account of her falary, when 
 he knew that he had himfelf locked tjp the money, with which that, 
 as well as many other payments, ought to have been difcharged. v>< 
 
 Revenge, mean revenge, is the paflion of a little mind. I do n&t 
 wonder therefore that the malice of T. Harris (hould extend to my 
 friends ; and that there is not a fingle performer, officer, or fervant, 
 for whom he has even fufpedled me to entertain the leaft regard, or who 
 have done their duty by obeying my orders, as diredtor of the Thea- 
 tre, whom he has not endeavoured to ruin and deprive of their bread, 
 by expelling them th.e play-houfe. There is not one among the few 
 inclining to him or his colleague, whatever provocation they may have 
 given me, to whom I have offered the flighted injury. r' 
 
 2 si-wx^A ^"j^iVV ^^^ * ^-i'^^ con-
 
 i 2S 1 
 
 I confider His Addcefs. to me at the end of his pamphlet wlih the con- 
 tempi: due to a man, who calis upon me to tteat with him in pub- 
 lick, becaufe my designs upon his property are fo dan- ; 
 CEROus a}i4 fo NOTORIOUS, be cannot tv^ust himself a?ain ^rris'sLet. 
 to treat with me in "private. He may perhaps command a ^.\ ^n? 
 proper authority from Mr. Rutherfordy which he therefore * ^' s -^ ^ 
 Aides (as a thing of courfe) into a parenthefis > but he is to be taught 
 that there is another perfon, whom he contemptuoufly omits to men- 
 tion, (even in a parenthefis) whofe authority is as requifite^s Mr.- Ru- 
 therford's, his own, or mine, to conclude upon the terms of any treaty 
 concerning our common property : I mean Mr. Powell. 
 
 In regard to Mr. Ruiherford, it is certain, whatever authority hc^ 
 may have given Mr. Harris to negotiate this treaty, that he did alfo 
 authorize, by a letter from abroad, a gentleman of known character 
 and reputation in his profeffion, to declare that Mr. Rutherford's fhare ! 
 in the Theatre was to be fold ; and to demand as the price of it, the 
 balance of the cajh-bock laji feafon being fo exceedingly fmall^ 
 onhY eighteen thoufand five hundred pounds : to get more in- ^TVq. ^'* 
 deed, if prafticable, but. not to treat for., lefs^:^ and confider- 
 ing that I by my weak or wicked tnifmanagement have only 
 lefjened the cuflomary profits near one half^ this demand cannot ' P' 5'* 
 be thought very unrealonable from a malecontent proprietor, who may. 
 naturally wilh that the purchafer (hould make him fome compenfation 
 for the injuries he has fuftained by the tnifmanagement of Mr. Colman. 
 
 The uie, however, which T. Harris makes of the name of his col- 
 league^ naturally leads one to obferve the confidence and fingularity of 
 his prefent condud. He and Mr. Rutherford jointly compofe one ne- 
 gative. Mr. Rutherford goes abroad; one moiety of the negative va- 
 nilhes; and the oj]ici;fl[^oicty (bya|^very llrange kind of logick) becomes 
 an affirmative. .r| io int.io - r r'> f^ 
 
 I fliall pafs over in fUence his three firft propofals ; but as to the 
 fourth, the only one which feems cither plain or intelligible^ 
 or has the leafl: colour of that fairnefs or equity to which he ^^^6. ^^' 
 pretends, / do hereby aver to the Publick, for to the 
 PuBLicK ALONE I NOW ADDRESS MYSELF, that whcnevcr T. Harrts and his 
 Colleague will prefer their bill in Chancery againjl us, ref peeing ouft pre- 
 sent Articles and past Transactions, neither I nor Mr. Powell 
 will mcke any delay in putting inajullandfufficient anfwer. And I now, in 
 this public manner, call upon them to file this long- threatened bill againjl us : 
 Jind I do hereby pledge my honour, not to T. Harris, but to the Publick, 
 that no means or endeavours of mine, or Mr, Powellifhall^^JK}anting to bring 
 it to ajhort andfpeedy conclujion. 
 
 It
 
 [ 36 ] 
 
 It now only remains to affure that Publick, whofe protedlion we have 
 already fo often experienced, that we are determined to open the Play- 
 houfe at the ufual time ; and then to fubmit it to their tribunal, whether 
 they will fuffcr the infolence and tyranny of T. Harris to interrupt their 
 amufements, as well as to opprcfs us and the reft of their fervants in 
 Covcnt-Garden Theatre. 
 
 AiTousT 1 6) 1768, 
 
 FINIS. 
 
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