275 
in which he resided went off to inform Charles Sheridan the elder 
son who was living a few miles out of Bath. The allusion here 
would be fairly to the house landlord as a ground landlord or 
frecholder is not so familiar with, would not so interest himself 
in, his tenants. Unfortunately neither the name of the landlord 
nor of the house or street is given. Just the two words are 
omitted which would have saved much trouble and doubt. 
Further search then must be made; every small lead must be 
followed. 
Richard Sheridan left Bath in August 1772 and from his new 
home in Essex he wrote to his sister in reply to some demand 
_ that—Mrs. Bowers seemed alarmed—about a certain debt, then 
after promising to send the money he characteristically and 
_ comfortably adds—you may pay, ’tis all for flowers and likewise for 
_ doing ruffles. The Bowers’ were evidently closely acquainted as in 
1775 Maria Linley writing about the play of the Rivals just 
_ performed with great applause at Bath—says ~-a new scene on the 
_ North Parade Mr. Bowers considers better than the one in town. 
Yet the first production of this piece in London was a failure, a 
result Sheridan attributed to revenge on the part of some for his 
_ quarrel with Mathews.* This idea well shows and from himself, 
his own consciousness and knowledge of the strong feeling 
against him for his part in that discreditable affair. Thus 
he hated Bath and never came to it again. Mr. Bowers 
seems to have been accepted as a theatrical critic and to 
have been somewhat a showman himself and had cther 
_ things in hand. An advertisement of Sept 1770 tells that 
_ the healthy and cheerful situation of the Bagatelle at Widcombe 
jn the road of Prior Park+ has induced Mr. Bowers to have 
_ public breakfasts. At the same spot visitors may amuse them- 
_ selves by seeing seals cut by the Wicksteed water machine. 
* “Wilkes, Sheridan & Fox,” by W. F. Rae, p. 156. 
+ Journal, p 4, col 1. 
