234 I-IFE IN IRELAND 



resolved upon. The Baronet was determined to give 

 Brian no time for reflection, as he thought that his 

 punishment had already exceeded his offences. 



A gentleman was announced for that night to appear 

 in Richard, being his first appearance on any stage. I 

 hate first appearances, said Lady Demiquaver ; nothing 

 is to be expected from them but awkwardness. 



Let us see before we condemn, said the Baronet, as 

 they drove to Haivkins Street Theatre Royal. 



Croiv Street, said Lady Demiquaver, is dished, and 

 poor Freddy Jones, the manager, laid upon the shelf 

 for ever. Poor Fred was so fond of Ham stewed in 

 Madeira, that he got himself into a precious stew — 

 from that into a pickle, and finally into debt, where he 

 is likely to remain : he never cared any more for the 

 stage than I do for a stage-coach, and was always so 

 busily engaged in gratifying his own taste, he never had 

 time to consult that of the public, by which he lived. 



An Epicure, said Sir Shawn, is very unlikely to cater 

 well in Theatricals — he is too indolent, and though he 

 swallotvs nothing but what is excellent in its kind, and 

 ivell got lip, he expects the public to swallow any trash, 

 and looks to see it go doivn pleasantly. — The carriage 

 stopped, and the party were soon settled in the stage 

 box. 



end of chapter XIX. 



