PLAY 211 



General (he had not then attained the rank that was 

 afterwards conferred on him), and this led to a correspon- 

 dence which was most amusing, as it developed the 

 eccentric turn of mind of this lover of the Muses. It was 

 very friendly in the expressions it contained of his 

 acknowledgments of, and willingness to advance, my 

 pretensions. His next note, in which the merits of this 

 my second attempt (Paul before Xero) was discussed, was 

 accompanied with one from a lady of high rank and 

 literary reputation, urging me to carry out the poem to 

 its proper termination, and wishing me every success. 



It was upon the heel of this correspondence that I had 

 one day for my box companion a gentleman who had 

 purchased one of these little productions at Cambridge, 

 and, after having perused it, was pleased to speak of it 

 in terms far from disagreeable to my feelings. He dwelt 

 most on what he termed the vigorous and graphic style 

 in which it was ■v\Titten, stating, at the same time, that I 

 ought to write a play, as, if I succeeded, I should find it 

 far more remunerative. 



This gentleman's conversation made a considerable 

 impression on me ; and on my retiring to rest that night, 

 I called to mind my friend Elliston, and the laughter 

 and ridicule with which I used to meet his repeated 

 importunities. 



However, with the recollection of him, and what now 

 flattered me as being his sincere opinion, and at the 

 instigation or recommendation of my box companion, I 

 attempted a play, which I completed in five acts. I had 

 the temerity to submit it to the management of Drary 

 Lane, with the foolish hope that its merit might authorize 



